Choosing the Right Office Chair (Infographic)

The elements to a great chair are hinged upon many factors: height, adjustment, lumbar, proportional seating, etc. While all aspects of ergonomic seating are needed to create the perfect seat, there are simple answer to an age old question, "How can I pick the right chair?" In the following inforgraphic we discuss our simple principles in regards to the office chair, however, these are tools that can be used in creating the best seating of any form.

The journey to a pleased back begins with defining one's needs of a seat. Do you sit for more than 4 hours in a day? Then ergonomic seating is a great choice for yourself. Do you sit less than 4 hours a day? Perhaps a task chair is all the chair you need to give your body the proper support.

And if you need convincing further, we present great statistics that will directly impact your wellness, if you do not take heed. Take the time, invest a little money, and your body will say thank you.  

A bit more detail on the four criteria:

1. Comfort

Have a seat. I mean this literally, sit down in the chair and think about how you feel. Does it already give you an ache? Does it feel comfortable and is it easy to sit in? Sometimes we sit in the chair and though it’s comfortable, it may not be appropriate for the office. Think about chairs that lean far back, maybe they’re not the best choice for your office chair, but could work in a lounge area.

2. Mobility

How easy can you move this chair? If you’re in a space where you need to be able to slide around your office, then look for an office chair with wheels. Sit in the chair you’re testing and slide around. Is it hard to move in? If the chair has arms, will it hinder the way you work? Will you be able to comfortably move the chair if you need to? The best chairs are the ones you can move around without accidently sliding across the room. You want a chair that allows movement without being too loose. If your office has carpet, then a chair mat is something else you’ll need if your chair has wheels.

3. Flexibility

Having a chair that offers more than one option is very important not just for yourself, but if you’re choosing a chair for employees as well. People come in all shapes and sizes and the last thing you want is someone who is 6’4 sitting in a chair that is made for someone who is 5’4. Most wheeled office chairs allow for height and chair back adjustments, which is why they’re the best chairs for workplaces. My personal favorite (though I may be a little bias) is the cobi Select chair.

4. Choose Wisely

Since the office chair is such an important and frequently used piece of furniture, you don’t want to skimp on quality. Your office desk and chair are the two pieces I always consider investment pieces. Invest now and you won’t need to replace them in another year. I know many offices that have kept the same furniture for over 15 years! Choose wisely, and you can save on unnecessary furniture costs in the future.

Criteria by Sayeh Pezeshki of the Office Stylist.