Seven Things to Consider When Buying a Chair

Chairs are a vital part of everyday life. They are also usually seen as relatively

simple, everyday objects but buying a new one can be difficult.

The difficulty comes partly from the fact there are so many different types of

chair on the market. The fact that chairs can impact on important matters such

as health also raises questions that need to be considered.

These problems can be roughly broken down into a list of seven things to

consider when buying a chair. Working through these seven points can help

you ensure you make the right choice.

Purpose

The very first thing to consider is what the purpose of the chair will be. For

example, is it an office chair you will sit on for hours every day, a leisure chair

for relaxation, or a dining chair you will just sit on at mealtimes? This will help

you make fully-informed decisions about the remaining points.

Type

The type of chair will often become clear after considering the purpose, but

not always. It can also be tempting to try and be flexible on types. Sometimes

this works, sometimes it doesn’t. For example, never save money by using a

dining chair instead of an office chair. It may look suitable at first glance, but

will not seem that way after sitting in it for a few hours.

Size

The size of the chair is often an under appreciated factor. It can, however, be

very important. Make sure your chair will not crowd the room or form any kind

of obstruction. At the same time, make sure it is not so small as to be

uncomfortable.

Adjustability

Depending on what the chair will be used for, you may want it to be adjustable

in some way. This might mean adjusting the height for a desk or breakfast bar.

Alternatively, you may want a chair with wheels or swivel action for added

mobility.

Comfort

Comfort will be a key consideration in choosing a chair. It partly depends on

the purpose of the chair. For example, a leisure chair will definitely need to

offer a good level of comfort. It will also relate to whether you will sit in the

chair for short or prolonged periods.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is related to comfort, but not quite the same thing. A chair with

good ergonomics will usually be more comfortable, but more importantly it

will be better for your health. It will offer a healthy seating position, good back

support and often adjustability for your unique needs. This can be important in

all kinds of chairs, but especially office chairs that will usually be sat on for

hours at a time.

Quality

It is important to consider quality when buying a chair. A chair that will only be

sat on for brief periods can get away with being lower-quality as it will be

subject to less wear-and-tear. For a chair that will see heavy usage, it may be

worth spending more to get something more sturdy.