How to choose the perfect home office chair
It’s important to get the right chair for your work
Prolonged sitting with inadequate support or poor posture can lead to:
Joint stiffness or pain
Muscle discomfort or tension
Acute or chronic neck, shoulder or back injuries
Treatment and rehabilitation costs
Reduced productivity
Avoid these seating options
There are many tempting seating options when working from home, but most weren't designed for a full day of computer work.
Lounge
Beanbag
Bed
Kitchen
Armchair
Get comfortable with the right style of task chair to fit your body
1
Select a style of ergonomic task chair
Static adjustment
Backrest angle supports a fixed position when seated, adjusts manually using a lever.
Dynamic adjustment
Backrest and seat pan angles recline with body movement and may help reduce muscle tension.
With appropriate adjustment features
Seat height
Seat height affects the working posture of the whole body. Adjust the gas lift to feel firm support under your heels and even pressure through your thighs .
Lumbar
Prominent outward curve of the backrest should support the inward lower back curve of the spine. Position it opposite the belly button and above the hips .
Backrest angle
Backrest must not be fixed to the seat pan to allow angle adjustment. A slightly reclined supported posture may reduce muscle and joint strain .
2
Decide on the right support features
Foam or mesh
Foam is naturally firm and supportive, particularly for the lower back. Mesh has a light and breathable feel, but may lack back support
Backrest height
Once the lumbar support is in place, choose your preferred height of back support. Be guided by comfort.
Adjustable armrests
May benefit arm support, but must be adjustable close to the body, lowered below elbow and desk height, and not prevent you sitting close to the desk.
Head and neck
Consider this feature if medically necessary or if it increases perceived comfort. Not essential for most users.
Seat depth
Allow a small gap between the seat pan and back of your knees, no more than a hand span. Seat depth adjustment features may help.
And other considerations
Castors
Castors improve chair mobility. Soft friction braking castors may prevent the chair from rolling away on smooth or slippery floor surfaces
Capacity
Select a chair that’s rated to support your weight. Ensure the seat pan width is comfortable too.
Aesthetic
A visually suited chair is often important. But always choose comfort, support and function over the look of a chair design
Even with a great chair, remember to stand up every 30 minutes.
