No matter what your lifestyle, chances are you spend a decent chunk of your day sitting down. Whether you're studying, working, running a home or simply relaxing, you'll probably spend a significant portion of your time in a seated position. If so, you'll want to ensure you've got the best chairs available at all times.
When you're sitting down for a prolonged period, you must have the right support in place. Choosing a chair based on appearance and cost might seem like a good idea, but you could be missing out on key features and attributes.
A poorly designed chair will soon become uncomfortable as will a chair that's constructed from cheap materials. In addition to this, you could experience notable health issues if you spend time using the wrong type of chair. Your posture is particularly important when you're in a seated position, so it's essential to use the best chairs if you want to avoid headaches, back pain and repetitive strain injuries. I had an expensive office chair collapsed underneath me due to a poor quality aluminium frame.
Of course, finding the right type of chair for your needs isn't always straightforward. To make things easier, we've put together the definitive guide to the best chairs for sitting all day. From the perfect recliners for all-day relaxation to the ideal workplace companions, we've got all the information you need to find the perfect chair for your needs.
So, why are you waiting? Read on to learn more about what you need from the perfect chair and find out which designs are ideal for all-day use.
1. Ergonomic office chairs
Ergonomic office furniture can revolutionise your working environment. Whether you're based in an office or at home, an ergonomic design could ensure you have access to the best chairs available.
Office workers typically spend around eights hours sitting at a desk every day. Although some employees prefer to use standing desks, traditional seating arrangements are still the most common type of working environment. With full-time workers spending around 40 hours a week in a seated position, they must-have comfortable and supportive seating.
Ergonomic chairs reduce pain or discomfort. Ergonomic chairs allow workers to remain seated for more extended periods without experiencing any adverse health issues. For example, the design of an ergonomic chair negates the need to hunch over your desk or workspace. This automatically minimises the risk of neck pain or backache. By enhancing your posture, an ergonomic chair can boost your mood and your mental wellbeing too.
However, ergonomic office furniture isn't solely designed to increase comfort. It improves productivity too. Ergonomic chairs increase efficiency and productivity. Employees are likely to complete tasks more quickly and to a higher standard when they're not in pain, so it makes perfect sense to design chairs that reduce the risk of work-related discomfort.
If you're looking for a chair you can sit in all day to work; an ergonomic design could be your best option. For employers, providing workers with ergonomic chairs can have hidden benefits too. By reducing the risk of workplace injuries, ergonomic office furniture can reduce staff absence rates, enhance employee satisfaction and minimise liability for potential workplace injury claims.
With so many benefits associated with ergonomic furniture, it's not surprising that they're one of the most popular options when it comes to the best chairs for sitting all day.
2. Mesh-backed chairs
Traditionally, most chairs feature a solid back made from wood or plastic. Or they are cushioned and covered with leather or fabric. When you're going to be seated for an extended period, a cushioned chair is, of course, more comfortable than the alternative. However, leather or cloth fabric offers limited breathability, which can reduce comfort levels.
Mesh-backed chairs are a relatively new concept, but they're growing in popularity. Mesh allows for increased ventilation, which means chairs can be used all day without becoming uncomfortable. If you work in a warm climate or a hot environment, for example, leaning back on a leather or fabric chair can increase your temperature and make you feel increasingly uncomfortable.
A mesh-backed chair offers a suitable alternative, which will provide added breathability and, therefore, increased comfort. By staying cooler, your productivity levels will remain constant, rather than decreasing throughout the day. This makes mesh-backed chairs ideal for all-day use, particularly if you're working, studying or sat at a desk.
What's more, mesh-backed chairs are considerably more lightweight than other options. If you want a chair, you can move from one location to another without any hassle; a mesh-backed design could be the perfect solution.
In addition to this, many designers are incorporated mesh into ergonomic designs. This means you could combine the benefits of a mesh-backed chair with ergonomic seating and get the best of both worlds.
3. Beanbags
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we believe bean bags are ideal for all day use, but we aren't the only people who think so. The flexible support offered by bean bags means they can be customised to provide the bespoke comfort you need. If you're prone to neck pain, backache or poor posture, the added support offered by a bean bag could help to alleviate your discomfort. Furthermore, the ability to reposition them throughout the day means you can tailor the support based on your comfort levels and the environment you're in.
The fact that they're light, compact and easy to maintain also makes bean bags amongst the best chairs for all day use. Whether you're at work or home, they're a flexible seating option that can be used to create a comfortable base.
If you assume that bean bags are designed for home use, think again. An increasing number of forward-thinking companies are introducing bean bags into the workplace. Employers are encouraging workers to take a unique approach to find seating that works for them. As well as making bean bags available in rest areas and break rooms, they're routinely seen in meeting rooms and offices too.
With proven stress-reduction benefits, enhanced posture support and supreme comfort, it's easy to see why bean bags are so popular. Of course, the ability to update your style and design with coveted designs, fabrics and colours means you can enhance your interior décor with bean bags too. Bean bags can be used in an office to display your corporate colours in the workplace. Their soothing tones are perfect in relaxation areas. Whilst fun-filled patterns are great at home. There is no end to the benefits of bean bags when it comes to all-day seating.
4. Kneeling chairs
Kneeling chairs are noticeably different from standard options, but their unique design makes them amongst the best chairs for long-term use. Offering enhanced shin support, many people with back problems find kneeling chairs are effective at relieving discomfort when they're sitting down for long periods.
A vital feature of any kneeling chair is shin supports. They are there to take some of your weight and provide extra support. Correct positioning of the pads is the key to maximising the benefits of a kneeling chair.
Another unique element of a kneeling chair is the angled seat. Unlike other seating options, the kneeling chair uses a sloped seat. This is to encourage the spine to adopt the correct alignment. By tilting your pelvis forward, the spine is encouraged to remain in a neutral position. Similarly, the increased angle of the space between your trunk and thighs reduces compression of the discs in your spine and can alleviate back pain.
Your hips are sloping forwards and downwards when using a kneeling chair. So, your weight is distributed more evenly throughout your trunk, neck and back. If you're prone to poor posture, this can help you to adopt a healthier pose throughout the day. In addition, reduced compression throughout the trunk can improve digestion and even make enhance your breathing techniques. As a result, kneeling chairs could even offer stress reduction benefits.
Although many people find kneeling chairs are the best chairs for all-day use, others maintain they have certain disadvantages. The range of motion of your legs is reduced when using a kneeling chair, which can be a drawback for some people. You may also find that prolonged pressure on your shins becomes uncomfortable as the day wears on.
While kneeling chairs do tend to divide people, there are a substantial number of people who find them to be extremely effective when it comes to alleviating pain and discomfort which commonly arises when you're sitting down for a lengthy period of time. Due to this, it's well worth trying a kneeling chair if you're looking for furniture that will provide comfort and support.
5. Wing chair
Sometimes known as an easy chair or a club chair, a wing chair exudes comfort. With plush cushioning and firm support, a wing chair could easily be a great option for all-day use. However, the suitability of a wing chair will depend on your environment. If you're searching for a chair to use while you're working, for example, the height of your desk may prevent you from using a wing chair, for example.
However, if you have a customisable desk or an over-chair roller tray, you could create your only uber-comfortable workstation using a wing chair. If you do plan on using a wing chair for all-day use, it's important to ensure you choose the right one. Wing chairs are defined by their style but that doesn't mean they're all the same. With differing heights and varying levels of support, you'll want to try out a range of options before you settle on the one that's right for you.
There's no doubt that wing chairs are sublime in terms of style. Whether you favour a traditional feel or contemporary décor, wing chairs can enhance any interior design and enable you to create a stunning aesthetic. With endless options available, wing chairs can be the ideal choice when it comes to working or relaxing.
6. Stool
A stool may not technically be classed as a chair. But it definitely falls within the seating category. What's more, a stool could be the ultimate choice for all day use if you're trying to improve your posture.
By design, stools have no back support or very limited back support, with some smalls offering a half-edge back. Due to this, many people eschew them as all day seating options. Indeed, it is easy to succumb to hunched shoulders and a sloped spine if you spend hours sitting on a stool. However, if you're actively trying to increase your core strength and improve your posture, sitting at a stool could be invaluable.
To sit in a healthy position while using a stool, you need to use your back and core muscles. Your internal obliques, external obliques, trapezius, transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, erector spinae and latissimus dorsi are all involved when it comes to sitting upright. When your chair offers limited support, as with a stool, your body is responsible for keeping itself upright and, as a result, these muscles are in constant use. Over time, this increased use will enhance muscle strength and enable you to practice maintaining good posture.
It's worth noting, however, that you need to be actively aware of your posture if you plan on using a stool for all day seating. While a stool can enhance your posture, it won't do the work for you. Instead, it provides a seating environment that enables you to improve your own posture and strength. If you're prone to slouching, you'll need to make a constant, conscious effort to fight your tendency to slouch, or you could experience increased discomfort.
7. Armless chairs
If you're going to be using the same chair all day, you may need to undertake a range of different tasks while you're seated. Armless chairs can be useful in these situations because they offer a wider range of motion and flexibility. With the ability to move more easily, you may find it easier to complete necessary tasks when using an armless chair and it could even increase your efficiency.
In addition to this, the presence of arms can encourage you to slouch or slump forward in your chair. Armless chairs encourage you to remain seated in an upright position. Slouching can be a major cause of back pain and neck ache. You might find switching to an armless chair helps to alleviate any discomfort you experience. Especially when you're sitting down for a long time.
If you're looking for a space-saving chair, an armless option could fit the bill. Often, office chairs with arms don't fit under desks, which means they can't be neatly put away in between uses. In contrast, armless chairs use less space and can be stored under desks when not in use. Perfect for smaller offices or homeworking setups, an armless chair could provide a moderate or even a high level of support while still encouraging you to improve your posture and offering a space-saving design.
Finding the best chairs for all-day use
The best chairs for all-day use are those that combine comfort with a healthy seated position. Postural support is critical if you're sitting down for any length of time. If you're sitting for the majority of the day, ensure your chair offers the right level of support.
When deciding on the right chair, it's important to consider a range of factors, such as:
- Support
- Comfort
- Cost
- Durability
- Flexibility
- Maintenance
- Versatility
- Design
- Materials
Summary
As you can see, there are a considerable number of factors to take into account when deciding which type of chair is best for you. For this reason, it's tempting to simply buy a chair that seems to be popular with other people. However, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for everyone else. Due to this, the best chair for your colleague may not necessarily be the best chair for you. While reviews can give you an insight into which chairs are most comfortable for all-day use, trying out a range of options will provide you with the best idea of which styles are most suited to your needs. If you're purchasing numerous chairs for all-day use, it won't just be your needs you must consider. When you're furnishing an office or workplace, for example, you may need to accommodate a range of different individuals. To ensure everyone has the appropriate level of support, providing a range of seating options could be your best bet. Focus on comfort, support, flexibility and versatility. These are the core features a great chair needs to provide. In doing so, you can ensure that sitting down for long periods is comfortable as opposed to harmful. Take a unique approach and assess each option based on individual needs and comfort levels. You'll find it easy to find the best chairs for all-day use.
