The end of August marks the swan song for messaging and summer Fridays. Work Week is our all-in-one shopping package designed to help you get back to your daily routine and feel good – whether you’re working from home, the office, or the classroom. We’ve got cool work lights, new desks, and sharp organizational tools to help.
Working from home has many advantages and disadvantages. Pros: You can go from bed to table in five minutes (or less if your bed is your table). Cons: You may be getting by with a poor-quality workplace and your posture is suffering.
The journey to a better home office starts with a more comfortable seat. Whether you’re ready to get off the couch or want to transform this odd nook from a cocktail control center into a laptop landing pad, make it official with one of the best office chairs. Our 20 favorite products combine form and function, look great and are easy to use, perfect for remote workstation reboots. We’ve broken them down by price below, from Target to Herman Miller, and we promise there won’t be one that looks like we got them from your brother’s playroom.
If corporate style isn’t your thing, designer Sean Leffers is adamant that dining chairs are just as comfortable as office chairs, but more aesthetically pleasing, especially if your desk is in your living room or bedroom. Our in-house editor Lydia Geisel couldn’t help but agree. If you’re on a budget or tight on space and just need somewhere comfortable to sit (9 to 5), then all you need is an upholstered or high back chair. To reduce the visual (and physical) clutter, Geisel advises going unarmed. From cute sleeve jewelry to some traditional options (including an Amazon number that’s popular on TikTok), the affordable jewelry we’ve listed below takes its place among the more sophisticated options on our list.
“You spend half your life in bed, but an office chair can come in second,” emphasizes Allison Petty, director of design for Hyphen Co. While her favorite Eames Group chairs are more like dream table chairs, we pondered why she loves this classic (it’s “comfortable, attractive and durable,” she says) and looked for something more affordable. Keep this in mind when choosing. . Our favorite in this group is Branch’s award-winning Verve Chair, which comes in four fun finishes in addition to the base black, but that shade sells for less than $500. Opt for smoother shades of coral or mint for just a little more, but it’s worth the upgrade, especially if the goal is to spice up your workspace.
The more ergonomic adjustments – wider height range, reclining position, movable armrests – the more expensive an office chair will be. But if you suffer from back or neck pain, the following favorite foods are well worth the investment. As with some of our top picks, materials matter. Imagine: a knotted wood back, brass-plated natural rattan with a slipcover, custom seat cushions and upholstery in linen and cotton. Or, as other interior designers have said, look for zero-waste options by searching Chairish for used, pre-owned chairs, like the Marcel Breuer chairs you can find in co-working spaces.
Entering the realm of real spending means one of the following: full customization, a unique style, or an iconic design (like the Saarinen Tulip chair shown above). For example, investing in the human journey is like building a custom chair: you can choose from everything from fixed and adjustable armrests, four different frame finishes, over 40 fabrics, and different types of wheels. This version of the dark blue 1940s Emeco armchair has been updated by British textile designer Jasper Morrison. At Herman Miller, ergonomics are as important as design, and twice on our list of favorites. As one Cosm reviewer wrote, “Every time I spend too much time on the computer, my back thanks me.”
We believe that no well-designed home office is complete without a chair that looks good from every angle. But before exploring color options or innovative mechanisms, first pay close attention to the dimensions of the table, which is typically 30 inches high. The ideal height, width, and depth of the seat should provide sufficient support, leave enough room under the workstation (without chafing the knees), and allow the elbows to rest evenly on the keyboard. Test this by squatting down: your feet should be level with the floor with your back pressed against the backrest.
If you’re a regular typist, you might prefer an office chair with armrests to give your wrists the rest they deserve. But if there is little space and the table is small, a thin silhouette without arms is better. “I think the armrest is a personal choice,” Petty said. “I don’t need them and they make it a little easier to slide the chair under the table.”
According to Petty, the secret to a comfortable seat is the ability to adjust. Most furniture designed for seating has a versatile approach, but work chairs are unique in that they often have built-in ergonomics. Petty recommends choosing a chair that can be easily modified to best fit your body proportions. Bonus points if it spins and leans back – watch out for a lot of leverage.
Ultimately, the best office chairs prioritize functionality, but they should never look as dull as they seem. Avoid an all-weather corporate casual look by opting for bright hues (our collections below offer plenty of color options!) or playful patterns. Whatever your preference, Petty says they should be upholstered. Popular options include fabric, vinyl, plastic, mesh, and Petty’s favorite leather for a luxurious look. “Don’t even consider the option without upholstery,” she emphasizes. “An extra pillow will go a long way when you have to sit all day.”
Choosing the best office chair for you depends entirely on your taste, work style, location, and needs. If you are short, you need a height adjustable seat. Or you can send a few emails in bed and toss between the table and the couch; ownership of original Herman Miller products over $2,000 may not be required. If you are limited in space and there is not much space, we would opt for a slimmer design without armrests. As designer Megan Hopp told us earlier, the last thing you want is for something big and bulky to get in your way. While some may like this vibe, we love work chairs that can disguise themselves as something else or actually be something else, like a dining chair with a cover.