Think comfort, flexibility, and appearance, and you’re on the right track.
When it comes to office furniture, few items are more important than a comfortable office chair. Studies have shown that the chairs used by office professionals affect both productivity and stress levels. But what makes an office chair ideal? Here’s a look at the features to consider in selecting the perfect chair.
Comfort
“Look for a chair that is appropriate for the individual using the chair and for the tasks that person will be performing,” says Jen Scrivner, general manager of G2 Office Furniture Market in Phoenix. “If the person using the chair will be sitting for long periods of time, the chair should be highly adjustable. Highly adjustable chairs will comfortably accommodate a variety of sitting postures including reclining, leaning forward, and sitting upright.”
Moreover, the worker should be able to adjust his office chair easily. If the user has to adjust two knobs and six levers to get comfortable, chances are he won’t use the adjustments at all or won’t use them properly. In that case, the user won’t be comfortable no matter how “ergonomic” the chair is.
Adjustments and appearance
Types of adjustments vary; but generally, chairs should be height-adjustable as well as having arms that can be adjusted in height, width, and depth. A means of adjusting the back is also desirable, along with the capacity for modifying the seat depth.
Appearance is also a key; but any style selected should be consistent with the chair’s particular function. “It’s important to define the ‘look’ you are trying to achieve with your office chair without ignoring comfort or function,” says Don Bottorff, product business manager, seating for HON. “A chair’s application will be a strong indicator of the aesthetic you choose.”
When selecting a chair for executive or managerial applications, Bottorff recommends materials such as leather or high-quality fabric and high- or mid-back options, since they’re often viewed as being more prestigious. And to complement existing office furniture, consider chairs with a broad selection of seating fabric options and frame colours.
Regardless of the user’s role, a chair’s component materials and construction should definitely be considered in the selection. The materials and construction of the chair are paramount because both directly impact the intended use and life of the chair. Durable leather adds comfort, while a well-constructed chair with sturdy hinges and a strong frame will last longer.
In some ways, these elements should take precedence over others, such as claims of ergonomic effectiveness. Office furniture industry insiders note that there are many chairs that look like ergonomic chairs, but they won’t be comfortable for users or will simply break. For example, material quality in components such as seat foam can have a significant impact on comfort as the product is used over time. Lower-quality material begins to break down early in its lifecycle and no longer offers the same support as when it was new.
For those interested in environmental concerns, the use of recycled materials might also be a factor.
“Consider chairs that are made of recycled materials and that can be recycled at the end of their ‘ useful lives,” Scrivner says. She points to Herman Miller’s Aeron chair as an example of a high-quality chair with a sustainable design. It’s made largely of recycled materials, and its major components can be easily replaced and then recycled.
The perfect fit
A perfect fit for one person can be lousy for someone else. For that reason, a trial run may be in order. “The best way to tell if a chair is a perfect fit is to learn how to adjust it and then try it out for two to three days,” Scrivner says. “Often people sit in a chair on display for a few minutes and then decide whether or not they want to buy it. This is a huge mistake, as the postures and time spent in the chair in the office environment will vary significantly from the postures used when briefly trying out a chair while it is on display in the store.”
A good test is to adjust the chair so you can sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at right angles. In this position, there should be approximately four fingers’ width of distance between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees. At the same time, the arm adjustments should allow you to type comfortably on a keyboard with your arms supported by the arm pads. Lumbar support should also align properly with your spine curvature.
Be sure and re - create your most common working positions, such as working on a computer for an extended time. Also while trying out a chair, adjusting the height, determining how the back contours fit, and adjusts the arms if they’re adjustable.
