When buying office furniture, many people are willing to spend more on an office desk than an office chair. But if you consider how many hours you spend sitting on the chair, and how important the chair is to your overall health and comfort, it really should be the other way around.

A good office chair can improve productivity and reduce health issues. You can’t expect an employee who’s uncomfortable in their chair to give their best at work every day. A chair will also last for many years, so a good chair is a worthwhile investment.

 

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN OFFICE CHAIR

There are a range of factors to consider when buying an office chair. Beyond aesthetics and cost, it is vital to consider how the chair will function on a day to day basis. We’ve compiled a quick guide to buying an office chair with some important tips to help you in the process.

MAKE SURE YOUR SEAT IS HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE

It’s important that the chair you choose is adjustable. You need to be able to adjust the height to suit your own height so that your feet can rest comfortably on the floor, which will reduce the strain on your back. You also want to ensure that your arms can easily reach your desk, ensuring you don’t create tension in your shoulders. The height adjustment comes standard on almost every office chair because it is very important.

ALSO LOOK FOR AN ADJUSTABLE BACKREST

Ideally, a chair should also have an adjustable backrest, so you can move the seat-back forward or backward. This adjustment stops people from sitting too far backward or too far forward in their chair, and therefore reduces strain on their thighs. An ideal chair should be wide and deep enough for you to sit comfortably. Taller people will need a deeper seat to support their longer body.

GET A CHAIR WITH ARMRESTS

Armrests are great for taking strain off your neck and shoulders. As you rest your elbows on the armrests you allow the rest of your arms, all the way up to your shoulders, to relax. Ideally, you want the armrests to also be adjustable, especially if you move your chair in and out of your desk. Fixed armrests tend to get in the way of the desk and force you to have to stretch to reach the desk comfortably.

CHECK FOR LUMBAR SUPPORT

Our lower backs are concave in shape, so a good chair will support this shape with a convex shape. A contoured backrest offers support so that you don’t end up slumping in your chair. This support will help protect your spine, minimising strain on your lumbar disks.

TRY PICK A BREATHABLE AND COMFORTABLE MATERIAL

The chair should be covered in a material that lets your body breathe. Many people prefer the feel of a fabric chair, but new materials like mesh are highly breathable and easy to maintain. Wood and plastic are not ideal materials for office chairs that people will be spending large amounts of time in as they can get very uncomfortable quickly.

You also want to ensure that your chair offers sufficient padding to keep you comfortable throughout the day.

LOOK FOR A CHAIR WITH SWIVEL AND CASTERS

If you can move around freely in your chair, you’ll maximise your efficiency. A chair that can rotate easily helps you reach different areas of your desk. Casters at the bottom of your chair help you move around with ease.

CONSIDER AESTHETICS

It’s important to find a chair that suits the look of your office. You may want a chair with a more traditional feel or a young and trendy vibe. The chairs you use in your offices, boardrooms, and chill areas can help to set the tone for your office space.

LOOK OUT FOR CHAIR MANUFACTURERS THAT OFFER A GUARANTEE

You want to consider the policies of the company you work with when buying chairs for your office. Do they offer a guarantee on their products? Do they offer a back-up service should anything go wrong?

 

WHERE TO BUY A CHAIR NEAR ME?

Chair Club offer an excellent range of office chairs, designed in Germany and proudly manufactured in South Africa. We are known for our fantastic service and our no-fuss guarantee. We have a range of ergonomic office chairs as well as visitor, conference and meeting chairs. If you are looking to buy office chairs, explore our website to find the perfect solution for your needs.