Many organisations don't need as much floor space or as many desks, given that many staff now do a mix of hybrid work from home and the office. But on days when more staff are required to be in, office spaces can feel noticeably busier and noisier. Despite so much focus on getting workers back into offices, there has been far less focus on the impacts of returning to open-plan workspaces.
Home office setups vary widely. Some people work from a laptop in bed, on the sofa, or at the kitchen table, while others prefer a traditional desk-based arrangement. For those in the latter category, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the vast number of ergonomic desk chair options, which vary massively in price. The Herman Miller Aeron, for example, is often brought up in discussions surrounding the world's best task chair, retails for nearly $2,000.
We've been rigorously testing work-from-home gear for years-even prior to the Covid-19 remote work boom-and that includes dozens of office chairs and desks. Branch furniture has made standouts that are highlighted in our guides over and over again. Its Presidents' Day deals have been extended, bringing some of the better discounts we've seen on essentials we've tested like chairs and desks.
Originally conceived by designer Niels Diffrient over twenty years ago, the Diffrient Lounge is not just for relaxation, it also happens to be a great spot to work in. Ok, so you might not think of a lounge chair as something you would use in your work from home setup, but with its integrated work surface and ergonomic design, you won't want to work anywhere else.
The seating style has become a fundamental of casual dine-in kitchens, but deciding between a high-back style versus a neatly tucked away backless one is just the beginning of your sourcing considerations. Lumbar support for those of us with a weak core can certainly dial up the comfort level, while footrests and contoured or cushioned seats are other nice-to-haves as well.
My 1930s home doesn't let you forget its age - especially upstairs, where every room comes with at least one layout quirk. The third floor is essentially a one-room attic with a pointed, sloped ceiling, and I recently turned it into my cozy home office. When I started desk shopping, I wasn't convinced I'd find something that felt both beautiful and practical:
My favorite chair, however, is West Elm's Cozy swivel chair. Not only is it 100% true to its name in terms of the coziness factor, but it's also a highly versatile seat you can use in almost any room, regardless of your lifestyle or interior decor aesthetic. And, depending on the upholstery fabric you choose, you can get it for as low as $699, which is a steal for West Elm! Without further ado, let's get into what makes the chair such a must-have.
Thuma's Classic Lounge Chair is a smart pick for anyone who wants a comfortable reading spot that looks clean, intentional, and not overstuffed. It pairs a solid wood frame and softly rounded edges with ergonomic angles and a resilient multi-density foam seat cushion, so it feels supportive for longer periods of time, but may not be plush enough for those who want a true "sink-in" feel.