Home office chair

[Lopey]

The missus starts a new job in a couple of weeks, initially working from home, but eventually going into the office.

She will need a new office chair but we've never bought one before, so don't know what to look for.

Probably looking to spend £50-£100. Don't want to spend too much as it's only temporary, but it also needs to be comfy as she will be sat in it all day.

Anyone recommend anything suitable?

Thanks

[grumbas]

If you've got an Ikea nearby go and try a few out at that budget, buy what feels best.

If it wasn't temporary you really can't beat a Herman Miller Aeron, so comfortable for extended periods. They hold their value too, so if you buy used from Gumtree or marketplace you would probably break even moving it on in 6 months time.

[Jinx]

I used Office Furniture Online for a basic operators chair that is good enough and reasonably priced.

[Murph7355]

grumbas said:

If you've got an Ikea nearby go and try a few out at that budget, buy what feels best.....

This.

(Ikea Markus for me. Great chair if it fits you (I suspect it will fit most people).

[devnull]

Murph7355 said:

grumbas said:

If you've got an Ikea nearby go and try a few out at that budget, buy what feels best.....

This.

(Ikea Markus for me. Great chair if it fits you (I suspect it will fit most people).

Indeed, the IKEA MARKUS is the cheapest I'd go if buying new. Using it full-time, I find they only last about 3 years or so before they start to break at the recline mechanism or the pleather flakes off.

[Murph7355]

devnull said:

Indeed, the IKEA MARKUS is the cheapest I'd go if buying new. Using it full-time, I find they only last about 3 years or so before they start to break at the recline mechanism or the pleather flakes off.

Have had mine a chunk longer than that (I think around 7yrs) and it's tip top (which has surprised me a little as it gets some batter!).

[51mes]

Murph7355 said:

This.

(Ikea Markus for me. Great chair if it fits you (I suspect it will fit most people).

Yeah been sat in one for work solidly since last February working at home all through covid - going strong and comfy.

I got the one with the mesh back, keeps things cool in summer.

highly recommended.

[David_M]

I am a big fan of the Humanscale Freedom chair. You can get them off of eBay or from second-hand office furniture sellers for under £200 (possibly a lot under that if you are lucky).

[Junior Bianno]

David_M said:

I am a big fan of the Humanscale Freedom chair. You can get them off of eBay or from second-hand office furniture sellers for under £200 (possibly a lot under that if you are lucky).

They're great. I got a refurbed one from here - it was basically new https://www.officeresale.co.uk/refurbished-furnitu...

Maybe outside the OP's budget however...

[anonymous-user]

I bought a comfortable chair once; never again!

Buy the basic chair and it makes you get up and not sit glued to the desk for hours and saves your spine in the long term

[mmm-five]

mgsontour said:

I bought a comfortable chair once; never again!

Buy the basic chair and it makes you get up and not sit glued to the desk for hours and saves your spine in the long term

Or, as equally useful option, you could go out and get a job that requires you to work outside all day and not sit on your arse all day

A comfortable chair does not preclude 'getting off your arse' during a long working day - it just makes the sitting down parts more...err...comfortable!

[Lopey]

Thanks for the suggestions. A trip to IKEA is on the cards for the weekend then

[Spoke]

grumbas said:

If you've got an Ikea nearby go and try a few out at that budget, buy what feels best.

If it wasn't temporary you really can't beat a Herman Miller Aeron, so comfortable for extended periods. They hold their value too, so if you buy used from Gumtree or marketplace you would probably break even moving it on in 6 months time.

Or to spend a bit less the Herman Miller Mirra, nearly as good as the Aeron but a bit cheaper. Mine is a reconditioned one and cost about £250 which is less than I've spent in total on cheaper ones which just about last until the warranty expires.

[Heathwood]

I’d be surprised if the new company didn’t either provide a chair or a budget to purchase one. A started a new role in August (temporarily WFH) and could claim up to £200 for a chair. Maybe worth checking out before going for the cheapest.

[Riley Blue]

Lopey said:

Thanks for the suggestions. A trip to IKEA is on the cards for the weekend then

Good luck with that... it's not my idea of a fun weekend!

My own experience with Ikea chairs is that over time the central column drops through the leg section to touch the floor so you may want to invest in a chair mat to go under it.

My O/H also works from home and has been allowed up to £500 for her to purchase a chair and mat. If it had been me, I'd have spent the lot but she's gone for a Spira Plus High Back, less than £400 to her employer.

[WoolyFox]

Kinnarps chairs are the best in my opinion.

I got mine from a reseller in Reading, he clears out call centers and refurbishes/reupholsters the chairs for sale. Best chair I have used for home working since 2019.

You can find it on eBay without too much difficulty and reasonably priced (sub £100 from memory).