Buying Guides

Looking for a new office chair for your desk? With so many options, it can be tough to know what to choose. Use our comprehensive guide to office chairs to help you narrow down your options and decide which chair is best for your needs.

Type

Computer chairs are the most basic of the bunch. Computer chair is an overarching term encompassing several types of desk chair, including ergonomic chairs and armless chairs. Any chair you use at a computer desk could, in theory, be considered a computer chair. Computer chairs or desk chairs on NBF.com typically feature very few ergonomic adjustments.

Executive chairs are upgraded versions of computer chairs that usually feature a high back and stately design. The most distinguishing feature of an executive chair is the presence of a headrest, whether built-in or detachable. The higher back and headrest of an executive chair give it a more impressive look befitting for corner executive offices, hence the name executive chair or manager’s chair.

Ergonomic chairs feature multiple ergonomic adjustments that enable users to easily find their ideal seated position by adjusting the chair accordingly. Ergonomic chairs are commonly recommended for task seating as they can conform to a wide range of body types and user needs.

Drafting stools are ideal for standing height workstations as they allow the user to easily switch between sitting and standing. Most drafting stools come with very few ergonomic adjustments, but all are height adjustable and have a much greater height range than computer chairs.

24-hour task chairs are, as the name implies, designed to be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These heavy-duty seating options are reinforced to withstand constant use, making them ideal for applications such as military bases and 24-hour call centers.

Kneel chairs are ergonomic seating solutions designed to put the user upright by encouraging a kneel-like posture. Kneel chairs were especially prominent before active seating options gained popularity, but they’re quickly being replaced by ball chairs and other active sitting solutions.

Active seating is taking the world by storm. With new research confirming that a sedentary office lifestyle leads to increased health issues, standing desks are becoming more popular. However, you can take steps to make even the process of sitting healthier by incorporating active sitting. Active seating includes the ever-popular ball chair and newer, more unique solutions such as leaning chairs. These chairs and stools force the user to balance while seated, providing comfort while allowing the user to burn energy and stay active by fidgeting.

Upholstery

Fabric upholstery is a woven material that helps give furniture a homelike look and feel. Fabric is available in many colors and patterns and is a popular choice for most office settings.

Genuine leather upholstery is either full grain or top grain genuine cowhide. Full grain leather is kept as close to its natural state as possible to show its grains and natural imperfections. Top grain leather is the most common type of genuine leather upholstery—it’s thinner and more flexible than full grain leather. Top grain leather is also sanded to remove imperfections, giving it a more polished look.

Faux leather and vinyl upholstery are manufactured alternatives to genuine leather. Faux leather and vinyl are made of either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which give the look of leather at a lower cost.

Mesh is a textile that provides more breathability than any other type of upholstery. Mesh is durable but can be trickier to clean due to its porous design.

Seat Type

Pocketed coil systems are made up of a number of individual pocketed coils that help evenly distribute weight for user comfort. The coils are usually outfitted with a layer of foam on the top and bottom, with the top layer being less dense to create a cushioned feel.

Fabricated foam is one of the most common materials found in upholstered office chairs. This type of foam varies in density. The denser the foam, the more firm the feel.

Molded foam is made by pouring a liquid foam material into a mold. This type of foam offers more consistent support and holds its shape for longer than fabricated foam. This allows for more contour and a more comfortable feel.

Memory foam has a unique chemical makeup that allows the seat to adjust to your body temperature. Therefore, the seats retain more heat than others, allowing them to mold their shape as the user moves. Memory foam seats are known for providing a superior level of customized support. In addition, this material is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

TEMPUR® material is the ultimate in office chair comfort. Found in Tempur-Pedic® office chairs, this type of seat material goes beyond basic memory foam to conform to your specific body type, offering the same level of support one expects from a mattress.

Casters

Soft floor casters are designed to roll effortlessly on soft flooring like carpet. This type of caster comes standard on most office chairs.

Hard floor casters are designed for hard flooring like tile and wood. Hard floor casters are available for most chair models, but they need to be special-ordered in most cases. Consult a furniture expert if you’d like to purchase hard floor casters for your chair.

Adjustable floor glides are sometimes used on office chairs in place of casters. Although these are not common, they are good for users who prefer not to roll in their office chairs.

Size

Standard-size office chairs are comfortable for the majority of people. A standard-size office chair is designed to support users measuring 5’ 5” to 6’ 0” tall and weighing 250 pounds or less.

Petite office chairs are designed for smaller users who feel that standard-size office chairs are too large. Petite chairs can still support up to 250 pounds, but they feature a shorter cylinder and shallower seat pan ideal for users who stand at 5’ 4” or shorter.

Big and tall chairs are designed for larger users. Not only does this type of chair offer a larger seat and back, but it can also support more weight than standard chairs. Big and tall chairs can support at least 300 pounds, but many support 500, 700, or more. Be sure to check the description of your big and tall chair to ensure it supports the correct weight.

What’s the difference between leather and bonded leather? What’s eco-leather? What’s faux leather? All valid questions. With all these different names for various types of natural and manufactured upholsteries, it can be tough to determine what’s what. That’s why we’re breaking it all down in this guide to leather.

Not all grades of leather and faux leather are created equal. There are a few important distinctions to consider:

• Full-Grain Leather shows the natural grain of the leather and is the highest grade for office furniture.

• Top-Grain Leather is the most common and remains thinner and more flexible than full-grain leather.

• Split Leather is made from the remainder of the hide once the top grain is removed.

• Bonded Leather utilizes leftover leather scraps to create a new product over a layer of faux leather.

• Polyurethane is a synthetic product that can look very similar to actual leather.

• Vinyl is another synthetic material that is easy to clean and inexpensive.

• Faux Leather typically refers to polyurethane, vinyl, or other man-made materials.

Full-Grain Leather Office Chairs

Full-grain leather hides show their grain, including any natural marks and imperfections. Layers of leather are left underneath the hide, leaving the leather in a state that is as close to its natural form as possible. It can breathe, and it’s very durable. Eventually, it will develop a patina from interacting with the air. Full-grain leather is the most expensive, and it’s used to upholster furniture of the highest quality.

Top-Grain Leather Office Chairs

Top-grain leather is the most common type used in high-end upholstered furniture. The split layer of the hide is removed, leaving the material thinner and more flexible than full-grain leather. The resulting hide is then sanded to create an even, smooth texture. If dyes are used, they are added after sanding, and a finish coat is applied for durability. Not only is top-grain leather more affordable than full-grain, but it is also more resistant to stains.

Split Leather Office Chairs

Split leather is made from the layer of the hide that is left once the top-grain portion has been removed. Hides are shaved horizontally into different layers, so a tannery gets several sheets of leather product from just one hide. The split portion of the hide has an artificial layer applied, which is then embossed with a grain to simulate the look of top-grain leather. It’s still leather made from a real hide; however, it is often found on very affordably-priced items. Split leather is also used to create suede.

Bonded Leather Office Chairs

Bonded leather is neither fish nor fowl, as they say. The manufacturing process starts with real leather scraps—the leftover pieces that would normally become waste from tanneries. These are sent to a mill that grinds them into very small pieces, and the pieces are then spray-glued onto the back of a manufactured material such as polyurethane. This makes the back of the upholstery feel like suede, and this backing can also affect how the material upholsters. When bonded leather is made with a good polyurethane material, it can be difficult to tell the difference between it and real leather.

Bonded leather is far less expensive than real leather, but marketers can use the word leather in their descriptive materials because of its real leather content. Some call it recycled leather or eco-friendly leather because the manufacturing process is more environmentally-friendly than leather production, which uses several harsh chemicals.

Polyurethane Office Chairs

Polyurethane is used to create imitation leather, sometimes called pleather (plastic leather), synthetic leather, or faux leather. It can be embossed with any texture, and it’s water-resistant and easy to clean and maintain. Good quality polyurethane can feel very soft and look a lot like leather. To tell the difference, look at the back of the material—if you see a woven fabric backing, it’s manufactured.

Vinyl Office Chairs

Many of us are familiar with vinyl, another man-made material. Vinyl is generally water-resistant and easy to wipe clean, so it’s often used to upholster furniture for breakrooms, high-traffic reception or lounge areas, and some office seating. It is usually embossed to simulate a leather grain or dyed with a pattern that looks like leather. Like polyurethane, vinyl has a woven backing. In its common form, it is one of the lowest-cost upholstery materials and often found on budget-priced furniture.

Antimicrobial vinyl is commonly used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities due to its easy-to-clean design. The textile is treated with a long-lasting antimicrobial solution that makes it highly resistant to the growth of germs and bacteria. It can be cleaned and disinfected with strong, hospital-grade disinfectants while retaining its original color and appearance. 

What is a bariatric chair? In short, bariatric chairs are specialized seating designed to support more than 300 pounds of evenly distributed weight. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Every office needs some big and tall seating, but this type of furniture is especially important for medical facilities that need to put guest safety at the forefront of every choice. Here’s what you should consider when it comes to the bariatric chairs you put in your healthcare facility.

Number of Chairs

How many bariatric chairs you’ll need in your building will depend on the nature of your medical facility. We recommend a minimum of 15–20% of the seating in your waiting room be bariatric, though places such as orthopedic clinics should have more due to the types of patients they assist. When selecting how many bariatric chairs to add to the space, the key is to know your patient population and plan for it accordingly.

Keep in mind that you should add bariatric seating not only to the reception area but also to the patient rooms. Provide at least 1 high-weight capacity guest chair to each patient room. You may also want to equip each room with a bariatric doctor stool with an extra-large seat and reinforced base. Healthcare providers might need them, but sometimes patients also sit on these stools.

Weight Capacity

There is no official standard for the load limit on bariatric chairs, but a 750-pound weight capacity or greater is typically preferred in healthcare settings. Many medical offices even look for bariatric chairs that can hold 1000 pounds or more. 

When shopping for your bariatric seating, note the difference between whether the weight capacity listed refers to a static load or an active load. A static load weight capacity is the amount of weight a chair can hold when something is sitting still on top of it. In contrast, an active load weight capacity is the amount of weight a chair can hold when something is dropped on top of it. For active load capacity, chairs are put through a drop test meant to simulate the action of a person plopping down into the seat, making this a sometimes more reliable measurement of load limit, depending on your needs.

Seat and Arm Design 

The seats on bariatric chairs vary quite a bit, but if you’re looking for the best of the best, select an option with a shallow seat design. A shallower seat will prevent guests from sinking into the chair, making it easier for them to stand. Most bariatric chairs have a seat width of around 24–30” to accommodate guests appropriately.

When it comes to the arms of the chairs, be sure to select an option that will not get in the guests’ way as they try to get up. Although the seat width often accounts for this, you may also want to select chairs without enclosed arms—or potentially an option with no arms at all. If you choose bariatric chairs with arms, be sure that the arms have been tested to support the weight of somebody leaning on them to get up from the chair.

Dignity 

The key to good healthcare design, particularly when it comes to bariatrics, is to ensure that your patients and other guests will maintain a sense of personal dignity during their visit. In other words, they shouldn’t have to struggle to get into and out of a chair, and they shouldn’t feel like they’re being singled out by being forced to sit in a seat that looks very different from the other chairs in the room. 

Make bariatric patients feel just as comfortable both physically and emotionally as you want all of your patients to feel by providing attractive, easy-to-use seating options that support more weight than standard chairs. Safety and design are just about equally important when it comes to bariatric seating, the same as the seating at your healthcare facility as a whole.

Whether you’re furnishing a new healthcare facility or replacing old furniture in a hospital or private practice, knowing your textiles is crucial to the well-being of staff and patients alike. To help make your purchasing experience as easy as possible, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of commonly used seating textiles. This list is ranked from worst to best in terms of appropriateness for a healthcare setting.

Fabric

Fabric is a woven textile that is not considered appropriate for healthcare settings. The major benefit of fabric is aesthetic: it comes in many color and pattern options. 

Although the appearance of fabric creates a welcoming, homey aesthetic that most medical facilities seek, the good far outweighs the bad in the case of this material. Because fabric is woven, it is porous—fluids can seep into the chair easily and become nearly impossible to remove. This creates an infection control nightmare as fabric will likely harbor bacteria and bedbugs. 

In addition to the health hazards associated with this textile, fabric is not durable enough to withstand regular use in a busy healthcare facility.

Benefits

• Unlimited color and pattern choices

• Welcoming, homelike aesthetic

Challenges

• Porous

• Not very cleanable or durable

• Harbors bedbugs and bacteria

Crypton Fabric

Crypton fabric is specially manufactured with a fluid-resistant backing that makes it more like vinyl than the fabrics it so closely resembles. This textile has the same large range of color and pattern options as fabrics, but it’s much more acceptable for a healthcare setting as fluids cannot seep into the chair as they can with fabric. However, this material is still semipermeable and can hold unwanted odors. 

Crypton requires specific cleaners for regular maintenance, as it can degrade quickly if cleaned improperly, so staff must be well-trained on the correct cleaner to use on this material. This textile can also be expensive and is not the most durable option. Due to this, Crypton is often used on the backs of chairs in low-abuse settings such as private practices and senior living centers.

Benefits

• Same range of color and pattern options as fabric

• Fluid-resistant backing is healthier than fabric options

• Good choice for chair backrests that receive less wear

Challenges

• Semipermeable

• Requires special cleaners and can degrade quickly if cleaned improperly

• Expensive

• Can hold odors

PVC-Free Vinyl

PVC-free vinyl is an impermeable and eco-friendly textile ideal for inpatient and acute care facilities. Because it’s PVC-free, this material emits no off-gas, making it a great choice where indoor air quality is a concern. In addition, this textile has a soft, comfortable feel. Unfortunately, the color palette is limited. Though relatively easy to clean, PVC-free vinyl is fragile and can degrade quickly and pucker if not maintained correctly.

Benefits

• Impermeable

• Emits no off-gas and is great for indoor air quality

• Soft, comfortable feel

Challenges

• Fragile and will degrade quickly if not properly cared for

• Can pucker

• Limited aesthetically—only solid colors are available

Vinyl

Like PVC-free vinyl, regular vinyl is commonly used in inpatient and acute care facilities, including typical hospital settings. Vinyl is also impermeable and Greenguard Certified for better indoor air quality, but this material is much more durable and easy to maintain. 

You should note that over-bleaching can lead to the breakdown of plasticizers (the additive used to make vinyl soft and pliable), and the stripping of plasticizers can lead to cracking and ripping that The Joint Commission will quickly write up as a violation. On the plus side, vinyl is available in a much wider range of colors and patterns than PVC-free vinyl. Bedbugs and bacteria contamination are less of a concern with this textile, though these may still thrive in the seams of the material.

Benefits

• Impermeable

• Greenguard Certified for better indoor air quality

• Many patterns and colors available

• Durable with good light resistance

• Easy to clean (though this varies depending on manufacturer)

Challenges

• Can degrade if over-bleached

• Seams can harbor bedbugs and bacteria

IC+

Ideal for emergency departments, IC+ is the top-of-the-line choice for high-traffic hospitals that require the very best in durability and cleanliness. Healthcentric is the only company that manufactures IC+. The treatment is applied via a spraying technique rather than sewn. As a result, IC+ has no seams for bacteria and bedbugs to thrive in, making it the best choice to prevent the spread of infection. 

This material is also 10 times stronger than vinyl, completely impermeable, does not degrade, and has a very high abuse rate, making it ideal for busy emergency rooms that see patients with a vast range of ailments. Not only will this material not rip or crack, but it’s also safe to clean even with harsh bleaches. 

IC+ is truly the best option available for healthcare facilities, but it is worth noting that color options are limited, and this material is not the most comfortable for patients due to its durable build.

Benefits

• 10 times stronger than vinyl

• Does not degrade

• Seamless design does not harbor bedbugs or bacteria

• Highest abuse rate

• Easy to clean

Challenges

• Not the most comfortable

• Very limited color palette

You use the chairs in your office every day, and they’re bound to get dirty even if you’re careful. To ensure your chairs look their best year after year, take these tips for the regular cleaning and maintenance of all upholstery types.

General Chair Care

Always test cleaning techniques on an inconspicuous spot first. Try the bottom of the chair, the back, or anywhere else that doesn’t show. Make sure you test an unseen spot before you try a new cleaning method on the whole chair. Even if you only use a mild soap, you never know how certain substances might react with your specific chair. Testing a hidden spot first will ensure you don’t damage an important part of the furniture.

Remove stains immediately. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Do yourself a favor and clean it up now.

Beware of breathing in harsh chemicals. If using a cleaning agent that has a strong scent or chemical smell, only clean in a well-ventilated area.

Always check your chair for a tag with cleaning instructions. Most office chairs have a tag under the seat that outlines care tips. Look there first before beginning any cleaning.

How to Clean Office Chairs

Fabric upholstery can usually be cleaned using water-based cleaning agents or water-free solvents. First, vacuum any crumbs that may be hiding in cracks and crevasses. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner handy, use a can of compressed air. Next, mix a few drops of mild soap in a bucket of water. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, wipe this on your test spot first. If it looks good, wipe down the entire chair, then use a second lint-free cloth to wipe it dry.

Genuine leather upholstery can be cleaned in 1 of 3 ways: store-bought leather cleaner, vinegar and linseed oil, or rubbing alcohol and water. For a more detailed description of how to clean and maintain a leather office chair, read our guide to cleaning and maintaining leather furniture here. 

Faux leather and vinyl are easier to care for than real leather. In many cases, you can clean faux leather and vinyl using water-based cleaners in the same manner as fabric upholstery, and many vinyl options can even be cleaned with bleach solutions. Double-check the tag on your chair for any special instructions to avoid damage. Read our guide to leather upholstery to learn more.

Mesh chairs should be vacuumed regularly, as crumbs tend to get caught in the little spaces. Any remaining dirt or stains can be removed using a damp cloth, but do not drag the cloth across the mesh, as this can cause the material to fray. Instead, dab any problem areas until clean.

Plastic chairs can be cleaned with soap and water, but avoid using bleach, which can damage the material. For stains, dampen a soft cloth with white distilled vinegar and wipe. Baking soda on a wet sponge can also create a mild abrasive that eats away stains without damaging your plastic.

Wood chairs need cleaning too! Regularly wipe down your wood chairs with a dry lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, choose a wood polish and apply it to the chair in small amounts using a cloth. Like with your upholstery, you’ll want to test your polish on an inconspicuous area before going over the entire piece of furniture.

Need new exam tables for your healthcare facility? From keeping patients and caregivers safe to meeting health codes and sticking to your budget, choosing the right tables for your hospital or private practice can be challenging. We’re breaking down the different types of exam tables along with their benefits so you can have a comprehensive look at what to expect before you start shopping.

Treatment Tables

Treatment tables are the simplest form of exam table, and they are commonly found in physical therapy facilities and other medical areas where similar treatments are performed. These tables are padded for comfort and upholstered in healthcare-grade vinyl for easy cleaning. Some have a shelf or storage drawers underneath the seated area, but treatment tables are generally quite simple and meant only to provide basic functions needed in an exam area.

Box Tables

Standard box tables are found in most exam rooms. These feature the same padded vinyl seats as treatment tables, but the backrest of the chair moves up and down either pneumatically or electrically so you can easily reposition the patient as needed. Box tables typically include a heavy-duty step to assist patients in getting onto the table, which is raised high off the ground so that the exam can take place. Storage is often included within this type of healthcare table so you can keep that hospital gowns and paper rolls nearby.

Tip: Choose a box table with dual access drawers when outfitting a small exam room. This ensures that healthcare providers can get to the contents of the drawers easily, no matter the location of the exam table.

ADA Exam Tables

If your facility sees many patients that might have trouble getting up into a box table (including the elderly and individuals with disabilities), then consider equipping your exam rooms with ADA exam tables. These tables have an electric lift that the patient can simply step or be placed onto that then rises and brings them up to the seat. Not only does this make doctor visits easier and safer for patients and caregivers, but it also provides a more dignified experience for the patient, ensuring they will always feel comfortable during their appointments.

Tip: If you’re considering adding ADA exam tables to your healthcare facility but are deterred by the high cost, know that tax credits are often available to lower the cost of ADA tables closer to that of the average box table.

Procedure Tables

Procedure tables are designed for use while medical professionals perform minor procedures. Most of these have an adjustable height feature and preset positions to make performing these procedures easier. Like treatment and box tables, they often include storage and are upholstered in easy-to-clean, antimicrobial vinyl.

Specialty Exam Tables

Specialty tables are used in specialty medical exam areas such as radiology or imaging rooms. Accessories and special features like stirrups and drop windows help healthcare providers provide the best care in these settings.

Mobile Exam Tables

Mobile exam tables are movable via integrated lockable casters. This feature allows caretakers and cleaning crews to easily move the tables to clean or rearrange the room as needed.  

Pediatric Exam Tables

If you work in a pediatric care facility, then these tables are just what you and your patients need. Pediatric tables are smaller than standard treatment tables, typically sized appropriately for children of various ages. Most importantly, they’re designed with fun art and bright colors that help make children feel more at ease when visiting the doctor—an experience that can be scary for young ones.

Exam Table Accessories

Most exam room tables are compatible with a multitude of accessories which you can usually order along with your table. These accessories include but are not limited to stirrups with or without warming capabilities, drainage trays, and movable armrests.