What is the best office chair for sitting long hours in the UK?
When you’re sitting for long periods of time, comfort is key. But it’s not just about feeling comfy. Good posture is also key. Your office chair needs to adjust to your body type and to support you correctly. An average UK workday is 7-8 hours long. And when you spend most of that sitting at your desk, that’s a long time in an office chair.
As experts in this area, we believe that investing in the best office chair for you is absolutely essential. Spending long hours sitting at your desk can be hugely detrimental to your mental and physical wellbeing. That’s made worse if you’re not using an ergonomic office chair that supports you adequately.
For us, the best office furniture enhances your wellbeing, supports you to work comfortably, complements your workspace, and boosts productivity. Whether you spend days working from home or all your time in your office space, it’s imperative to have the right office furniture.
In this guide, we explore the best office chairs to choose for exceptional comfort and support when sitting for long hours.
Choosing the best office chair for you
The best office chairs are specifically designed to remain comfortable for long periods of time. With an ergonomic design, they won’t put strain on your back or posture. Set on castors, they’re easy to move about and have a smooth swivel action. This aids collaboration and interaction with colleagues.
When you look at the array of office chairs available, it’s hard to know how to choose the best one. We’ll go into specific features below, but there are other factors to consider as well.
Ergonomic design:
These chairs are designed to keep you seated comfortably for hours. The supportive, sculpted design with features like adjustable lumbar support, seat height, and armrests will make a world of difference to your workday. Your back will thank you for it!
Material quality:
For a high end look, longer durability and better comfort you should look for premium materials such as leather upholstery, high-density cushion foam, and breathable mesh.
Build quality:
Check how robust and solid the chair feels. You want the adjustable mechanisms, as well as casters and swivel motion, to be silent and smooth. Plus, if you’re big and tall for example, you need a chair that’s built specifically for a higher weight capacity.
Durability:
A high quality chair is a long term investment in your health, wellbeing and workspace. Look for a 5, 10 or 12 year warranty to guarantee its long-lasting nature.
Aesthetic appeal:
If you’re going to spend long periods of time using the chair, it helps if you like the look of it. Ensure it complements your workplace decor, giving an overall appealing aesthetic.
Budget:
Your available finances will determine whether to opt for high end or best budget office chairs. You’ll find lower price options at Amazon or Ikea for example. A more high end piece of furniture will likely incorporate better quality design and build features, premium materials and higher durability. Remember, that means that the chair will last longer and won’t need to be replaced as quickly. Low quality can be a false economy.
What features should I look for in an office chair for prolonged sitting?
The best ergonomic office chairs should have adjustable, supportive features. Your checklist to look at when buying a new office chair include:
- Adjustable features like recline and tilt mechanism to move the seat for better positioning
- Adjustable seat height to keep feet flat on the floor and arms level with your office desk. You can add a footrest if your feet don’t reach the floor when the seat height’s right for your desk.
- Adjustable armrests to reduce shoulder strain and arm fatigue. Adjustable arms can also be removed totally if required so that your chair can fit under your desk.
- Adjustable seat depth so that your knees align correctly with the edge of the seat. Depth adjustment is often overlooked, but it’s a key feature for ultimate comfort and positioning
- An adjustable headrest to support your neck.
- Adjustable lumbar support to help with spine alignment and prevent lower back pain
- Adjustable backrest to position in the right place to provide adequate back support
- Foam seat cushion for comfort and support.
Different types of comfortable office chair
There isn’t a one size fits all office chair. That’s why adjustable features are crucial, so you can customise your seat position to your personal needs. There’s a variety of comfortable office chair styles to choose from. Here, we explain the top picks of office chair.
Timeless sophistication: The executive chair
With premium leather upholstery, the executive chair is a classic status symbol. It’s also an excellent choice for a long-lasting, comfortable office chair. Designed with lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and a high-back structure, the executive chair promotes healthy posture while reducing strain on your back and shoulders.
High-density foam padding, height adjustment, and tilt mechanisms provide superior ergonomics while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. Choose luxe leather upholstery for a premium touch that ages beautifully over time, and gives off a certain professionalism and prestige.
Modern minimalism: The mesh office chair
For those who prefer a more contemporary style, a mesh-back ergonomic chair is an excellent choice. This popular ergochair is ideal for modern professionals who value both style and wellbeing.
The chair’s mesh backrest allows for improved airflow, ensuring comfort even during long work sessions. The mesh task chair has adaptive lumbar support and a recline function to help maintain optimal spinal alignment.
Sustainable luxury: The eco-friendly office chair
Sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand. Look out for eco-friendly office chairs made from responsibly sourced materials. You can find sustainable office chairs featuring high-quality recycled fabrics, materials and finishes.
Also, look out for robust mechanisms and durable frames to make sure that they’re long-lasting. Disposable, short-lived products are no good for people or planet. Here at KI, we’re committed to being environmentally responsible. We believe strongly in ethical craftsmanship and producing ‘impact less’ furniture.
Fun functionality: The adjustable gaming chair
Gaming chairs don’t have to be restricted to weekends and evenings only. Weird as it seems, gaming chairs can be ideal for workday activity too.
The best gaming chairs offer comfort, support and adjustability. Their ergonomic shape has a high back, arm rests and cushioned support. In the right office environment, gaming chairs can make great everyday comfortable office chairs.
Elevated excellence: The standing desk chair
Who says you have to sit in a standard desk chair all day? Increasingly, people are enjoying the postural benefits of using a standing desk and an accompanying height adjustable task chair.
Medical experts advise people to stand up every 30 minutes and stretch out of your prolonged seated position. With a standing desk, you have the option to stand or sit. The best standing desk chair or stool will have the same adjustable features that we’ve listed above.
Are you sitting comfortably?
We hope we’ve answered your FAQs on choosing the best office chair. It’s so important to use an ergonomic office chair to support your body adequately when you’re working for long periods of time.
We offer a curated collection of ergonomic office chairs designed for maximum comfort and style. Whether you prefer sustainable luxury or modern minimalism, our expertly crafted chairs ensure you stay productive without compromising on quality.
