You may think the question sounds silly, but I beg to differ - are you using the right chair?

For the past 2-3 years I’ve had a high-backed leather swivel chair. It is comfortable, my feet reach the ground with ease and the back is adjustable (in that you can sit in a fixed upright position or leave it loose to swing back and forth).

My desk space is large enough to hold a 19″ flat panel monitor (connected to PC under the desk), a set of speakers, my in/out tray (which houses bits of newspaper clippings, loose sheets for the printer, nothing pressing I assure you), my laptop and a second 17″ flat panel monitor for dual display, while also leaving room for writing / drawing.

The space under the desk could be utilised better though remains relatively clutter free, hiding away a PC (tower), a sub woofer for the speakers and a 4-way power adapter.

The problem was the chair. I could never quite get it in all the way under the desk or flush to the desk, and while it wasn’t uncomfortable, I found myself on occasion sitting on the edge of the seat without any support at all for my back.

About two weeks ago I offered my chair up to a client and I grabbed a small low-backed and cushioned chair from the back of the office (I’d had two sitting there from the office owner - I rent). I should have asked the client would they like the leather chair gift-wrapped and delivered - there was no way I was going back.

In the space of two weeks I’m surprised at how much my productivity has been boosted by the simple change of chair. My posture is better, the seat is about an inch lower than the high-backed leather chair which. While both chairs retail around the same price mark, I was so impressed that I’ve brought the other chair home with me for work in the evenings, ditching the same high-backed leather one I have here.

While the leather swivel chairs might look nice and executive-like, I can’t argue with the fact that I’m sitting better and more comfortable at my desk. The result? Less slouching, less fidgeting about in the chair, certainly less “swivelling” and a happier, more productive worker.

Given I’m in the line of work where I spend most of my hours sitting down (as many designers do), I’m surprised I never noticed the issue earlier. I now know, I was using the wrong chair - what about you?

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