A comfortable chair might sound like a relatively minor thing, but it can actually make a big difference when you’re at work. It’s something you’re probably using for at least six hours a day, and if it’s uncomfortable, that can have a big impact on your productivity, your mood, and your overall quality of life.
Now, for those reasons alone, it’s normally a good idea to invest in a decent office chair that will go the distance, rather than going purely on price. So if you’ve got your eye on one but you’re not ready to buy just yet, the good news is that there’s plenty you can do to make your existing chair more comfortable.
Why your office chair feels uncomfortable (it might not be the chair)
Here’s something that a lot of people forget – most office chair discomfort comes from how the chair is set up, rather than the chair itself. So before you look at spending any money on accessories or even a full replacement chair, it’s always worth quickly checking whether or not it’s simply set up incorrectly.
For example, the seat height, back angle and armrest position are often set at a default position when the chair arrives, or after it’s been assembled. Those default positions may not necessarily be best for your body – and in fact, they might well be actively bad for you. Here are a few of the most common reasons why:
- Unsuitable seat height – this can place extra pressure on your knees, hips and lower back, which can quickly lead to stiffness, discomfort and poor posture throughout your working day.
- Awkward back angle – having your back at an awkward angle can create tension through your shoulders and neck, and cause lower back pain after long periods of sitting down.
- Incorrect armrest position – a very common and easily underestimated issue, incorrect armrests can place strain on your shoulders, wrists and upper body throughout your working day.
One of the most important relationships to bear in mind is the one between your monitor and the height of your desk. If your monitor is too low and your desk is too high, you may find yourself compensating (often without realising) with posture habits like hunching over your desk. Over time, these can become more and more difficult to correct, and can eventually lead to long-term problems with your neck or back.
To avoid that, make sure that your monitor is about eye level, and your desk is about elbow height when your arms are resting naturally. This will prevent your neck from tilting at unnatural angles for long periods of time, and minimise the risk of developing annoying – and potentially debilitating – conditions like repetitive strain injury (RSI).
If you’ve made all these adjustments but your chair still feels uncomfortable, there’s one final factor to consider: it might just be showing its age. Over a long enough period of time, a chair’s cushions can become more compressed, its gas lift can lose its oomph, and even the adjustment mechanisms can gradually loosen. All that means a chair that might have felt fine a year ago might be steadily making you more uncomfortable. If that’s the case, it’s generally best to focus on simply replacing it. (More on that in a moment!)
5 easy, free adjustments to make your office chair more comfortable
| Adjustment | Why it helps | How to do it |
| Seat height | The correct seat height helps to reduce pressure on the thighs, keeps your feet flat on the floor, and reduces strain on your lower back. | Adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at roughly 90 degrees. Use a footrest if your chair can’t go low enough. |
| Lumbar support | The right lumbar support provides lower back support, which helps your spine to maintain its natural position. It also helps to reduce pressure on your spinal discs throughout the day. | If your chair has built-in lumbar adjustment, position it at the small of your back. If not, use a rolled towel or dedicated lumbar cushion. |
| Armrest position | Properly positioning your arms will help to reduce shoulder and upper back fatigue. Plus, it can reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury in your wrists and hands. | Adjust your armrests so your elbows rest at roughly 90 degrees with your shoulders relaxed. If they’re in fixed positions and too high or low, consider removing them entirely. |
| Seat depth | The right seat depth helps to relieve pressure behind your knees, as well as encouraging healthy circulation. | Aim for 2–3 finger-widths of gap between the edge of your seat and the back of your knees. If your seat is too deep, use a cushion behind your back. |
| Recline tension | A slight recline is best for office work, as it helps to reduce static muscle fatigue and lowers the load on your spine throughout the day. | If your chair reclines, unlock it and set the tension so it reclines gently to around 100–110 degrees. |
4 key signs it’s time to upgrade
Small adjustments can make a big difference to your comfort and overall quality of life while working, but they won’t resolve problems indefinitely. As we touched on above, eventually your chair will start to show signs of needing to be replaced.
Here are some to watch out for:
Your seat cushion feels flat or uncomfortable
Over time, constant use can compress the padding inside your seat cushion, especially in lower-quality office chairs. Once that cushioning starts to wear down, you may begin to notice more pressure through your hips, thighs and lower back during long periods of sitting. Over a long enough period of time, this can start affecting your posture as well.
Your chair no longer stays at the correct height
If your chair slowly sinks during the day or struggles to stay locked at the right height, there’s a good chance that the gas lift is starting to wear out. That can make it much harder to maintain a comfortable posture throughout your working day. Plus, once the gas lift stops working properly, there’s often very little that accessories can realistically do to fix the problem.
Your chair feels loose, unstable or uneven
As office chairs get older, the moving parts inside them can gradually loosen through regular use. You may notice wobbling, uneven movement, creaking, or adjustments that no longer feel secure. Over time, that can make your chair feel distracting and uncomfortable to use – especially if your adjustments won’t keep their altered positions.
You’re working from home more often
A lot of people bought temporary office chairs during the rise of home working, often without expecting to use them long-term. If you’re now spending most of your working week at home, it’s worth upgrading to a more comfortable and ergonomic chair – it can make a huge difference to your day-to-day comfort and productivity.
Now, it’s worth noting that the above isn’t a comprehensive list; there are a couple more reasons why you might think it’s time to upgrade your office chair. It’s not an exact science – generally, when you know, you know.
Whatever sits comfortably with you
Ultimately, you’re the best person to judge whether you can make big changes with a few small adjustments, or whether it’s better to get a new chair entirely. Whatever you decide, the main thing is not to sit and suffer in silence. The office chair comfort tips we’ve included above are all practical, affordable, and many of them can be made in just a few minutes.
If you’ve decided your current chair is at the end of its useful life though, we’ve got you covered. Our chairs are specifically designed to meet the demands of long working days, built with special attention to adjustability, comfort, and support. Take our Task One Grey Office Chair – with adjustable arms, back lumbar, and seat height and depth, it’s the perfect example of a chair that can be changed to suit you.
