Buying guide · Furniture
How to Choose an Office Chair
A good chair adjusts to your body, not the other way around. Here is what to look at before you buy, in five minutes of reading, with the models we stock in Caraquet and ship across Canada.
1. Start with how you work
The right choice depends first on how many hours you sit and what kind of work you do.
Full-time workstation
Six hours or more a day at a screen: you need a task chair with an adjustable back, lumbar support and adjustable armrests. It is our largest category, from Offices To Go to Global.
Task chairs →Executive or consultation office
Meetings, reading, calls: an executive chair with a high back, thicker padding, with or without a headrest.
Executive chairs →Visitors, waiting room, training
Sturdy, easy-to-clean guest chairs and reception seating, plus stacking or folding chairs for groups.
Guest chairs → · Stacking and folding →Counter, workshop, drafting table
A drafting chair or a stool with a footring and a taller cylinder.
Stools and seating →2. The five adjustments that matter
- Seat height: feet flat on the floor, knees at a right angle. Most cylinders cover 16 to 21 in.; very tall or very short people should check the range.
- Lumbar support: the curve of your lower back must be supported. Height-adjustable is ideal; otherwise, a well-contoured back does the job.
- Mechanism: a tilt reclines the whole seat; a synchro reclines the back more than the seat and keeps your feet on the floor. Look for adjustable tension and a tilt lock too.
- Armrests: height-adjustable at a minimum, width and depth adjustable (3D or 4D) if you switch between keyboard and mouse all day. Elbows should rest at desk height.
- Seat depth: sitting all the way back, two or three fingers should fit between the seat edge and the back of your knee. A sliding seat solves this for every body size.
3. Back, upholstery, casters
| Feature | Options | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Back | Mid or high, with or without headrest | High back if you are over 6 ft or lean back often. |
| Upholstery | Mesh, fabric, leather or faux leather | Mesh to stay cool, fabric for comfort, faux leather for easy cleaning (clinics, reception). |
| Casters | Hard (carpet) or soft (hard floors) | On hardwood or vinyl, choose soft casters or a chair mat. |
| Capacity | Standard (about 250 lb) or heavy-duty (300 lb and up) | 24-hour and big-and-tall models are built for intensive use and night shifts. |
The in-store test
Set the height so your feet are flat, slide your hips all the way back, rest your forearms on the armrests. If your back meets the backrest without effort and your shoulders are relaxed, the chair fits. Come and try our display models at the Caraquet store.
4. The brands we carry
Offices To Go and Basics for the best value, Lorell and Horizon for offices and schools, Global and HON for intensive workstations and furniture projects. For Global seating, see our Global page. Replacement parts (cylinders, casters, armrests) extend the life of a good chair.
5. Caring for your chair
- Tighten the mechanism screws once a year.
- Vacuum mesh; clean fabric with an upholstery cleaner and faux leather with a damp cloth.
- Replace worn casters: it is inexpensive and protects the floor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a task chair and an executive chair?
The task (operator) chair is the classic work chair: mid or high back, basic adjustments, accessible price. The executive chair has a high back, often a headrest, thicker padding and a dressier look. For eight hours a day in front of a screen, comfortable adjustments matter more than style.
Synchro or tilt mechanism: which one?
A tilt mechanism reclines the seat and back together; a synchro mechanism reclines the back faster than the seat and keeps your feet on the floor. If you change position often or sit for long hours, synchro is the more comfortable choice.
Do I need a headrest?
It helps if you lean back to read or take calls, and for taller people. For upright keyboard work, it is rarely used.
Mesh or fabric?
Mesh breathes and stays cool, perfect in a warm office. Fabric and leather are warmer and cosier. Both last well if the frame is good quality.
Which casters for hardwood or carpet?
Standard hard casters are made for carpet. On hardwood, vinyl or concrete, choose soft casters or a chair mat to protect the floor and roll quietly.
Do you deliver and assemble chairs?
Yes. We ship across Canada, and our team can deliver and assemble office furniture in the Caraquet area. Write or call us for a quote.
Planning a furniture project?
Several workstations, a conference room, a reception area: we prepare a quote and deliver and assemble in the Caraquet area. Write to us or call 1 855 727-6022.
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