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Home Office – how to select the best chair
Discover essential features to look for in a home office chair and learn how to create the perfect workspace that supports your body.
- Updated:
About the author:
John Karle
Director
(Specialisation: Product and Market Development, Operations & Ergonomics)
What is the right HOME OFFICE chair for me?
When my boss said, “Congratulations, you can work from home!” I was over the moon! Working from home sounds amazing, but have you thought about whether you have the right equipment, including a proper office chair? Do you even have an office chair at home? I thought, “No problem, I can use the dining room chair, a bar stool, or even the old typist chair from the kids’ room!” Fast forward a few days, and I was wincing with a sore back, aching shoulders, and a numb backside. Who knew sitting all day could be so tough? Does this sound familiar? What really happens when you sit?
With so many of us working from home, whether full-time or part-time, creating a comfy home office setup is very important!
My dad always said, “You need the right tool for the job,” which brings to mind two questions: “Do you have the perfect chair for your home office?” and What’s the best sitting position in your home office?
The range of office chairs is huge, but how do you choose the right home office chair?
Let’s make your decision a bit easier by thinking about how much time you spend in your home office chair each day. To keep it simple, we can break it down into 3 easy categories:
How many hours per day do you sit in your home office?
- Less than 2 hours per day
- 2-5 hours per day
- 5+ hours per day
Now that you have a sense of how much time you’re spending in your chair, it’s time to find the perfect one. Keep track of those hours over a week, I think the results will surprise you! Check out these 15 fantastic ideas for your home office!
1. Sitting less than 2 hours per day
If you find yourself spending less than 2 hours a day in your home office, that likely means you’re just popping in to check emails, manage some banking, or do a bit of online browsing. You’re in and out of your chair in quick, little bursts throughout the day.
For those moments, you really don’t need an overly sophisticated office chair at home. By “sophisticated,” I mean a chair with an adjustable back support, height-adjustable armrests, and a swivel mechanism that locks into various angles to suit your personal requirements.
Must-have features:
- A solid seat that when you sit down will support you. This should be at a height approximately 25-30cm below the top of your work surface. What is the correct ergonomic height for my desk, computer monitor and home office chair?
- Even having a backrest is not an essential item as your core should be able to support you for your short seated periods.
Popular home office chairs for sitting less than 2 hours per day
Wellback Kneeling Chair
R2399 – R2695 incl VAT
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
2. Sitting 2 - 5 hours per day in your home office
Now things are starting to get more serious, you might find yourself sitting for over an hour at a time. Just a friendly tip: if you’re seated for more than an hour, it’s a great idea to switch things up every 45 minutes. Stand up, stretch those legs, and enjoy some fresh air! This little movement gets your different muscle groups working and gives your seated muscles a nice boost by improving blood flow. Check out the ultimate ‘how to’ video guide of exercises and stretches for workers at home and in the office.
When it comes to chairs, the one you choose for longer sitting sessions is quite different from the one you’d pick if you’re sitting less than 2 hours a day.
Must-have features:
- A chair with a backrest and a seat so that when you sit down your back touches the backrest of the chair. You must be sitting in an upright position with your shoulders back. The Perfect Home Office Setup.
- Height adjustability. You must be able to raise or lower your chair to a position where your elbows are more or less the same height as your desk. What is the correct ergonomic height for my desk, computer monitor and office chair?
- Armrests. Ideally these should be height adjustable so that you can raise the armrests to a position where they support your elbows and take the pressure off your shoulders. What are the best armrests for my office chair?
- A mechanism which allows your chair to swivel 360 degrees and also tilts backwards and forwards. What is the difference between office chair mechanisms?
Popular home office chairs for sitting 2-5 hours per day
Elara Ergonomic Office Chair
R3447 – R3695 incl VAT
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Leila Ergonomic Office Chair
R4830 – R4999 incl VAT
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Skye Office Chair
R3250 – R3460 incl VAT
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
NOTE: If during this 5 hour period you sit for multiple periods that are longer than an hour at a time, I would suggest you consider a 5 hour + chair below.
3. Sitting in your home office for more than 5 hours per day
Spending more than 5 hours a day sitting? You’ll want a chair that really has your back! Choosing a highly adjustable chair that fits your body perfectly is essential. Check out this link on why a fully adjustable office chair is so important. But don’t forget—your workstation matters too! No matter how great your chair is, sitting correctly won’t help if you’re bending and twisting like a pretzel just to reach your materials! Discover more about best practices for ergonomics in the workplace.
Must-have features:
- An adjustable backrest. You must be able to position the backrest to where it offers the greatest support for your lower back (lumbar) area. A good quality mesh back chair will have an adjustable lumbar support built into the backrest. Modern mesh office chairs.
- Height adjustability. You must be able to raise or lower your chair to a position where your elbows, when placed at your side, are more or less at the same height as your desk. What is the correct ergonomic height for my desk, computer monitor and office chair?
- Height Adjustable Armrests. After you have set your chair to the correct height, adjust the armrests to a point where your elbows are resting on the armrests and your forearms are in line with the top of the desk. You should automatically feel less tension in your neck and shoulders.
- A synchronous or free-float mechanism which allows you to tilt backwards and to lock the chair in a tilted position. This opens up the angle between your torso and thighs which improves blood circulation in your lower back and core. What is the difference between office chair mechanisms?
- The chair must be fitted with a 5-star base with wheels or castors. This allows you to easily move in and out of the working area in your home office. Find out why the Leila is the Best Value Ergonomic Office Chair in South Africa
- A headrest. While it’s not essential, it’s super helpful when you need to take a little break and wish to rest your head. Plus, it serves as a great reminder to check your posture! When you sit upright and let your head touch the headrest, you’ll know you’re sitting straight and keeping your spine aligned. Remember, your spine should do the work of supporting your head, not your neck and shoulders, which can happen when you slouch. Want to learn more? Check out this link for tips on adjusting your chair for the perfect sitting posture! How to adjust your chair for the correct sitting posture.
Popular home office chairs for sitting 5 or more hours per day
Luna Ergonomic Office Chair
R4405 – R4599 incl VAT
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Mira Ergonomic Office Chair
R6765 – R6995 incl VAT
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Firefly Ergonomic Office Chair
R7615 – R7795 incl VAT
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Leila Ergonomic Office Chair
R4830 – R4999 incl VAT
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Conclusion
When you spend long hours in your home office, having a chair that fits your body just right becomes very important! A chair with more adjustable features might come with a higher price tag, but can you put a price on comfort? Relying solely on your muscles and ligaments can lead to extra strain on your body. While you might feel fine in the short run, over time, you could end up facing health issues and, yikes, medical bills! Odds are, those costs would add up to more than investing in a good chair! Wondering if you can buy Karo office furniture online to skip the retailer?
And don’t forget, your chair is just one part of the puzzle! When you’re all set up in your home office, take a good look at your entire workspace. You should be able to reach everything comfortably without stretching or leaning too much. Everything you need should be right at your fingertips. Curious about the benefits of using a document holder?
Are you or your child studying from home? Find out why an ergonomic study chair matters!
By the same author:
How to Guide
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A desk chair for your office can impact your performance as well as your health and wellbeing. What should you look for BEFORE you buy?
FAQ's
Ergonomic Rating
The Ergonomic Rating is a scientific evaluation system that objectively rates the ergonomic features of a chair on a 1 to 5 scale.
