Office Aesthetics: How to Make a Chair More Comfortable
Uncomfortable chairs aren’t a thing of the past. In fact, chairs used to be more agreeable and ergonomic over a century ago, before the tail end of the industrial revolution. Furniture designers were no longer interested in comfort once new substances became available.
That trend continues to this day. Although they don’t make them like they used to, there are still plenty of ways to add comfort to any chair.
Don’t deal with the aches and pains of a bad seating arrangement. Here’s how to make a chair more comfortable.
1. Use a Lap Desk
Laptops have lap in the name. But if that’s the case, then why are they so uncomfortable when they’re in yours?
Several tools are available to make the situation more comfortable. Consider getting a lap desk. These desks fit snugly on your thighs, providing a foundation to incline and elevate your laptop.
Although you’ve made no real changes to the chair, you’ll have a far better posture and thus less discomfort.
2. Practice Good Posture
Speaking of posture, do you know what a good one looks like? You’ll ache even in the most luxurious chairs if you let yourself slouch.
Your back should be straight, not leaning forward or rearward, regardless of the chair’s backrest. With relaxed shoulders, let your arms droop down.
You’ll bend them towards the keyboard at the elbows, rather than reaching with the whole limb. This is true even if you don’t have an armrest — although these can help take some stress off your elbows.
Lastly, make sure you’re looking straight ahead with your feet flat against the floor. It will take time for your muscles to adjust to the new posture. Exercise good discipline and train your body to maintain this pose until it becomes second nature.
3. Put Your Feet Up
There may be situations where your feet can’t reach the floor. A footrest can serve as a foundation to rest your tired soles. But these offer more than posture improvements.
Some footrests and desk mats have special textures and bumps that double as foot massagers. If your feet are tingling while you’re in the computer chair all day, these may be able to help.
4. Pad Up the Armrest
If you’re lucky enough to have an armrest, you’ll soon learn an undeniable truth: They really aren’t that great. Most armrests are plastic and flabby. Spend 40 hours a week with your elbows grinding against them, and you’ll soon regret it!
However, you can find pads and cushions to make your armrest far more comfortable. Keep in mind that these are quite bulky, so you’ll probably have to adjust the height of your armrests after slapping them on.
5. Get a Cushion
Odds are, your computer chair isn’t anything special. Even though they cost an arm and a leg, many are little more than cheap wood and stuffing covered with a fancy exterior. And once that stuffing starts wearing down in either the seat or backrest, you’ll be feeling the pain.
But that’s what cushions are for. These soft and gorgeous cushions can add comfort and style to even the most disagreeable chairs.
6. Adjust Chair Height
Is the discomfort originating in your wrists, arms, or elbows? That’s a sign you should adjust your chair. It’s either too low or too high, making it impossible to maintain a healthy sitting posture.
If you want to make an office chair more comfortable, look for the lever under your chair. Push the lever down while you’re seated. This will unlock the height mechanism and allow you to raise and lower the chair until you make the correction right for your personal desk.
7. Raise the Monitor
Whether or not you’ve needed to adjust the chair, take a look at your work area. Many businesses and homes settle their monitors without anything to prop them up.
This can lead to some problems. You’ll have to look down to set eyes on the monitor, putting a strain on your neck.
Ideally, raise the monitor as much as possible. This device won’t have enough height on its own, so you may want to place it on a stack of books or a monitor stand. Remember: You want to look straight ahead while seated.
Otherwise, you won’t stay cozy for long.
8. Shop for a New Chair
Sometimes gadgets and chair adjustments can only do so much. Some chairs are just plain uncomfortable. Others may not be a good fit for your personal needs or office space.
You’ll know you need a new chair when you can’t find relief even with these tips. Before you head to the store, take some measurements of the desk. You’ll want to know the space you have to work with, especially if you plan on tucking the chair under the desk.
From there, it’s as simple as playing Goldilocks and finding the chair that feels just right.
You Know How to Make a Chair More Comfortable…
…So what are you waiting for? If you’re like an average person, you’ll spend dozens of hours seated at your desk every week. There’s no reason to endure this discomfort when many of these tricks take thirty seconds of your time.
However, you asked how to make a chair more comfortable. Maybe your wrist hurts because of your keyboard and mouse and your chair has nothing to do with it! If the discomfort continues, consider making other improvements to your work area — not just the chair.
Looking to run a successful (and comfortable!) business? Search our small business blog for more.
