A chair is a piece of furniture on which it should be equally comfortable to work, relax, and eat. But the issue is not only about comfort; incorrect body position when sitting can provoke diseases of the spine, affect the blood supply to all organs, and cause feelings of pain and fatigue. That is why one of the main criteria is the height of the chair, which must be selected taking into account a number of important points. This concept includes not only the distance from the floor to the upper horizontal, but also the ratio of the height of the seat, armrests, and backrest.
The importance of dimensions when choosing furniture
First of all, you should decide whether the furniture is being purchased for a specific person (for example, for a child’s desk or for a theater living room). If yes, then it is his build that should be taken into account. If the chair will be used by different people, the average parameters are taken into account. In this case, not only the height of a person matters, but also the length of his legs, the upper half of his body, the height and design of the table.
Incorrectly selected dimensions of a chair can cause pain in the spine, blurred vision, and rapid fatigue while sitting on it. If the legs do not reach the floor, the femoral arteries, which supply blood to the lower extremities, are compressed. As a result, a person experiences numbness in the legs, and subsequently has difficulty walking. A seat set too high causes the person sitting to slouch and bend his spine so as to bring his eyes closer to the table.
If, on the contrary, the seat is too low, then the person’s position forces the back muscles to be in constant tension, raising the body as high as possible.
Computer desk
Currently, a computer desk is a standard piece of furniture found in almost all homes. Such popularity and prevalence is easily explained by the fact that modern people do not spend a day without a computer. This technology is necessary not only for games and relaxation, but also for study and work. That is why the selection of a suitable computer desk should be approached with all responsibility.
For adults
Office workers or users who spend a lot of time at the computer can harm their health by using a desk of the wrong height. It is worth noting here that the monitor must be located at a certain distance from a person’s face so as not to spoil his vision or cause fatigue during use.
The height of a computer desk for an adult user is usually 75 cm (750 mm). Its calculation is based on the average height of a man (175 cm) and a woman (162 cm). If desired, the height of the structure can be calculated independently.
If there is a large difference in height between different family members, then this method of calculation is hardly useful. In such cases, it is recommended to choose designs of standard values or modern multifunctional options in which the height of the tabletop can be adjusted at your discretion.
If users are too short or too tall (150 or 190 cm), then several options can be used to solve this problem:
chair height adjustment. This option will be an excellent solution for short users. It is recommended to complement such designs with a special footrest;
- table to order. Today, many furniture factories offer the service of making custom-made furniture. It will cost a little more than the structure from a store window, but it will be as comfortable as possible to be behind it;
- adjustable table top. Such designs are more often used for schoolchildren, but they can also be used to complement an adult computer desk.
An interesting version of a height-adjustable table is presented in the following video.
For children
Computer technology today is used by households of all ages. However, the selection of a design for a young user should be approached as seriously as possible.
You should treat this parameter as responsibly as possible when choosing a table for your child.
Over the years, even the most minor ailments can progress and lead to serious illnesses that cause a lot of inconvenience.
That is why experts recommend buying tables for children with special footrests of a suitable size. As for the furniture itself, its height, just like in adult versions, can be calculated based on the height of the young user. It is recommended to complement such designs with chairs with adjustable height.
If you want to purchase a high-quality desk for a child, then you should adhere to the following recommendations:
Correct body position on a chair
The ideal parameters when sitting on a chair are the following:
- the table cover is 30 cm away from the eyes;
- the knees should be bent at a right angle and the entire foot should be on the floor, and the knees should be higher than the pelvis;
- there should be support in the lumbar region so that the muscles are not in a state of tension;
- the depth of the seat should ensure that there is no pressure under the knees;
- the distance from the knees to the inside of the table top should not be less than 10-15 cm;
- hands lying on the table top should not be raised upward.
To ensure that the workplace is not cluttered and your eyes do not strain when searching for the necessary items, the table must have a width of at least 50 cm.
When sitting, the upper body should not be tilted forward or thrown back. It is better when the axis of the back is at a right angle to the seat. However, when feeling tired, a person should be able to lean on his back to rest.
Standard standards
In the Russian Federation there are state standards for household furniture (GOST 13025.2-85). The following standard sizes are regulated for chairs and work chairs:
- seat depth - for a chair 360-450 mm, work chair - 400-500 mm;
- the height of the backrest bend from the seat is 165-200 mm;
- seat width - at least 360-450 mm for a chair and 400-500 mm for a work chair.
The recommended dimensions of the chair also include the distance between the armrests - at least 420 mm.
Modern furniture manufacturers offer customers a wide range of chairs of various sizes. So, their total height can be from 800 to 900 mm, and the height of the chair seat varies from 400 to 450 mm. The backrest width has a minimum size of 350 mm, and the depth can reach 500-550 mm. A model with a total height of 750 mm is considered standard (considering that the average human height is 165 cm). However, you can individually calculate the size based on your height.
For people of average height (from 162 to 168 cm), the recommended chair size is 42-43 cm, high (from 168 cm) - 45 cm, low (less than 162 cm) - 40 cm.
An option suitable for the whole family are models with adjustable parameters.
Stools
When producing standard stools, manufacturers are guided by the following dimensions according to GOST: the length of the seat side is at least 320 mm, the height of the legs is at least 500 mm, the distance from the first horizontal bar to the seat is at least 380-420 mm. Many factories today are increasing these parameters. So, in stores you can find stools with a height of 420 mm to 480 mm. This difference is justified by the need to select comfortable models depending on height.
However, the standard model with a height of 450 mm can comfortably accommodate both children and tall adults. The main thing is that the height of the kitchen chair matches the size of the table.
Chairs with backs
The times when stools were used in the kitchen, and only armchairs were present in the living room furniture ensemble, are gone. Today, the presence of a chair with a back is quite acceptable in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, relaxation and work areas. The height of kitchen models with backs is in the range of 800-900 mm. In this case, the distance from the floor to the seat is 400-450 mm. The correct height of the backrest (or the area on which you can lean your back) is at least 450 mm. Exceptions include models for bar counters.
Furniture for cafes and restaurants is characterized by more varied dimensions; its height can reach 1060 mm, back height – 600 mm. In this case, the distance from the floor to the seat should still be within 450 mm. To make rest more comfortable, the backrest can have a smooth physiological bend and be slightly tilted back. At the same time, the stability of the furniture must be ensured by additional structural elements.
The concept of “standard height” is also abandoned when choosing chairs with backs for work. Depending on the working conditions, it may be necessary to independently adjust the seat height so that, for example, the monitor is at eye level.
Adjustable chairs
The best combination of table and chair heights is selected using adjustable models. Today, options are relevant in which the distance from the floor to the seat can be adjusted from 460 to 600 mm. As a rule, the backrest height is 450 mm and the seat width is 480 mm.
Considering that people do not always sit straight on such pieces of furniture and often change the position of their body, the models are equipped with a stable support system (preferably a five-beam one). To ensure safety, the diameter of the circular support must be at least 700 mm. Mobility is ensured by wheels, the durability of which depends on the raw materials used.
A feature of today's adjustable models is their adaptation to any practical human activity. It can be: medical (for a patient or a doctor), office, children's, kitchen, bar, original designer or orthopedic chair.
Bar
The height of the bar stool does not fit into standard standards. First of all, the size of restaurant equipment and furniture is taken into account. The height of the models can range from 750 to 850 mm, the width can be no less than 460, and the depth can be no less than 320. The tilt radius for standard options is 450 mm, and for lumbar – 220.
Since the legs do not reach the floor when sitting on a high chair, conditions are created for pinching the femoral veins and arteries. Therefore, it would not be superfluous to have an additional footrest on such a chair for support.
The ratio of the sizes of the chair and table near the bar counter is as follows: with a table top height of 90 cm, the seat of the chair is at a distance of 65 cm from the floor.
Children's models
The correct selection of chairs for children should also be carried out according to the following rules:
- For children up to one meter tall, the height of the table should be 340-400 mm, the height of the chair – 180-220.
- For a 6-7 year old student with a height of 110-120 cm, we recommend a chair with a height of 32 cm, and a table, including a dining table, with a height of 52 cm.
- Older children (121-130 cm) need a table height of 57 cm and a chair height of 35 cm. For heights from 131 to 160 cm, a table height of 58-64 cm and a chair height of 34-38 cm are suitable.
For taller teenagers, it is recommended to purchase a table from 70-76 cm and a chair from 42-46 cm.
When choosing a chair for a schoolchild, it is worth considering the following models:
- writing;
- computer;
- knee orthopedic (as a variety - dynamic).
They can be equipped with armrests, however, orthopedists do not consider this option physiologically correct.
Correlation with the height of the chairs
The proportions for different age groups differ from each other. So, the height of the table and chair for adults should be correlated as 5 and 3. This recommendation is prescribed in GOST. For example, if the height of the work surface above the floor is 75 cm, then the chair should be (75: 5) × 3 = 45 cm. This formula is correct in the vast majority of cases, but for people who are too tall, it may not be useful. They should order furniture of the optimal size for themselves from a specialized organization. Product parameters vary depending on the age and height of the children.
| Child's height and age | Tabletop height from floor | Seat height |
| Up to 84 cm, from 1 year | 0.34 m | 0.18 m |
| 0.85-1 m, from 3 to 4 years | 0.4 m | 0.22 m |
| 1-1.15 m, 5-6 years | 0.46 m | 0.26 m |
| 1.15-1.3 m, 7-9 years | 0.52 m | 0.3 m |
| 1.3-1.45 m, 10-12 years | 0.58 m | 0.34 m |
| 1.45-1.53 m, 13-14 years | 0.64 m | 0.38 m |
| 1.54-1.61 m, 15-16 years | 0.67 m | 0.45 m |
| 1.62-1.70 m, 17-18 years | 0.71 m | 0.47 m |
Table and chair parameters depending on height
It must be taken into account that all ratios are correct only for people of average height and standard body sizes. Moreover, each person has individual characteristics for which the usual approach is not suitable. In addition, mathematical calculation is not always appropriate; it is easier to check the degree of convenience on the spot. The most correct ratios:
- for a person sitting on a chair, his feet placed on the floor form an angle of 90 degrees;
- the back is straight, the arms are freely lowered onto the table top, forming a 90-degree angle at the elbows.
This is the best option for a kitchen desktop. When choosing a written one, they usually start from the level of the edge of the working surface - it should rest against the diaphragm. Retail chains offer standard furniture samples, among which it is extremely difficult to find specific models. Sometimes the problem is solved with the help of custom-made furniture, as well as by purchasing pieces with adjustable parameters. Some adjustments can be made by changing the height of the chairs, for which tall or screw structures can be used. It must be taken into account that manufacturers proceed not so much from the requirements of GOST, but from the dimensions of the material. If it is not profitable to produce tables required for medical reasons, they change the parameters to optimize the consumption of raw materials.
Correct position at the kitchen table
How to choose the optimal sizes
If you need chairs for a family, models are selected for average height, calculated taking into account all its members. However, for certain purposes it is better to make an individual selection. This will help you maintain correct posture, not get tired during sedentary work, and feel comfortable and safe in your chair. Individual selection of height is carried out according to the following formula: multiply the height of the person by the height of the table and divide by 165. Subtract 40–45 cm from the resulting number (the taller the person, the closer to 45). This will be the optimal chair height.
For example, if you are 174 cm tall and have a table height of 75 cm, the required chair height should be about 39 cm.
Equally important is the correct ratio of table and chair heights. Today, tables with a height of 72-78 cm are more often made. At the same time, a standard chair for it has a height of 40-45 cm. If the stool has higher legs, there should be support under the feet.
For the comfort of sitting, the depth of the chair is important - the distance from the outer edge to the intersection with the back. Typically this parameter is determined as follows: three-quarters of the thigh length + a few cm for the gap (between the seat in front and the back of the popliteal surface). The average seat depth of a chair is 360-450 mm, an armchair – up to 500 mm. Children's chairs have a depth of 200-240 mm (for preschool children) and 270-360 mm (for school-age children).
Backrest height is the distance from the seat to the point at the level of the lower edge of the shoulder blade. The lumbar support will be functional if placed at the level of the 5th vertebra of the lumbar region. As the backrest angle increases, its height becomes smaller.
Chairs are furniture on which a significant part of any person’s life passes. Its correct selection is very important. An uncomfortable foot not only brings discomfort, but also harms health, causing pain in the back, neck, and legs.
