Office chairs are an essential part of any workspace, and no two office chairs are the same. A chair that is suited to your colleague may not be suited to you and your needs. With most office workers spending a minimum of 40hrs seated in their office chair a week, it is highly important that you select a chair that will give you the comfort and support you need to remain productive. When selecting your office chair, in combination with comfort testing your office chair options, there are several factors that you need to consider to ensure that the chair you choose will suit you and your working style.
Keep reading below to discover the top 4 factors to consider when selecting your new office chair.
Size and adjustability
Office chairs come in all shapes and sizes, so you must get the size of your chair right. It might seem trivial, but it is essential that you have a chair that is just right for you, as if your chair is too big or too small, it can cause discomfort. A chair that is the correct size should have a 2-3 finger gap between the seat and the back of your knees while allowing your legs to be at a 90° angle with your feet flat on the floor and fully supporting your back to your desired need.
You will rarely sit in an office chair for the first time and have it be perfect for your needs, so, this is where adjustability in an office chair is essential. Having an office chair where you can adjust more than just the height of the chair can allow you to tailor your chair to suit your exact body requirements. Being able to fully adjust your office chair to suit your requirements can help keep you seated in the optimal postural position, which helps eliminate discomfort.
Level of support
When selecting your office chair, one of the most important things to consider is the level of support the chair will provide. Whether you sit in your chair for 20hrs or 40hrs a week, if your chair does not provide you with the right amount of comfort and support, you will always end the day in pain. A chair that provides inadequate support can lead to slouching while you work. This slouching can lead to poor posture, which will ultimately lead to pain while you work. Office chairs that provide lumbar support help to counteract slouching and prevent pain. Lumbar support is vital when sitting as it helps you keep an upright position with proper ergonomic posture, which helps protect the natural curvature of the lower back.
While most ergonomic office chairs include lumbar support, it’s important to consider what type of lumbar support you need. If you are looking for general support, a chair with fixed lumbar support might be the ideal option. However, if you suffer from a lot of back pain, a chair with adjustable lumbar support may be more ideal.
Rating
Most office chairs in Australia carry an AFRDI rating, which ensures that the chair meets a high level of safety, durability, and ergonomics. There are 3 levels of AFRDI ratings that an office chair can obtain, they are as follows:
- Level 6: Meets most commercial standards and can withstand extremely severe conditions.
- Level 5: Suitable for heavy duty office use.
- Level 4: Suitable for general office, keyboard and executive use.
These levels cover the AFRDI blue tick rating for chairs suitable for users up to 110kg. For AFRDI rated chairs suitable for users over 110kg, look for the AFRDI blue tick rated load.
Taking the AFRDI rating of your available chair options into consideration when making your selection can help you ensure that the chair you select is ideal for your required usage.
Style
While support and comfort are 2 of the most important aspects of an office chair, style is equally as important. The style of your office chair should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, as some office chairs are designed with aesthetics in mind rather than function. When looking at the style of your chair, it’s very important to consider the material of the chair, as selecting an office chair in a non-suitable material can cause problems in the long run. The most common materials you will find for office chairs are mesh, leather/PU leather, and fabric.
Fabric is a hard-wearing material that can provide you with extra comfort, however, it does not allow for much airflow, which can lead the fabric to trap moisture and odours.
Leather/PU leather offers a more prestigious look while providing extra comfort. It’s easier to keep clean over fabric but is more susceptible to temperature changes and does come with a higher price tag.
Mesh is more breathable than other material types, which can lead to enhanced comfort. The increased airflow of mesh chairs can help with body temperature regulation, so if you are someone who runs hot, especially in the summer, opting for a chair with a mesh back over fabric or leather may be a better option. However, do keep in mind that a mesh chair may not be as comfortable after a long period of sitting as a fabric or leather chair.
When selecting the style of your chair, you also need to consider how it will fit in with the style of your office, this includes both the material and the colour of your chair. If you want to create a consistent look throughout your office, it might be wise to select a chair that is made of a similar material or a similar colour to the chairs already in your office.
Once you have considered all these factors, it should be easy for you to select the right office chair for your requirements. At All Storage Systems, we stock a wide range of office chairs to suit any need. If you still need assistance selecting the right office chair, contact our team today.
