Office chairs – how to find the right office chair for your home
1. Ergonomic sitting
Sitting upright while you work doesn't just help prevent back pain – it also aids concentration, boosts productivity and eases muscle tension throughout the body. For the right sitting position, let your pelvis tilt slightly forward, which makes it easier to sit upright. A 90° angle at the knees, hips and elbows helps prevent pain. Keep your feet flat on the floor. To avoid bending your wrists, your hands should rest as flat as possible on the mouse or keyboard, in line with your forearms.
High-quality office chairs with settings and functions that adapt to your body help you maintain the correct sitting position.
Office chairs and their ergonomic features
"The more hours you spend in your office chair each day, the more important it is to look for individual adjustment options and extra features, such as a headrest and a tilting backrest for dynamic sitting." – Viktoria, interior expert
Ergonomically shaped backrest
If you spend a lot of time in your office chair, look for an ergonomically shaped backrest. It should be at least as wide as your back so you can lean back comfortably. High-quality office chairs also have a curve (lumbar support) that supports the lower back. This curve should sit at the level of your waistline.
Tilting backrest for dynamic sitting
Many office chairs have a tilting backrest that adapts perfectly to your movements. There are three types: a simple rocking mechanism, where the backrest and seat move backwards at the same time; a permanent contact mechanism, where the seat stays in place and only the backrest tilts; and a synchronous mechanism, where the seat tilts at a ratio of 1:3 to the backrest. This gives your back the best possible support as you move.
Adjustable armrests
Desk chairs are available with or without armrests. Ideally, the armrests should be height-adjustable so you can set them at the perfect angle for your body. That way, you can rest your forearms briefly while you work to avoid strain.
Headrest
To relieve your neck muscles, choose an office chair with a headrest. If the headrest is height-adjustable, you can adjust it perfectly to your head and neck.
Adjustable seat height and seat depth
On some office chairs, you can adjust the seat depth as well as the seat height. This is particularly practical, as it allows people of any height to find the perfect sitting position.
Bases and castors for hard and soft floors
Desk chairs usually have a four-star or five-star base, which is particularly stable and stops the chair from tipping. Bases with castors make the chair mobile, so you can quickly get to the other end of your desk or "roll" over to the filing cabinet.
When choosing castors, consider your type of flooring. As a general rule: the harder the floor, the softer and more rubberised the castors should be, to avoid damaging the floor, reduce rolling noise and make moving around as comfortable as possible.
Soft-floor castors with a harder coating are suitable for carpet, PVC and felt flooring, while hard-floor castors with a soft coating are used on laminate, tiles, parquet and floorboards.
3. Padding and material
When choosing the material and padding, the number of hours you sit each day matters. Plastic shells without padding (1) and those with a simple seat pad (2) are suitable for short periods at your desk. Chairs with back and seat padding (3) offer more comfort. Fully upholstered shells with armrests (4) let you work comfortably for longer. The more padding the chair has, the more comfortable it is for long periods of sitting and working. Office chairs with mesh covers (5) adapt perfectly to the shape of your back and give slightly. Breathable materials also prevent uncomfortable sweating when you sit for a long time. Seats with woven cane (6) are also well ventilated, but they are not generously padded or ergonomically shaped.
4. Summary
- The more hours you spend in your office chair each day, the more important it is to look for individual adjustment options and extra features when choosing one.
- Ergonomically shaped backrests with lumbar support help prevent pain and support a correct, upright sitting posture.
- Tilting backrests, depth-adjustable seats and height-adjustable armrests and headrests let you adapt your office chair perfectly to your body.
- The right castors for every floor: soft-floor castors with a harder coating are suitable for carpet, PVC and felt flooring, while hard-floor castors with a soft coating are used on laminate, tiles, parquet and floorboards.
- The more time you spend on your office chair each day, the more important the padding and the material of the seat shell become. There's a wide choice, from a simple seat pad and comfortable full upholstery to breathable mesh.
Buy design office chairs online at Connox – your benefits at a glance
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Shopping advice at Connox
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