Home Office Chair Buying Guide
Working from home can be the best thing in the world, or if you've got the wrong kind of desk chair, then it can be the worst thing in the world. There's no reason to sit uncomfortably whilst working anymore, as even a home office can be the comfiest place to make working a breeze. That's why we've put together this guide on choosing the right home office chair!
What kind of chair is best for a home office?
There's no right or wrong answer to what kind of chair is best for a home office; it purely depends on your need. If you work for long hours sitting at a desk, you'll want to make sure you buy an ergonomic office chair that provides you with plenty of support and comfort.
On the other hand, if you don't spend much time at a desk, you might find it more economical to purchase a fixed desk chair that you could use for other functions, such as a dining chair.
It's important to assess your needs to figure out what kind of home office chair you need. Do you suffer from back pain? Do you need to sit for long periods? Do you need to move around?
The best desk chair will be one that can accommodate you, is supportive, allows you to carry out your daily tasks and is also suited to your workstation. There's no point in an office chair if it's too tall for your desk!
What is an ergonomic chair?
An ergonomic chair is a type of home office chair specifically designed to offer you the highest levels of comfort and support. These office chairs are often designed with unique ergonomic features, such as a backrest, lumbar support, or extra padding to help promote correct posture.
Ergonomic chairs are particularly suitable if you have to work longer than 4 hours a day and have a fixed-height desk. They provide plenty of spine support and are usually very adjustable, allowing you to adjust the chair to your specific needs.
An ergonomic office chair will also usually have a 5-star base with castors, allowing you to quickly move around if you need to reach for different things. This means you won't be stuck in one place!
Can I use a dining chair in my home office?
You can sit on a dining chair or stool in your home office, but we wouldn't recommend it. Dining chairs and stools aren't designed for working for long periods but for short-term use. You probably don't sit on a dining chair for any longer than two hours, and even then, you might start to feel a little uncomfortable!
Unlike home office chairs, they don't offer any adjustable features, and they also don't provide any support for your back or neck. This is especially true for a stool, which can lead to more postural problems that will make working uncomfortable and even painful.
Are office chairs better with or without arms?
Unfortunately, there is no correct answer on whether an office chair is better with or without arms. Whilst some people might appreciate that they provide extra support to your arms and reduce the pressure on your lower back, others think that armrests might promote leaning postures which can cause problems.
Choosing an office chair with or without arms can be a preference; if you don't like the feeling that you're leaning on them, you can opt for a desk chair with no arms. Alternatively, you might prefer the support armrests give! The critical thing to remember is to not rely on your armrests too much; they're only meant to support and shouldn't be used all the time!
Armrests on an office chair can also be helpful to those who suffer from lower back pain, as they can help to give you extra leverage to get up. Whatever you choose, ensure that your armrests will fit underneath or perfectly above your desk to help save on space!
Can I adjust the seat height on a desk chair?
If you choose an office chair that is not fixed in place, then there should be an option to adjust your seat height. This is often found as a lever beneath the seat, though it may be elsewhere. The perfect sitting position for long periods should be that your feet will rest flat on the floor, though you can always invest in a footrest!
Adjusting the height of your seat is important as it will help to promote a healthy working posture - too high and you might get neck strain from looking down at your laptop or screen, whereas if it's too low, then you might strain other parts of your body trying to look up!