Desk chairs

Get more productive with a quality desk chair

If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, your best friend is a comfortable chair that helps you maintain a good sitting posture for better blood flow and improved well being. To prevent muscle aches that can come from rolling your shoulders forward and slouching, a computer chair should be ergonomic, comfortable and fit the dimensions of your computer desk. Consider the following functionalities to find the perfect desk chairs for the home or office.

Measure for perfect depth and width

Whether working remotely or at the office, your desk chairs needs to be both deep and wide enough for you to sit comfortably for extended periods of time. Your ideal seated position is with your upper and lower back cradled by the backrest and your legs parallel to the floor. While it’s good to keep in mind the height of your desk, there are many options in adjustable height computer chairs that are ready to help you be comfortable and productive anywhere. Also measure the width of your space. While swivel options and rolling casters make it easy to move anywhere, there are smartly designed options that fit in even more compact spaces.

Choose the best material with the right amount of padding

Merge comfort with smart design features. Sure, you’ll enjoy the cushy polyurethane foam or polyester wadding in the seat of several desk chair options, but there’s more. Find options that give your back the support it needs with adjustable height and built-in lumbar support, as well as tilt functions. Besides being durable, padded seat and neck rest cushioning materials are also breathable for added comfort. Many options in desk chairs feature a backrest made with mesh material that lets air through to your back during long sitting periods.

Move easier with casters

Nowadays, office chairs with wheels or casters are very common. They enable you to move around smoothly even while sitting. Somebody slaps down that report you’ve been waiting for on the table behind you, a coworker has a fresh batch of cat videos to share or your husband just came home with lunch? No need to get up—just slide across the floor like an Olympic ice skater with smart safety casters with a pressure sensitive brake mechanism that locks the chair in place when you get up, and releases automatically when you sit down. So find wheeled conference chairs that won’t roll away from you when the smell of coffee brewing has you jumping out of your seat. Meanwhile, if your desk is placed on a platform or an uneven floor, an office chair without wheels could be the better option.

Choose armrests for comfort

If you're planning on using your chair several hours each day, a chair with armrests could allow for greater comfort long-term. It's important that the armrests have the right adjustment. They should support your arms at the point where your elbows would naturally rest with your shoulders relaxed. An ergonomic desk chair without armrests might be preferable if you’re looking for a lighter, more flexible computer chair. Armrests can cause an inconvenience if they block the chair from going under a desk. Chairs without armrests will fit a wider variety of desks.

Find a desk chair with great lumbar support

Comfortable and supportive ergonomic chairs cradle the inward curve of the lower back or lumbar spine. Choose office chairs that allow you to lean back with perfect balance via a tilt mechanism that you can easily adjust to suit your weight and movements. Adjustable height, cold-foam or foam wadding cushioning and curved seat backs all work to help you find a comfortable and ergonomic seated posture that will help you feel better and stay more productive. Find gaming chairs with a synchronized seat and back tilt that follows your body movements and adjusts the chair to the correct position. The adjustable and lockable tilt function increases stability and control in different sitting positions. The design of the high backrest gives your body, neck and head a sturdy and comfortable support. Select kids desk chairs with adjustable height, an airy, playful design and high density foam cushioning.

How to adjust your desk chair

Once you have your new desk chair, you’ll need to adjust it for maximum comfort. Here is a step-by-step-guide on how to adjust a computer chair for comfort and better posture. Remember that not all IKEA desk chairs can be adjusted in the ways described below. Check the product description to learn how you can adjust the desk chair.

Adjust the seating

ou should be able to sit as far back as possible on your chair, with your lower back firmly against the backrest. There should preferably be about a three-finger gap between the edge of the chair and the back of your knees. If that's not the case, adjust the seat slide.

Adjust the height

Your armrests should be at the same level as your desk. If your chair doesn't have armrests, use your arms as a guide. When placing your arms and elbows on the desk, they should rest at a natural angle.

Adjust the backrest

When sitting in front of your desk, try to sit upright for as long as possible. You can recline the backrest when you want to adopt a more relaxing posture. It’s a good idea to change your position from time to time to reduce wear on any one part of your body.