The Essential Office Chair Buying Guide

When it comes to choosing office chairs for your workplace, you’ll want to make sure you’re picking out the best furnishings possible for the health, productivity and wellbeing of employees.  

In the typical office environment, the majority of people are likely working at a desk. It’s crucial that they have access to a comfortable and supportive place to sit. For the lowdown on why office seating is so important, and some helpful tips for picking out the perfect office chairs for your work environment, take a look at our essential office chair buying guide. 

The benefits of a good office chair 

Regardless of what your job is, if you’re required to do it while you’re sitting down at a desk, you must be using the right kind of chair. But why does choosing this piece of office furniture require so much thought? Let’s break down why it’s important that you spend some time picking out the perfect seat. 

Improve employee health 

It’s no secret that your health is paramount, so it’s vital that you do what you can to look after your employee’s wellbeing when they’re in the office. The truth is, using the wrong type of chair can harm people’s health. 

For example, if their seat isn’t up to scratch, employee’s might find that they feel achy and sore. They may also notice a change in posture. If their chair isn’t providing them with the support they need to sit up properly, they may be tempted to slouch or hunch. This can add pressure to their lower back, increasing strain on the back and leading to neck and shoulder pain. If this continues, their aches and pains will worsen, causing them discomfort and affecting their overall physical health and impacting their ability to work.  

Boost employee productivity levels 

Did you know that the wrong chair could have an impact on employee productivity? The truth is, an uncomfortable chair can be distracting, leading to a loss in concentration. As a result, work performance may start to dip. 

Choosing the best office chair 

With so many different models to choose from, selecting the best office chair can be tricky. Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, so it helps to get clued up before you go shopping. 

To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together some of the key pieces of information you should keep in mind when you’re choosing your new office chair. 

Types of office chair 

Office chairs are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. To choose the right type of model, it pays to know the difference between them. Below, we take a look at some of our most popular chair styles, picking out the main facts about each one. 

Operator office chairs 

• Often considered the ‘typical’ office chair 
• Usually has a spacious seat and back section for increased comfort 

• Key features can include seat height adjustability, back tilt and swivel seat function 

Draughtsman office chairs 

• Commonly used in conjunction with tall work surfaces, the Draughtsman office chairs are a perfect match 
• Available with different seat materials, including fabric, vinyl and polyurethane plastic 
• Key features can include seat height adjustability, a footrest bar and swivel seat function 

Office stools 

• Ideal for those who move around a lot, providing an easy transition between sitting and standing 
• Available for both short and tall work surfaces 
• Key features can include seat height adjustability, a footrest bar and supportive backrest 

Kneeling chairs 

• Ergonomically designed to reduce strain on the lower back 
• Can help to improve posture and keep joints and muscles active while sitting 
• Key features include seat height and angle adjustability, padded seat section and tilt mechanism 

Office chairs for heavy people 

• Provides extra support for people weighing around 130kgs or over (or roughly 20 stone) 
• Double-padded cushions and armrests to allow for long-lasting comfort  
• Check the product details of your office to see the weight capacity  

Office chairs for tall people 

• Suitable for people over 6’6” in height 
• Will provide a higher seat, a longer seat pan, a taller back, and a larger and higher lumbar curve 
• Add adjustable monitors and stackable desk risers to add further comfort for tall employees 

Features of an office chair 

When you’re choosing your next office chair, it’s important that the model you go for has the right features for you. This will ensure that your seat is comfortable, supportive and allows you to sit properly. 

So, now that you know what you’re looking for, here are the vital features of the ideal office chair. 

Adjustable seat height 

It’s important that an office chair can be altered to suit the needs of the individual - especially when it comes to seat height. If your chair is at the wrong height, it can be extremely uncomfortable, and you could find that you end up stooping or straining yourself to look at your computer screen. Over time, this can lead to neck and shoulder pain. 

Ideally, you should be able to adjust your seat so that you can sit comfortably with both feet placed on the floor or use a footrest without the back of your thighs feeling compressed. In altering the seat height, the user should also be able to fix it into a position that allows them to rest their forearms and wrists on the desk and ensure that their eyes are level with the top of the monitor. 

Swivel function 

This function offers fluid mobility, which is important if workers need to access different areas of their desk, such as reaching for the telephone. Having a chair with a swivel function means your employees won’t have to worry about twisting their backs.  

Backrest tilt mechanism 

Choosing a chair with a backrest tilt mechanism can help you move easily within your seat, allowing you to reposition yourself periodically. The tilt control means you can adjust the angle of the back of the chair, giving you the option of sitting upright or at an angle. 

Ideally, users should be able to adjust the chair so that the angle between the thighs and back is between 95 and 105 degrees. The chair should enable you to sit with your chest and abdomen ‘open’ rather than scrunched up. 

Lumbar support 

Lumbar support refers to the shape and curvature of the back section of the chair. This feature is designed to encourage a natural, comfortable and healthy sitting position, as well as providing much-needed support for the low and middle areas of your back. Without it, employees could be doing their health more harm than good, so keep an eye out for chair models with this feature. 

Cushioning 

If employees are going to sit down for long periods, a seat with a sufficient amount of padding is a must. Ideally, chairs should have thick, cushioned seat and back sections. This will ensure comfort throughout the day, helping employees stay focused on the task at hand. 

Armrests 

Although they may not be absolutely necessary, having an office chair with armrests can be extremely useful. Armrests can help reduce pressure on the lower back, and they can ease shoulder and neck tension too. They are especially recommended if you spend a lot of time sitting down, providing extra support for your body. 

Ideally, armrests should be cushioned, contoured and adjustable so that they can be altered to a height that suits the individual. It’s also important that the armrests don’t prevent you from getting close to your desk. If users find that you end up sitting on the edge of the seat, their back won’t be fully supported. 

Castors 

If you like the freedom of being able to move around with ease, a chair model with castors is a must. This feature allows for easy transportation too, as it means chairs can be rolled from one area of the office to another without the need for any heavy lifting. 

Office chair safety standards  

Government agency Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outline the laws and requirements that businesses must follow for workplace workstations. You can find everything they recommend for office seating in their published eBook on the subject. As a general starting point, here are a few things office workers are entitled to with regards to their seat: 

• A stable base to work comfortably on 
• A chair with adjustable height 
• An adjustable backrest that can be titled  

• Lumbar support for the lower back 
• Arm supports that do not obstruct moving the chair under the desk  
• A seat wider than the hip width of the user 
• A chair that allows feet to comfortably sit flat on the floor  

To get all this in place, a risk assessment will need to be carried out at every workstation.  

A choice of materials 

When it comes to picking out an office chair, you’ll find that there are a wide variety of materials to choose from. So that you select the perfect one for your office space, here’s information about some of the most popular designs. 

Fabric 

Simple, straightforward and soft to the touch, fabric is a popular choice when it comes to office chairs. This type of material is usually available in a plethora of different colours, and it’s normally used to cover chairs with padded foam seats. 

Leather 

Office chairs that have been upholstered in leather provide you with a comfortable, plush place to sit. This material is durable and hard-wearing. If it’s looked after properly it has the ability to stand the test of time. 

Mesh 

This material provides breathability by promoting better ventilation and enabling improved airflow. As a result, you should find that you’re able to keep cool and dry while you work. Mesh style chairs are usually ergonomically shaped too, so you should find that this type of seating keeps you supported while you work. 

Price of an office chair 

There is no exact figure on the cost of an office chair but no matter your budget, there will be a comfortable solution available.  

Office chairs can cost anything from £40 per chair up to £500 and more. The most immediate difference between a cheaper office chair and an expensive one is the material used. Cotton or vinyl-based chairs are situated at the lower end of the price scale, with mesh chairs coming in slightly more expensive. The most expensive material for office chairs is leather. 

Another aspect of office chairs that brings different price points is adjustability and level of support. Once you start adding extra lumbar support and height adjustments, the cost of the chair will rise.  

Ultimately, you need to balance your budget with the general purpose of the chair in your office. For reception rooms or as spares when external visitors are in the office, basic conference chairs will suffice for short periods of sitting. If the office chair is to be used for long periods at someone’s desk, then you’ll need lumbar support and adjustable features. If an employee has added requirements, then an executive chair may be the best option. These are the most expensive type of office chairs, but they offer the most comfort and support for users.  

Find out more 

At Furniture At Work, we are perfectly placed to help you choose the right seating solutions for your workspace. If you’d like help selecting your next model, or to find out more about our range of affordable office chairs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts today. You can speak to our friendly and knowledgeable advisers by giving us a call on 0844 415 9700 or by filling out our online contact form.