Office Chair Essentials

In the consumer products world, you get what you pay for.  A cheap item is going to be less reliable and have a shorter life expectancy then a top of the line product.  This rule is no different for office furniture, in particular office chairs.  You can buy an inexpensive chair just at almost any office supply store but is it really the best option?  However, spending hundreds or even a thousand dollars on a chair for a home office or a desk you only use a few times a week seems a bit excessive.  So what is the best approach to take? 

Features

 The number one thing to look at before deciding on a chair for your office or home is to identify certain features that you are looking for.  Anyone can advertise an ergonomic chair but most do not fully understand what that means.  Almost any chair out there comes with a basic swivel tilt mechanism.  This allows the chair to rotate around the base and tilt back when you lean back.  Additionally, most of these basic mechanisms also include basic height adjustment.  At first glance most people think the basic features are enough but when compared to what is out there, they do not provide the support or comfort we should be expecting from a quality product.  That leads us to the next question of what features should we be looking for?  There is no right or wrong answer but for informational purposes I will define some features that are available. 

Back height adjustment, this feature allows you to raise or lower the seat back to ensure its lumbar support hits you in the proper place enabling the chair to be more supportive.

Seat depth adjustment, this allows you to change the seat to accommodate the length of your thighs enabling you to keep your back in contact with the backrest while avoiding pressure behind your knees.

Tension adjustment, this increase or decrease resistance levels to movement to match individual body weight allowing you to rock comfortably without having to push heavily.

Chair tilt lock allows you to lock the chairs position in place.  This is great for when you need to be stationary.  You can find a position that is comfortable and maintain it when you shift.

Forward Seat Angle, this allows you to change the angle of your torso in relation to your thighs.

Waterfall Seat Edge is a design that angles the front of your seat to reduce pressure at the back of the knees.

Adjustable arms, this feature is very comprehensive.  Arms can adjust for height, width, depth, or angle based on the chair in question.

These are just some of the basic chair features out there. Some modern chairs even incorporate weight sensing technology to adjust automatically based on your sitting position. 

The reason for understanding these feature exist is simple.  It allows you to know what you are buying and provides a basic starting point for making a purchase. 

Deciding what You Need

Now that we have established a baseline for some features, we must determine what we actually need and determine a budget.  We all want as many high end features as possible but it is not practical in all situations.  For example, if we are looking to put some chairs in a conference room that we only use a few times a week it is not necessary for our chairs to have everything.  In these cases, some simple features fill the requirements and this allows us to keep our budget in check.   In contrast, if we are looking for a chair for our main work area we want to ensure we are comfortable.  We need to take care of our bodies and ensure our backs get as much support as possible.  In this case, we would want to look at higher end chairs and be willing to spend some extra money.  Additionally, preferences are important when deciding what chair fits our needs.  Some people prefer wider seats while other people prefer a more minimal footprint.  There is not right or wrong answer on this front, just make sure to think it through and decide what you are most comfortable with.

Upholstery

The other key feature in any chair is the upholstery.  It does not matter how many adjustment features a chair has if the fabric it is covered in is uncomfortable.  Leather is the first material that comes to mind when we think about high end, but it is the most expensive.  Vinyl is a less expensive option that mimics leather but it does not breathe as well.  Additionally, there are countless numbers of fabrics in different patterns and with different price points.  This allows us to match any décor and add some color to the office.  The options are endless, so make sure to spend a few minutes to find the right style for you.  When in doubt, most companies will provide fabric samples to make sure you do not rush into making a decision.  It is important to get it right.

This might seem a bit overwhelming to an office design novice, but do not worry.  We are here to help.  Just email us at sales@furniturewholesalers.com and tell us what you are looking for.  Give us some features that are important to you and a budget and we will be happy to make some recommendations.  Finally, we only show a fraction of the colors and fabrics that are available.  If you do not see what you are looking for online, please ask. We can always provide more options.