Desk Chairs
How to Choose a Desk Chair
The chair at a desk sits somewhere between furniture and equipment. At one end is the adjustable task chair on castors, built around the movements of a working day. At the other is something closer to a dining chair, set at a writing desk and belonging to the room as much as the desk itself. Most desk chairs fall somewhere along that line.
Material gives a desk chair much of its character. An exposed wood frame keeps the grain in view, and scratches and small dents become part of its record. Mesh leaves the back visually open, with light passing through its structure. Upholstery introduces color and pattern into the room. Leather creases and marks with use. These differences are visible long before the chair is pulled up to the desk.
A desk chair is chosen against a desk, not on its own. The chair needs to fit the space around the work surface and clear the underside when pushed in. Seat depth is easy to miss: a chair that looks roomy in a photograph can be too deep in use.
What is the difference between a desk chair and an office chair?
Usually, the names overlap in retail catalogues. Retailers use "office chair" for everything from adjustable workstation seats to guest seating, while "desk chair" is often used for a seat at a writing or computer desk. The terms are not separated by a consistent industry-wide definition. In practice, the chair's form tells more than its label.
How do I choose a home office chair?
Start with how the desk is used. Regular computer work calls for a chair that can be set to the desk and the sitter, with an adjustable seat and a backrest that meets the lower back. Occasional writing or reading may suit a simpler fixed chair. Check the chair's dimensions against the desk, including space beneath the top and room for the legs.
How high should a desk chair be?
Set seat height in relation to the desk and the sitter, not to a standard figure. An adjustable desk chair offers a wider fit range; fixed seats need a desk that matches them. The feet should rest on the floor or a footrest, while the arms reach the work surface without being pushed upward. Check the listed minimum and maximum seat heights against the actual desk before buying.
Should a desk chair have arms?
Only when the arms fit the person and the desk. Well-placed arms give the forearms somewhere to rest; arms that are too high can strike the underside of the desk, and arms that are too wide or too long can keep the chair from sliding beneath it. An armless desk chair is often easier to tuck away or pull close to a narrow writing surface. Adjustable or removable arms make the choice less fixed.
Is a desk chair without wheels a good choice?
A desk chair with wheels can travel across the floor; casters need to suit the surface, since hard and soft wheels are intended for different floor types. A fixed-leg or sled-base chair stays in one place. A central swivel turns the seat without rolling. The choice depends on whether the chair needs to move between work areas or remain beside one table.
What material is best for a desk chair?
The choice depends partly on how often the chair will be used and what it will encounter. A mesh office chair is worth considering for a workstation used throughout the day, particularly where an open back is preferred. An upholstered desk chair offers a wider choice of textiles, though fabric selection matters where spills are likely. A leather office chair calls for attention to its particular finish and exposure to direct sunlight.
What should I look for in a small office chair?
Compare the chair's footprint with the space needed to pull it out and sit down. An armless design can slide farther beneath a desk; a fixed-leg chair stays where it is placed, while a swivel needs room to turn. Check the seat width and depth as well. A compact outline is not useful if the chair's dimensions do not suit the person using it.