While it might last around seven or eight years before needing a replacement, eventually the seating in your office will fail. When that occurs, you need to find a new one, but choosing an office chair can sometimes be a chore. So, how can you make this easier and cut the search down to speed up the process?
We have put together the perfect guide to help you run through your options to find the best office chair Australia has to offer. By the end, you should have your shortlist and know how to compare the pros and cons of each option.
Choosing an Office Chair For Your Needs
The first thing you should do is plan the kind of chair you want. It is much better to go into the process with a strong understanding of what you need. That way you can trim down your list of potential office chairs before you start looking through listings.
Think about what you do every day and how you perform your work. Do you need to stand up a lot, or are you only sitting down? If you are mostly sitting, having much more cushioning on the seat can give you a much more comfortable day, but you might need a higher budget.
If, on the other hand, you stand a lot or need to get up to move around the office throughout the day, you will be sitting less. This means you can focus on other types of chairs, which might have different features.
At the same time, think about your own body. If you have medical needs, such as a bad back, or a wide body shape, people often need ergonomic chairs for each of these. Consider chairs with dimensions that will match your own body, and ensure the seat can withstand long periods of sitting.
Also, think about your office setup when you look at the size of the chairs you want. You will need to fit it in the space you have, after all.
Think About Your Preferences
Some people have strong opinions about the desk chairs they use. Some people prefer armrests, for example, while others believe they get in the way. Others like better head support, while still more consider it a nuisance as they want more freedom of movement.
Think about each feature of the chairs you are used to and which you would prefer to keep or discard. Are there specific things you do in your job that would be easier if you had specific types of chairs, such as a high back arm chair, instead of an office chair?
Get Good Lumbar Support
Over the time you are using the chair, you will need to make sure it looks after your body. Sitting for long periods can cause harm if you are not careful. So, ensure you find an ergonomic chair with both comfortable cushions and lumbar support to match your needs.
Do you have any medical lumbar-related needs? If you have old injuries or back problems, you might need to investigate these and make accommodations for them. If so, talk to a specialist or chair retailer about how they can help you find the item that will work best for you.
Ensure it Reclines Enough
Think about your posture when you sit down. Despite health advice suggesting people sit with a straight back, many prefer to recline, especially when on a call. Think about how much each seat reclines, and look for one that can give you the best balance of comfort and back support.
Though, do not overdo it. You do not want a chair that does have a back that locks into place, as this can mean you can lean back too far and tumble out. We have all seen someone do that at some point in our lives, after all.
While you consider this, check if the seat has things like foot and leg rests. These can add a little bit more elegance to your experience. If you plan to spend a long time in the chair, they might be a worthwhile investment.
Do You Need It to Move?
Think about the layout of your workspace and whether you think you will need to move the chair or get up to do your work. If you can do everything from the office chair, do you want it to have casters that will allow it to slide wherever you need to go?
While considering this, do you want a chair that can rotate or would you prefer a fixed position for the back? This is often down to personal preference and can relate to either comfort or working habits. Boardroom chairs, for example, often rotate and offer extra comfort to their users.
If you decide you need a chair that moves, look for something less likely to cause damage to your floor. If the chair will sit on hard surfaces, consider smooth-rolling casters instead of standard wheels.
What Style of Chair?
Think about the type of chair that would suit your office environment. Try to find something in a style that suits your needs and its surroundings.
For example, you might want to use a traditional executive-style chair, especially if you are going to be doing work in them. This would fit the mood of "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have". This would often be a leather office chair and might include plush cushions or even wooden frames if you splash out enough.
If you are using the chair to promote a lighthearted attitude, such as with an online stream, you might instead want to consider a more vibrant seat. A "gamer chair", an office chair with headrest, can give off this mood even if it is not in flashy colors.
You also need to consider if the chair is even for you. If you need it for visitors or clients, you are much more likely to keep it in one position as you discuss your work with them. In that situation, you might not even need casters at all, or for it to be a fancy leather chair.
Try A Chair Out
Sometimes the best way to work out if a piece of furniture is right for you is to test it out for yourself. To find high-quality office chairs you could sit in, you could always go to a showroom. Many of these will have a wide range of chairs on display.
While you are there, you can get a good sense of how comfortable they are. This helps you understand whether they would suit you long-term or if you might end up having trouble with them.
Seeing such products up close also allows you to get a much better idea of their build quality. You can discover if a chair is robust and made of good materials by handling it. At the same time, you also get a chance to discover if you like the texture of it when you touch it for yourself.
Before you head to a showroom, though, make sure you know what you want to learn about different office chair options. It might be that you would be better off looking through online listings to find what you need. At the same time, there is always the possibility the location does not have what you want, and then you will have wasted a trip.
Check Out Online Reviews
Online sellers are always likely to talk their products up, and everything sometimes sounds too good to be true. While you might get a good sense of the features, it might help to learn something from those who have sat in the chair themselves. To do this, you can always search for online reviews from reputable sellers.
By looking for discussions on the Internet, you can find information on how all the chair's features feel in the hands of a user. They might be able to offer insights into what it is like to use different office chair options daily.
When you have read them, consider the reviews as a whole. Almost all products will have a few positive and a few negative. Check for consensus and repeated statements, though, as you will then learn which are the high-quality office chairs.
Bear Your Budget in Mind
The money you have available is the one thing that is most likely to impact the office chairs you consider. Think about how much the chair will cost you, and then weigh it up against the long-term value you would get out of such a piece of furniture. As said at the start of this article, you are likely to be using it for around eight years, so invest well.
Also, think about your office setup when choosing an office chair. If you need more than one, remember to factor that into how much you can spend. With a lower budget, consider options such as a mesh chair to save yourself some money.
Where To Pick Up the Chair
The process of choosing an office chair can be daunting, but with the right help, it can be a breeze. We are more than happy to help with your decision-making process and can get you the best office chair in Australia.
So do not hesitate to get in contact if you need that little bit of help. Though, if you already have a good chair in mind, check out our shop today and get it delivered straight to your door.