Different tasks and different tables require different chairs. With so many different types of office chairs on the market today, there is something for every taste and preference. The ideal chair provides ergonomic support, comfort, and functionality as it relates to your responsibilities and desires, but what chair is best? We’ll outline the main types below, and we’ll also showcase the different types of office chairs with pictures.
What Is an Office Chair?
An office chair is an extremely common type of seating, the most common feature being an upholstered back with lumbar support, the padded seat is set on casters that allow it to roll and swivel. They are often adjustable in height and are often referred to interchangeably as office chairs or computer chairs.
Main Usage of Office Chairs
As the name suggests, office chairs are used in work or office settings, but that doesn’t mean companies are the only place to find them. Given the ubiquity of computers, almost everyone who has a computer at home has an office or computer chair in front of it.
This makes perfect sense. Other types of chairs commonly found in homes are not suitable for computer work. If you’ve ever tried sitting on a straight-backed chair in the kitchen or using a computer on a recliner, you know how embarrassing it can be.
With a kitchen or dining chair, your back will kill you in no time. Sitting on a recliner for more than a few hours and using a computer can start to hurt your neck. Office chairs are the only ones that make sense, and luckily there are plenty of types of computer chairs to choose from.
Types of Office Chairs
1. Ergonomic Office Chairs
Arguably the most popular chair in the office. Ergonomic office chairs have a wide variety of advantages that often far outweigh the disadvantages (the disadvantages have to do with cost).
Cheap ergonomic office chairs do exist, but this one really starts to stand out when the price reflects its functionality. First and foremost, ergonomic chairs are made with the user in mind. Meet the user’s needs with a variety of adjustable functions such as lumbar, seat, backrest, armrests, headrest, and height. All of these features combine to help prevent repetitive strain injuries common among office workers.
Ergonomic chairs are built to last. With its sturdy design and adjustable features, prolonged sitting in an ergonomic chair is easy to do. For those (most people) who sit at their desks all day, an ergonomic chair may seem like a no-brainer. Best of all, ergonomic chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. From leather to mesh and fabric, ergonomic chairs can meet the needs of a large audience.
2. Leather Office Chairs
Leather office chairs exude style and comfort right from the start. While comfortable, not all leather office chairs are built to last long.
In general, leather office chairs can be quite expensive, but cheaper leather products do exist.
Ideally, leather chairs should be used in cool environments. In hot environments, the leather can become sticky, causing the user to sweat more than usual.
If you want to make a statement and sit in a cool setting, a leather office chair might be the way to go. Leather office chairs exude style and comfort right from the start. While comfortable, not all leather office chairs are built to last long.
In general, leather office chairs can be quite expensive, but cheaper leather products do exist.
Ideally, leather chairs should be used in cool environments. In hot environments, the leather can become sticky, causing the user to sweat more than usual.
If you want to make a statement and sit in a cool setting, a leather office chair might be the way to go.
3. Mesh Office Chairs
Mesh office chairs tend to be a fantastic answer to offices situated in hot climates or generally hot offices. With their breathable holes, the mesh material allows for free-flowing air to keep you cool during the day.
Mesh chairs tend to be quite lightweight. So if you require moving your chair around multiple times a day, a mesh chair can help with this situation.
4. Task/Operator Chairs
The task/operator office chair is considered the most basic type of office chair. With this label, they also tend to be the cheapest.
They only need to provide a seat, and additional benefits like adjustable lumbar support and headrests tend to eschew the design stage.
If you’re not looking for a chair to meet the demands of a specific job rather than a place to park yourself for an hour or two, a work chair might be your best bet. However, if you’re someone who sits for extended periods of time during the day, something a little more robust may be needed.
5. Kneeling Chairs
s you probably know, sitting all day is not the healthiest thing for us. Our bodies just can’t sit for long periods of time, day in and day out. Unfortunately, for many modern workers, this is nearly impossible to escape.
For those concerned about back pain, or if you already have back pain, a kneeling chair may be a solution to relieve the stress on your body.
A kneeling chair can help you rethink your posture and even encourage you to sit healthily. The main purpose of the kneeling chair is to reduce pressure on the lower back by distributing the weight between the knees and hips. One of our employees tested the kneeling chair alone for a week and reported her findings.
6. Heavy Duty Office Chairs
Heavy duty office chairs are undoubtedly the largest and strongest type of chair on the market. They have a specific purpose, catering to those big users who need it the most.
If you want a bigger chair, this chair has a larger-than-average seat and back.
They’ve also been specifically tested to handle heavier weights, and have stiffer materials and stronger gas struts, so there’s no need to worry about a mechanism for buckling under pressure. Although it is highly recommended that you check the model specifications before buying.
7. Designer Office Chairs
As you can imagine, designer office chairs are there to look good. If you want something out of the ordinary that offers that ‘wow’ factor, designer chairs fit the bill perfectly.
While their design was specifically to be different, they do offer lots of options in terms of comfort and support. Designer office chairs aren’t restricted by material choice or size. They tend to mix and match the other types of office chairs while looking incredibly stylish.
8. High Back Office Chairs
High-back chairs are designed for taller people. Sitting in a chair for extended periods of time without proper back and neck support can be very uncomfortable, so it’s important to buy an office chair that fits your body type.
All of our high-back chairs are ergonomically designed to give you the support you need throughout the working day.
High-back office chairs come in a variety of styles, colors, and functions, making it easy to find the right office chair.
Choose from a variety of colors in mesh, leather, or fabric. Many of our high-back chairs also feature a headrest, which can be adjusted independently of the backrest for the perfect fit.
9. Gaming Chairs
Gaming chairs are designed with style and comfort in mind, often with ergonomic features to help you through long hours of gaming.
Gaming chairs mimic the bucket seats of racing chairs and have a very unique look. This shape allows you to lean on them, and thanks to their high back, your entire back, neck, and head are supported.
While they’re geared toward gamers, if you really like the look of these chairs, they can easily make for a more traditional office chair.
10. Ergonomic Stools
Ergonomic stools are a great alternative to more traditional office chairs. It’s a great way to take a quick break from prolonged sitting.
Ergonomic stools can help boost your productivity, boost your productivity, and even work your core muscles.
The ergonomic stool pairs perfectly with a standing table, angling the thighs down, and neutralizing the pelvis and lower back so that the spine is in a natural curve.
Summary
In the 1970s, advances in materials science and a broader understanding of human anatomy led to the development of the ergonomic chair, which spread rapidly across the office ecosystem. As more people spent more time sitting in chairs, the shortcomings of the original design became apparent, requiring a more advanced stand.
There has been a flurry of activity and advancements in the office chair ecosystem in recent years, leading to a corresponding proliferation of different types of office chairs.
