Common Problems With Home Office Chairs

By
Cath McIntyre
Cath McIntyre
Cath McIntyre is a home office expert and writer with over two decades of experience offering remote workers design and technology solutions. She has designed a variety of home offices through her consulting business. Cath has also provided consulting services to businesses considering flexible work options.
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Updated on 06/25/19
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For people who have problems with their home office chairs, many times these issues can be corrected. The first step is determining that you've selected the correct chair style and are following any advisory information provided by the manufacturer regarding usage and weight ratings. The next step is to ensure that proper castors for the flooring are in place.

The following three items are the most common issues with home office chairs, and all can be remedied by knowing how to select the best chair for you.

  • 01 of 03

    Seat Cushion

    An office chair near a computer desk.

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    If you find that your seat cushion isn’t as comfortable as it once was, perhaps you need to consider a different style of chair. There are many chairs that are designed to look good and are comfortable to sit in for short periods of time, but they're not meant for long periods of sitting. Check the box or ask the salesperson what the rating is for the seating time. Many boxes now state that they have been rated for a specific maximum weight based on usage for eight hours.

    The chair's material is also an important factor that can make a difference. While cutting open the chair certainly isn’t an option; you can usually tell the better quality seats from the way the cushion feels when you are sitting on it and get up again. If the cushioning stays compressed when you stand, it is likely to break down faster and will not be comfortable for long.

    Higher-end chairs such as the Tempur-Pedic® and Serta chairs have the company's unique brands of foam inside the seats. These are more durable and will remain comfortable for a longer period. An interesting way to test the comfort of a chair seat is by kneeling on it. When you can feel the support underneath the seat cushion, you know that particular chair cushion won’t be very comfortable for any length of time. The cushion is one element of a chair where you truly get what you pay for.

  • 02 of 03

    Castors

    A set of office chairs with castors.

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    Many people don’t realize that the standard castors your chair came with are intended for use on low-pile carpet. Most chair manufacturers recommend that you use a chair mat, even with the carpet castors, as it enables you to move more smoothly and prevents damage to the carpet. Without a chair mat, you'll create wear spots in your carpet over time.

    If you have a hard floor such as tile, laminate, or hardwood floors, you will end up carving grooves and pushing particles of dirt into your floor. Use a chair mat specifically for hard floor surfaces. You can even purchase castors explicitly created for use on hard floors; they have a less rigid and more rubberized surface which won’t cut into the floor.

  • 03 of 03

    Gas Cylinder

    Mature businessman leaning back in an office chair

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    The gas cylinder also referred to as the gas lift or pneumatic cylinder causes some of the most common chair problems. If you have a gas cylinder that ceases to work correctly, you'll find that you are slowly sinking while sitting in your home office chair. Some of the most common reasons for this happening include:

    • Defective gas cylinder. The only option is to order a replacement. Most manufacturers have warranties on this part, and you can contact the manufacturer directly.
    • Weight recommendation for the chair has been exceeded. Many chairs have been rated for a maximum of 225 pounds. If you weigh more than that, ask about chairs with higher ratings; you may have to consider special ordering a chair.
    • Age of the gas cylinder. Some gas cylinders naturally stop working correctly over time. You may have a chair for more than 10 years, and suddenly the gas cylinder begins sinking. At that point, the gas cylinders have reached the end of their life, and if you love your chair, inquire about ordering a replacement gas cylinder and installing the new one.