How to Buy an Office Chair

Chairs are often taken for granted. They are an absolute necessity, an item we use constantly, and yet they are not often given much thought. When we need to sit down, we just assume that the chair will be adequate to support us, that it will enable us to do the task required, and that it will be comfortable. Chairs may seem to be simple items used to fulfill a simple requirement, and that when you need to sit down, any chair will do. However, when it is time to purchase a new chair we find out that there are so many choices and features to consider, that buying a chair is anything but simple. The variety of choices may seem overwhelming, especially when buying an office chair.

There area many activities which are impossible to do without sitting in a chair, especially any activities which involves a desk. An office desk is incomplete without an office chair to go with it. When buying such an essential item, it is important to make sure that you select an appropriate chair which will meet all your needs. That choice may seem overwhelming due to the wide variety to choose from, but this buyer's guide will enable you to define the criteria to and buy the right chair to meet your needs.

Who will be using the chair?

The first thing to consider is who will be using the chair. If you will be the sole user of the chair, then you can limit the selection of chairs to those that will match your physical and functional requirements. You can choose a chair which fits your body, is comfortable for you, and meets your specific needs.

However, if you are purchasing the chair for to be used in an office environment, then you will need to have a broader selection. If the chair is being purchased for one specific work, and will be used only by that person, then you can match the chair to their needs alone. But if the chair will be used by many workers, or if you do not know who will be using the chair, then you should select a chair which permits a lot of physical adjustment, so it will fit a variety of people. A chair with adjustable seat and arm height, adjustable back height and depth, and adjustable lumbar support can comfortably fit a wide range of users.

Use considerations

Another important criterion to define before buying a chair is how it will be used. It is essential to establish the function of the chair before you begin to consider specific models. The first thing to decide is what jobs the user of the chair will be performing. Will the user be keyboarding at a desk all day, or will the user be using the chair for meetings and other functions with a relaxed posture. If the user will be using the chair primarily to operate a computer or type, then select a chair with good lower back support and with a lockable tilt feature. The categories of chairs which meet these criteria are called secretariat chairs or task chairs.

If the chairs will be used for more relaxed activities, such as meetings, phone calls, and general desk work, then you can select a chair which is less rigid and more comfortable. These types of chairs are in the manager or executive category. Features in the executive category include tilt and swivel bases and support for the neck and upper back, allowing the user to relax and recline.

How amount the chair is used will also be a factor in the selection criteria. If the chair is for a home office, and will be used a few hours a week, then a moderate priced chair may be sufficient. But if the chair will be used in an office environment, and used all day long every work day, then a higher quality chair is needed to endure the rigorous use. The amount of daily use is also a factor in the comfort and features of the chair. Good ergonomics are a necessity if the user will be in the chair for 8 hours a day. Also, comfort and padding become more important when the chair will be used for longer periods of time.

Style considerations

Once the use of the chair has been defined, the next decision to make is the style of the chair. The style covers both the shape of the chair as well as the aesthetic design. Low backs are fine for task chairs since the users will not need head and neck support in their work positions. Chair arms can be optional for a user whose primary function is keyboarding, but are a good feature for users who do more general work since they provide support to the forearm when using a computer mouse. High back chairs, with arms, fit the needs of users who will use the chair for general office work, meetings and consultations.

The aesthetic design of the chair is another factor to consider. Decide if the chair needs to match the existing style of the office furniture, or the color of the desk. Will the chair be used in an office with guest or visitor chairs? In either or these instances it would be better to choose a chair from a larger manufacturer, which will provide greater selection of chair designs and colors and also have coordinating guest chairs, desk and furniture.

When buying a chair for a home office, the aesthetics become a larger issue. Even if the chair will be in a separate home office, a design which has a more residential feel might be more appropriate. A classic hardwood Windsor desk chair is often a good choice for home offices. They fit in well with residential furniture and have tilt and swivel bases and height adjustment for functionality.

Material choices

The final decision in selection an office chair is the material choices. This choice can be broken down into the materials for the frame and the cushion. The frame in this case refers to the exposed parts of the frame work and not the structural support of the chair or base. The frame can be plastic, metal finishes or wood. Select a frame which not only matches the desk and office environment, but also fits the durability requirements of the chair. Chairs with Plastic frames are cheaper, but wood and finished metal frames are more durable and shows wear less, so will be a greater value in the long run.

The same hold true for the cushion material. The typical materials used for seats and back are fabric, mesh and leather. Fabric and mesh are the cheapest, but are harder to clean and less durable. Leather is more expensive, but is also more durable and has a great feel and visual impact to make it worth the cost.

Buying an office chair can be a daunting task. The choices are varied in size, style and material. But by defining the user and use of the chair, and then selecting the style material to fulfill those needs, a proper selection and purchase can easily be made.