The Best Office Chairs: How to Choose a Stylish Seat That Fits Your Needs
ccording to the ONS,
over 1.5 million Brits now work from home
, enjoying a life free from a sardine-esque morning commute and, at least, eight hours stuck behind a desk in an office that is equal parts too cold and too hot at all hours of the day.
Without the presence of a boss or coworkers looming over us, watching our every move and casting a disapproving frown when we amble out of bed at 11am, still in our pyjamas to pour a third bowl of cereal,
working from home can allegedly leave many of us feeling socially and professionally isolated
.
Whether you end up turning your kitchen table into a makeshift desk during the day, or you're lucky enough to have a spare room you can turn into a home office, making a designated workspace area in your homewith a comfortable office chairas opposed to just sitting in bed or planting yourself on the couch with your laptop in your lap, is key to creating a productive working environment for yourself.
But although you're trying to recreate an office like environment in your home to keep you motivated and productive, you don't have to make yourself an exact replica of the office you've left behind.
S
ay goodbye to oddly sized desks, drawers that constantly jam, an air conditioning unit who'ssole purpose in life seems to be to frustrate, and, mostly importantly, say your farewells touncomfortable chairs. What you're after is anergonomic chair, which is the most comfortable kind ofoffice chairdesigned to support the lower back and ensure good posture.
I
t's worth perusing a number of office chair reviews to find out what would best suit you.
Jenkin Au, EMEA product manager for Steelcase, said: "The evolution of technology and changing work styles have revolutionised the way we work, but they have also placed a greater strain on our bodies. Sitting statically all day can increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as creating tension in our backs.
"Compounded with these health issues, workers seated in poorly designed chairs are also more focused on their discomfort, meaning they are less focused on their work."Hence having a comfortable office chair make you more productive while sitting in front of you computer all day.
With all of this in mind, we recommend some of our favourite ergonomic office chairs...
£1,377, Aram
T
his made-to-order Cherner swivel base task chair (a type of chair used in conjunction with an office desk featuring multiple adjustments) can be purchased in either 'classic walnut' or 'natural beech' and comes both with and without arms.
Lightweight yet sturdy, this chair makes for an excellent computer chairis height adjustable and would make a stylish addition to any home office.
B
uy now
£490.40, John Lewis
E
rgonomically designed, lightweight and compactthe SAYL office chair offers excellent lumbar support and has specially designed hinge points to flex and support the pelvis. Lumbar support means that the ears, shoulders, and pelvis (hips) are kept in alignment, and the natural inward curvature of the lower spine is maintained.
It is easy to adjust to your liking while the elastolex foam and fabric seat provides cushioning that conforms to the contours of your body, leaving you able to sit in it for extended periods of time comfortably.
Buy now
£2,998, The Conran Shop
C
harles Eames
is partly responsible for some of the 20th century's most celebrated chairs, and the Eames EA216 is no exception. An iconic Eames chair might make a dent in your wallet, but it's worth it in terms of both style and comfort.
This soft padded, comfy office chair has a high backrest with armrests for optimum comfort while working. The die-cast aluminium clamping brackets on the base allow for a gentle recline.
Buy now
£299, John Lewis
M
ade from padded faux leather, the Jefferson office chair from John Lewis is height-adjustable and has a tilted backrest. The armrests are fixed in place which can be less than desirable for extended periods of time, but the padded seating does make up for it in terms of comfort.
Y
ou can get this snug chair in three colours (grey, black, and chestnut) to match your interior.
Buy now
£629, John Lewis
T
his minimalist, comfortable office chair boasts a variety of advanced features including an automatic and weight sensitive recline, providing the perfect amount of support for anyone using the chair.
These features allow the chair to provide constant lumbar support when in use even if the individual changes their posture.
Buy now
£270, Posturite
W
hile this chair might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, this Positiv model has a curved back and a lumbar pump to adjust the amount of air in the lumbar cushion, providing extra support - making it one of the best office chairs for your back.
The seat has a sliding range of 50mm while the memory foam seat pad provides extra comfort. The armrests are adjustable, retractable and can be folded away when not needed. It also comes in red and black.
Buy now
£39, IKEA
F
or a perfectly functional, budget option, go for the Torkel swivel computer chair from IKEA. It has a fixed armrest, but is adjustable in height and in tilt tension to suit your movements and weight.
I
t also safety castors with a pressure sensitive brake mechanism to keep the chair in place when you stand up and a handy swivel function.
Buy now
These are the key things to look out for when choosing an office chair for your home working space.
Adjustments
A good ergonomic chair has a wide range of adjustments that can be tweaked to fit the unique anatomy of the user.
Adjustable seat depth and adequate lumbar support is critical, and make sure that when you recline in the chair, the backrest doesn’t drop away. Ideally you want the angle of the seat and the back to stay the same whether you are sitting upright or leaning back – a bit like a rocking chair.
Environment
Make sure the chair is right for the environment - for instance you can get different castors (wheels) for different floor types. You don’t want to be scooting uncontrollably across the floorboards every time you try to get up. Likewise, make sure you’ve got the right height gas stem (the adjustable pole your seat is propped up on) for the surface you’re working at.
Movement
A chair that allows movement is important when you have a sedentary desk job. While a good chair can make a huge difference, regular breaks away from the workstation are so important.
T
ake phone calls standing up, go for a walk, go and speak to your colleague rather than emailing, take the stairs - anything to increase your level of activity is vital for your long term health.
Aesthetic
Don’t get sucked in with the look of the chair. Very rarely are the best looking chairs the most ergonomic.
If in doubt, get an expert to come and talk to you about the best options. And don’t ever forget that prevention is better than cure – invest in the perfect comfortable office chair before you develop a serious injury.
© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2019
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