The comfort of your office chair plays a major role in the productivity of a day spent working from home. A supportive office chair will help you avoid bad posture and physical pain, particularly for those who spend a lot of time at the computer. You’ll want to make a few considerations before you make a purchase. After all, you’ll probably spend just as much time in your office chair as you do lying on your mattress. Trust the pros at Star Furniture: your body will thank you!
This Office Chair is Too Hard…
Beware of the overly-stiff, utilitarian home office chair. An extra-firm chair may have an impressive look, but bears the risk of creating excess pressure around your lower back and pelvic area. This is especially true for individuals suffering from sciatica, herniated discs, and other back and pelvic related issues. To avoid the dangers of a rigid office chair, consider the following:
Go brick-and-mortar to find the right chair
Shopping for a chair online may feel like a time saver, but shopping for a desk chair in person is a body saver. If you have the privilege of shopping for an office chair in person, don’t be afraid to take a seat and assess how you feel after about 15 minutes. Even if you’re only able to do so for a fraction of that time, you’ll be able to better grasp whether the chair works for your needs. Make sure that you don’t feel any excess pressure on your tailbone or back. In a comfortable chair, you should be able to sit with your back straight and both feet on the ground, without the need to readjust every few minutes out of discomfort.
Do you prefer a stationary chair, or will you need to pivot and roll?
An office chair that sits in a rigid position may feel comfortable when facing your desk, but you may prefer that your chair have additional flexibility for keeping up with your kids or moving files around at a large desk.
This Office Chair is Too Soft…
Equally uncomfortable is the deceivingly soft office chair. Again, you’re better off testing a chair’s softness by shopping in-person. Before you buy, ask yourself:
Will this office chair provide sufficient lumbar and arm support?
Many home office chairs offer lumbar support in some capacity, offering some relief to the lower back. Of course, the amount of support required in the lumbar region will vary from person to person. As mentioned above, you’ll want to test your options out before making a decision. However, you can use these tips for a general understanding of how lumbar support works:
- Women tend to have more pronounced curvature in the lower back, which may require more pronounce lumbar support in an office chair
- Those with a higher BMI will usually benefit from higher lumbar support aimed at relieving pressure from the mid- to upper-back
- In general, an office chair with lumbar depth of 0.6” to 2” is ideal
You’ll also want to consider whether you prefer a chair with or without armrests. Either type of design can be comfortable based on your particular needs, however, it is generally true that armrests will provide further upper body support.
What type of material am I most suited to?
Both upholstery and leather office chairs have their own advantages. As a general rule, leather is more durable and easier to clean, while upholstery has a softer feel and is more breathable in warmer months.
This Chair is Just Right!
The ideal home office chair provides a balance between bodily support, comfort and aesthetic appeal. Sitting is believing. Avoid the costly mistake of buying the wrong chair online. When you’ve found that perfect chair, you’ll feel it in your bones, literally! Remember that a comfortable office chair is worth the splurge, especially since your overall well-being is at stake.
Get Comfortable in an Office Chair from Star Furniture
You’ll want to test out a few different office chair options before making the perfect selection. Learn from the mistakes of Goldilocks and trust the professionals at Star to streamline your shopping experience. That’s where the pros at Star Furniture step in. Shop with us at our store in Houston, Austin and San Antonio to find a chair that meets and exceeds your specific needs!If you enjoyed this blog, check out our article on how to set up your home office for maximum productivity.