Things to Consider Before Buying an Office Chair

The right office chair can make a massive difference in your productivity and health, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting. It provides you with several benefits, like comfort, ease of movement, and proper pelvic and lumbar support. The latter is crucial as without adequate support; you’re at risk of developing back problems and herniated discs.

Unfortunately, most office chairs don’t offer the right support. This causes people to slouch, and this poor posture can result in backaches, headaches, poor concentration, and fatigue. Conversely, a good posture can help boost a person’s concentration and productivity.

It’s critical that you invest in the best office chair for you and your team. This can be a daunting endeavor considering there are tens of thousands of chairs out in the market today. We’re here to help you narrow down your choices. So here are things to consider before buying your office chair.

8 Things to Consider Before Buying Your Office Chair

 

#1 Should be Ergonomically Designed

Office chairs designed with ergonomics in mind are essential for a healthy and satisfactory work environment. Ergonomic chairs are designed to minimize the risks of the user developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). These disorders are responsible for a large number of injuries in the workplace and cost companies millions of dollars annually.

Ergonomically-designed office chairs enhance comfort levels, a feature that’s vital to the user and the company in the long run. You should choose chairs that can be adjusted to fit the user’s needs. Look for a chair with a pneumatic adjustment lever that will help you control how high or low the seat is. Ideally, it should be at a level where your thighs are horizontal with the floor.

#2 Choose a Chair with Lumbar Support

Any office chair worth its salt should have solid lumbar support. Choose a chair that’s shaped to match your spine’s natural contour. This means the backrest should be arched slightly so you won’t slump. Good lumbar or lower back support is crucial if you want to minimize the strain on your lumbar discs.

To pick the right chair, sit, and try out its support feature. Get a feel of the chair and see if you’re comfortable in it. It’s also a good idea to choose one with adjustable backrest so you can more if backward or forwards. Make sure there’s a locking mechanism so it won’t tilt suddenly and hurt your back.

#3 Pick a Good Set of Wheels

Wheels might not be a major element when it comes to choosing office chairs, but it’s certainly worth considering. With a good set of wheels, you can easily and freely move around your workspace in your chair. It also makes it convenient to bring chairs from one area to another. Most wheels are made of plastic, and they’re usually durable.

#4 Aesthetics Can Make a Difference

Aesthetics is one of the key things to consider before buying your office chair. The design of your office reflects your core work values and will affect how your clients or employees view you and the company. Certain designs can even change staff perceptions and affect productivity.

Traditional looking seats give off a more serious, corporate image, while comfortable furniture, like couches or beanbags, conveys a more creative and open office attitude.

#5 Should Use Breathable Material and is Sufficiently Padded

You sit for extended periods when working so your chair should be made of a material that allows your body to breathe. Fabric is always a good material to use; so is leather. There are also new breathable materials out in the market today.

Your seat should also have enough padding so that sitting on it is comfortable. Be like Goldilocks and opt for a chair that’s not too hard or too soft. Sitting on a hard surface becomes painful after a few hours while a soft surface won’t offer enough support for your butt and back.

#6 Big Weight Capacity

You should also count the user’s weight among the things to consider before buying your office chair. Not every chair can support a big person. You and your employees can achieve more with a high-quality seat that can support any weight.

Most office chairs are designed with a big weight capacity. It’s what makes them convenient to use with a diverse group of people. However, you should still double-check how much weight the seat can safely handle. You don’t want to have an accident in your workplace.

#7 Durability is Key

You want to make sure that the seats in your office are built to last. Check the materials used in the office chair and carefully look over the design. You should also verify the kind of warranty the manufacturer provides. By picking durable furnishings, you’ll save time and money since maintenance is minimal and you won’t have to keep replacing them.

#8 Is the Price Right?

You would probably place price as one of the important things to consider before buying your office chair. While the price can make a difference, don’t make the mistake of purchasing something base on that alone. A pricey office chair isn’t automatically the best one for you. Cheap seats aren’t necessarily bad either.

It’s best to base your decision on the chair’s quality and features. Get all the information that you can about the product before checking the price. The total value of the chair should be measured in terms of its special features and the benefits it provides. And once you find a chair that fits your needs, don’t hesitate to invest in it, even if it means spending more.

Choosing the best chair can be challenging as there are hundreds of options available. While they’re often overlooked, the right chair can mean the difference between a satisfied and productive employee and an unhappy staff with health problems.

It helps that you know what things to consider before buying your office chair. It will help you choose the best furniture for your office and could put you on the road to success.