While we wait to be able to do so, it’s a good idea to put some time and thought into your home office setup. The most important thing? The one piece of furniture you’ll spend most of your time in – your office chair. So here’s how to choose the best one to maximise your success.

Into ergonomics

Before now, you might not have had many office chairs around the house – if any at all. And while you might have made do with that extra dining chair at your desk (or actually at the dinner table), it’s clearly not built for a day of Zoom calls and answering emails. The answer? It’s all in the ergonomics.

Now, if we’re getting technical, comfortable desk chairs are composed of different structural parts that are individually adjustable, giving you a variety of combinations to set them up exactly the way you prefer – avoiding any aches you might have started to feel. Ergonomic basically means efficient, and will be designed to help you get to work.

We’re all guilty of slouching sometimes – and complaining about the resulting neck or back pain. But that’s why an office chair is so important, because they’re made to prevent this. Most chairs will come with a swivel base, and give you the opportunity to change the height of the seat and armrests. Some will offer a moveable headrest and lumbar support too, and will be designed to tilt just right. Need to sit a little higher? No problem. Lower armrests? It’s that button there. We promise it’s worth it – your lower back will thank you.

How to choose the best office chair for your home

We know some office chairs might not fit in with your aesthetic. But luckily for you, that’s where we come in. Whether you’ve got a dedicated home office or a multi-purpose corner in another room, there are so many ways to add a functional – and stylish – chair to your space. Our suggestions? Keep scrolling.

Making space

Having a whole room to set up your office in is, well, the ideal situation. No distractions (don’t you dare switch on daytime TV), and every detail encourages you to get the job done. Get set up with a desk, chair, and all the storage you might need – you’ve got the space, so tidy all that paperwork away. The added bonus is that you can style this room how you like – cosy, but ready for concentration, is the direction to go. Then make your choice. Fixed legs, castors, swivel-base. Padded velvet, fabric, or wood. Whatever your style, there’s an office chair that’ll fit with the rest of your decor, so you can focus on the task in hand.

Clever corners

No space to create a separate home office? No worries. It’s easier than you’d think to transform an unused corner in your dining room, living room or bedroom. You can set up a dedicated workspace just about anywhere – without compromising the decor elsewhere. Need to keep your chair on the compact side of things? Just make sure you’ve got a good backrest to lean into, and a swivel base, so you can easily reach your mug of coffee.

With many different styles to choose from, there’s no one way to outfit your office corner. So if you fancy something retro inspired? Go for curved wood, with a hint of leather, or all-over velvet upholstery. Or maybe something more modern? Try sculpted plastic, or a padded chair covered in a fresh, bright fabric. There are endless styles, colours, and materials out there, so you’re sure to find something that works for you.

How to clean your office chair

Just like your other furniture, your office chair needs a bit of love. But it’s nothing your usual cleaning practices won’t take care of. For any accidental stains or spills on a leather office chair, use specific leather cleaning products. Fabric upholstered chairs will easily clean with a bit of soap and hot water – just make sure they're completely dry before you sit back down. Maintenance isn’t something you should worry about – what matters most here is your comfort.

You’ve promised yourself you’ll try and stop working from your bed. So it’s time to spring into action and get that home office set up. Chair, desk, coffee. Your new and improved WFH situation is sure to motivate you to take a seat – and really get to work.