How to make your office chair more comfortable

Your office chair is an important part of your workstation set up (unless you prefer a standing desk of course!). Whether you work from home or you’re positioned in an office, a comfortable office chair can have a huge impact on your working day. Like any piece of equipment, your chair will need to be replaced at some point. If you’re unsure as to whether you could do with switching up your seat or just an office chair repair, here are three telltale signs that it could be time to look for a replacement.

1. It’s damaging your health

Your office chair should not have a negative effect on your health and wellbeing, so if you’re cursed with aches and pains while you sit in a chair, it’s likely you’re due an upgrade. In fact, your seat should provide you with the utmost comfort as you work.

For example, when you’re selecting a new chair, you should opt for one that is supportive of your back so that you can sit comfortably. Sitting for long periods of time feels uncomfortable and can wreak havoc on your spine and posture, so it’s important to opt for a model that will be kind to your body. For example, the office chairs from Furniture At Work™ are available with contoured lower back areas for added comfort and support.

You should also look out for other features, such as seat height adjustment, built-in lumbar support, back position and armrest pads, all things which make up an ergonomic office chair.

An ergonomic chair or ergonomic seat is one which has been designed to best support the human body. If you feel that you need more support for your spine you could try adding a lumbar pillow to your chair. This will relieve pressure and help to improve posture.

It’s important that you’re able to adjust the height of your office chair so that you are not straining your neck or shoulders to reach your computer or see your screen for perfect sitting positions. Your screen should be positioned at eye level so you might need to add a laptop stand to your office shopping list.

You should also look for a desk chair with a tilt lock. This means that you can sit in an upright position for typing, but you can also comfortably rock or recline during meetings, phone calls and if you’re reading.

You should also ensure that your sitting posture is correct so that this doesn’t put any strain on your back and shoulder muscles. For proper posture, ensure that your feet are flat on the floor, your knees are in line with or lower than your hips and that your hips are far back in the chair for a perfect seating position.

2. It’s affecting your productivity

Although you might not realise it, your chair could be having an effect on your productivity while you work. An uncomfortable, poorly made seat can be distracting, causing your performance to plummet. To avoid losing concentration at your desk, changing your office chair for a much more comfortable and plush design could help. When you’re out shopping for a substitute, make sure you test out a few different chairs to see which feels best, or if you’re browsing online, you could read reviews to see how other people rate them. Ideally, the seat you go for should allow for your body’s natural movement and be comfy enough for you to sit in all day and focus on the task at hand.

3. It’s in poor condition

While it’s important that your office chair is comfortable and allows you to do your job, it needs to look good too. For example, if the fabric covering your seat is worn, ripped or frayed, or the arms have become loose, you could probably benefit from swapping it for a newer model. Your office chair should be durable and look good year on year. When choosing a replacement, make sure you pick one that is made from high-quality materials like faux leather, breathable mesh, or even a real leather chair, so that it’s guaranteed to stand the test of time.

You also need to make sure that the seat cushions are in good condition so that your chair is comfy. You could even choose memory foam cushions which mould to your shape for maximum comfort.

If your current seat is guilty of these faults, it could be the perfect time to treat yourself to a brand new office chair. There are lots of office chair offers available so do your research to get a great price before you buy.

*This is a collaborative post.