If you spend several hours every day at work, sitting at a desk, then in the evening you will feel tired and sore in the neck and lower back. The main reason is an uncomfortable chair, due to which a person remains in an unnatural position for a long time. Office workers need to have an idea of how to choose an office chair to make it as comfortable as possible. In addition, such pieces of furniture for staff must be reliable, durable, practical, and have a presentable appearance.
Design Features
Armchairs are divided into types: for management, employees, and visitors. Furniture that is comfortable, but with a simple design, is suitable for guests, since they do not stay in the office for a long time. The main thing is that the chairs look attractive and are practical.
Executive furniture must meet many requirements. This is functionality, comfort, high quality, which emphasizes the status of the boss. The upholstery is black or brown leather, which is breathable, environmentally friendly, and maintains body temperature. The furniture is equipped with a stand with a five-beam support, casters, armrests, headrest, and adjustment device. A cross with rollers has replaced conventional legs, as it has undeniable advantages:
- easy to use;
- saves time when moving;
- no need to get up for every reason.
The image of a manager is determined by many details that speak of the stability and success of the company, and the chair is one of them.
So that employees can work for a long time and not get tired, the office needs furniture for the back and spine that is of good quality, practicality, and comfort. The products are height adjustable to suit the individual characteristics of the worker and the dimensions of the table. There are two types of chairs for staff: operator chairs and those for sitting at a computer.
The first ones are comfortable, functional, with armrests, with devices for adjusting the seat height and backrest tilt. A chair for working at a computer is a universal option. These chairs are endowed with maximum comfort and functionality. The design of a good quality product must include a stand with a five-point cross on rotating wheels.
There are 3 types of seats:
- Tough. Made from metal and wood. This type is practically not used, since a person gets tired from sitting on it for a long time.
- Semi-soft. They differ in the thickness of the filler of medium size.
- Soft. They are produced with a large thickness of filler and also have springs.
Soft
Semi-soft
Rigid
As for sizes, office chairs can be divided into several types, depending on certain criteria:
- In width – narrow (up to 55 cm), medium (55-60 cm) and wide (over 60 cm). A comfortable option is chosen based on the size of the semi-circumference of the hips.
- By depth – small (less than 60 cm), medium (60 to 70), deep (more than 70 cm). You can choose the ideal parameter by measuring the distance from the kneecap to the beginning of the upper part of the buttocks in a sitting position.
A good seat has a smooth surface and a rounded shape so as not to compress the blood vessels on the legs. The upholstery used is water-permeable, environmentally friendly, and breathable.
Narrow chair
Average seat width
Wide seat
When choosing a chair, you need to carefully examine the angle between the back and the seat. It is optimal if it is slightly more than 90 degrees, which will allow your lower back to relax if you lean back. It is better if the angle of inclination can be changed, this will allow you to relax while resting.
The backrest is made in an anatomical shape that follows the contours of the body. The height can be medium or high, but it is better if this element is adjustable to maintain torso balance and maintain correct posture. Modern products are produced with a corset back that follows the curves of the body. These models have a special lumbar bolster.
The armrests are located at the level of the arms bent at right angles and serve to prevent tension in the shoulders and neck. They provide comfort for the hands and relieve fatigue. The presence of armrests is necessary for the boss, preferably for employees, but not necessary for visitors.
Passive office chair adjustment
Passive settings are achieved without additional mechanisms. This type of adjustment includes adjusting the armrests. Some models adjust the location of the armrests in the direction of horizontal reach or height.
There is also the possibility of sealing the seat and back to ensure a comfortable fit and even distribution of the load on the chair. Another mode is a compacted bend on the upper edge of the chair. It relieves compression of the lower extremities in the area of the kneecaps.
It is recommended to adjust the armrest so that the bend in the elbow area is at least 90°.
Varieties
Office chairs are classified by purpose: for staff, guests or management. If you choose which chair is suitable for the head of a company, then you should focus on the following features:
- solidity;
- ergonomics;
- high back with headrest;
- big sizes;
- five-beam support;
- soft seat;
- presence of armrests.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of office chairs for workers who spend most of their time in a sitting position. In this case, you need to take into account the following distinctive features:
- ergonomics;
- beam support with wheels for quick movement;
- high or medium backrest with adjustment;
- with or without armrests, depending on the type of activity.
For visitors, the chairs do not have wheels, they can be with or without armrests, the main thing is that the guests feel comfortable. Particular attention should be paid to the design of the chairs - the products should fit perfectly into the business environment of the office.
For management staff
For staff
For guests
Chair armrests
Once the chair height and backrest position are adjusted, you can adjust the position of the armrests. They should barely touch the elbows when the user operates the keyboard. If the armrests are in the way, there will be a problem with seating. Armrests that are too high lead to problems with the shoulder joints.
The position of the armrests can be adjusted with screws or a screwdriver. In some models, the height is not adjustable at all. If you can't adjust the position of the armrests properly, remove them altogether - they can cause joint problems if they are in the wrong position.
Manufacturing materials
One of the main structural parts of an office chair is the frame, which can be monolithic or collapsible. The first forms a single whole, making the product more durable. In this case, the armrests can be removable. In collapsible models, the armrests act as an element connecting the back and seat. The connecting part can also be a metal plate.
The frame is made of high quality steel or durable plastic. The presence of a high-strength frame increases the service life of the product. The seat and back are made of multi-layer plywood. High-quality foam rubber or polyurethane is used as a base coating, which creates the elasticity of the products.
To create a hard version, no filler is used; the base is immediately covered with upholstery material. For soft and semi-soft types, polyurethane foam or foam rubber is used - the thicker the layer, the softer the product. Unique products have an anatomical shape, where there are two bases with pillows. The split back creates a massage effect and stimulates blood circulation.
Durable, wear-resistant materials are used for upholstery. These include:
- Genuine Leather. The material is strong, elastic, breathable. Disadvantages: expensive, requires special care.
- Faux leather. It is practical, durable, and UV resistant, but can change color in direct sunlight and gets very hot, creating discomfort.
- Synthetic fabric. It is distinguished by its durability, ease of maintenance, hygroscopicity, breathability, and antistatic properties. The material is beautiful, has many textures and colors. Cons: wears out faster than the first two options, can fade in the sun, absorbs odors.
Genuine Leather
Faux leather
Synthetic fabric
There are also modern models with upholstery made of rigid acrylic mesh. The material is used for covering the backs and seats of ergonomic products. The mesh allows air to pass through well, making a person feel comfortable even in the heat. The disadvantage is the insufficiently high level of strength, leading to a decrease in service life. The upholstery indicates the status of the employee, so it is also necessary to pay close attention to it.
There are office chairs used in various professional fields, for example:
- medical (made of polyurethane, should be easy to process, have an antistatic effect);
- hairdressing salons (resistant to disinfection, with footrest, height adjustment in the form of a pedal);
- industrial workers (for workers in warehouses, workshops, conveyor enterprises) - monoblock rigid structures with a special vinyl coating with no texture, so as not to accumulate dirt, suitable for processing by any means.
For medical workers
Hairdressing
For production workers,
properly selected mechanisms contribute to the longevity of furniture:
- Permanent contact. Serves to adjust the chair according to seat depth, backrest tilt, and height.
- Rocking mechanism. A reliable, durable spring-screw device provides swinging.
- Synchro mechanism. Adjusts the angle of the backrest, its height, and seat depth. The device is complex and expensive.
- Asynchronous. Same as synchronous, but adjusts the seat separately from the backrest.
When sitting for a long time, it is very important to have a rocking mechanism to help relax the body.
Build quality control
You can check how well the chair works quite simply with the help of simple steps. The serviceability of the lifting mechanism is the first criterion that must be considered. When testing, you need to sit in a chair, press the piastres lever - under the influence of the person’s body weight, the seat will lower. When the desired level is reached, the pressure on the lever should be stopped. If you pull it up and stand up from the chair, the seat will return to its original position.
Silent and trouble-free operation of the lift is the second criterion that will indicate a successful assembly. For greater comfort, you can adjust the position of the backrest and start using it without doubting the strength of the finished product. Correct adjustment of a computer chair is very important, because comfort when working at a desk affects the activity levels of employees, and an uncomfortable backrest position causes fatigue in the spinal region.
There are times when office furniture needs to be dismantled. A user who has personally carried out the process of assembling the structure will easily figure out how to disassemble the chair. It is important to remember that after long-term use of computer chairs, the parts in them can become compressed - it is better to do the work using a power tool. It may also be necessary to use physical effort, so it would be a good idea to pre-treat the fasteners and joints with technical oil.
If something goes wrong when assembling a computer chair, it is better to use the services of professionals - they will not only quickly and efficiently complete all the work, but will also provide a guarantee for it.
Checking the swing mechanism
Adjusting the lifting mechanism
Criterias of choice
For constant work, you need to have the best office chairs that guarantee the health of your back, neck, and spine. There are recommendations on how to choose the right model to maintain good health for a long time. They were compiled by specialists taking into account the needs of workers who are forced to remain in a sitting position for long periods of time. So, the choice of office chair is made taking into account the following characteristics:
- Back height. It is better to purchase a product where this element will be quite high.
- Ergonomics. The convenience of the design must be tried in different positions. It is recommended to buy models with different types of adjustments and a massage seat.
- Upholstery material. A suitable material is breathable, wear-resistant, and easy to clean when dirty. The best surfaces are semi-soft ones that do not slip.
- Cross. Must be made of high-strength material. It is desirable that the support with legs have a minimum load capacity of 120 kg.
- Gas lift. The device should be selected with the highest quality category to ensure the reliability of the entire structure.
- Wheels. They experience heavy loads, so they must be made of strong material. It is better if the rollers are made of durable, hard polyamide. It is possible to use polyurethane, a softer material that does not leave damage to parquet flooring.
- Headrest. This detail serves to position the head comfortably and relax the cervical spine.
- Armrests. You can comfortably place your hands on them while working by adjusting the height.
The best office chairs can be purchased from a good, trusted manufacturer. The highest quality models are those included in the top first-class office and computer chairs.
Comfortable high back
Ergonomic massage seat
Wear-resistant upholstery
Durable cross
High quality gas lift
Reliable wheels
Comfortable headrest
Adjustable armrests
Best models
The rating includes products from famous foreign companies engaged in the production of ergonomic, functional furniture for offices. List of the best office chair manufacturers:
- Tetchair HEO 1. Compact design suitable for small office spaces. Faux leather upholstery comes in a variety of colors. The comfortable soft seat does not allow you to experience any discomfort. The structure can withstand a weight not exceeding 100 kg. Cost – from 6,290 rubles.
- Akracing Arctica. This reliable, durable product can withstand a load of 130 kg. Has many useful features. It can be folded out 180 degrees. The upholstery material is high-quality artificial leather and the filling is polyurethane. There is an adjustable lumbar support, and there are bumpers on the sides. The model is expensive - from 23,300 rubles.
- Ergohuman Plus Legrest. The most comfortable recliner chair for work will last a long time. The main difference is the presence of a headrest with an adjustment mechanism, which is located on a telescopic base. The lumbar spine support design automatically adjusts to the person's position. All parts have an adjustment mechanism. The mesh upholstery allows air to pass through perfectly. Available in several color options. Cost – from 16,679 rubles.
- Chairman Game 10. Features good versatility and long service life. The base is made of thin sheet steel, reinforced with stiffeners. The crosspiece is plastic, strong, and can withstand a weight of 120 kg. The back is plastic with a matte finish, the upholstery is durable mesh. The chair has a beautiful stylish design. Cost – 7,500 rubles.
- Tetchair Twister. It is the leader among office chairs. The product is impressive, reliable, with durable armrests. Foamed polyurethane, which is used as a filler, follows the contours of the body. The model is suitable for a person with a height of 150-190 cm and a weight of up to 130 kg. The chair has a wide seat, a good backrest angle, and a beautiful, stylish design that is suitable for any environment. Cost – 6,890 rubles.
Before choosing a chair for a manager, as well as for office workers and guests, you need to familiarize yourself with the device, features, recommendations of experts, and brands. Due to the convenience of the furniture, employees do not get so tired after several hours of sedentary work, while labor productivity increases significantly.
Tetchair HEO
Akracing Arctica
Ergohuman Plus Legrest
Chairman Game 10
Tetchair Twister
Manufacturers, price, sizes
At the moment, there are many manufacturers of office equipment that offer a wide range of chairs for computers. Chinese companies produce both regular chairs and high-quality products, so you can safely trust such production. The Italian manufacturer provides only expensive products for this purpose. European companies strictly comply with the price-quality ratio. Russian manufacturers are pleased with no less high-quality chairs. By purchasing such a product, you can save a lot, while quality and convenience do not suffer.
If we take into account the cost, it depends on several aspects:
- Manufacturer;
- Depreciation expenses;
- Transportation costs in case of foreign goods;
- Publicity;
- Payments related to utility costs;
- Rent of territory;
- Materials and structures used for production;
- Functionality of the chairs;
- Additional options.
If you forget about modern additions, you can buy a budget chair that will meet the price-quality ratio.
The sizes of a computer chair can also be varied, including:
- Width;
- Height;
- Depth.
Each parameter is measured separately and indicated on the packaging. Sometimes the manufacturer also indicates the characteristics of the armrest and other additional elements. It is important to take into account the space limitations of the workplace so that the use of the chair is comfortable and movement on it is unhindered. Also, with correctly selected dimensions, a person will make a minimum number of movements.
An equally important factor is weight load. It is characterized by the maximum permissible weight of the consumer for convenient work on it. Before buying a chair, you must definitely pay attention to this aspect, because a higher than normal load on the structure can lead to damage. The average weight is in the range of 110-120 kilograms, sometimes up to 160, although this happens quite rarely.
You can choose chairs for your home or office without any problems if you determine the exact requirements, desired functions and features, and photos will help you decide on color and style.
