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What are Different Types of Office Chairs?
Office chairs come in a variety of styles, but all should provide proper lumbar support. They may or may not have the ability to adjust their height and armrests, feature casters at the bottom, and have the ability to swivel.
A chair that swivels and has casters or wheels on the bottom are referred to as task chairs. They are often adjustable to accommodate various heights and weights, and they are ideal for use in an office or home where several different people may use the same chair. In this way, each user can adjust the seat to make him or her comfortable and to provide the necessary support to prevent pain or injury.
Executive chairs are another option. They are similar to task chairs in the sense that they are also adjustable and have casters. These chairs, however, usually have more padding and are generally more comfortable to sit on. For this reason, they tend to be more expensive than other types. They may also have the ability to recline, which isn’t a common characteristic of more basic models.
For those who are particularly tall or heavy, there are also big and tall chairs available that closely resemble executive chairs. The features that set them apart are a larger seat and a taller backrest in order to accommodate the needs of larger individuals.
In some offices, it is also necessary to supply guest chairs that are often placed on the opposite side of the desk. Guest office chairs are commonly found in doctors’, lawyers’, and banking offices. They make it possible for the professional to sit on one side of his or her desk while those who are visiting the office sit across. In this way, it is possible for the professional to carry on an unobstructed conversation with the guests while seated.
Guest chairs do not typically feature caster wheels, since the person is only expected to remain stationary while in the office while having a conversation and not perform various tasks. In addition, guest chairs are usually not adjustable in any way, as they are intended to be used for only a short period of time.
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![Many offices have task chairs that swivel and have wheels.]()
By: Monkey BusinessMany offices have task chairs that swivel and have wheels. -
![Some office chairs will have an ergonomic design that be adjusted to fit each individual who sits in it.]()
By: amorphisSome office chairs will have an ergonomic design that be adjusted to fit each individual who sits in it. -
![It's important to take ergonomics into account when buying either a new or used office chair.]()
By: endostockIt's important to take ergonomics into account when buying either a new or used office chair.
Discussion Comments
@robbie21 - I didn't know that about chairs, either. When I first started working in my home office, my chair was just one of my dining room chairs--until I got back pain and went out to get the right thing.
If you ask me, a good reclining office chair is worth its weight and gold. I just can't think properly unless I can put my feet up and lean back to look at my computer screen from a distance. I don't care what it's made of or if it has arms as long as I can recline!
The last time I was looking at chairs, I noticed that they also rate them by how much time you spend sitting in it and working at your computer. Executive office chairs are sometimes designed more to look nice than to really be good for computer work. They might be rated for 1-3 hours a day. For people like office managers who do a lot of computer work but also run errands, there are 3-5 hour chairs. And if you do something like data entry and really just spend the whole day on your butt at your computer, there are five hours plus chairs.
The different hour ratings come in all different kinds--with and without arms, fabric, leather, fake leather, etc. If your chair at work is uncomfortable, you might want to investigate and find out if it's really the right kind for your type of work.
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