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Computer Chair Demystification
What the heck is a "Computer Chair"? Don't you mean "Office Chair"?
Okay, so let's start by defining what a computer chair is not. A computer chair is neither a chair shaped like a computer, nor a computer shaped like a chair. And while we can all agree that a chair with a computer built into it is a fascinating concept, we have yet to design one. Glad we got that out of the way!
"Computer Chair" is a fairly specific term, which within the animal kingdom of furniture, or more specifically "chairs", defines a class of chair that functions as a mobile seating solution designed for optimal use at a workstation and promote the physical posture one endures when occupying one. At least that's our definition. Another, perhaps more popular term often used interchangeably (but arguably so) with our subject is "office chair." While some may disagree, we find "computer chairs" to be a more constructive term, as it distinguishes itself within a much broader category, "office chairs" a vast sea, which, frankly, describes any old chair you might see in any old office.
While very specific in its function, computer chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. There are endless options available, offering tens if not hundreds of thousands of models, all available on the internet, but which vastly differ in quality and price. In an era of this many choices, choosing the perfect computer chair can become a pretty daunting task. By using our own method, making the right choice will be a fun, creative and rewarding process, the outcome of which will be a chair you will look forward to sitting in, one that increases the quality of your own performance and well-being, while expressing your own sense of style and individuality in your office or home office.
We look at the successful acquisition and define it as a multi-step process that starts with a little personal introspection (some creative and fiscal decision making), followed by educated targeted searching, selective elimination, and lastly, experience awareness.
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As yourself the right
questions to identify
your true needs.
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Step 1. Introspection
Too many choices are misguided resulting in too many missed opportunities. Decisions they come in all forms, but if you think about it, some of the seemingly small ones have the greatest impact on our own well-being “what to eat for breakfast”, “whether or not to change lanes at a precise moment”, “to go to the gym, or not to”, or, more relevant to this article, “which chair best suits my body and mind”. With no immediately clear right or wrong to any of the above, successful decision making starts with asking yourself the right questions a simple yet a surprisingly effective and often avoided technique.
Ok, great, so how do I know if I’m asking the right questions? It’s easier than you think. Imagine the outcome and work backwards. Imagine yourself sitting in a brand new computer chair at your workstation on an ordinary work day. Now consider the following “how do I feel? Is my life better? If so, why?” The why will lead you to ask yourself the right questions. Chances are, you probably do envision yourself feeling positive and well, in a chair that is comfortable, form-fitting, and somewhat reflective of your personal sense of style. Naturally, you may be asking yourself “what makes me comfortable”, “what do I find form-fitting”, or “what is my body shape”, and “what do I find visually appealing. If you’re asking these questions, you’re asking the right ones.
So now you’ve asked yourself the right questions, and in doing so, you’ve actually defined goals. These goals should be your guiding light throughout the process of selecting the perfect computer chair, and as long as you never compromise a single one of these goals, you’re guaranteed a successful outcome. While we’ve established that compromise is not part of our equation, it does pay to prioritize these goals, which will add a linearity to shopping for computer chairs a traditionally very non-linear process. We define this linearity in the next phase as “educated targeted searching”.
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Use a linear approach
to you search, and
never compromise.
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Step 2. Educated Targeted Searching
If successful “introspection”, as discussed in step 1 is the process of asking the right questions of ones’ self, then educated targeted searching can thought of as using the answers to those questions as your guiding light to the right decision-making. As the perceived outcome of the perfect computer chair scenario helped you to identify your goals, it has also almost inevitably forced you to ask yourself “is there even such thing as perfect” or “if it’s too good to be true, is it”. It’s important to understand, that while no chair is perfect for everyone, it’s the decision itself with which we’re striving for perfection, and as long as you remain true to the goals you’ve identified, you will make the right decision. But wait, it’s a tiny bit more involved, because in the decision-making process, prioritizing these goals becomes key. This is especially important in the instance of shopping for computer chairs, simply because of the breadth of options available to you. During this process of targeted searching, you’re looking to make a connection with chairs containing features which address the all of the goals you’ve determined through introspective questioning.
The visual connection is usually an instantaneous spark, and many times winds up being the sole deciding factor on a purchase. Sadly, this sort of decision making is often regretted, because the visual appeal of the chair doesn’t address your true needs. Have you ever walked into a Target or Staples store, looking for an office or computer chair to find a small selection of stylish models? Have you ever purchased one on the spot because of the way it looked in the store, without actually reading about its features? If so, you are definitely not alone. The truth is, large retail chains offer slim pickins for a reason their job is to push the models they have committed to purchasing from their suppliers. More often than not, these models are hot sellers not for their features, but more-so for the low cost of the product, which in turn maximizes their profit margin. Typically, lower-cost models are designed to catch your eye designed to serve the function of only a quick sale. The internet provides instant access to every single computer chair available on the market. And believe us, the possibilities that offers cannot be calculated by a human or a computer.
With that many choices, you can and will find a computer chair model which appeals to your sense of style, your body-type, material preferences, and desired functionality so long as you’ve determined your physical needs first. The truth is, many chairs which may look extremely similar may be offered at drastically different price-points. This is usually due to material seat surface differences or function adjustments. Sometimes, you may just want to get that look for less. But putting style before substance can lead to purchasing the wrong computer chair.
So it’s important to know a few things when beginning your search. You should be aware of your desk height, the dimensions of your current chair if you have one, so you can determine what areas need improvement. Write them down in the following format:
- Overall width x depth x height
- Seat Height (at its lowest and highest points when adjusted)
- Seat Depth
- Seat Width
- Back Width
Compare these measurements to all new models you may be considering. These dimensions are the primary building blocks that you’ll use in selecting a model that suits your body type.
Adjustments will really vary from one model to the next and the more you look, the more you’ll notice how their presence can affect price. You’ll need to decide what your comfort and posture requires. Identify the shortcomings of your current chair and ask what it lacks, steering away from such obvious factors as comfort or appeal. Does it provide enough back support? If not, “lumbar support” is a great option and many models offer this with adjustments, making it suitable for all body types. Does your chair give you a stiff neck? If so, a chair with a high back is probably your best bet. Some models take the high back solution to the next level by offering a head-rest (sometimes as an add-on). Do you feel strain on your lower back? If so, a computer chair with tilt & tilt lock mechanisms can be your best friend. You should also be aware of your armrest situation. It is very common for task & executive computer chairs to offer adjustable armrests, which can come in real handy.
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Select the right chair
for the right reasons.
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Step 3. Selective Elimination
This step is necessary in weeding out possibilities that just aren’t ideal. In a perfect world, the world that large retail chains (with small but stylish selections of computer chairs) would lead us to believe that we live in, this could simply be done by visual reaction alone. But chances are, by the time you’ve reached this step you’ve already put aside that primal urge the one that drives us to by books based on their cover. You’ve already read the prologue, you know a little bit about the writer, and you’ve compared it a few others that looked intriguing from the get-go, and in your mind, some stories just seem more worth the personal investment. Computer Chairs are certainly a more weighty investment, so it’s even more important to weed out those that just don’t seem right. Budget is often seen as a limiting factor for comfort, feel and functionality, and to overall perceived value. But knowing what you want from the get-go is a sure recipe to finding a computer chair that is affordable, stylish, functional and of ideal proportions. You’ll never need to compromise.
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Step4. Experience Awareness
For us, unpacking a brand-new delivered computer chair from its protective cardboard cocoon is parallel to the excitement we felt as children unwrapping a giant birthday gift. That might be partly because we’re chair freaks and we eat, breathe, and yes, sometimes we even sleep in ours. But hopefully, if you’ve invested a little time in following the above steps, you’ve selected a chair you are excited to receive, and can lose yourself, even just for a few moments in the ritual un-boxing. If you do, there is one crucial step to take during this ritual to ensure that you are prepared for the unknown: Be careful with that knife! Yes, your fingers are precious and their safety is paramount. Secondly, the safety of the chair is an obvious. But what you may not realize is that the safety of that box you’re cutting up is important too; hopefully not, but that box MAY come in handy again in the near future. Keep that box in as perfect a condition as you can.
Most computer chairs will require minimal assembly, which usually entails attaching the seat, back and casters to the base. Simple enough, but it’s important to understand what you’re doing even though it will probably be a five minute procedure or less that involves following simple to understand instructions. Once assembled, do the obvious sit on it. Get familiar with the adjustments. Compare them with the features advertised that led you to buy this particular chair. Adjustments can be tricky to understand at first, and we may instinctively feel at first that something is missing. If a manual is supplied, breeze through it. If something still doesn’t make sense, call the manufacturer or retailer from whom you made the purchase.
Once you’re certain that what you’ve received is what was advertised (and on auction websites such as Ebay, or private seller-based sites like Amazon, it not always is), it’s time to make the ultimate decision. Is this really the perfect chair? If you’ve followed the steps above, we can pretty much guarantee it. But if it’s not, don’t fret. Every choice is a learning experience, so pay attention to any potential shortcomings. Adjust your criteria accordingly. If you ordered the chair through a reputable retailer, they should be happy to take your chair back within a reasonable amount of time. Contact them and request a return authorization number and let them know that your search continues. Some retailers demand restocking fees, which we feel is unfair to the online consumer who doesn’t always get the benefit of experiencing the product in person prior to purchasing. Alternatively, some online stores, Computer Chairs.com included, offer free shipping to your home or business. In reality, shipping is never free, we just cover the cost so we can offer great products at very low prices. Understanding this is important, as in the case of returning chairs, it is the customer’s responsibility to cover both inbound and outbound freight costs.
Was this article helpful? Did it help you find the perfect computer chair? We’d love to hear from you and get your feedback. Share your story here to help others find their perfect chair. |
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