Love Affair With The Office Chair

Every desk needs a chair. In the days of scientific management, the chair that went with the clerk's desk had to keep the employee working at maximum productivity. And since clerks were discouraged from leaving their desks, the chair had to keep them sitting.

The best-designed chair for desk work was the swivel-based with a wooden saddle seat and slatted wooden back with armrests, based on physiological studies of human anatomy. Many models had adjustable knobs and levers to make the chair fit its occupant.

This was the beginning of office ergonomics--the study of design as it relates to human comfort and function. Ergonomics would become a thriving architectural design business in the mid-1970s.

The chair has always been a status symbol in the office. Just as kings sat in thrones and no one else did, employers sat in armchairs while their clerks sat on stools.

For all of the sensible comfort of the swivel chair, cane-seated straightbacks implied status in the 1880s.

But when the typist's chair evolved into the cushioned armless versions in today's offices, the executive's chair took on kingly dimensions with closed arms, wide seats, and the tallest backrest

By the 1950s, backrest height and seat size indicated job rank.

Just as the bigger the desk the more prestigious the job, the more comfortable-looking the chair was, the higher up the organizational chart was the person who sat in it.

There are probably few more powerful symbols in the office and contemporary life than the chair.

Leather office chairs have classic, conservative designs

Workers who want leather upholstery without sacrificing the ergonomic features offered by high-end mesh and fabric chairs may find the best of both worlds with the Raynor Eurotech Ergohuman LE9ERG .

The chair has a high seat back and a headrest, making it a good choice for taller workers, according to reviews. It also has a wide range of adjustability options, including tension control and lumbar support, and reviewers say its versatility is impressive. The LE9ERG supports up to 250 pounds, and there are upgrade models that support up to 300 pounds.

Mesh offers breathable comfort for long days at the office

The often-imitated Herman Miller Aeron remains a familiar, formidable entry in the office chair market, nearly 20 years after being introduced. Reviewers say the durable mesh is comfortable and breathable, and the chair comes in three sizes to better accommodate workers with a wider range of frames.

The chair's sleek look also has fans, though some say it's starting to seem dated. While the Aeron boasts several ergonomic features, many common adjustments that usually are included in an office chair at this price point cost extra on the Aeron, including adjustable lumbar support, a tilt limiter and width-adjustable arms .

Ergonomic office chairs are highly adjustable for comfort

 It isn't the most innovative office chair on the market, but the Steelcase Leap packs a lot of ergonomic punch, despite what reviewers say is a ho-hum design. Constructed with a breathable fabric, the Leap's extensively adjustable features mean it can be customized to fit even the pickiest worker's preferences. Highlights include adjustable lumbar support, pivoting armrests and a LiveBack recline that automatically moves and flexes to support the user's spine. The Leap also has a 300-pound capacity, and workers who prefer a headrest can add one.

A Leap Plus is also available (Est. $1,300) with a weight capacity of 500 pounds. While most complaints focus on the chair's conventional look, a few reviewers say they find the seat padding lacking and that so many adjustability options can be overwhelming. The Leap comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The company actively responds to online complaints, as well as offering a question-and-answer forum on its website.