How to choose an office chair for comfortable work?
Content:
- Features and types of office chairs
- Office chair design
- Office chair upholstery materials
- Colors of office chairs
- What else is taken into account when choosing an office chair
According to research conducted by VTsIOM, approximately 45% of Russian residents work in sedentary jobs. Lack of mobility can cause various health problems: poor posture, increased fatigue, and lower back pain. A properly selected office chair will help minimize the risks of developing the so-called “office syndrome”. When a person sits on a comfortable chair, his back does not get tired, the load on the body is distributed evenly, and this has a beneficial effect on health and performance. The appearance of the chair plays an important role - office furniture should evoke positive emotions and add positivity to boring workdays. To choose a design that can provide the necessary comfort, you should familiarize yourself with the classification of office chairs and the recommendations of specialists on their choice.
Features and types of office chairs
There are many requirements for office chairs: comfort, durability, reliability, practicality, stability, compliance with the overall interior and other furnishings. In addition, an office chair is a status item. The quality and appearance of such furniture can tell clients and partners a lot about the state of affairs in the company. Therefore, you should not save unnecessarily, because buying a good office chair is a kind of investment both in the efficiency of the staff and in your own image.
When choosing a suitable model, you must first consider its purpose. Depending on this criterion, the following types of office chairs are distinguished.
Managerial chairs
Since the executive chair is an indication of the company's wealth, it should look impressive. It is advisable to give preference to oversized models with a modern design and expensive upholstery - leather, velor, natural or high-quality faux fur. The upholstery should be soft and at the same time durable, the colors should be strict and noble - gray, beige, dark gray. Additionally, the office chair can be equipped with the following options:
- High comfortable headrest.
- Ergonomic wide armrests.
- Mechanisms for adjusting the backrest tilt and chair height.
Additional additions such as a built-in massager and rocking function will not be superfluous. People in leadership positions stay late at work, and the opportunity to relax a little will come in handy. The seat, ideally, should be rotating - this is especially convenient if there are several tables in the office.
Employee chairs
Chairs for staff often resemble chairs in shape and are designed to provide spinal support and reduce fatigue. A gas lift system or other lifting mechanisms will help adapt an office chair to an employee’s height, but armrests are not a mandatory element. The upholstery material does not have to be expensive, but it must be durable, wear-resistant and stain-resistant, for example, polyester, eco-leather, matting. Since a person stays in one position for a long time, an option such as the angle of the backrest is also important. And, of course, it is unacceptable for workers’ office chairs to wobble or squeak.
Chairs for visitors
The selection of chairs for visitors is given priority. While waiting for an appointment or during negotiations, a person should feel comfortable - this goal will be achieved by purchasing a chair with a soft seat and a comfortable backrest. As a rule, office furniture for visitors is produced in a stationary version - legs take the place of caster wheels. In this case, it is not worth overpaying for regulatory mechanisms, because the visitor does not spend much time in the chair.
Office chair design
Before purchasing an office chair, you should familiarize yourself with the features of its design. Here are the main elements that can make up an office chair.
Base (frame)
Based on their design features, all office chairs are classified into stationary and mobile. For mobile models, the base has the shape of a cross on which wheels are fixed. The cross bears the main load: it is this part that mainly supports the weight of the person sitting. Therefore, it is desirable that the support be made of durable steel, although furniture plastic also has good characteristics.
Stationary office chairs are available in several modifications:
- With a rotating platform consisting of a rotating seat and a stand leg.
- With a “conference base” - a spring-loaded frame or four support legs.
- With a “stationary pedestal” support. Such models are similar to their mobile counterparts, but they do not have wheels.
The chair is raised to the desired height using a special mechanism located at the base. Simply press the pneumatic lever and the seat will rise or fall to the desired level.
Seat
The seat of an office chair should be soft enough. As for the shape, the optimal shape is considered to be one with a depression in the center and slightly raised edges. The depth of the seat also plays an important role: it is good if the distance from its edge to the bend of the knee is 8-10 cm. In this case, a person will neither sink into the chair nor slide out of it, moreover, such a depth has a beneficial effect on blood circulation.
The degree of softness of the seat depends on the filling. In hard chairs it may be absent altogether or very thin - you won’t sit on such a chair for long. Medium-hard models are filled with polyurethane foam or foam rubber - such chairs are quite comfortable. In soft structures, in addition to a thick layer of filler, there is a spring block. This option is ideal for people engaged in long hours of sedentary work.
Back
A comfortable chair should be equipped with a backrest, the shape of which reproduces the curves of the human back. If the structure is slightly concave in the lumbar region, the load on the lower back will be minimal. The mechanism for adjusting the height and angle of the backrest is optional, but its presence increases the level of comfort. In some models, bolsters are attached to the backrests - lumbar correctors, which help to evenly distribute the weight while sitting on the chair.
Additional elements of the chair
Additional elements of an office chair include headrests, armrests, and wheels. The most useful of these elements are armrests, which reduce the load on the arms and shoulders during work and rest. Headrests that promote cervical relaxation are typically found only in premium models.
Wheels are a fairly convenient element of an office chair, but also the most vulnerable. According to statistics, it is the casters that break most often in office chairs. However, conscientious manufacturers fix them securely, so if employees do not use the chairs for office speed racing, the furniture will last for ten years.
Office chair upholstery materials
The presentable appearance and durability of an office chair largely depend on the upholstery material. The following materials are worth highlighting as the most suitable options.
Velour
Velor is a soft fleecy fabric that decorates and enriches both home and office interiors. Buyers love it for its many advantages:
- The ability to cause pleasant tactile sensations. People enjoy both touching velor and sitting on it. In addition, delicate velor upholstery will not rub clothes, which is typical of coarser materials.
- Resistance to damage. Despite its softness, velor is not afraid of friction and scratches, and the fibers in high-quality upholstery do not fall off even after several years.
- Good breathability: velor is a breathable material.
- Hypoallergenic: the velor upholstery of the chair is absolutely safe for employees and visitors with sensitive skin.
But you need to treat velor with care: dry cleaning may be required to remove greasy stains from the surface.
Polyester
Polyester is a versatile upholstery material that looks attractive, does not contain allergens and lasts for decades. It does not roll down, does not allow water to pass through, and spilled liquid and dirt can be easily removed with a regular sponge. Polyester is not afraid of moths, chemicals, and sun rays, but to tear the upholstery, you will have to try hard. So, buying an office chair with polyester upholstery will be worth the cost.
Faux fur
Armchairs upholstered in faux fur also look impressive. Sitting in such a chair is warm and cozy, and the service life of the upholstery can be unlimited with proper care. In addition, eco-fur is one of the main fashion trends. Faux fur products that imitate the skins of exotic animals now decorate the offices of major companies.
Other materials
Other materials suitable for upholstering office chairs include, for example, matting. A special weave of threads arranged in a checkerboard pattern gives the material increased strength. The matting looks aesthetically pleasing, does not lose its shape, does not absorb odors, and does not require the use of additional covers. The matting structure is only resistant to the claws of pets, but this material is ideal for the office.
Mesh is also considered a good upholstery material: it is perfectly ventilated and springy, supporting your back in the correct position. But genuine leather, despite its status, is gradually becoming a thing of the past. This expensive material scratches easily, does not allow air to pass through well and does not like direct sunlight.
Colors of office chairs
When choosing a comfortable and ergonomic office chair, you should not sacrifice its appearance. Furniture design, especially color scheme, also plays an important role. When choosing a design for a manager, it is worth choosing neutral shades: beige, gray, creme brulee, ivory. Such calm tones speak of a person’s balance, his self-confidence and the decisions he makes.
For visitors, you can choose chairs in not too bright, but effective and optimistic colors - olive, blue, matte gold. Armchairs intended for staff must first of all be practical - black, deep blue, and brown upholstery fully meets this requirement.
What else is taken into account when choosing an office chair
When buying an office chair, it is recommended to consider other points:
- Dimensions. They are selected taking into account the dimensions of the room and the purpose of the structure. If massive chairs are preferred for managers, then the products on which employees and visitors will sit are usually compact.
- Availability of additional accessories. Some models of office chairs may include pillows, support bolsters and spare armrests, which is very convenient.
- A long-term warranty provided by self-respecting manufacturers. Its absence is a reason to think about whether you should trust this brand.
Similar articles