A Buyer’s Guide to Office Chairs

Office chairs are an absolute must-have when stocking up on office furniture. Very few people put thought into the kind of office chair they would like to purchase when shopping for office furniture. The majority of people buy whatever is within their budget limit without a thought of preference, or other factors that should determine the kind of chairs they should buy. For example, an employee that is over six feet tall cannot share the same kind of office chair as an employee that is 4’’5. Each has to have a chair that suits their needs. Also, some employees spend longer hours seated than others, so it is suggested that there should be some difference in the kind of office chairs they sit on.

As we have seen, there are some factors that one has to put into consideration before they buy an office chair.

A guide to buying office chairs

Adjustability

To employees that spend most of their time in the office in front of a computer screen, the chair they sit on should at least have a natural glide mechanism. With this, an employee should be able to recline, while at the same time being able to view their work comfortably. It should also enable them to be able to reach their keyboard without it taking a toll on their eyes, arms or shoulders. Reclining also ensures that there is minimal pressure on the spine and the sitting bones.

Chair height

Another factor to consider is the height of the chair. The ideal height of the office chair should ensure that one’s feet are flat on the ground or on a foot rest. The thighs should also be parallel to the floor. When the height is too high, it leads to an uncomfortable position. This includes there being excessive pressure on the sensitive area that is usually behind the knee. On the other hand, if the height is too short, it means that one’s knees will be at a higher position than the hips. This shifts one’s body weight back and could lead to excess pressure on one’s sitting bones.

Seat depth

A seat’s depth should be adjustable so that one can get their desired leg length by either sliding the seat backward or forward. As for a seat whose seat depth is too long, it causes the employees to constantly incline forward, and this robs them off the luxury of a back rest. In addition, it poses a strain on an employee’s legs and back.

Lumbar support

Most employees complain of lower back pain. This is probably because the office chairs that they sit on usually lack in proper support. Consequently, one should look for office chairs that have adjustable lumbar support. This will ensure that their lower back always fits against the lumbar support. Perfect lumbar support also ensures that the movement of oxygen is not restrained and this means increased blood flow to the brain thus boosting concentration. It also ensures that the employee feels refreshed and energised all around the clock.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the office chairs to consider when out shopping for office furniture that is employee-friendly:

Conference chairs

As the name suggests, conference chairs are the ideal chairs for conferences and meetings. This is probably because it provides the employee with various relaxing positions while sitting on it. Since meetings comprise of much sitting and talking as opposed to strolling around, a good conference should ensure that the employee is able to relax and thus the popularity to conference chairs. However, one has to be wary of the fact that they are not adjustable or mobile, but some designs usually have wheels that are built-in.

Ergonomic chairs

These are chairs that are back-friendly. For that reason, if many of your employees complain of back pain or problems with the spine, then you might want to purchase this kind of office chair. As for employees who sit for long periods of time, this should be their ideal chair as they allow one to adjust the chair height, the arm rests and the head rests too.

Mesh chairs

These, unlike other office chairs, have a net-like fabric which ensures that they have good circulation. That, and the fact that they have cushioned seats, means that the employees can sit on them and not feel sweaty or hot.

With employees having to spend long hours on the job sitting, the least thing you can do to ease their displeasure is to find them the ideal office chair. Employees should no longer complain of back pains or joint pains from a hard day’s work. When buying office chairs, don’t just buy any chair. Put some thought into the kind of employees you have, the hours they put in, what they spend their day doing and any physical details too. All this will guide you in choosing the ideal office chairs for them.