Selecting an Office Chair

One of the first things to consider when picking an office chair is what you will doing while your sitting in it. Different office activities lend themselves to different posture positions. For example, if you spend much of your work day on the phone, you might tend to recline often, whereas if the majority of your time is spent on a computer, you're likely to be seated upright for much of the day. Range of motion is another criteria that should be considered. If you need to move and swivel frequently while seated, you will want to make sure that the chair you select moves and rotates easily and comfortably. Whatever work you do, be sure to think about the positions you spend the most time in when trying out office chairs.

Of course, the chair that you select should be comfortable for you. What one person finds to be relaxing and supportive might not work for another. While most office chairs are adjustable to some extent, there are several crucial chair dimensions to consider before buying.
1. Seat Height: Most office chair seats stand between 16 to 21 inches off the floor. A height in this range is comfortable for most people, but people who are exceptionally tall or short might find heights outside this range to be more comfortable. When seated in the chair, your knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle and your feet should be able to rest flat on the floor.
2. Seat Cushion Thickness: A typical office chair has a cushion that is between 2 to 4 inches thick. In general, the thicker the seat the more 'cushiony' it feels. While thicker isn't always better and some people find a firmer seat more comfortable, you'll definitely want at least 2 inches of cushion.
3. Seat Width: The average chair is about 17 to 21 inches wide. This accomodates most users comfortably, but larger individuals will want to find a wider chair. However, prospective buyer should also make sure the chair isn't too wide for them or the arm rests might be farther away from the body than is comfortable.
4. Backrest and Lumbar Support: Probably the most critical feature of an office chair is how well it promotes proper spinal cruvature. It is crucial to find a chair with lumbar support that encourages a subtle inward cruvature of the lower back. Failure to maintain this healthy back posture can lead to serious back problems. You'll also want to make sure the backrest is wide enough to support to enitre surface of the back when in a reclining position.
5. Headrest: A comfortabel headrest is an important feature for those who recline frequently. While in a typing position, most people lean forward too far to use a headrest. However, if you are reclining past 100 degrees a headrest becomes a vital feature. A good headrest should support the back of the skull and allow for a natural and comfortable curve of the neck.
6. Material: Finally, the material of the chair should be breathable. A mesh material is typically best. While leather or imitation leather is a popular material for office chairs, most people find that sitting in leather chairs for extended periods of time ca cause sweating and discomfort.

Probably the most important step of picking your next office chair is actually testing different styles, features, and brands. This is relatively easy to do. First, make a list of some things you think you'll want in your next office chair. Then go to a local office furniture retailer such as Office Max and try out the features you chose as well as some not on your list. This should give you a good idea of a chair you like and how much it would cost at a retail store. However, before making a final purchase it is prudent to search online reailers and shopping sites to be sure your finding the chair you want as cheaply as possible. When buying an office chair, comparison shopping sites are a great tool to utilize as they list prices from several different online reatilers in one location. Be sure to factor in any shipping and handling costs as well when shopping online. It can also be helpful to read reviews like Consumer Reports or Amazon.com product reviews.