When working from your home or in the office, having the right chair is essential for yours and your employees’ productivity levels and wellbeing. With an uncomfy and unsupportive seat, your back may begin to ache, your posture will start to suffer and your motivation will likely plummet. With that in mind, you should invest in your comfort, health and efficiency.
In this article, we’re going to help you choose office chairs suited to your job’s needs and office’s aesthetic.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Office Chair?
With many of us spending extended hours at our desks each day, optimum comfort and a straight posture is vital for staying focused. Without a productive working environment, not only will tasks not be completed to a high standard, but you could impact your overall health can deteriorate. For instance, maintaining a bad posture can lead to back aches and pains, spinal dysfunction, rounded shoulders, and joint degeneration.
Choosing an Office Chair
Now, let’s explore your office chair options. You’ll want to consider the amount of space available, as well as the individual needs of each user.
1. High Back Chairs
High back chairs are fantastic for supporting the shoulders and neck. With an extended backrest, you can comfortably rest your upper back, which is ideal if you often suffer from aches and pains in this region. We recommend checking the height of your chosen chair before purchase; this will avoid strain if not aligned to the user’s height. Many of our high back chair options also offer lumbar support and armrests to support a straight posture while you stay comfy.
2. Ergonomic Chairs
Ergonomic office chairs are specifically designed to support the natural curve of the spine, promoting a good posture and reducing any strain on the body while working. There are many ways that you can create an ergonomic working environment, which works to reduce any musculoskeletal issues while sitting for long periods of time. Many of our ergonomic chairs offer adjustable height, backrests, lumbar support and armrests to maximise their versatility.
Learn more about ergonomic working environments in our recent blog.
3. Stools
Stools are a much more simple and space-saving option for the office. Unlike a traditional office chair, stools don’t have back and arm rests, encouraging you to maintain an active posture and improve core strength. Their lightweight and compact nature also makes them suitable for smaller spaces. While these benefits make them a great addition to any office, it’s recommended that you don’t spend too much time sitting on a stool as they don’t offer the same benefits as high back and ergonomic options. Instead, you can incorporate them into communal areas of the workplace.
4. Executive Chairs
Executive chairs are a popular choice for various working environments. They add a touch of luxury to a space while also enhancing a user’s comfort. Executive chairs tend to feature high backrests, adjustable settings such as lumbar support control and a well-padded design. Similar to high back and ergonomic variations, executive chairs are ideal for those who spend a significant amount of time at their desk and require superior comfort and support.
5. Sitting Balls
Sitting balls, also known as exercise balls, aren’t necessarily suitable for desk seating, but they can create a fun, collaborative and unique experience in meeting spaces. Their lightweight and compact nature also makes them easy to manoeuvre so you can set up a meeting wherever there’s ample space. Sitting balls keep you active throughout the day, so you can collaborate and deal with smaller tasks while your back and core muscles are being worked, improving your flexibility and posture.
Choosing an office chair to suit yours and/or your team’s space and supportive needs is crucial for staying productive and healthy. If you’re still finding it difficult to find the right chair for your workplace, our new chair finder tool is the answer. Simply go through each step to be matched with a chair that ticks all of your boxes.