Friends, let’s face it—you’ve been working from home for a long time. It’s time to take a critical look at your at-home work environment: is it comfortable?
Does it support your productivity? If you’re sitting on a hard dining chair or a squishy erg ball that’s too low to the floor, it’s time for an upgrade.
Check out these tips on how to choose the best desk chair for your home office.
Support and Adjustability
Look for an office chair with built-in lumbar support. Remember to consider your height—some office chair manufacturers make “petite” style chairs for those who feel a bit forgotten in a tall person’s world. Just make sure your chair can be raised up high enough to a comfortable level for working at your desk.
In addition to adjustable height, the chair’s back should adjust to sit up straight or lean at a comfortable angle. It’s best to try a chair in person first, but if you’re buying online, read the specifications and the reviews carefully. Take note of what previous buyers say about the ease of assembly, durability, and range of adjustments.
Fabric, Mesh, or Leather
Your budget may dictate the type of material you’ll want for your chair, but consider breathability, texture, ease of cleaning, and what type of clothing you’ll be wearing when you sit in your chair.
You don’t want to slip forward or get sweaty and stuck to your desk chair. You’ll have more color options with fabric; mesh, while breathable, is pretty much limited to greys or black.
Maneuverability
Are you the type who likes to swivel and twist in your chair? Do you roll back and forth between a desk and a credenza or a design table and a computer?
Check out the type of wheels on the chairs you’re considering and whether users say the chair swivels and rolls easily.
Style
You’re going to spend a lot of time with your office chair. You’ll be looking at it, sitting there by your desk, right there in your home, every day. So one of the most important considerations when you’re thinking about how to choose the best desk chair for your home office is the style.
Do you fantasize about an old-fashioned wood desk chair on a five-point wheeled base sitting in front of an antique roll-top desk? Or do you see yourself in a minimal, sleek, and modernist office chair? Your office desk chair becomes part of your home’s décor, so you’ll want it to complement and coordinate with the overall style and aesthetic of your dwelling.
Admit it: your home office was never really a temporary space—even if you were commuting to work, you still used a home office to pay bills, make appointments, or do your taxes.
Any way you look at it, you need a durable, comfortable, and stylish desk chair that says, “this is my workspace, and it’s important!” So choose your chair, and let’s get back to work!
