Adjusting Your Chair For Your Ergonomic Needs

Most office chairs are more adjustable than people realise — and a chair that's simply set up wrong can feel just as uncomfortable as one that's genuinely worn out or the wrong fit. Before assuming a chair needs replacing, it's worth checking whether it's actually been adjusted properly for the person using it. Here's what to look at.

Seat height

Your feet should sit flat on the floor with your knees bent at roughly a 90-degree angle, and your thighs close to parallel with the ground. If your desk is fixed at a height that forces your chair up too high, a footrest can help keep your feet properly supported rather than dangling.

Seat depth

Sit back so your spine is against the backrest, then check the gap between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees — aim for around two to three fingers' width. Too little space puts pressure behind the knees and restricts circulation; too much means your lower back loses support.

Lumbar support

The curve of the chair should follow the natural curve of your lower back, sitting into the small of your back rather than pushing against your tailbone or mid-back. Many of our chairs have adjustable lumbar depth and height — it's worth taking the time to fine-tune this rather than leaving it in a default position.

Armrests

Your shoulders should stay relaxed, with elbows close to your sides and bent at roughly 90 degrees. Armrests set too high force your shoulders to shrug; too low, and you lose support altogether, which over a full day can contribute to shoulder and neck strain.

Backrest angle

A slight recline — generally somewhere between 100 and 110 degrees — takes pressure off the lower spine compared to sitting bolt upright. Some tasks suit a more upright position (focused work), while others benefit from a bit more recline (calls, reading).

When adjustment isn't enough

Sometimes a chair has been adjusted correctly and still isn't comfortable — that's often a sign the chair itself isn't the right fit for the person, or that a mechanism has worn out and no longer holds its setting properly. If a chair won't hold its height, tilt, or lumbar position no matter how it's adjusted, that's usually a repair rather than a settings issue. And if you're setting up a new workspace or replacing chairs that no longer suit your team, our range of office chairs includes ergonomic options built for all-day use.

If you're not sure whether your current chairs need adjusting, repairing, or replacing, get in touch and we're happy to help you figure out the right fix.