Five essential rules to follow before buying an office chair

A comfortable office chair and furniture can have a positive impact on any employees well-being and productivity; particularly during lockdown. In fact, studies have shown that the use of dynamic and adjustable offices chairs can increase productivity by up to 10%. This is primarily due to the fact that an ergonomic chair may alleviate pains workers may be experiencing – causing them to get distracted or deprecate their overall work output. 

 However, purchasing office furniture can be a very tricky proposition, and going for something just because it is cheap is not always a good idea. The last thing you want is your employees taking time off because they have a bad back. Moreover, if you are an employee, taking time off as a consequence of physical pain because of your chair is a major problem that needs to be resolved urgently!

There are so many factors that need to be considered alongside costs such as comfort, size, ergonomics, and durability. Unsurprisingly, it is easy to get bogged down in the details, so we have prepared these five essential rules to follow when purchasing an office chair.

1.Opt for an Ergonomic Chair 

Ergonomics is a science, also known as human engineering or biotechnology.  The discipline involves looking at how objects can be designed and/or arranged to best complement easy and safe human interaction.

An ergonomic chair, for example, is a chair that has been designed to best support the human body, including considerations like posture, comfort, support and health.

As aforementioned, ergonomic chairs provide a multitude of benefits for users, whether it’s improving your posture or blood circulation around your body, ergonomics may help you sit for extended periods of time without feeling irritated and uncomfortable. 

A good ergonomic chair will also be adjustable, to allow for better control and customised settings. Adjustability is especially important if you are buying chairs that will be used by different users. If you are buying a chair for your home office, or for one person specifically, consider using one that includes these features for a greater ‘fit’. 

2. Think about the logistics 

Before you buy an office chair, you truly need to consider it’s height and weight in accordance with your office space. If these office chairs are set to be implemented in a corporate environment where space is not at a premium, then you will have more flexibility and versatility to choose from. However, if this office chair is for your home office, then take size into consideration. Top tip: measure your floor dimensions prior to purchasing any office product. 

3. Think about your company’s image 

Whilst many employees may be working remotely due to new Covid-19 regulations, you may be considering a re-decoration of your office space. In this regard, consider what your office furniture says about you and your business. The kind of office chair you choose can say a lot about your company values. For example, purchasing more high-end chairs truly emulates a more corporate environment, ensuring you have a professional and refined office interior for when clients/customers and employees walk into the office. 

On the other hand, you may be considering more modern designs for your office space to create a vibrant and fresh overall look. This is particularly pertinent to industries within the digital sphere such as marketing and PR agencies, where a clean and contemporary image aligns accordingly with your business. It all depends on what your business does and how you want to position your brand.

If this office chair is for home use, then matching the chair with your existing decor is essential to create a desirable and aesthetically pleasing look in your home. Nobody wants to walk into a bulky piece of furniture that looks out of place and makes the room look a mess. Leather office chairs may work for your home if you want a contemporary look that is both elegant and comfortable. Alternatively, your home office may be positioned in a room that is exposed to sunlight (an ingredient said to optimise work productivity). In this regard, choosing a mesh office chair may work better, as it is both aesthetically pleasing but also facilitates ventilation when working. 

Ultimately, what you choose is down to your own personal preference and style – but DO consider what will work best for YOU!

4. Think about suppliers reputation 

This rule can sometimes be forgotten by many consumers. With consumer behaviour converting to online shopping (particularly in the age of Covid-19), immediate and fast purchases are typically the standard buying process nowadays. However, without actually seeing these products in the flesh, we are heavily reliant upon trusting the product’s description and hoping it says exactly what it does on the tin. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is as authentic as they portray themselves to be online. The internet has enabled an influx of individuals to sell products that sometimes are not to the highest of standards – either breaking shortly after your purchase or not including all the features that it claimed to possess. 

This is a no-brainer. If a company tells you something that sounds too good to be true, then it probably will be. A trustworthy supplier will be willing to work with you to find the best solutions for your business, through design, manufacturing, and installation.

Look for companies which have a proven track record and offer support and product warranties.

5) think about the longevity of the office chair 

Finally, when deciding what type of chair to choose for your office space, whether it’s in a corporate environment or in your home office, you want to make sure that it lasts. 

Finding that happy medium between competitive prices for a quality product is integral for any office chair. Whilst you may have a financial budget on how much you are willing to pay, buying an extremely low-costing chair could prove to be uneconomical, given its likelihood of breaking after continued use. As the saying goes “you buy cheap, you buy twice”. 

Subsequently, opting for a chair that is made from high-quality materials and will sustain continuous use (as expected from an office chair) is a fruitful option – particularly for something like a home office. You are going to be spending a large proportion of your day sitting in it, so comfort and quality are prime ingredients for any of your office furniture. 

Also, you may be trying to make your business more environmentally friendly, in which case you will need to check what materials are used in the chair and packaging. Many chair manufacturers are using recycled or sustainable materials at the moment, as well as products low in chemicals.

Why Comfy Seating? 

At Comfy Seating, we care about your comfort.

Through meticulous attention to detail and design quality, we have manufactured chairs that are both desirable in appearance but comfortable in function. We also house a range of ergonomic products that will suit your individual styles and needs. Whether you’re looking for a 24-hour executive chair to run your business empire, or you need a flexible work chair that can fit in the smallest of spaces but still function to a high standard, at Comfy Seating we can accommodate your ever-changing needs and demands. 

We believe it’s important to facilitate your workflow and productivity – particularly now when times are troubling and can feel very challenging. 

For all your office chair needs, call our specialists today, who will be happy to assist you in the process and find an office chair that caters to your every needs.