Whether you are redesigning your office space or setting up a home office, finding your way through the world of ergonomic office furniture could be quite an overwhelming task for people with little experience in this area. You will find yourself bombarded by various chairs that claim to be ergonomic but fail to satisfy most criteria. So, this article compiles a list of factors or parameters to consider before buying office chairs for your workplace.
1. Adjustability
A good ergonomic chair allows you to easily adjust its settings per your needs. Since everyone is unique, so does everyone’s chair need to possess the capability of adapting to its user’s requirements? So, decide who will be using the chair and for what purpose, and make sure you find a chair that caters to all the functionality requirements and the adjustments that an individual might require.
2. Height
A good chair shall allow itself to be adjusted 15-22 inches from the floor. This range will allow people whose heights range from 5′ to 6’4″ to use it. Meanwhile, a rule of thumb would be to find a chair with a height adjustment where your feet can rest flat on the floor at a 90° angle. Such a chair shall reduce the stress on the user’s lumbar region and the knees.
3. Width
While the standard seat size varies between 17 to 20 inches, factoring in width becomes crucial for people who require additional focus space and thigh support. There must be at least a 1-inch gap between the hips of the person and the armrest to allow the user to sit comfortably. On the other hand, avoid chairs that are too wide as they may require the arms to be stretched out to reach the armrests.
4. Depth
Ideally, the seat must be deep enough to allow the user to sit down with their back resting comfortably against the backrest while leaving a space of 3 or 4 inches between the end of the chair and the user’s knees. Normally three-fourths of the thighs must be supported by the seat. It would also be better to find chairs with slides that allow the user to slide in and out of the seat when sitting on it.
5. Lumbar Support
Comfortable lumbar support and the functionality to adjust it are crucial. The lumbar spine stabilises and supports the upper body right from the head to the neck. As such, the chair’s backrest must also allow it to be moved for truncal movements while controlling the leg movement and protecting the spinal cord. And office chairs with poor lumbar support could work in flattening the curvature of your back, which could lead to lower back pain.
6. Backrest
Typically, the backrests of most good chairs range between 12 to 19 inches. They must support the spine’s natural curvature and promote dynamic sitting to maintain the natural blood flow. It must also enable the user to try different recline postures to relieve the load and stress on their lower backs.
7. Armrest
Typically, the armrests of most ergonomic office chairs allow themselves to be adjusted and also removed if needed. The ideal height of the armrest varies from 7 to 10 inches above the seat. Besides, ensure the chair you pick has a broad and comfortable armrest to allow your elbows and forearms to rest on them comfortably.
By now, it must be clear to you what the most important features of an office chair are. Finding well-built ergonomic chairs can go a long way in promoting the user’s productivity, fulfilment and well-being. Meanwhile, most office-goers spend multiple hours sitting on their chairs, so finding good chairs that keep them healthy can go a long way in boosting their workplace efficiency and work output.
