2020 has really taken us for a ride. The global coronavirus pandemic has absolutely disrupted the way we work, play, interact, and everything else in between. Who would have thought that the majority of us will be turning our homes into our office this year? However, it’s not all bad. Working from home definitely has its perks and many of us won’t ever quite return to the way things were before the lockdown was implemented.
If you’re one of the people who are finding themselves working from home during this time, there are a few lessons you have certainly learned by now. Things like the importance of creating and sticking to a schedule to avoid work from taking over your free time. What an impact it has to still get up and get dressed in the morning. And, certainly, how vital it is to create a space that is dedicated to sitting and work. Sitting in bed furiously typing away on your laptop might seem like a novelty the first couple of days, but it’s certainly not a healthy or sustainable habit.
Now, about creating that workspace… There are a few things to remember:
Most of us spend a large part of our day sitting in front of our screens and a chair that does not support our body will eventually be harmful. If you’ve been using just a dining room chair that you had available, you might have noticed this. Your lower back hurts. You have neck pain. Maybe even headaches. You feel tired. Your legs ache. Your concentration isn’t what it’s supposed to be… the list goes on. All of this can be contributed to having the wrong chair.
If you’re going to be spending more time working from home, it really is worth investing in a proper office chair. So, what is it that you should look at to make sure you get the right one? Here are six tips to help you pick the ideal office chair for your home:
You know the lower back pain we just spoke about? And the neck pain? And the headaches? And the poor concentration? All of this stems from seating that does not offer proper support. That’s right, if your posture is not properly supported, this is what you end up with. A quality office chair will provide lumbar support. You can even try to find an option that offers adjustable lumbar support to fit your unique body.
Most office chairs will be adjustable in terms of the height of the seat. This is important so that the chair can match your desk. But also pay attention to other adjustable features, such as the abovementioned lumbar support, the height and width of the armrests, the angle of the backrest, and more. This will allow you to customise the seat to your specific needs.
Not all wheelbases are created equal. If your workstation is carpeted, make sure that the wheelbase of the chair you are considering is made for carpet, or will at least be able to freely move on a carpeted floor. Otherwise, you’re simply stuck in one place. This might seem like a small thing until you have to get up every single time you want to grab something that is just out of your reach.
Yes, swivelling is fun, but that’s not the reason this is important. It simply makes you slightly more mobile and helps to prevent arm fatigue from having to stretch every time you reach for something.
You’ll be sitting in your chair for extended periods of time. If the fabric is not breathable, the seat will become hot and you will become sweaty, which is not pleasant at all.
Again, if you’re going to be sitting for a couple of hours, the seat needs to be comfortable, and it should have enough padding so that it doesn’t wear out after the first month. More importantly, sitting on a soft cushioned chair is more comfortable than a hard one.
For a wonderful selection of office chairs for your home, shop with Quantum Office Furniture. As leading suppliers of office furniture for sale, we have a great selection of high-quality, professional products at affordable rates.