Office chairs and armchairs are integral elements of furnishing any workplace. Most often with a soft back and seat. Adjustable in height and tilt. It is installed on rollers, which allows them to rotate and move freely.
As the name suggests, office chairs are used in the office, however, almost every home has a computer and therefore a comfortable workspace with an office chair.
The popularity of computer chairs is due to the fact that no back can withstand working at a computer for a long time, on an ordinary kitchen chair with a straight back or an ordinary chair. Office chairs are the only ones that are designed specifically for long hours of work. Fortunately, there is a huge selection of such chairs; everyone will find a model to their liking.
Types of office chairs
There are many types of chairs. There are models for managers, visitors, staff, as well as for meeting rooms. Chairs for ordinary employees are presented on the furniture market in various modifications, with a large selection and cost. If it is convenient, and the employer has not saved on it, then the employee will be comfortable throughout the working day.
A manager needs not just a convenient and functional product, but also one that also emphasizes his status.
Guest rooms are often minimalistic. Everything here should be stable, durable, compact and light. For rooms where meetings or negotiations are held, it is better to purchase rotating options (it will help you turn towards the screen while watching videos or slides without additional manipulations). The executive chair is designed to emphasize the status of its owner.
First of all, they should be comfortable and practical.
Supports
Most computer chairs come with wheels. They are made of plastic, some models are equipped with a rubber rim. The first option is the best solution for carpeting. And soft pads will ensure the safety of laminate, parquet, linoleum, etc. However, it is still advisable to additionally use a small mat to avoid pressing, scratches and other defects. To prevent spontaneous movement of the chair, the casters are equipped with stoppers.
Wheels with a skirt look more massive; they are installed on executive chairs.
If desired, the rollers can be easily removed and special plugs (gliders) placed in their place. This technique will slightly reduce the height of the chair.
There are also models without wheels. They are equipped with regular legs or bent runners.
Main selection criteria
When approaching the choice of office chairs, it is important to have an idea of what the criteria are based on, how to choose the right chair, and what points you should pay special attention to. And what options are best suited for a particular case.
Since a person spends most of his working time sitting, a mandatory feature of the chair is height adjustment.
Functional
Each office chair is designed to perform specific functions. Some spend a couple of hours sitting in it, while others spend more than eight. But there is something that unites them, functionality:
- spring-screw mechanism for constant back support;
- gas lift for height adjustment;
- soft seat;
- armrests;
- cross on rollers.
As a rule, genuine leather is used, and the color chosen is black, gray or brown.
All this has a certain meaning for certain consumers. It is worth approaching the choice thoroughly.
Base
The base most often used is a crosspiece consisting of five rays. As for the diameter, the larger it is, the higher the stability of the chair. The materials from which the base is made are also varied:
- plastic (cheap, not very practical);
- metal (durable but heavy);
- metal frame with wooden overlays.
It is important that a person can individually select the required chair height at which it is comfortable to sit at the table.
A metal leg is certainly more reliable than a plastic one. The only downside is the heavy weight of the structure. Products with plastic legs are much cheaper and lighter in weight. The choice here depends on purely personal preferences.
Gas lift
The simplest mechanism, used on almost all models, makes it possible to raise and lower the seat using a lever without much effort. Equipped with this function, the chairs are suitable for spending no more than two hours at the desk. This option is suitable for reception rooms or secretaries.
The operator's chairs are adjustable not only in height, but also in the level of the backrest angle.
Back and seat
Having different weights, people lean on the back of the chair with different strength. This load must be compensated by resistance to avoid breakdowns and falls. The ideal option would be balancing, when the position of the backrest leans back without much difficulty, but does not allow you to lie down at the workplace. This function can be either mechanical or automatic.
Computer chairs are considered universal and have high mobility.
The seat can be of different hardness. Solid, made of elastic flooring materials. Semi-soft ones have an average thickness of the flooring, soft ones have a large thickness, and are equipped with springs. As for the surface, the smoother it is, the better. The rounded shape with water- and breathable upholstery made of breathable and environmentally friendly material will be an ideal option.
The most important thing is comfort and beautiful appearance.
Armrests and headrests
Trying to save money on armrests is a big mistake. Adjustable armrests allow forearms and shoulders to be in a relaxed state. If they are not there, the employee sits in tension all day, which will result in pain in the shoulder girdle. There are three ways to attach the armrests:
- to the seat (if necessary, can be removed without disturbing the structure);
- to the back and seat (they are a kind of connection of these two parts).
- to the back and seat, but both are connected to each other using a metal plate (in this case they can be removed without violating the integrity of the frame).
When choosing, pay attention to the functionality of the chair.
The presence of various adjustment options in the chair will only play a positive role, because... All people are different, both in terms of physical characteristics and health.
As for the headrest, this is a completely useless device. It has no ergonomic role. The headrest is needed only to demonstrate the status of the seated person and to emphasize his high position.
Give preference to models that can be adjusted with one hand.
Wheels
There is no doubt that a staff member's chair should have wheels. Unfortunately, this is the weak point of most cheap options - the rollers break quickly. Responsible manufacturers pay a lot of attention to this point, increasing the service life to several kilometers. In practice, this depends on factors such as the weight of the owner or the floor covering. Rollers are divided into groups depending on hardness:
- harder nylon or propylene rollers, suitable for tile or stone floors;
- soft polyurethane rollers are ideal for parquet or laminate flooring.
It is advisable that the chair have armrests.
Since their absence can lead to rapid fatigue, which will affect the work process. Another important nuance is the possibility of fixation. Nobody likes to “move away” from the table while working when trying to slightly change their position. Locking the wheels solves this problem.
Types of mechanisms
There are many mechanisms that office chairs provide. Among the most used:
- permanent contact (allows you to adjust the depth, height and angle of the backrest);
- TILT type mechanism (provides rocking or fixing of the backrest in the required position);
- multiblock (fixed at 5 different points);
- synchro mechanism (allows free swing, controls the level of deflection rigidity);
- “top gun” (allows the chair to swing in the range of 95 – 135 degrees).
The angle of inclination should be above 90 degrees so that the back can relax.
Understanding how and by whom it will be used will help you select certain mechanisms necessary for a particular chair.
Color and design
These points in the choice of furniture should be chosen based on the design decisions of the office. The chairs should match the style and color of the rest of the furniture group. Dark shades are ideal. Lighter ones quickly lose their original novelty and attractiveness. It is better not to use bright chairs, because... they distract from the work process. In addition, it creates a frivolous impression of the company.
For upholstery, leather or high-quality synthetic fabric is used, since a high-quality chair must be an environmentally friendly product.
What else needs to be considered
When choosing an office chair, you need to sit in it. It should not make creaks or wobble. The wheels should allow you to move the chair with ease. When choosing a model with certain functions and mechanisms, you need to check their performance. Also, depending on who the furniture is selected for, certain items of additional structures may be present or excluded.
The product must maintain the person’s temperature and also allow the skin to breathe.
Seat height adjustment
A gas shock absorber is used to adjust the height of the chair. It is a hydraulic device that is installed between the cross and the seat. The air cartridge looks like a cylinder. There is a button at the top. With its help, the valve opens and the seat height changes. When closed, it securely locks the selected position. The gas tank is sealed by bushings with a seal. The support bearing allows the chair to rotate smoothly 360°.
Gas lifts are classified by size, material, and permissible load level.
The most used parts have a length from 205 to 280 mm, but you can find types 245-310 and 290-415 mm. The cartridge diameter is available in two versions: 50 or 38 mm.
As for the external design of the case, it is chrome plated, brushed steel or a plastic case.
Depending on the expected load, gas lifts are divided into 4 groups. Budget models are equipped with class 1 and 2 devices. Products of classes 3 and 4, designed for 150 kg, have a reinforced design.
Which chair to choose for a manager
The chair of a leader can characterize a person. When approaching the problem of how to choose a chair for an executive, it is important to imagine the needs of its future owner, character, and taste preferences. A number of points should definitely be taken into account.
The materials from which it is made are leather, expensive wood and metal.
The stylistic decision in a classic or modern style also depends on the age and preferences of the manager. Typically, models with armrests and a headrest are chosen. The color depends on the personal preferences of the director.
If your boss is traditional, most likely a black, brown, gray or blue model will suit him.
Creative individuals prefer bright colors: red, white, yellow, but it is important to ensure that the color of the model matches the overall design of the office. Making a custom-made executive workstation would be a good, but expensive option. However, if the company can afford it and also wants to make the right impression for partners, then why not use this option.
Any solid color is considered a classic shade. The choice depends on preference.
Rating of the best models and manufacturers
There are a large number of office furniture manufacturers, but as elsewhere, there are those that have won the hearts of consumers with high quality, functionality, ergonomics and reasonable prices. When compiling a list, these include the following companies and models.
Brand HARA CHAIR with model NIETZSCHE UD. Price from 16,600 to 40,000 rubles.
“New Style” is a Russian manufacturer. The most popular models:
- “ISO” ruler;
- "TASK" and "SALSA";
- "PRESTIGE NEW".
The price varies from 900 to 2000 rubles.
Before you make a purchase, sit in a chair. Try changing all its functions with one hand.
"Alvest" is a company operating in the middle price range and slightly lower. The models include:
- AV 220;
- AV 222;
- AV 217.
The cost varies from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles.
The Alvest computer chair is made in a restrained office minimalist style
TRENDLINES is a young Belarusian company. Popular models:
- "Everprof Ergo Black";
- "Everprof Everest S";
- "Everprof EP 708 TM".
Price from 6,000 to 15,000 rubles.
Trendlines company is a Belarusian manufacturer of modern and high-quality chairs.
TetChair – high-quality office chairs in the mid-price category. Models:
- Cambridge:
- "Runner";
- Comfort LT.
Price from 6,000 to 13,000 rubles.
The service life of an office chair depends on the rules of use and care taken.
"Bureaucrat" is a Russian company with a wide selection of office furniture. Models:
- KB-9 ECO;
- Miro;
- Aura.
Price from 1000 to 50000 rubles.
Comfortable and high-quality office chairs from a Russian manufacturer.
CHAIRMAN is a Russian company with a wide production specialization. Models:
- CH 411;
- CHAIRMAN 653;
- Chairman 404.
Price from 25,000 rubles.
CHAIRMAN office chairs are made from high-quality components from Russian and foreign manufacturers, which guarantees the durability of the chair with proper use.
Careful attention to the choice of office chair will definitely pay off with excellent well-being and productive work for both ordinary employees and management. In addition, they will help to make a proper impression on business partners, allowing you to conclude more profitable contracts.
conclusions
Choosing an office chair for yourself is not difficult at all. It is enough to know your own dimensions and the purposes for which you are buying a chair. If you spend most of the day in the office, you should not save money and it is better to take an expensive and comfortable chair on which your back will not get tired throughout the day. A simple chair of small dimensions is more suitable for home. If you are purchasing chairs for an entire office, you should choose the most adaptive option.
You can choose any of the described types in our catalog. We will be happy to advise on the entire range. Contact us.
