How to Choose a Quality Refurbished Chair in the UK – LOF Inspection Checklist

Key Takeaways

• Used, second hand and refurbished aren’t quite the same thing. Second hand chairs are sold as seen. LOF gives every chair a proper refurbishment, cleaned, repaired and checked, before it’s delivered to you.
• LOF holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation, which proves the quality and environmental standards behind every used office chair we sell to UK businesses.
• Five simple checks make buying online easy: check the overall condition, look for DS codes, review the photos, understand the chair’s functions, and check the warranty before you order.
• Prices vary by chair type as much as brand, ranging from under £15 for basic reception stools to over £500 for premium designer seating, depending on the model, features and condition.
• A handful of brands stand out in the second-hand market, including Senator, Orangebox, Allermuir, Boss Design and Elite. Each of them offering something slightly different in terms of value, design or reliability.

Buying a used office chair is one of the smartest ways to equip your workspace without overspending. Knowing how to inspect and choose a quality refurbished chair is what separates a great purchase from an expensive mistake that ends up in a skip within a year.

This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy a second hand office chair in the UK. From a 5-point inspection checklist and what to check by chair type, to how to read LOF’s product listings, which brands hold up best as used office chairs, and what a fair price looks like.

Used, Second Hand or Refurbished — What’s the Difference?

“Second hand” and “used” simply mean an item has had a previous owner, while “refurbished” means a specialist has inspected, repaired and restored it to a like-new condition.

Every refurbished chair at LOF goes through this inspection process, with any damage or wear clearly stated in the product listing and reflected in the price through the DS code system.

Buying second hand office furniture from a reputable seller, like LOF, rather than an unverified marketplace listing, means you can use your chair straight away. We’ve already checked the quality and properly cleaned and refurbished every chair for you, so there’s no need to clean or fix anything yourself before use.

Why Office Chair Quality Matters for UK Businesses

Office chair quality matters for UK businesses because of both a legal requirement and the day-to-day wellbeing of the people sitting in them, and it’s worth knowing a bit about both.

Under the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 1992, employers in the UK are expected to provide suitable seating for anyone who spends a good part of their day at a screen. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related health problem in the UK, according to HSE statistics. A chair with proper adjustability, like seat height and lumbar support, is one of the simplest ways to reduce that risk. Getting this right from the start, even with a used chair, helps avoid aches, absences, and awkward conversations down the line, and it means you’ve done right by your team.

LOF’s ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Accreditation

How to Buy a Refurbished Office Chair on the LOF Website

Buying refurbished office furniture online means relying on the information the reseller gives you. It’s worth knowing what to check for condition and function before you order. Some of our customers prefer to book an appointment and see the chairs in person at our warehouse first. Whether you’re buying online or visiting us, here’s a tip for how you can inspect the quality and condition of used office chairs and buy with confidence.

5 Things to Check Before You Buy a Refurbished Office Chair

Typical Price Range for Each Type of Quality Refurbished Office Chairs in the UK

It’s important to remember that these price ranges LOF provides are a reference guide. A fair price for a second-hand chair depends on more than just the brand. It also comes down to the specific model, its features, and its condition. For example, a basic model with fewer adjustments will naturally be more affordable than a high-spec version. You can even find models from top brands like Senator on our website that fall into our basic price range. Likewise, if a chair has some minor damage, the price will be lower than a second-hand chair in excellent condition.

Here’s how it typically breaks down across LOF’s price range.

Used operator, task and ergonomic chairs

Basic: under £70 + VAT Used operator chairs without arms tend to be a lot cheaper, and this is where you’ll find most of them, still with basic ergonomic functions. Unbranded office chairs are common at this price point.

Mid-range: around £100 + VAT Brands like Torasen and Forma5 regularly appear in this tier, offering solid commercial quality without a premium price tag.

Premium: above £150 + VAT This is where you’ll find design-led and ergonomic specialist brands like Bestuhl, Humanscale and Steelcase.

Used executive chairs

Second-hand executive chairs are normally priced above £100 + VAT, with our cheapest options starting from around £125 + VAT for a faux leather executive chair. Premium branded executive chairs, such as those from Orangebox, sit at the higher end of this range, typically from £150–£195 + VAT, often at a steep saving against new RRP.

Used boardroom and conference chairs

Basic: under £50 + VAT Used stacking chairs are the cheapest option here, with unbranded models commonly found at this price point.

Mid-range and premium: above £50 + VAT This tier includes design-led brands like Vitra and Herman Miller, alongside well-regarded commercial names like Boss Design.

Used reception and breakout seating

Basic: £15–£50 + VAT This covers simple stools and stacking breakout chairs.

Mid-range: £50–£100 + VAT This tier covers most chairs and stools in the range.

Premium: above £100 + VAT This includes seating booths and designer pieces, with Boss Design armchairs, for example, priced at around £525 + VAT even second-hand.

Office Furniture Brands Tier in Second Hand

Tier	Brands	Why
Entry/Budget	Teal, Project Operators, Siesta, Papatya, Ocee Design, Dams, Torasen	Functional, no-frills stacking and basic task chair specialists, positioned at the affordable end across the market
Mid-range	Senator, Pledge, Verco, Sedus, Frovi, Narbutas, Johanson, Formetiq, Sidiz, Bestuhl, Elite, Interstuhl, Forma5, Sven, Connection	Established commercial manufacturers, solid quality and ergonomics, but priced for everyday office budgets rather than design prestige
Premium/Design-led	Vitra, Humanscale, Herman Miller, Haworth, Okamura, Steelcase, Muuto, Hay, Giroflex, Brunner, Koleksiyon, Allermuir, Gresham, Boss Design, Icons of Denmark	Either globally recognised premium brands, or design-house brands commanding higher new prices

At LOF, we’re always transparent about these details in our descriptions, so you’ll always know exactly what condition a chair is in and why it’s priced the way it is. We state any damage clearly in the product description and price, giving you full confidence in what you’re getting. We’re always happy to help if you have any questions about the chairs you’re interested in.

Brands Known for Their Distinct Strengths in Second-Hand Office Seating

Each of these brands brings something genuinely different to the table, so the right choice depends on what matters most to you, whether that’s design heritage, craftsmanship, manufacturing scale or value.

Used Allermuir Chairs

Allermuir was founded in the 1970s by the Vaghetti family. This brand has been part of The Senator Group since 2005, giving it the backing of the UK’s largest office furniture manufacturer while keeping its own design-led identity. We see plenty of used Allermuir breakout and meeting seating come through LOF, and it holds its style well. If contemporary design with a strong British manufacturing pedigree appeals to you, used Allermuir chairs are well worth a look.

Used Boss Design Chairs

Boss Design was founded in 1983 by Brian Murray with a £100 investment. LOF regularly handles used Boss Design meeting and lounge seating. The craftsmanship behind it really does show, even years into a chair’s life. For furniture with real design pedigree and a story behind the stitching, used Boss Design chairs are a strong choice.

Used Elite Chairs

Elite was established in Howden in 1986 and has gone on to supply office furniture to organisations including the BBC and Google. We find Elite stock particularly practical for breakout and stool-style seating, where comfort matters but a full operator chair isn’t needed. If you want dependable, versatile seating from an established UK manufacturer, used Elite chairs fit the bill.

Used Orangebox Chairs

Orangebox was founded in 2002 in the village of Hengoed, South Wales. It was built around a “Smartworking” philosophy focused on innovation and comfort in task seating. Orangebox is one of the most popular brands in LOF’s own range. Once you’ve sat in one of their task chairs, you will easily understand why. For affordable, genuinely well-engineered everyday seating, used Orangebox chairs are hard to beat.

Used Senator Chairs

Senator is the UK’s largest manufacturer of office furniture. It has built that position through a strong emphasis on quality, attention to detail and ergonomic comfort. It’s one of the most common brands we see coming through LOF’s warehouse, simply because so many UK offices choose it in the first place. For a dependable, no-fuss chair built for genuine everyday commercial use, used Senator chairs are a safe bet.

Red Flags — When to Walk Away from a Used Office Chair

A few warning signs make it worth pausing before you buy, no matter how good the price looks.

The gas lift sinks within seconds of sitting down. This is one of the most common faults in used chairs and isn’t always cheap to fix.

The base wobbles, or a castor doesn’t roll properly. This points to a structural issue rather than just cosmetic wear.

The mesh is visibly sagging or has holes in it. Once mesh tension goes, it’s a sign the chair has had heavy use without much care.

The seller can’t tell you what checks were carried out, or the listing has no real description of condition. If there’s nothing to go on beyond a photo, you’re taking a gamble.

There’s no warranty offered at all. A seller confident in their refurbishment process should be willing to back it with at least some cover.

A premium brand chair is priced suspiciously low with no explanation. If a Herman Miller chair is going for next to nothing, it’s worth asking why before assuming it’s a bargain.

Mesh, Fabric and Leather Chairs — What to Check Before You Buy Used

Mesh and fabric are the most common materials on LOF’s used operator and task chairs. Leather is the natural choice for executive, boardroom and conference seating. Each material ages differently and needs a slightly different check when buying used. For the full breakdown by chair type, take a look at our office chair buying guide.

Buy Used Office Chairs with Confidence

Choosing a quality refurbished office chair comes down to knowing what to check, who to buy from, and what’s reasonable to pay. With the checklist in this guide, you should be able to spot a well-maintained chair from a risky one in minutes, whether you’re buying a single chair or kitting out a whole office.

If you’d like a hand finding the right chair, or want to talk through an order for your team, get in touch with us at 01733 555360 or [email protected]. You’re also welcome to book an appointment to see our stock in person.

Frequently Asked Questions