Desk Chair for working from home

[Blown2CV]

Like nearly everyone else, I've been working from home recently. I need a new chair, as my current one is falling apart.

I work in IT and as such I do most of my work at the desk. I have had back and neck issues because that goes with the territory really.

I do need something that is really going to give me good support, and is also comfortable for desk working.

I know about standing desks and i did use them quite a bit when in the office, but my current home fitted furniture can't really be amended easily to support that, and we are probably moving house at some point in the next 9-12 months so don't really want to chuck money away.

I've seen gaming chairs recommended recently by other people but looking at it they just seem a bit silly and frivolous for work, and also I am 42 (sorry to the gamers out there, i am just not one of you).

thanks

[Doofus]

Blown2CV said:

Like nearly everyone else, I've been working from home recently. I need a new chair, as my current one is falling apart.

I work in IT and as such I do most of my work at the desk. I have had back and neck issues because that goes with the territory really.

I do need something that is really going to give me good support, and is also comfortable for desk working.

I know about standing desks and i did use them quite a bit when in the office, but my current home fitted furniture can't really be amended easily to support that, and we are probably moving house at some point in the next 9-12 months so don't really want to chuck money away.

I've seen gaming chairs recommended recently by other people but looking at it they just seem a bit silly and frivolous for work, and also I am 42 (sorry to the gamers out there, i am just not one of you).

thanks

I have a 'gaming' chair, and I'm fifty.

[Blown2CV]

Doofus said:

Blown2CV said:

Like nearly everyone else, I've been working from home recently. I need a new chair, as my current one is falling apart.

I work in IT and as such I do most of my work at the desk. I have had back and neck issues because that goes with the territory really.

I do need something that is really going to give me good support, and is also comfortable for desk working.

I know about standing desks and i did use them quite a bit when in the office, but my current home fitted furniture can't really be amended easily to support that, and we are probably moving house at some point in the next 9-12 months so don't really want to chuck money away.

I've seen gaming chairs recommended recently by other people but looking at it they just seem a bit silly and frivolous for work, and also I am 42 (sorry to the gamers out there, i am just not one of you).

thanks

I have a 'gaming' chair, and I'm fifty.

sigh. I knew someone would get upset about it. I just want a chair, and I don't like the gaming chairs I have seen. Sorry if I have caused offence.

[Doofus]

In what possible way did my post suggest I'd taken offence?

You suggested you're too old for a gaming chair. I pointed out that you're not, necessarily.

[thewallboy]

Spend as much as you can afford, your back will appreciate you for it.

I work in the office furniture market and see so many poor quality chairs, but just as bad is a good chair set up badly. I would steer clear of gaming chairs. They may loo cool, but they are on very low quality mechanisms.

Check out Wellworking.co.uk. If you give them a call they will definitely be able to help. I used to work for them and they are about as good as it gets from a customer service point of view.

Good luck.

[Radec]

All the people that are being asked to work from home querying chairs and desks etc, I find it surprising that the company you work for aren't supplying these.

Mine have provided desks and chairs and any other equipment.

I don't know if this is anything to do with the size of the company or not but surely the same health and safety and desk assessment applies at home as they would do in the office.

Sorry for going off topic OP, it just a bit bizarre, you wouldn't take your own furniture to the office so why the need to fork out when it's out of your control.

[Zoon]

After spending the last 20 years sitting at a desk get a Hermann Miller Aeron.
Expensive but no back issues since I got mine.

[jodypress]

I do have back issues and originally got a Steelcase Leap V2 Chair which is great. I then got a Humanscale Freedom Low Back for home use. Both £1k new but I bought secondhand.

When we closed that office I took the Steelcase with me (now being used by son as his desk chair) as I found the Humanscale more comfortable for me.

Humanscale - £199.99: https://www.2ndhnd.com/products/humanscale-freedom...

Steelcase - £399.99: https://www.2ndhnd.com/products/steelcase-leap-v2-...

[PHlL]

Radec said:

All the people that are being asked to work from home querying chairs and desks etc, I find it surprising that the company you work for aren't supplying these.

Mine have provided desks and chairs and any other equipment.

I don't know if this is anything to do with the size of the company or not but surely the same health and safety and desk assessment applies at home as they would do in the office.

Sorry for going off topic OP, it just a bit bizarre, you wouldn't take your own furniture to the office so why the need to fork out when it's out of your control.

Next to no companies will be providing the above.

[LeadFarmer]

PHlL said:

Radec said:

All the people that are being asked to work from home querying chairs and desks etc, I find it surprising that the company you work for aren't supplying these.

Mine have provided desks and chairs and any other equipment.

I don't know if this is anything to do with the size of the company or not but surely the same health and safety and desk assessment applies at home as they would do in the office.

Sorry for going off topic OP, it just a bit bizarre, you wouldn't take your own furniture to the office so why the need to fork out when it's out of your control.

Next to no companies will be providing the above.

My employers do, I'm now working from home and they have provided everything I needed. Dont forget you can also claim tax allowance for working from home to cover heating bills etc. Be sure to tell your insurers too, so they can increase your premium

[mikef]

In the affordable bracket, we have a couple of Joy (link) office chairs at home. They are probably better than our office ones for comfort and back support

Edited to add: my employer will provide whatever’s needed for home working on request;
Fortunately I was already set up

Edited by mikef on Monday 6th July 19:35

[Blown2CV]

thewallboy said:

Spend as much as you can afford, your back will appreciate you for it.

I work in the office furniture market and see so many poor quality chairs, but just as bad is a good chair set up badly. I would steer clear of gaming chairs. They may loo cool, but they are on very low quality mechanisms.

Check out Wellworking.co.uk. If you give them a call they will definitely be able to help. I used to work for them and they are about as good as it gets from a customer service point of view.

Good luck.

thanks v useful

[Blown2CV]

Radec said:

All the people that are being asked to work from home querying chairs and desks etc, I find it surprising that the company you work for aren't supplying these.

Mine have provided desks and chairs and any other equipment.

I don't know if this is anything to do with the size of the company or not but surely the same health and safety and desk assessment applies at home as they would do in the office.

Sorry for going off topic OP, it just a bit bizarre, you wouldn't take your own furniture to the office so why the need to fork out when it's out of your control.

it's not bizarre at all, and I am not sure you realise that you are just lucky. Some companies may give a small allowance, most give nothing.

[judas]

Zoon said:

After spending the last 20 years sitting at a desk get a Hermann Miller Aeron.
Expensive but no back issues since I got mine.

This. Expensive but worth every penny. Refurbished ones can be had for about £300.

[bitchstewie]

I just went to the office and bought my chair home.

The office is empty so nobody needs it and I'm not spending money (mine or the companies) on a new chair until I know the long term working arrangement around that kind of thing.

[DanL]

Blown2CV said:

it's not bizarre at all, and I am not sure you realise that you are just lucky. Some companies may give a small allowance, most give nothing.

Mine have adapted, and are now offering chairs, monitors, etc. to people who would like to request one, assuming you can pick it up from the office.

I bought one of these a few years ago when I started working from home a bit:
https://www.johnlewis.com/herman-miller-setu-multi...

Not cheap, but comfortable.

[Imad]

PHlL said:

Radec said:

All the people that are being asked to work from home querying chairs and desks etc, I find it surprising that the company you work for aren't supplying these.

Mine have provided desks and chairs and any other equipment.

I don't know if this is anything to do with the size of the company or not but surely the same health and safety and desk assessment applies at home as they would do in the office.

Sorry for going off topic OP, it just a bit bizarre, you wouldn't take your own furniture to the office so why the need to fork out when it's out of your control.

Next to no companies will be providing the above.

My company didn’t “provide” a chair per-se, but I simply took the liberty of stashing my Steelcase from the office into my boot and driving it home with me. They haven’t objected to date, and I’ve relocated one from a meeting room to my desk so now I am sorted both at home and in the office.

[phil4]

judas said:

This. Expensive but worth every penny. Refurbished ones can be had for about £300.

Yep, I've a new one and a second hand one, and can't tell the difference. Had them for over 12 years, and no problems with the chair or my back.

There's even better in summer, as the mesh means no sweaty back/bum.

[Blown2CV]

thanks guys much appreciated for the site recommendations and advice. I'll have a good look through some of those recon sites.

[Radec]

mikef said:

In the affordable bracket, we have a couple of Joy (link) office chairs at home. They are probably better than our office ones for comfort and back support

Edited to add: my employer will provide whatever’s needed for home working on request;
Fortunately I was already set up

Edited by mikef on Monday 6th July 19:35

I've not tried a lot of chairs out there but these Joy ones are the ones we have at work and can vouch for them having used one for years, ours have a lumber pump as well. Very comfortable and adjustable.