by Scarlett de Courcier

Created on: January 13, 2009

"The large executive chair elevates the sitter, and it is covered with the skin of some animal, preferably your predecessor." Thus believed Emilio Ambasz, anyway. But is the type of chair one has in a home office really linked to the level of productivity achieved in it? Does the fact that it is leather, wicker, or fabric make a difference? How can you get the most from your office chair?

Working from home is becoming increasingly popular now that the Internet has grown to such a monstrous degree that many of us are now either employed or self-employed to spend most of our time on it. If, like me, a large proportion of your working day is spent sitting in your home office, you will know how important it is to be comfortable - but not too comfortable. Thus we arrive at the problem of home office furnishings.

A leather chair can provide a good, solid companion for work. It makes the right noise when you sit in it, it gives you that 'executive feeling', and it isn't so soft that you sink deep into it and feel drowsy. There is, however, the annoying problem of sticking to it in the summer, and being frozen by it in the winter.

Many office chairs these days are made from fabric and moulded to roughly the shape of a back. When choosing a chair for your home office, the wellbeing of your spine is something that should not be overlooked. A fabric chair is forgiving enough to allow you room to move; and, ideally, it moves with you and gives you the support your spine needs when sitting in one position for large amounts of time.

Personally, I went the unconventional route and chose a wicker chair. This was not a deliberate decision; I simply saw it in a charity shop and realised how wonderful it would look behind my desk. This is not generally a method I would advocate when finding a chair; however, it seems to have worked to my advantage. The chair has a large, straight back and little room for manoeuvre, so I remain upright whilst working and can resist the urge to slouch over the computer screen. Adding a couple of cushions made the general rigidity easier to bear, and the chair and I have since become firm friends and established a productive working relationship.

All in all, therefore, the choosing of a chair is a delicate procedure, and one in which your individual needs and preferences should be paramount. The most important thing is that you are comfortable enough to work in your home office, but not so comfortable that you forget about the 'office' part.

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