Everybody might tell you that the most important purchase for your office is the computer; but, not so, the most important single furnishing is your office and boardroom chairs. After all, you are likely to be spending the better part of your day sitting in the chair; so, you want to be comfortable. It’s been said that you spend more time in your chair then you do in your bed sleeping! Don’t try to cut corners when purchasing your chairs.

In any case, there are some things to consider before making your final decision. First, ask yourself how much space does my office allow? Office chairs come in many sizes so if you are working in a small space, think a bit smaller. A chair that has an adjustable backrest is another important feature. The more adjustable a chair, the more you can customize it to your body. Adjustability equals comfort. The upholstery is something else to keep in mind. If you want a low maintenance chair, consider leather or a water-resistant fabric. If you go with a fabric covered chair, be sure to spray it with a good fabric protection product. Remember, fabric covering tends to reduce heat and moisture that is absorbed into the chair from your body. Unless you are working with a very limited budget, don’t consider plastic covering because it is non-breathable and under warm conditions is very uncomfortable. Spend as much as your budget allows. It will pay off in the long run. Will I need arms on the chair? While arms provide more comfort, if you will be doing a lot of typing, arms may present a problem. Sometimes it is difficult to roll an armed chair under the desk for doing paperwork.

If you are furnishing an office for co-workers, consider their needs, too. Many companies report that back pain is one of the more common reasons for employee absenteeism. A comfortable worker is a more productive worker. The bottom line, if your have furnished your work space with good quality office chairs you will be more likely to have your work force producing good quality work.