Types of Office Chairs

First things first: your office chair needs to be comfortable and support your important work activities. When deciding on an office chair, consider how it will be used. Do you work from home full time or log in long hours in the evening or weekends from your home office? Is your office used by just yourself or a number of people? Perhaps you need an office chair that is comfortable enough to sit on occasionally as you catch up on some bills, but doesn’t take up too much space in a shared room.

There are a wide range of office chair styles available that offer different levels of support. If you have a job that requires a significant amount of time behind a desk, you may want to invest in yourself, by investing in a high-quality executive office chair that will have you feeling like the one in charge. Choose comfortable designs with thoughtful features that will allow you to work in the ultimate relaxation. Look for heavy-duty construction, generous padding and built-in lumber support. You’ll also want adjustable features that provide personalized support for your body, starting with easy elevation adjustment via hydraulics or pneumatics, and including padded height adjustable arms, adjustable tilt tension, and even intuitive knee tilt control. An executive office chair should work for you!

There is also a broad selection of ergonomic office chairs that are designed to support a wide range of people. With adjustable parts to support your height, weight, posture and lumbar, these chairs are designed for maximum, personalized support. For example, an ergonomic chair featuring a thick contoured back and enhanced with built-in lumbar support and a high-quality foam seat will help you log in those long hours, minimizing fatigue and helping alleviate pressure on your spine. You can even recline comfortably and easily with features like multi-position control with locking tilt and adjustable tilt tension.

If you spend less time at your desk but still want a comfortable seat (who doesn’t?), then a simple desk or task chair may be the right fit for you. These chairs are available in a wide range of styles and offered at various price points. You can also choose a task chair with padded arms, contoured seats and backs, as well as lumbar support for the easy comfort that you desire. Choose from mid-back and high-back desk chairs to better support your height and comfort preferences.

Swivel vs Stationary

Another way to categorize office chairs is by their ability to move. Many of your high-end executive office chairs and functional task chairs alike offer swivel functionality, so you can easily rotate and look at different screens, papers and more. However, some people may prefer the simplicity of a stationary chair. If you do like movement, you may want to take it a step further by choosing a chair with casters (wheels) that can be skirted from one end of your office to another as you look for important files.

Materials

When you think of office chairs, a traditional, dark leather chair may instantly come to mind. In fact, there are many different styles of leather options, including urban, distressed looks. There are also a wide range of other materials, including bonded leather, nylon and polyester to name just a few. Different materials offer differing styles and performance benefits. Here are some of the most popular materials found in office chairs.

• Leather and Leather-Like Options: A traditional leather office chair can certainly make an executive style statement. Leather office chairs never go out of style, and they are relatively easy to clean and maintain. However, there are also many leather-like options that provide a chic look and other performance benefits.
• Mesh: Mesh office chairs are preferred by some for their casual style and breathability of the fabric. Many chairs offer a combination of materials, including a mesh back and a cushier, leather seat.
• Wood: A wood office chair may not seem like a comfortable option. However, they can be paired with seat cushions for extra padding, and lumbar supports for back comfort. Wood also provides natural beauty and can stand up to years of use.

Style

We’ve painted the scene for a traditional, black leather office chair that offers comfort and is sure to impress your guests. However, there are many other styles of office chairs available that can suit the design aesthetic of your home. Picture a warm wood trim and distressed brown leather for a casual office chair that offers comfort and attitude. You can outfit your trendy, urban office with a sleek chair featuring a heavy-duty sled base and breathable grid back. Or a minimalistic chair featuring straight lines and modern coloring can lend a contemporary feel to your modern office design.

You can also choose from a range of colors to complement your home décor, from black, brown and grey to lighter white and beige office chairs.

Whether you’re required to sit at your desk for long periods each day or just need a comfortable chair for short tasks, the right office chair makes a world of difference. You can give your back, neck and the rest of your body the TLC it deserves by choosing an office chair that best supports your build. Additionally, you can choose a chair that complements the style of your home, so you’ll be completing your work in comfort and style.

Learn more about office furniture and home office design by reading our office furniture buying guide.