There are a large variety of desk chairs out there in all different colors, sizes, upholstery options, and adjustments; but how do you know which one will work best for your office space? A good desk chair, whether it is for your desk at your work office or home office, will provide you with enough support to keep you comfortable throughout your sitting duration. With good support comes less back, neck, and muscle pain that can occur from poorly designed office chairs. While some desk chairs are specifically designed to eliminate pre-existing health issues such as lower back pain, other desk chairs are made to match other office furniture. For example if you have a desk in a mahogany finish, some may want to find a wooden desk chair with a mahogany finished frame to match their desk. Whether you spend much of your day sitting in your desk chair or if your desk chair is more for show, there are certain guidelines that should be followed when choosing a desk chair.
First and foremost, you will need to determine the type of desk chair you need. There are numerous office chairs out there ranging from high back, ergonomic, mid back, wood, and more; making it important for you to know how much time you will be spending in your chair. If you will be spending the majority of the day sitting in your office chair, a high back desk chair might be a good choice for you since higher backrests support the spine which in turn reduces neck and upper back strain. If you have pre-existing health problems such as lower back pain, it might be best for you to choose an ergonomic desk chair that will allow you to make the necessary adjustments to meet your needs. If you do not spend most of your day sitting in your chair and do not experience pain from standard task chairs, a mid back chair would suite you just fine. If your new chair is really more for show and you will be spending minimal time sitting in it, perhaps look for a wooden desk chair to match your furniture in your office or try looking for a modern chair. There are many modern office chairs that look great and fit in nicely to almost any office space, however, be aware that most modern chairs lack the support some people need.
Once you have determined the type of desk chair you need, you will then want to look at the features you will want included in your chair, including the option of casters or glides. Most office chairs come standard with rolling casters which allow you to move quickly and efficiently from one spot to another. Chairs that have glides are stationary, meaning they do not move unless you pick the chair up yourself. A desk chair with glides would be ideal for extended height applications where your work station is higher than a typical desk and you need a steady chair to work on your projects. Many architects, artists, painters, and lab personnel opt for this style of seating as their work requires them to sit still. Some chairs also come with the option of having pressure breaking casters, which lock to prevent movement while you work whenever pressure is exerted on the wheels.
Another important option that must be taken into account when choosing a desk chair is making sure to select a chair that will fit properly underneath your desk. This will require knowing the dimensions of the chair you are interested in which is typically displayed under the product descriptions on most office chair retailer’s websites. You should also know the height of your desk and how much clearance is needed for you to be sitting comfortably underneath your desk. You should be able to sit comfortably with your feet firmly planted on the floor with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. If you need an extended height desk chair, choose a desk chair that has a foot ring. If you are of shorter stature, search for a petite chair that will allow you to have your feet firmly planted on the floor otherwise you may find that you are not able to place your feet on the floor. The same goes for taller users; be sure to look for a big and tall chair that are specifically constructed for people over 6 feet tall and generally have higher weight ratings as well.
The last key option you will want to take into consideration when choosing your desk chair is the type of armrest you will want. If your desk height is lower than a standard desk and you are not going to have a lot of clearance from the desk to the top of your thighs, consider getting a chair without arms. Armrests are not always necessary features to have, especially if you spend most of your time typing. You may also opt for an armless chair if you have a keyboard tray installed underneath your desk which will add even less room to move around. If you have a standard height desk, it is always safe to get adjustable height armrests as an assurance that they will fit properly under your desk. If you use your armrests often, look for a chair that has upholstered or padded armrests, which are cushioned and more comfortable. If you only want to use your armrests from time to time, look for a chair that has swing away arms which allows you to essentially swing the arms away when not in use.
The last step to take in choosing a desk chair is determining the type of upholstery you would like to have. Personal preferences will vary between individuals, some opt for leather because it has more of a prestigious look to it while others may opt for mesh to keep cool all throughout the year. This decision is ultimately up to you and what you think will be most comfortable for your desk. Some chairs even come in a combination of different upholsteries if you find it difficult to select only one. If you want to match the desk chair to a certain room, choose a color that matches the room.