Buying an ergonomic office chair – what you should know

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Buying an ergonomic office chair – what you should know

 

Buying an ergonomic office chair comes with a number of big decisions…

What kind of chair should I choose?

What style should I go for?

What are the most important features I need?

These are just a few of the most important considerations, but there’s a lot more we could mention.

In this post, we’re going to cover some of the most important things to consider when buying an ergonomic office chair as well as some of the most common questions we get. Hopefully, this will make your purchasing decision a whole lot easier!

 

The models we stock

Here at Lakeland Furniture, we have a broad range of ergonomic office chairs in various different styles for you to choose from. Some of our best-selling examples include the Spark Office Chair in black and our Jenson Rubbed Office Chair in Brown. So, if you’re in the market for an office chair, feel free to browse our collection by clicking the link above or navigating to the office chairs section on our main menu.

 

 

What is an ergonomic office chair

An ergonomic office chair is a chair that has been specifically designed to provide optimal support when seated. Along with helping to promote good posture, these wonderful chairs also help to reduce strain on your back and neck when working at your desk for long periods of time. It is often said that sitting is the new smoking, and ergonomic office chairs can help alleviate some of the problems caused by sitting down for too long.

Ergonomic chairs tend to have better lumbar support and allow for the seat to be adjusted to the person sitting on it. This includes adjustable armrests, backrests and adjustable height, and allows you to tailor the chair to your situation.

 

Which one should I buy?

Which ergonomic office chair you buy will ultimately come down to personal preference. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to office chairs, so it’s important to take the time to find the right model for you. Some things to consider include the maximum and minimum seat height, the amount of lumbar support you need, the height of your desk, armrest height and durability.

We’ll get into how you go about choosing an ergonomic office chair below…

 

How to pick an ergonomic desk chair

Selecting an ergonomic office chair takes careful consideration, especially if you spend a lot of time at your desk and/or suffer from back pain. Although we can’t cover every single thing to consider when buying an office chair, here are five tips to keep in mind:

Think about the level of adjustability you need - Adjustability is an important feature of ergonomic office chairs, and for good reason! Ensuring that the chair you choose is adjustable will help you tailor it to your needs and helps to prevent you from sitting on a chair that’s too high or with a less-than-optimal backrest. Adjustability can also help make the chair more versatile, by allowing multiple people to sit on it comfortably.

Lumbar support is vital - Lumbar support works by supporting your back and preventing back pain. Make sure the office chair you pick has a backrest that follows the curvature of your spine and provides a good level of support. Being able to adjust the angle of the backrest as well as the lower-back support itself can drastically improve your level of comfort.

Comfort shouldn’t be overlooked - The chair needs to have a seat that is comfortable and supportive. Good padding along with a waterfall edge help to reduce strain on the lower back and ensure the seat is more comfortable to sit on. A breathable backrest can also help make those hot days at your desk a lot more comfortable.

Consider the materials – High-quality materials can quite literally make or break a chair and can make the difference between a chair lasting for ten months or ten years. Durability isn’t the only thing impacted by the materials, however. It also impacts how comfortable the chair is and how easy the chair is to maintain. Complicated chairs with lots of holes, nooks and crevices can make cleaning the chair a nightmare, and delicate materials can make the chair particularly easy to damage. Opting for durable faux leather chairs is likely your best option, although real leather and mesh-type models also have their advantages.

Don’t forget about the chair’s design – Looks aren’t everything, but it sure does help if the office chair you pick suits the space it will be used in. Avoid chairs that are too out there, unless this is something that would suit the particular room it will be used in well. Since the office chair is often one of the most prominent pieces of furniture in a room, opting for something that’s sleek and stylish is a great option.

 

 

Top 3 ergonomic office chairs

 

Casino Ribbed in white

Our Casino Ribbed office chair in white is one of our most popular ergonomic office chairs. It has a sturdy, padded backrest with solid armrests for added support. It is made of durable faux leather which is stuffed with padding to offer extra comfort and support. The seat height is adjustable between 42 and 52cm and the chair has a seat depth of 47cm.

 

Chester padded office chair in brown

Our brown Chester padded office chair is the perfect option for those wanting a comfortable chair with thick padding. It boasts extra thick high-density foam padding which provides extra comfort and support, as well as an adjustable seat.

 

Spark office chair in white

The Spark office chair is another one of our best-selling models. The white faux leather matches the chrome frame and wheelbase perfectly, making it one of the most stylish ergonomic office chairs we offer. It also boasts a higher seat height than our other chairs, making it perfectly suited to tall individuals.

 

 

Why choose an ergonomic office chair over a regular office chair?

There are quite a number of reasons why you’d choose an ergonomic office chair over a regular office chair. The most important reason is that you suffer from back pain, of course. The extra support that ergonomic office chairs provide helps to alleviate back pain and makes sitting at your desk a lot more comfortable. Not only that, but it can also help to alleviate strain caused by being seated for long periods of time.

If you have issues with maintaining good posture, then this can be another reason why you may pick an ergonomic office chair over a normal chair. Ergonomic office chairs help to promote good posture by providing adequate support and following the natural curvature of your spine. This, paired with supportive padding, also helps to improve your level of comfort when seated. This is especially important when you spend a lot of time at your desk.

The additional comfort you experience compared to a regular office chair can also impact your productivity positively. When you’re seated upright and comfortably, you’re going to be far more productive than when you’re sitting hunched over or slouched at your desk.

Lastly. The fact that ergonomic office chairs are highly adjustable means they’re far more versatile than regular office chairs. Not only does this mean they seat a far broader range of people, but it also means they

 

 

Ergonomic office chair vs gaming chair – what’s the difference?

Ergonomic office chairs and gaming chairs can look very similar, but there are a number of important differences between the two. The first, and perhaps most obvious one, is that ergonomic office chairs are meant for sitting at your desk, whereas gaming chairs are meant for gaming purposes. Although both types of chairs are made to allow someone to be seated comfortably for relatively long periods of time, ergonomic office chairs are specifically designed with ergonomic features in mind.

Gaming chairs tend to be less adjustable and have fewer ergonomic features than ergonomic chairs. Gaming chairs also look substantially different, with sporty, modern designs that don’t generally suit an office space very well. They’re also less focused on correct posture and supporting the spine.

 

Can gaming chairs be used as office chairs?

Depending on who you ask, gaming chairs can either make fantastic office chairs or are a horrible choice for behind a desk. Whether using a gaming chair as a desk chair is the right option for you will depend on your situation and the gaming chair in question. If you know for a fact that the gaming chair you want to use is right for you, then it’s definitely possible to use it as a desk chair. Just make sure that it has all the adjustable features you need and that it provides the right amount of support for your body.

That being said, if you suffer from back pain, then an ergonomic desk chair is likely your best bet. These chairs are specifically designed to provide the optimal level of support and can be adjusted to your situation. Although they’re generally a little more expensive, an ergonomic office chair is defiantly preferred if you require additional support.

 

 

Are there any ergonomic office chairs that aren’t ugly?

Many ergonomic office chairs lack a good-looking design, but the ones we stock are all made to be as stylish as possible. Ergonomic desk chairs can look fantastic if the manufacturer takes the time to make the design look good. That being said, this isn’t always their main focus.

 

What is the best brand of ergonomic office chair

There are hundreds of different brands on the market today, and we aren’t really in a position to provide you with an unbiased opinion here since we stock just a few of them. However, in general, the best brand of ergonomic desk chair is the one that suits your body and situation. If you only need a limited level of support but place a lot of importance on how the chair looks, then opting for a brand that matches these preferences is going to be your best bet. On the other hand, if you suffer from back pain and need a highly adjustable chair that provides an optimal level of support, then a different brand would be a better choice!

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, ergonomic office chairs are a great option when looking for a new chair for your (home) office. They can help to alleviate/prevent back pain and facilitate good posture. Not only that, they’re very comfortable too and can even help boost your productivity in some cases.

Hopefully, you now have a good idea of what ergonomic desk chairs are and why you might buy one. However, if you still have any questions about these chairs or the chairs we stock, please feel free to reach out to our customer support team!



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