How to choose an office chair? A complete guide

The chair is one item that needs to be carefully chosen when working in an office. However, there are a number of factors to think about while selecting your office chair. Monsiege.fr has compiled a list of 12 factors that are crucial for making a decision in order to assist you.

How can I be sure to get the proper office chair?

If you work in an office, you presumably spend the most, if not all, of your working day there. According to a survey by the manufacturer of corrective lenses Acuvue, office workers spend 6.5 hours per day sitting down. That amounts to around 1,700 hours in a year. Here are some crucial factors to take into account while selecting an office chair.

Select a chair with adequate lumbar support.

You can safeguard yourself from joint and muscle pain whether you spend more or less time sitting, so boost your productivity by making an investment in a high-quality office chair. Without back discomfort and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which so many office workers experience, you will be able to work more productively.

Examine whether the office chair offers sufficient lumbar support before purchasing. Some people believe that back discomfort only arises in physically demanding occupations like manufacturing or construction. However, office employees are frequently those who are most at risk for these MSDs, which are disabling disorders. A study of 700 office workers found that

Select a chair with lumbar support for your office to lower your risk of low back pain. The term “lumbar support” describes the cushioning or padding that surrounds the lower back and provides support for the lumbar region of the back, which is the portion of the back between the thoracic and pelvic areas. By stabilizing your lower back, it relieves pressure on your spine and the tissues that support it.

Choose a chair for the office with a decent weight capacity.

For your safety and the longevity of the seat, you should stay within the weight limits of all office chairs. If you weigh more than your chair can support, it can become unstable from daily use.

The majority of professional models have a 200–250-pound weight capability. The good news is that there are workplace chairs made expressly for people who weigh more. They are referred to as “large and tall office chairs” and have a more durable construction to support heavier people.

There are large and tall office chairs that can support people weighing 300, 400, and 500 pounds. Some variants come with big and tall office chair in addition to this greater capacity. Select a chair for the office that can support more weight than you do.

Adopt a caster-equipped office chair.

Not every office chair has the conventional four legs. Some chairs have casters, which are mounted wheels, that let you move and spin while sitting on them. For instance, you can move about your desk’s various regions by rolling or swiveling it if it is L-shaped.

With a moving office chair, you may easily move between parts of your desk where you have a computer and a writing station without getting up.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests using office chairs with five casters at computer workstations to increase productivity and lower the risk of injuries on its website.

Conventional four-legged chairs are still permitted in breakout spaces, waiting areas, and conference rooms. Choosing a five-wheel office chair, however, will increase your productivity while fostering a safer working environment at computer workstations.

It’s crucial to have an office chair that fits the size of the desk.

Offices, like the majority of other workplaces, are limited in space. Therefore, while selecting an office chair, size is crucial. You might not be able to select a large executive office chair if you work in a small cubicle, in which case you will need to select a smaller chair.

Take dimensions of the space where you intend to use the office chair before making a purchase. You can choose an appropriate size office chair by using it as a guide.

Keep in mind that a tiny office chair may always be fitted to a large workstation, but not the other way around. In case you’re unsure, pick a chair for the office that is a few inches shorter than the space you plan to utilize it in.

Select a chair for the office that has a height adjustment.

Most office workers can comfortably sit in fixed-height office chairs, which typically have a seat to floor height of 17 to 19 inches, while facing their desks and other work areas.

However, not all office employees are the same height, and if you’re too tall or too short for a fixed-height office chair, sitting in it can strain your back or neck.

OSHA advises selecting a desk chair that can be adjusted from 15 to 22 inches in height. Therefore, you should be able to adjust the seat so that it is only 15 inches above the ground or elevate it so that it is 22 inches high.

It will let you to use your desk or workstation in comfort regardless of your height, whether it be short, tall, or medium. You’ll have to settle for 17 to 21 inches because the majority of professional seats don’t lower to 15 inches.

Just so you know, this measurement is often taken from the bottom of the seat cushion to its top. Additionally, since we’re talking about adjustments, it would be quite beneficial for you to select a model that offers a variety of ergonomic chair for adjustments.

Selecting an Office Chair in Style

Although an office chair’s design won’t alter its performance or utility, it will have an impact on its appearance and, in turn, your office’s decor. Models come in a wide variety of fashions, from classic executive looks in all-black to vibrant modern and contemporary styles.

What kind of office chair should you select then? To ensure a unified design scheme when selecting a desk chair for a wide area, stick to a well-known style. Consider selecting an executive style that is similar to the classic, all-black chairs that are currently in use in your business.

On the other hand, go for a brown leather appearance if your office has brown leather furniture. Maintaining a uniform look with your office chairs will improve the overall decoration of your workspace and create a balanced environment.

Select a chair at the desk that allows for ventilation.

Some office chairs are more breathable than others, making them perfect for those who experience discomfort from the heat while at work. They are known as mesh office chairs and have backrests made of permeable mesh fabric.

By definition, “mesh” refers to fabric threads connected together to give the impression of being woven into a web. Office chairs made of mesh lack robust backs. They have a partially open folder in its place. As a result, the person using this mesh chair style stays cooler and feels more comfortable. The mesh back effectively ventilates the body while working by allowing body heat to escape.

You might not require a mesh office chair if you work in a cold environment with a constant temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or if you stay cool during the working day. However, a mesh office chair is a wise buy if you easily become warm while working.

Think about a design with armrests.

While seated at a desk or workstation, armrests let you rest your forearms. Your forearms won’t have someplace to rest if there are no armrests, which increases tiredness, the chance that you’ll lean too close to the screen, and your risk of developing musculoskeletal illnesses. Armrests on office chairs are a necessity for workstations in offices. Armrests are optional in waiting rooms and break rooms across the business.