Office Chairs for the Home Office

After 20 years experience of working in a home office, I have gone through a number of office chairs!

It’s important to have a good, comfortable and ergonomically designed chair if you spend long hours at a desk or table or another workspace. Ergonomic means “relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.”

Having a chair that’s at the correct height, supports your lower back – and in my case – supports your arms, goes a long way towards preventing debilitating pains and RSI (repetitive strain injury). Using a dining chair might be alright on a temporary basis but definitely not good for the longer term.

If you’re petite, like I am, it’s especially important to get the right chair. If not, the seat can be too deep, the back too high etc. In the case of office chairs “you get what you pay for” definitely applies and in the early days I bought cheaper chairs thinking they would be fine – both new and second-hand – but after a few months would be on the lookout for a better one.

I currently have a petite chair made by HAG. It cost in the region of £350 about 10 years ago. But – look at that! TEN years! This has been the most comfortable and most successful office chair that I’ve ever had!

I haven’t been able to find a similar model but to describe it:

• the seat isn’t too deep and is comfortable
• the arms are adjustable up and down
• the back is adjustable up and down as well as back and forward
• the seat height is adjustable

This chair by Cappela has some similarities and is labelled as a petite chair.

• Complete with height adjustable arms and adjustable tension control
• Square back provides upper back/thoracic vertebrae support
• Recommended usage time: 8 hours
• Maximum sitter weight: 23 stone
• Seat dimensions: W480 x D440mm

Of course, if you’re not petite there is a much wider range of chairs to choose from. The important thing is to choose one that fits you well, especially if you’re going to spend long hours.

Additional note:

The other problem with being petite is that your feet don’t always touch the ground! The chair has to be at a certain height to keep your arms level with the desk which often leaves your feet dangling.

I recently bought a footstool to go under the desk.

It has 2 adjustable height settings and rolls back and forth which means you get some movement in your feet and legs which helps to increase blood flow.

It’s definitely helping me to sit up straighter!