How to Choose an Office Chair for Working from Home

1. Start with your work and available space

List how you use your chair: typing at a desk, taking calls, studying or switching between tasks. Note who else will use it. Set a budget for the complete setup, including delivery, assembly and any accessories you expect to need.

Measure your desk opening, the space behind it and the route into the room. Check the chair’s overall width and base diameter, not just its seat width. Ask whether the published dimensions include the armrests and whether the assembled chair can pass through your doorway.

Our buying approach: create a shortlist around your actual workspace before comparing colours or feature counts. A chair that dominates the room or cannot move into position is a poor match for that setup.

2. Check seat height, depth and width

CCOHS explains that an ergonomic label does not guarantee a chair will suit every person or workstation. Its guidance favours a height range that supports the feet on the floor or a footrest, a seat depth that avoids pressure behind the knees while the back is supported, and enough seat width for comfortable movement.

Ask for minimum and maximum seat height, usable seat width and seat-depth adjustment range. Distinguish overall chair height from the height of the seat. If the seller gives only a photograph and a broad height recommendation, request the actual measurements before ordering.

For a shared workspace, compare the adjustment range with the needs of each regular user. Do not assume that the setting which works for one person will work for the next.

3. Understand the backrest and controls

OSHA recommends a backrest that supports the lower back and can be adjusted for different seated positions. Its guidance also highlights appropriate seat-depth adjustment. Treat those as fit checks rather than a guarantee that a particular chair will be comfortable for you.

Ask what actually moves on the model: the whole backrest, a separate lumbar pad, the seat, or several components. Request the adjustment instructions or a demonstration. Terms such as “dynamic support” and “multi-position tilt” need an explanation of their function and limits.

When trying a chair, operate each control and note whether you can understand the result. Check the permitted recline settings, locking positions and tension adjustment in the manual. Prefer a mechanism you can use confidently to one with many controls you cannot evaluate.

4. Check armrests against your desk

OSHA’s chair guidance says armrests should support the forearms with relaxed shoulders and the upper arms close to the body. It also warns that armrests can interfere with getting close enough to the keyboard. Check their position as part of the whole workstation.

Ask which directions the armrests adjust and what their minimum height is. A “3D” or “4D” label alone does not tell you the usable adjustment range. If you need to park the chair under a desk, compare the measurements at your intended seat setting.

During a trial, simulate typing, using the mouse and getting in and out. Note whether the armrests obstruct any of those tasks. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before assuming an armrest can be removed or replaced.

5. Compare materials, base and floor compatibility

Ask whether “mesh” describes the backrest, the seat or both. Compare the actual seat construction, cleaning instructions and replacement options. If choosing upholstery from photographs, request close-ups or a material sample where available.

OSHA recommends a strong five-legged base and casters suitable for the flooring. Ask the seller which floor types the supplied wheels are intended for and whether compatible alternatives are available. Check the manufacturer’s stated user-weight limit and assembly requirements for the exact model.

Our practical suggestion: treat headrests, footrests and decorative details as optional requirements to assess after the core fit checks. Ask how each extra feature helps your normal work before adding it to your budget.

6. Read trial, return and warranty terms

Try the shortlisted chair with a representative desk setup where possible. CCOHS recommends that the intended user assess the chair in a real work situation. A brief sit in a showroom can help you compare controls, but ask whether a longer trial is available before deciding.

For online purchases, confirm whether an assembled chair can be returned, who pays shipping, whether packaging must be retained and whether a refund or replacement is offered. Keep the written terms and the model details with your order.

Read warranty coverage for the gas lift, mechanism, upholstery, base and wheels separately where the seller lists them. Ask how repairs are handled in your location and whether parts can be bought after the warranty ends. Compare the full delivered price and support arrangements, not only the discount.

7. Your before-buying checklist

• I have measured the desk opening, room space and delivery route.
• I have the usable seat dimensions and adjustment ranges.
• I understand the backrest, tilt and locking controls.
• I have checked armrest clearance at my desk.
• I have checked the stated weight limit, assembly instructions and floor compatibility.
• I have compared the fit through a trial where available.
• I understand returns, delivery costs, warranty and repair support.
• I have budgeted for any genuinely needed accessories.

DesiredCart’s view: choose around fit, useful adjustments and a clear support process. Ask for missing measurements before buying and give a practical trial more weight than a long list of marketing labels.

OSHA also recommends changing working position and taking opportunities to stand or walk during the day. A chair purchase is one part of setting up your workspace, alongside the desk and computer equipment.