We provide expert advice to help you find the right office furniture.
In our buying guide for office chairs, we explain why you should buy your office chair online. We also give you plenty of tips and advice on what to look out for when buying, so you can avoid health problems caused by incorrect sitting, for example.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR OFFICE FURNITURE ONLINE?
On the one hand, online you will find a wide range of products – especially at hjh OFFICE – that no local retailer can offer in this form. As Europe’s largest specialist mail-order company for office chairs, hjh OFFICE permanently keeps around 50,000 swivel chairs and desks in stock. Shipping takes place within one working day, so in most cases you can sit and work more comfortably as early as the next working day, with no waiting time.
Another advantage is that, thanks to direct sales from the world’s leading manufacturers of seating and office furniture, you can buy your swivel chair or executive chair without any intermediaries. In the case of hjh OFFICE products, even directly from the manufacturer. No wholesalers and no commissions drive the price up unnecessarily. We also do without glossy catalogues and expensive advertising materials. Please compare. Our price-performance ratio will convince you!
WHAT DOES THE RECOMMENDED SITTING TIME MEAN?
The quality level of an office chair can be roughly measured by the stated recommended sitting time per day.
For a sitting time of no more than 4 hours a day, for example when working from home, there is a wide selection of swivel chairs with fabric upholstery or mesh, as well as executive chairs in a mesh version and in leather or faux leather. These chairs are suited to this level of quality and intended sitting time, and are usually also significantly more affordable than chairs designed for professional use with longer recommended sitting times.
For everyday office use and professional office environments, it is advisable to choose office chairs and executive chairs with a recommended sitting time of 8 hours. These are usually equipped with high-quality, hard-wearing fabrics. The upholstery offers maximum comfort even during a long working day.
HOW DO OFFICE CHAIR MECHANISMS DIFFER?
Office chairs and executive chairs can feature different mechanisms for adjusting the seat tilt:
-
Tilt mechanism
With the tilt mechanism, the backrest can be moved backwards, while the seat remains at the same angle. As a rule, the position can be locked using a lever. The tilt mechanism is the simplest mechanism for adjusting the angle of the backrest.
A special variant is the so-called Kniematic, also referred to as a knee-tilt mechanism. Here, the pivot point is located in the front area of the seat, so that when leaning back, the rear part of the seat is lowered. -
Permanent contact
The permanent contact mechanism provides a movable backrest without changing the position of the seat. This allows the user to switch between an upright and a reclined sitting posture depending on the task. This helps the intervertebral discs receive nutrients more effectively. The backrest follows the body's movements and supports it in returning from a reclined to an upright posture. -
Synchronous mechanism
The synchronous mechanism is often also referred to as a point-synchronous mechanism. With the synchronous mechanism, the angle of the backrest is linked to the angle of the seat. When leaning back, the seat angle changes at the same time, moving slightly backwards. The ratio of the angle change between seat and backrest is 1:3. This ensures that the previously selected support point for the pelvis is maintained in every position. This promotes ergonomic sitting.
Another important advantage is the absence of the “shirt-pull effect”: with other mechanisms, the changing seat angle can cause clothing to shift slightly. With the synchronous mechanism, everything stays in place.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR SWIVEL CHAIR.
Swivel chairs with a movable seat promote the back muscles. The manufacturer Topstar offers some of these chairs. This special technology is called BodyBalance and is gentle on the intervertebral discs.
Our manufacturer Aeris also offers seating such as the well-known Swopper for healthy sitting. All Swopper work according to the concept of dynamic sitting – whether Swopper or, for little ones, the Swoppster. In addition, the Swooper can also be fitted with a backrest, which helps relieve the back and encourages relaxed sitting.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU HAVE DISC PROBLEMS?
If you have disc problems, an ergonomic swivel chair for disc support or a swivel chair with an integrated disc-support seat can be beneficial.
If you are buying your office chair with this in mind, it is important to get detailed information first. You are also welcome to contact us at any time. We will be happy to advise you comprehensively.
As a general rule:
Even the most ergonomic swivel chair cannot cure your disc problems; it can only support you while sitting and help prevent pain. We recommend moving as often as possible at your workstation.
IS PRICE RELEVANT WHEN CHOOSING AN OFFICE SWIVEL CHAIR?
Of course, you can buy affordable office swivel chairs from us. A budget office chair does its job just as well as a more expensive chair, but its capabilities and intended use are different. When making your purchase decision, you should consider not only the price but also other criteria, such as your own sitting habits and how many hours you sit each day.
At hjh OFFICE, you will find a wide range of swivel chairs and executive chairs – from affordable entry-level models to top-quality professional chairs. A slightly more expensive executive chair or office swivel chair usually offers higher-quality materials, better features such as seat depth adjustment, armrests, etc., and greater seating comfort. So it is certainly worth its price as well.
SHOULD I BUY AN EXECUTIVE CHAIR OR AN OFFICE CHAIR?
Executive chairs and office swivel chairs differ mainly in two ways: firstly in the size and appearance of the chair, and secondly in the different upholstery materials.
The classic office chair is generally available in various fabric versions. Due to its slightly smaller size, it is typically found at many workstations in offices.
Executive chairs are usually available in leather and faux leather versions. Because of their prestigious look, they are more commonly found in the home office or in executive offices.
WHICH OPTION IS BETTER – A FULLY UPHOLSTERED SWIVEL CHAIR OR A MESH SWIVEL CHAIR?
Whether you choose a fabric swivel chair or a swivel chair with mesh fabric depends on your personal seating preference.
While the classic fabric swivel chair tends to retain warmth on all sides and therefore provides a warmer seating feel, the mesh swivel chair offers fresher seating comfort in summer thanks to better air circulation.
The fabric versions range from 30,000 to 110,000 abrasion cycles, with swivel chairs rated at 110,000 abrasion cycles among the very highest-quality swivel chairs. This type of fabric is (almost) impossible to wear through, even under very heavy use.
Although mesh fabric is considered very comfortable, seating comfort is still highly subjective. An upholstered swivel chair usually offers a softer seating feel.
WHAT IS A SEAT TILT FUNCTION?
With the seat tilt function, the seat can be angled slightly forwards.
A number of tasks in today’s offices are carried out in a slightly raised sitting position or in a working posture that is mainly inclined forwards.
In these cases, a seat surface that slopes slightly forwards counteracts the pelvis tilting backwards. The wider angle between the thighs and upper body also reduces strain on the body.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN ARMRESTS?
Armrests support the forearms and therefore help promote ergonomic sitting. Depending on the features, office chairs and executive chairs offer different adjustment options:
-
Fixed armrest
This armrest is fixed and cannot be adjusted in height or changed in any position. -
Height-adjustable armrest
Here, the armrest can be adjusted in height. -
3D armrest
The armrest can be adjusted in height and can also be moved sideways, lengthwise or radially into different positions. -
4D armrest
The armrest can be adjusted in height, sideways, lengthwise and radially into different positions.
How do I choose the right swivel chair for children?
When choosing the right swivel chair for children, the child's height and weight are crucial. Of course, swivel chairs for children are available in different price ranges. Budget-friendly children's chairs usually offer seat height adjustment. Children's swivel chairs with additional adjustment options are generally in the mid-range to premium price bracket. Growing chairs for children, available from various suppliers, are recommended.
Often, the decision for the right swivel chair for children also comes down to the choice of colour. Girls usually choose pink and boys blue children's swivel chairs. Children do not spend as much time sitting on a children's swivel chair.
DO I NEED SPECIAL CASTORS FOR HARD FLOORS?
Most of our swivel chairs are supplied with castors for carpeted floors. Castors for carpeted floors are fitted with plastic wheels. These slightly harder plastic wheels can cause light scratches on hard floors. Castors for carpeted floors are ideally suited for soft flooring such as medium-pile and deep-pile carpets.
For hard floors such as laminate, parquet, tiles, stone floors or short-pile contract carpet, we recommend using hard floor castors. Hard floor castors are additionally fitted with a special rubberised layer on the wheels, which helps protect your hard floors from scratches. You can purchase castors for hard floors for your chair from hjh OFFICE.
Some chairs in our range are equipped with multifunctional castors that can be used on both hard floors and carpets. You can find this information in the relevant product description.
WHEN DO I NEED A FLOOR PROTECTION MAT?
As a general rule: a floor protection mat – whether for hard or soft floors – protects the floor from additional wear and tear.
Floor protection mats are divided into floor protection mats for hard floors (tiles, parquet, laminate, tiles, contract carpet, etc.) and floor protection mats for soft floors (medium-pile and deep-pile carpets).
Floor protection mats for carpets are fitted with pointed studs. This prevents the floor protection mat from slipping on the carpet.
Chair mats for hard floors have a non-slip coating on the underside, ensuring the mat stays securely in place.
When using chair mats, make sure the swivel chair is fitted with hard floor castors (see above).