With Australians and many more nationalities spending over one-third of a typical weekday in front of a screen, the demand for comfortable and healthy furniture is increasing at a steady pace.
One such piece of furniture—or rather, types of furniture—that's getting a lot of traction lately is ergonomic furniture.
It's not uncommon for converts to tout the qualities of going ergonomic—and if you're not in the loop yet, it can certainly be tempting to take the leap.
However, with the myriad of options available in the market, selecting the right ergonomic furniture can be quite daunting in its own right.
That's why we're here to assist you in your quest! If you find yourself constantly facing a screen for work or for leisure, you'll benefit greatly from going ergonomic.
Here are a few essential tips to help you buy ergonomic furniture with no regrets.
1) Consider Your Body Type and Size
Many ergonomic chairs come in different shapes, depths, and sizes. The purpose of an ergonomic chair is to allow your body to rest in a neutral position where it won't strain your back and cause discomfort. In the worst cases, your body could suffer from the aches and pains that you went out of your way to avoid in the first place!
Buying an ill-fitted chair can get in the way of achieving that neutral stance and simply cost you money. As such, you should always ensure that the chair you purchase is suitable for your body type. Or at the very least, ensure that the chair has customizability options that you can tinker with to ensure proper fit.
2) Mind The Budget
If you're new to the world of ergonomic furniture, it can be very easy to get carried away, go for the most expensive model and expect nothing but greatness for your home office.
But without proper research, you'd most likely end up disappointed upon realizing that the chair's quality doesn't justify the cost. Alternatively, you could fall into despair upon knowing that you've spent a tad too much for physical comfort to the point that your financial security is in jeopardy.
As such, it's always wise to come up with a budget before you start shopping and make sure that you stick to it. There are many great mid-range ergonomic furniture options like the ones in ArchiPro that boast all the necessary features for a fantastic chair.
And if you somehow came across an ergonomic furniture deal that looks too good to be true, it probably is! As long as you approach your purchase decision prudently, you should be able to get the best out of your purchase.
3) Get a Breathable Backrest
Only one thing's worse than that icky, sweaty feeling on your back during work hours, and that's the inability to do anything about it. That's why having a breathable backrest is essential when choosing your ergonomic chair.
Look for chairs with mesh fabric backs, as these are the most breathable and comfortable. These fabrics provide better airflow to your back, keeping it cool and dry.
Without this breathability feature, your back may become sweaty over time and cause you to feel hot and stuffy, even in offices or rooms that are well-ventilated and cool. This persistent discomfort can turn anyone's mood into a foul one, leaving you drained and unable to focus on your tasks. So, it's best to ensure that your chair has this feature.
4) Consider Your Own Health
While you may have initially been drawn to the concept of ergonomic furniture because of the cosy chairs, there are other types of ergonomic furniture that may be more suitable for your particular lifestyle.
For instance, if you're experiencing anxiety and stress, or are living a sedentary lifestyle, it might be better to get height-adjustable desks instead. A lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting for long hours increases the risk of developing health conditions like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
To counteract and mitigate the progression of these mental illnesses and physical diseases, it's a good idea to use standing desks to keep oneself active during work. Furthermore, these desks can be propped with additional casters and better frames, making them all the more versatile for your everyday individual.
5) Seat Depth
Besides your back, the part of your body that takes on most of the pressure when seated is your buttocks. If you've been seated for long hours at a time, you may start to feel discomfort in your backside as it compresses against the seat.
To combat this, it's important to know your personal optimal seat depth. A rule of thumb is that you should have 2 to 4 inches of space between the back of your knees and the front of the seat while your back is leaning.
Having a space allowance that falls within this range will lead to the best long-term posture and minimise the risk of back conditions in the long run.
6) Lumbar Support
One of the most critical features of ergonomic chairs is the quality of their lumbar support. Lumbar support essentially refers to the cushion that adjusts to the shape of the curvature of your lower spine.
From this, seated individuals will feel less stress in their back, which consequently reduces the chances of facing back pain later on. If you have a poor sitting posture, lumbar support can also help to correct it by aligning the spinal cord and minimising the strain on the affected bones.
