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Archive for the ‘home office chairs’ Category

What do a traditional office chair, computer, keyboard, and desk all have in common? These are all long-established, staple products found in almost every home office in the United States. A desk is a key component for any home office as a surface to work on as is a computer and keyboard for getting your work completed. This being said, one would assume the same should hold true in the case of having a traditional office chair to sit on while getting your work completed. While this might have been true in the past, there are now many alternative seating options available to choose from for your home office that offer many distinct benefits that regular office chairs do not offer including affordable pricing, improved posture, and a unique sitting experience.

Balans Chair

It is important to discuss what constitutes an alternative seating solution before discussing the benefits these chairs have to offer. An alternative seating solution is a unique piece of office furniture unlike any traditional office chair that you are accustomed to seeing in both design and functionality. There is not one standard alternative seating solution; there are many different makes, models, and designs available for purchase with each offering similar benefits. Most alternative seating chairs are quite different from your typical office chair with most having a backless design and require you to focus on how you are sitting throughout the day. They can be used as your primary seating solution or be used in conjunction with your current office chair. Some of the most common alternative seating solutions include kneeling chairs, saddle stools, ball chairs, rocking stools, sit stand stools, and balance knee chairs.

$99 Kneeling Chair

Alternative seating chairs are generally much more affordable in price compared to an ergonomic office chair designed for sitting up to eight hours a day, typically on average costing between $75-$200. Higher end options that include memory foam or a specialized design might run a little more than the average price, however almost any alternative seating solution will be less than $400 in price. This is considerably less compared to a typical high quality ergonomic office chair that can cost upwards of $600. If you are wary about purchasing something other than a traditional office chair to sit in, consider trying a cheaper kneeling chair to test out. This leaves little risk and a lower return cost than if you were to splurge on a more expensive knee chair or active stool, and you can always upgrade in the future.

Perhaps the greatest benefit that will be gained by sitting on an alternative seating chair is improved posture and core strength. The primary purpose of alternative seating chairs is to force the individual to sit in an upright position and also makes it more apparent when slouching or hunching over. This is mostly attributed to their unique backless designs that deliberately teach you how to maintain proper posture while sitting for extended periods of time. A health benefit that is gained by sitting with proper posture is reduced back pain which is a prominent reason why people make the switch from their standard office chairs or why they may take a break for a few hours at a time by switching to an alternative seating chair.

Kore Rocking Stool

Sitting in an alternative seating chair is a unique experience that will be unlike your previous experience sitting in any other office chair. You will have the freedom to move around and stretch throughout the day which is often forgotten when sitting in an office chair, and you will see improved posture over time. Your spine is also forced into proper alignment when sitting correctly leaving you with less aches and pains that are normally experienced when sitting for extended periods of time. While these chairs do take some getting used to, especially if you have been accustomed to sitting in an office chair for years, and require you to start sitting for only a few hours a day gradually making your way up to a full 8 hours as the weeks progress.

Home office users usually spend only a few hours a day sitting while at home, which will be a nice break for your back if you are required to sit in an office chair all day at work and then will be coming home to work even longer. Home office users also have the freedom to choose the exact furniture they want in their house rather than having to adhere to corporate specifications in their work environment. Alternative seating chairs also have a smaller footprint over a regular office chair allowing for space-saving which can be useful especially in smaller home offices. No matter what reason you have for considering making the switch from an office chair, there is little risk and much to gain from trying an alternative seating solution.

When searching for office chairs for your business most people will have the same requirements in mind: a comfortable, adjustable chair that will support your employees and keep them working productively in a healthy work environment. The same can not be said when it comes to choosing home office chairs as people will have different wants and needs for their own home. Choosing a home office chair is a much more personal selection where the owner has the freedom to choose exactly what they think will feel and fit in best with their home. Home buyers have the flexibility to make their own choices rather than having to adhere to company rules and standards, allowing for increased flexibility in their decision making process. With that being said, most people do not know where to start looking when searching for a home office chair with the abundance of choices available both online and in the retail space. There are a few things to consider before purchasing including the capacity the chair will be used in, the average time that will be spent in the chair, and the chair’s upholstery. If you take into consideration our tips for purchasing a home office chair it may help save you the hassle of having to return a chair you do not like or that does not work for your home office.

Fabric Home Office Chair

The first component to take into consideration when starting your search for a new chair for your home office is the capacity the chair will be used in. Will this chair be used in a home office space that is a separate room designed solely for working at home? Or will this chair be used behind a desk that is already incorporated into your home design? Depending on the space your chair will be used in will largely determine which chair you will purchase. If you will be using your chair behind a desk that is in your living room or kitchen area you will most likely opt for looks over comfort as this will be what your guests see when they enter your home. If you will be using your chair in a home office that is a separate room in your home you will have more freedom to choose what chair will keep you sitting comfortably without having to worry as much about the attractiveness of the chair.

Ergonomic Home Office Chair

Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the average time that will be spent sitting in the chair as this will greatly impact both your comfort and health, two vital pieces to a happy sitting experience. If you will be spending a considerable amount of time sitting in your home office chair, say for example you work from home, then you will want a highly adjustable ergonomic office chair that will keep you sitting comfortably for hours at a time with adequate back support. You may need to make more of an investment if you will be spending multiple hours daily sitting in your chair, however this investment will save you from unnecessary back pain and other strains that can occur from sitting in a cheap office chair. If your home office chair will only be used occasionally or for an hour or two a day, then you will be able to choose from cheaper options that do not offer as much adjustability.

Wooden Bankers Chair for Homes

Upholstery always tends to be an option that is often overlooked when it should actually be well thought out before making a purchase decision. If you have children in your home it is best to stay clear of upholstery materials that can be easily stained like fabric and look for a chair that can be upholstered in a more durable stain-resistant material such as vinyl, leather, or mesh. If you live in a more humid environment contemplate a chair with mesh upholstery as these chairs are much more breathable and the material allows the user to feel more cool even in unpleasant warmer temperatures. If your house has wooden furniture, an antique wooden bankers chair would be a perfect addition as they compliment wood furniture quite nicely and come in different color wood finishes to match your pre-existing furniture spot on.

There are a number of things to consider before purchasing something for your home, especially an office chair that will be spending years to come sitting in your personal space. You will be the final decision maker for the chair you will be spending your time sitting in; it is ultimately up to you to determine which home office chair will work best given your circumstances. If you take the aforementioned tips into account when making your purchase decision it will surely lead you in the right direction towards finding your perfect home office chair.

To view our wide range of affordable home office chairs click here!

You already have an ergonomic set up at your work office where you spend the majority of your time, so do you really need to have your home office ergonomically equipped too? Most would probably speculate no, especially for those that spend little time in their home office except for the occasional few hours after work or on the weekend. Outfitting your home office with proper ergonomic equipment is just as important as your work set up at your job, particularly for those who work from home. When you are at work, you may have little say in regards to which office chair you get to use and what office furniture gets purchased. However, at your house, you are the boss of your office furniture, and therefor get the freedom to determine exactly what you want and need in your home office. With this freedom, you can ultimately decide what you want and need in order to make working at home a pleasant and pain-free experience.

1. 

   Ergonomic Office Chair

   The Office Chair – Perhaps the most critical piece of office furniture in any work environment is an office chair; the most used piece of furniture that can greatly contribute to your overall comfort. If you only use your home office chair for a few hours a day, you will want to make sure that your chair is comfortable and has at least a little bit of adjustability. Ideally you will want a chair that has seat height adjustment, reclining capabilities(typically known as tilt lock and tilt control), and some level of lumbar support for your lower back. If you work from home or use your home office chair for more than a few hours a day, you will want an ergonomic office chair that is fully adjustable to meet your body’s needs and keep you sitting pain-free.

2. 

   Keyboard Tray

   The Keyboard – Ever experience aches and pains in your wrists or forearms while typing? This is the result of a poorly positioned keyboard and can lead to serious health injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome if not addressed. Your computer’s keyboard should not be placed on top of your desk as this will cause strain to your wrists. It is best to have a keyboard tray installed underneath your desk as this allows for the most natural typing position with your shoulders rested and arms in a comfortable position. A keyboard tray is a beneficial ergonomic accessory useful in any office environment where hours of typing at a desk is required, whether you are at work or at home.

3. 

   Monitor Arm

   The Computer Monitor - Your computer monitor should be properly adjusted so that the top of the monitor is at eye level or slightly below. You should not have to look up at the monitor because this will put strain on your neck and upper back. An easy way to properly position your computer monitor with minimal effort is with a monitor arm which allows for quick and easy adjustment. Most monitor arms are designed to fit any monitor of any size and come with an easy to install clamp or mount that does not cause any damage to your desk. If you use a laptop in your home office, consider purchasing a laptop dock to avoid neck pain from tilting your head down to read your computer screen.

4. 

   Footrest

   The Footrest –  A footrest is a necessary addition for any office where your feet can not be firmly placed on the floor when sitting in your office chair. This may be the case if your desk height is higher than normal or if you are a shorter individual whose chair can not be adjusted low enough. A footrest is also a nice office accessory to have if you want to rest your feet or have something to prop them up on when reclining in your chair. While you may not find a footrest in every office you enter, it is a nice addition to have if you need a break from keeping your feet flat on the floor, especially if you have a movable footrest that encourages movement of the legs to help avoid cramping or stiffness.

5. 

   Pixie Task Light

   Task Light – More often than not, the lights in our houses are not adequate for reading especially for long periods of time. Bad lighting can cause eye strain and an uncomfortable work atmosphere. Just as you would have a reading light for your books, a task light is a great office accessory to invest in when working at home. Your task light should be placed on your desk close to your computer monitor so that you have proper lighting when looking at your computer screen. Task lights are a relatively inexpensive investment and are an important accessory to have in home offices where the lighting usually is not as adequate as it should be.

Setting up an ergonomic home office requires minimal effort and time, however it can sometimes be more of an investment than one would hope for. The benefits you will receive from having an ergonomic home office will greatly outweigh the costs by saving you from unnecessary medical ailments that can occur from purchasing cheap office furniture or trying to cut corners in order to save money. Your overall health can be affected from having an improper work set up and can lead to serious medical issues down the road. Your home is where you feel most comfortably so your home office should not be any different.

To view Sitbetter’s comprehensive site of ergonomic office chairs and ergonomic office accessories please click here.

Walk into just about any home or business in the United States and you are bound to find an office chair. With the ever present need for office chairs, just about everyone owns one. Most of us spend at least some portion of our day sitting down doing work, and it is important to remember that no matter how much time we spend working in a chair it should always be comfortable and supportive. With the notion of proper work ergonomics becoming more widespread, many are making the switch from traditional office chairs to highly adjustable ergonomic chairs. While ergonomics and proper posture certainly are important and should be enforced in both businesses and homes, there seems to be one demographic that is being left out of this ongoing movement. Children are often disregarded in office chair purchasing decisions, when it is just as important that they own office chairs as well.

If you think about it, children from the ages of 5 and older spend the majority of their days sitting, just as we working adults do. They spend at least 7 to 8 hours sitting at school learning, and then come home to sit even longer doing their homework. While most schools have updated their classroom furniture to be a little more modern and comfortable than the chairs we used to sit in(anyone remember those wooden desk chairs?) most school seating is still not the most as supportive as it could be. Having to come home and work on homework at a kitchen table with a wooden chair is not an ideal workspace set up, no matter what age you are. This being said, it is equally as important that kids have a comfortable and supportive chair to sit in while sitting at home.

Finding a chair for a child is very easy, by simply going online and searching for chairs for kids you are certain to find hundreds of different options with varying prices. Just as there are all different types of standard office chairs out there, there is a myriad of different kids chairs available that come with basic features or others that come with high adjustability. When determining which chair will be suitable for the child in your life, it is best to start off by considering how much time they spend sitting in a chair during an average day. If they only sit in an office chair for a few hours will doing homework, having a chair with a wide range of adjustments probably is not necessary and a chair with comfortable foam padding with seat height adjustment will suffice. If your child spends hours at a time sitting at a computer playing video games, surfing the internet, or doing homework it is important to make sure their chair is equipped with all the necessary adjustments to prevent aches and pains.

Another great benefit most chairs for children possess is their fun, modern, colorful design options. Many kids chairs come in a variety of different colors and fun prints to please any child’s tastes. A creatively designed children’s chair will look great in any home office space or room and with all the color options available, you are sure to find one to fit into your home’s current color scheme. Whether you want the chair to be the focal piece or simply coordinate the room’s décor, there are plenty of options available on the internet sure to please both you and your child.

No matter which children’s chair you end up choosing, it is important to remember kids need the same support as adults maybe even more so they do not develop back and neck aches prematurely. A comfortable kid is a productive kid!

To view Sitbetter’s extensive catalog of chairs just for kids please click here.

Mahogany Finish Desk Chair

There are a large variety of desk chairs out there in all different colors, sizes, upholstery options, and adjustments; but how do you know which one will work best for your office space? A good desk chair, whether it is for your desk at your work office or home office, will provide you with enough support to keep you comfortable throughout your sitting duration. With good support comes less back, neck, and muscle pain that can occur from poorly designed office chairs. While some desk chairs are specifically designed to eliminate pre-existing health issues such as lower back pain, other desk chairs are made to match other office furniture. For example if you have a desk in a mahogany finish, some may want to find a wooden desk chair with a mahogany finished frame to match their desk. Whether you spend much of your day sitting in your desk chair or if your desk chair is more for show, there are certain guidelines that should be followed when choosing a desk chair.

Ergonomic Task Chair

First and foremost, you will need to determine the type of desk chair you need. There are numerous desk chairs out there ranging from high back, ergonomic, mid back, wood, and more; making it important for you to know how much time you will be spending in your desk chair. If you will be spending the majority of the day sitting in your office chair, a high back desk chair might be a good choice for you since higher backrests support the spine which in turn reduces neck and upper back strain. If you have pre-existing health problems such as lower back pain, it might be best for you to choose an ergonomic desk chair that will allow you to make the necessary adjustments to meet your needs. If you do not spend most of your day sitting in your desk chair and do not experience pain from standard task chairs, a mid back chair would suite you just fine. If your desk chair is really more for show and you will be spending minimal time sitting in it, perhaps look for a wooden desk chair to match your furniture in your office or try looking for a modern chair. There are many modern office chairs that look great and fit in nicely to almost any office space, however, be aware that most modern chairs lack the support some people need.

Chair with Stationary Glides

Once you have determined the type of desk chair you need, you will then want to look at the features you will want included in your chair, including the option of casters or glides. Most desk chairs come standard with rolling casters which allow you to move quickly and efficiently from one spot to another. Desk chairs that have glides are stationary, meaning they do not move unless you pick the chair up yourself. A desk chair with glides would be ideal for extended height applications where your work station is higher than a typical desk and you need a steady chair to work on your projects. Many architects, artists, painters, and lab personnel opt for this style of seating as their work requires them to sit still. Some desk chairs also come with the option of having pressure breaking casters, which lock to prevent movement while you work whenever pressure is exerted on the wheels.

Big and Tall Desk Chair

Another important option that must be taken into account when choosing a desk chair is making sure to select a chair that will fit properly underneath your desk. This will require knowing the dimensions of the chair you are interested in which is typically displayed under the product descriptions on most office chair retailer’s websites. You should also know the height of your desk and how much clearance is needed for you to be sitting comfortably underneath your desk. You should be able to sit comfortably with your feet firmly planted on the floor with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. If you need an extended height desk chair, choose a desk chair that has a foot ring. If you are of shorter stature, search for a petite chair that will allow you to have your feet firmly planted on the floor otherwise you may find that you are not able to place your feet on the floor. The same goes for taller users; be sure to look for a big and tall chair that are specifically constructed for people over 6 feet tall and generally have higher weight ratings as well.

Chair With Swing Away Arms

The last key option you will want to take into consideration when choosing your desk chair is the type of armrest you will want. If your desk height is lower than a standard desk and you are not going to have a lot of clearance from the desk to the top of your thighs, consider getting a chair without arms. Armrests are not always necessary features to have, especially if you spend most of your time typing. You may also opt for an armless chair if you have a keyboard tray installed underneath your desk which will add even less room to move around. If you have a standard height desk, it is always safe to get adjustable height armrests as an assurance that they will fit properly under your desk. If you use your armrests often, look for a chair that has upholstered or padded armrests, which are cushioned and more comfortable. If you only want to use your armrests from time to time, look for a chair that has swing away arms which allows you to essentially swing the arms away when not in use.

The last step to take in choosing a desk chair is determining the type of upholstery you would like to have. Personal preferences will vary between individuals, some opt for leather because it has more of a prestigious look to it while others may opt for mesh to keep cool all throughout the year. This decision is ultimately up to you and what you think will be most comfortable for your desk. Some chairs even come in a combination of different upholsteries if you find it difficult to select only one. If you want to match the desk chair to a certain room, choose a color that matches the room.