cynthiaan drews asked:
There are many different types of office chairs to choose from. When you look at online stores or retail stores that sell office chairs, you likely feel a little daunted with the number of choices that are available. To the casually observant eye, office chairs can look very similar. There does not seem to be much difference other than color and material, and little difference in shape and size.
However, there are actually quite a few differences in office chairs, even if they are not obvious or easy to spot, and choosing the right one for your office space can really make a difference in comfort, style and appearance.
Some of the main choices to start with are the type of office chair you are looking for. You can choose from a swivelling task-only office chair, which are not meant to be sat in for periods of time, a secretarial chair, which is an ergonomic chair that is designed for long periods at an office desk, and executive office chairs, which are luxurious and pronounce very loudly that the boss sits in that chair!
From there, you can also choose from low back, mid back and high back office chairs, depending on your own personal choice for comfort. Chair back heights are usually only optional in swivel chairs. There are also options in chair arms, from none at all to adjustable heights.
The best place to start is to consider where you will be using the chair and how you will be using it. For people who will be sitting at a desk for longer periods of time, ergonomic chairs, which are constructed to be perfectly positioned, reducing strain and comfort issues.
If you are choosing a chair for an executive position, you will want to choose a plush executive chair. These office chairs are often high backed and upholstered in luxurious materials, primarily high quality leather.
For receptionist positions or other office positions, ergonomic is the way to go, coupled with swivel capabilities. For many office positions, especially secretaries and receptionists, the chair needs to be able to move around easily. You would also want to consider a chair with no arms or adjustable arms so that the employee is not restricted in their movements.
Lumbar support is another important factor to consider, especially for people who will remain at a desk in the same position for quite some time. You will need to choose a chair that has a high back or mid back height and has good back support. Adjustable height is also important because many people sit at a high desk, and require a lot of lift for their chair.
For color choices and material choices, there are many. Finding a chair that fits with your décor in your office space should not be too hard. Gone are the days where office chairs are only black in color, you can choose from a variety of fresh colors to match your room’s color. Subsequently, your material choices range from cotton to leather and everything in between. Depending on the usage level of your chair, you will want to choose higher quality upholstery that will stand the test of time and not wear out before the chair mechanics do.
With many chair choices available, it can be a daunting task. By taking your search online, you can easily compare chairs for price, color and options. However, one of the difficulties is to ‘feel’ the chair before you buy it by sitting in it and getting a feel for how well it fits you. A good option is to stay with neutral, ergonomic chairs that offer some adjustability, or, you can head to a retail store and sit in a few office chairs and get an idea of the type and style of chair you want to purchase. Shopping online for the perfect office chair can save you quite a bit of money and may offer you the option of a higher quality chair than if you shop retail.
Choosing an office chair can be quite a personal decision, not one that most people think of in that light. However, if you spend a lot of time in your office chair, whether at work or in your home office, purchasing the right chair can make a big difference. A comfortable office chair can mean the difference between being happy in your job and feeling uncomfortable throughout the workday.
If you find that you are often tired and sore after your long day, even though you sit the majority of the time you are at work, look to your office chair as the culprit. Sometimes even a change in your office chair can revamp your whole outlook on your job. Take a good look at the office chairs available, take a few for a spin and choose the office chair that is right for you and your space.
