Comfortable Office Chairs: Tools for Wellbeing and Productivity
If you have an office, chances are that you and most of your employees spend almost a third of your day sitting in a chair. Ergonomic and comfortable office chairs benefit health, well-being and productivity at work. Finding the ideal ergonomic and comfortable office chair might be tricky, though: there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, since every person’s body is different.
In this article we will explain everything you need to know to choose the best office chairs for your team.
What to look for in a comfortable office chair
The best office chairs have certain aspects in common that make them really comfortable. Specifically, they must be ergonomic, with customizable components.
Office chair adjustability
A good office chair will help you maintain a neutral posture. A neutral posture entails sitting with your legs flat on the floor, your knees slightly higher than your hips, and your hips, shoulders, and ears in line.
The most comfortable office chairs will allow you to adjust the armrests, seat height and depth, and the angle of the backrest tilt. If you are shorter or taller than average, seat height and seat depth are especially important factors to look for.
Desk chair lumbar support
Lumbar refers to the part of the spine that’s located in your lower back region. One of the most important aspects to take into account in an ergonomic seating at the office is the adjustable lumbar support. A good backrest should support you regardless of the angle you sit at. This is an aspect that cheaper chairs usually do not allow, so you must make a good balance between the quality of the chair and your budget. Keep in mind that if you have lower back pain, you’ll definitely want to look for a chair with lumbar support, in order to have a comfortable seat.
Work chair materials
Work chairs may be made of almost anything, from leather to fabric. Take in account that upholstered chairs are typically less expensive than their leather counterparts, but they are more difficult to keep clean.
Breathability and easy cleaning are not the only things you need to keep in mind. The type of material used in an office work chair will have an impact on how well the chair supports your body and keeps you comfortable.
Office chair weight capacity
The best desk chairs offer adequate support, as it has a direct impact on the durability of the chair. The standardized weight is usually around 250 lbs (113 kg). However, there are office chair brands that usually offer models with higher resistance.
Headrest vs. no headrest
While a headrest isn’t absolutely necessary in a work chair, it may provide you extra support to your upper back, neck, and head by cradling your entire spine.
Headrest may be necessary while performing simple and repetitive tasks where the head barely moves. Typing or reading for a lengthy time is an excellent opportunity to rest the head. Headrests are also useful for moments of relaxation, including phone calls or just leaning back for a little break.
Office Chair Brands to Know
Humanscale office chairs
Humanscale Design Studio is a leading manufacturer of ergonomic office chairs. Their designs target to improve the health and comfort of work life.
They are known for their collaboration with the legendary designer Niels Diffrient, who designed many of their task chairs, including the iconic Freedom chair, the first self-adjusting chair without manual knobs and levers. Humanscale also partnered with other esteemed industrial designers, including Don Chadwick and Todd Bracher.
Keilhauer office chairs
Keilhauer manufactures office task chairs. Their designs are made to support engaging communications in offices, lobbies, lunchrooms and more. Working with world-renowned designers, Keilhauer is internationally recognized for award-winning design, built with a craftsmanship that is held to the highest environmental standards.
Bouty office chairs
With a rich culture of engineering and innovative know-how, Bouty continually strives to offer clients furniture that is ergonomically and aesthetically designed while never compromising comfort and durability.
Global office chairs
Global Furniture Group originated in 1966 when the company was founded with the vision of manufacturing well-made office furniture at affordable prices. That promise continues today through a network of vertically integrated suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
ADI office chairs
ADI offers high performance ergonomic office chairs with patented articulating seat and suspension system.
ErgoCentric office chairs
ErgoCentric, was recognized as North America’s premier manufacturer of high-quality ergonomic seating for office, specialty and healthcare environments.
Performance office chairs
As an industry leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of office furniture, their goal is to offer high quality, durable products at affordable prices.
FAQs about office chairs
How long does a desk chair last?
It depends on how often it’s used and what type of material it is made of. However, computer chairs usually last for years. The best chairs for work, whether an executive office chair or a regular workstation chair, should come with warranties that should cover issues beyond normal wear and tear.
Are expensive office chairs worth it?
There is no simple answer to this question. In general, it is probably worth spending a bit more on an office chair if you plan to use it frequently and for long periods of time. However, there are many affordable options available that can provide good support and comfort. Ultimately, it is important to find a chair that feels comfortable and provides good support for your body. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair with poor support can cause neck, hip and back pain that can hamper workability.
