An Ultimate Guide: Choosing an Office Chair

There is a lot of talk of ergonomic furniture at the workplace these days. You will hear endless me mentions of lumbar support and material of a seat in reference to how it affects the user. Since most of us spend so much time seated, it helps to use furniture that complements the human body in its design.

Investing in this sort of furniture dents the account, but the value will be felt and enjoyed for a long time. Here’s what to look for when buying one.

• Table of Contents

  Great Lumbar Support

If a seat is to be used by different people of varying size and height, then the lower back backrest should be adjustable to fit these users. It should be possible to adjust it up and down, back and forward, and the curve should ideally fit the back well when you sit. If the seat is meant for a specific individual, then fixed lumbar support will suffice as it will be designed to fit the recommendations of that primary user.

On top of good lumbar support, you want to look at mid and upper-back support as well as the shoulder-blades. With good lumbar support also comes enough hip-space on the seat pan to ensure your thighs are aptly supported.  It should also offer excellent support when you recline.

• Height Adjustability

The chair should have pneumatic adjustability for height while the user is seated. It should ideally suit a tall or short person depending on user and this can only be achieved if it is designed to move. It should be possible to adjust the seat so that both your feet are firmly planted on the ground, removing the need for a footrest. The mechanism for adjusting the height should be effortless while the user is seated.

• Width and Depth of the Seat

Most seats are typically 17 and 20 inches wide, which is usually enough hip space so that the user is not stretching to reach the armrests. Unless a case is unique, requiring customized dimensions, this width suffices. The depth of the seat should leave enough space between its ends and the user’s knees for comfort. There should also be enough support for hips. Cushions should have enough memory foam so they remain comfortable after a long time of use. The target is for it to still be comfortable after 120 minutes of siting down.

• Movement and Stability

You want to be able to move around you without straining too much and this means the seat should rotate easily. Movements are good for blood flow, so seats that encourage them are better for office settings. Stability is also key as it aids in proper movement. To make this possible, you are looking for a chair with at least 5 spokes. You also want wheels that will not damage the floor when moved.

• If the Price is Right…

When making an investment that will pay back for a long time, you may not want to out too much emphasis on the price. Still worth noting is that the range for this type of chairs is usually between $200 and $2,000. Your choice will largely depend on the depth of your pocket.