When furnishing the workplace, office chairs require the most thought. Think about it, sitting in a chair all day can make you feel restless. So, when it comes to office chairs, it is important to choose wisely. Now, you must be wondering what you should be asking yourself when looking at new office chairs? Well, first thing’s first: comfort is more important than aesthetics. Now that you know this, we can proceed to help you in your search for office chairs!
Establish How Much You Can Spend
Before you can even begin your hunt for a new set of chairs, you have to determine your budget. Remember, while those fancy, luxurious chairs you came across may be appealing to the eye, they could cost the comfort of your employees. You want to buy office chairs that are cost-efficient. Even if you come across a pricey set of chairs, as long as they meet the expectations of your employees, you can rest assured that your investment is worthwhile.
Consider Backrest Materials
The back is the part of the body that requires the most support when sitting down at a desk for eight hours a day. Some chairs are equipped with backrests, other products require that you buy the backrest separately. Backrests should measure anywhere from 12 to 19 inches in width in order to support the curve of the spine, especially in the lower back.
Choose Breathable Material
With breathable material, your body is less likely to experience any discomfort. Fabric is usually the best option for office chairs. Although, many new office chairs made out of different materials are designed to offer breathable features. As long as the chair feels light, comfortable, and easy to maneuver, it should make a good fit!
Ensure They Have Sufficient Padding
Alongside breathable materials, a good office chair should have just the right amount of padding. You don’t want anything too stiff, but you also don’t want something super cushioned. The most important area in an office chair that should be cushioned is the actual seat itself. Sufficient materials can also include:
- High-quality foam
- Cloth fabric or leather
- Mesh backrests
Make Sure They Offer Lumbar Support
The lumbar area consists of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest bones in the entire spine. As a result, they require the most support in chairs and seating. Office chairs with contoured backrests are recommended for lumbar support. A good office chair is one that is designed and shaped to match the natural contour of the spine.
Find Chairs with Some Recline to Them
There is nothing wrong with a little comfort every now and then! An office chair with the ability to recline can help users relieve some weight from their lower backs. If you or your employees ever start to feel tired from the back, you can always give your spine a rest by reclining while you work.
Don’t Forget Seat Width and Seat Depth
The width and depth of the seat is just as important as the width of the backrest in an office chair. The standard width is between 17 to 20 inches. Regarding the depth, a chair needs to be deep enough for the user to sit with their back against the chair but with some leftover space between the end of the chair and the user’s knees.
Aim for Adjustability
Don’t forget, everyone’s stature is different. Every chair in your office needs to be able to adapt and fit the unique user. When looking for a potential model in chairs, think about who will be using the chairs and make sure it is adjustable to every function and setting they will serve.
Check for Movement and Stability
A flexible and stable chair is highly recommended for office jobs. Employees should be able to move comfortably to reach anything on their desks. More importantly, office chairs should support the dynamic positions of employees, allowing them to sit and move to their preferences.
Test the Chairs Out
If possible, you should definitely try out the office chairs you are looking at. With that in mind, office chairs are a subjective matter. What is comfortable to you may not be so comfortable to others. What you can do is ask what your employees are looking for in an office chair. Follow up by testing out the chairs and see if they have exactly what your employees request!
Find The Perfect Office Chairs at Our Store!
Shopping for office chairs can be difficult but here at Indoff, our office furniture experts are here to ease up the process. You can start looking at new and improved office furniture and materials with us! Call us today at (915) 355-0120 to learn more about what our store carries.