If you’re creating a new workspace for your business or home, one of the key things you’ll want to consider is finding a suitable office chair. We’ve put together an essential office chairs buying guide to help you do just that.
At LOF we specialise in providing second hand office chairs to help you save money while offering sustainable products for your workspace. As well as selling a wide range of high-quality office furniture, we supply a hassle-free installation service to save you time.
Top 5 things to consider when purchasing an office chair:
1. What do you need the chair for?
There are a whole host of office chairs designed for different purposes. What you want to use the chair for will be a key consideration when making a decision on which one to buy.
While most people, especially remote workers, will want an operator chair, there are also chairs specifically designed for reception areas and boardroom meetings.
2. Seating Time
You can often determine what type of office chair you need based on how long you need to be seated for. As a general rule of thumb if you work more than 7 hours a day with long periods of inactivity, it’s recommended that you buy a specialist ergonomic chair.
3. Comfort and Adjustments
Many office chairs come with adjustable features, such as lumbar control, height adjustment, and swivel seats. There are also many features added for your comfort, including padding and armrests. You’ll want to consider these features and which ones you think you’ll need for a comfortable and productive day in the office.
4. Brand, Style, and Comfort
You may want to find a chair that matches the style of your desk or office space. Alongside classic, neutral colours, we have a wide range of other colours available to match your work space, including blue, yellow, and green.
If your business has a strong brand identity, you may also want to purchase office chairs to match your colour scheme.
5. Budget
Our used office chairs are a great way to save money on high-quality and designer office furniture.
Different Types of Office Chair
Operator Chairs
Also known as task chairs, operator office chairs offer practical and comfortable design with a range of ergonomic features. Shaped to suit the natural curve of the spine, they encourage good posture and provide quality lumbar support with an adjustable height mechanism and tilt backrest. These chairs are also easy to manoeuvre with wheels and a 360 degree swivel. These chairs not only look smart, but the padding makes them a comfortable choice for a long day in the office.
Executive Chairs
For a more premium look, executive chairs are designed to suit executive and manager office spaces and are often generously cushioned with added padding on the armrests. These chairs are often upholstered with faux or real leather for a luxurious finish.
Boardroom and Conference Chairs
Boardroom and conference chairs are designed to fit round a meeting table. If you tend to host important meetings with clients or key stakeholders then you will want to make sure these chairs look presentable and feel comfortable. It’s also a great opportunity to show off your brand identity with chairs that match your brand’s colour scheme.
Visitor or Reception Chairs
First impressions really do count. That’s why you’ll want to take the time to choose the right chairs for your visitor or reception room. We recommend prioritising comfort, professionalism, and perhaps try to coordinate the chairs with your overall brand identity to create a consistent aesthetic.
Breakout Chairs
If you want to create a designated space in your office for team discussions and collaborations, we have a range of comfortable breakout chairs that are perfect.
Ergonomic Chairs
Ergonomic chairs are designed for long hours of daily work. If your work often takes you beyond the 9 – 5, then you should invest in a chair that’s going to support you through the day. These office chairs are specially designed with comfortable padding, well-researched design to encourage good posture, and packed with adjustment functions so you can organise your chair to the exact height and back tilt that you require.
Common Office Chair Materials
- Fabric – Many office chairs come with fabric padding for comfort, especially operator style chairs.
- Mesh – Mesh can be stretched across a chair frame on the seat and back. This material can be padded, but isn’t always. The non-padded back rest with padded mesh seat offers the best of both with excellent comfort and a slender, smarter looking design.
- Leather – Leather is often favoured for being durable and easy-clean. Genuine leather also creates a premium aesthetic.
- Plastic – Plastic is a simple and durable chair option that is more commonly found in breakout rooms and eating areas.
- Wood – Occasionally you will find office chairs made from wood, although this material is typically used for canteen chairs.
Making the most of your office chair
To get the most out of your office chair, you can purchase a number of accessories. From foot rests to armrest pads, there are many additions you can add to your office chair for added comfort or to improve your posture.
Top tips on how to position your office chair to avoid back pain:
– Make sure your screen is at eye level – if it isn’t adjust the height of your chair
– Your feet should be placed flat on the floor – a footrest can help with this
– Make sure your lower back is supported by your chair – if it isn’t see if you can adjust the tilt on the backrest or add some padding
– Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips – if they aren’t try and adjust the tilt on your seat a little
There are many features built into modern day office chairs to encourage better posture and prevent back pain. For instance, lumbar support promotes good posture by supporting the natural curve of the lower back. By filling in the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat, this prevents the urge to slouch or lean forward while working at a desk.
General aftercare advice
How to care for your office chair will depend on what material it’s made from. Most materials just need a quick, regular wipe down with a cloth. However, over time you may need to get fabric, mesh, or leather chairs reupholstered.
All our used office chairs come with a 3 months parts warranty for your peace of mind.
Shop our fantastic range of used office chairs today to find the perfect style for your workspace.
