Are wide office chairs more comfortable than standard chairs? If you’re considering upgrading your office seating, it’s important to understand office chair dimensions. In this post, we’ll examine the differences between wide office chairs and standard chairs, focusing on comfort, support, and the key factors to consider before making a purchase. Whether you work from home or in a traditional office, selecting the right chair is crucial for your comfort and productivity.
What are wide office chairs?
Wide office chairs are specially designed to provide extra space and support for individuals who require a larger seating area. These chairs are built to be more robust, offering a wider seat, stronger frames, and increased weight capacity compared to standard office chairs. Their designs help ensure you stay comfortable and productive throughout long workdays.
The seat dimensions of wide office chairs can range from 520 mm to 600 mm, offering significantly more space compared to the typical 470 mm seat width of a standard office chair. With a stronger frame, heavy-duty office chairs can support up to 200 kg, making them an excellent choice for larger individuals.
Key features of wide office chairs
- Wider seat and backrest: As the name suggests, they feature a wider seat and backrest to provide additional support for those who require more space for comfort.
- Increased weight capacity: Wide office chairs offer a higher weight capacity, supporting up to 200 kg, making heavy-duty chairs ideal for heavier individuals.
- Reinforced frames: As with all chairs, they must last. Wide office chairs have reinforced frames to ensure that they stand the test of time.
- Customisable ergonomic adjustments: Most wide office chairs feature adjustable arms, headrests, and other ergonomic elements, allowing you to tailor the chair to your specific comfort and support needs.
What are standard office chairs?
Standard office chairs are designed for general use at a desk and are found in most workplace environments. They are quite comfortable, adjustable and have headrests and armrests. They are typically lightweight, mobile (with wheels), and suitable for short periods of sitting.
Standard seat dimensions are typically 470 mm to 520 mm wide, which comfortably accommodates the average body type for short-term use, such as meetings or desk work for a few hours. They are built with a moderate weight capacity, often supporting up to 110 kg.
While these chairs are practical for many office environments, they are not designed for extended periods of sitting. They can provide basic comfort, but without additional features that address posture or body strain during prolonged use, users may experience discomfort, leading to fatigue or even ergonomic injuries over time.
Ideal users of wide office chairs
Taller people
With longer backrests and deeper seat bases to accommodate longer legs, wide office chairs for tall people are ideal. These chairs provide enhanced support for the back, legs, arms, and knees, helping to maintain proper posture throughout the day. A better sitting position helps to reduce discomfort and strain, making it ideal for taller people who spend long hours at their desks.
Larger people
Wide executive chairs are designed to provide additional support for individuals who require more space to sit comfortably. With a larger sitting area and stronger reinforced frames, wide office chairs are designed for people who are larger to support them for long hours of sitting in a working environment. They offer numerous features to help larger individuals feel more comfortable at work, allowing them to focus on productivity.
People with medical conditions
Wide office chairs are an excellent choice for individuals with medical conditions such as joint or lower back pain, or other musculoskeletal disorders. They help manage discomfort and provide increased support for the neck, elbows, and back, helping to maintain a good level of posture throughout the day.
Ideal users of the standard office chair
Conference rooms
Standard chairs are very practical for environments where individuals won’t be sitting for long periods. While they often feature basic ergonomic support, such as adjustable recline, armrests, and backrest support, they are not designed for extended sitting. These chairs are ideal for meeting and conference rooms where people typically sit for shorter durations. For high-end conference rooms, individuals also opt for executive office chairs.
Training and learning environments
In training rooms and classrooms, where students sit for only a short time, standard chairs are an effective solution. They are budget-friendly and comfortable to sit on for short periods. We also offer a range of stackable school and education chairs for primary schools, high schools and universities.
Guest seating
For guests, visitors or reception areas, standard office chairs will generally suffice. They are budget-friendly and offer decent comfort for short-term seating.
Benefits of wide office chairs over standard chairs
- Increased comfort: One significant advantage is that wide office chairs offer more spacious seating, provide greater cushioning, and feature ergonomic attachments, making them more comfortable for extended periods of sitting.
- Improved blood circulation: A wider seat can put less pressure on the thighs and hips, helping to promote better circulation during long hours of sitting and reducing the risk of numbness and tingling.
- Reduced fatigue and pain: Thanks to their ergonomic features, wide office chairs can help reduce strain on the back, shoulders, and hips, leading to less discomfort and pain.
- Longer lasting: As these chairs have stronger, reinforced frames, they typically last longer than standard office chairs. Although they may be more expensive, in the long run, they are more cost-effective.
- Better posture: Headrest and lumbar support help protect your shoulders and back, allowing you to maintain better posture for longer periods.
When half of your day is spent in a chair, it is crucial to maintain proper posture to avoid strain on your spine and muscles, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Side-by-side comparison table
| Feature | Wide Office Chairs | Standard Chairs |
| Seat width | 520 mm to 600 mm | 470 mm to 520 mm |
| Max weight capacity | 110 to 200 kg | Up to 110 kg |
| Ergonomic adjustments | 3-lever ergonomic mechanisms (seat height, backrest angle, and seat tilt) | Standard. Height and recline, optional arms |
| Best for | Workers above 120 kg body weight, over 8 hours work use | General use, average person’s height and stature |
| Price range | Mid to high | Entry to mid |
Dimensions vary based on the chair. For more information, please contact our team.
Choosing the right chair for you
When choosing the right chair for you, you should consider the features that are important to you, your body type, how they will be used and the size of your workspace. Preferably, try the chair before you buy if possible, but when it’s not, make sure to check out reviews or ask advice from a professional.
Whether it is for your home or office, purchasing the right chair is essential to staying comfortable and boosting productivity. As West Australia’s largest manufacturer of ergonomic office chairs and executive chairs, the team at Arteil is here to help! To find the perfect chair for you, contact our team today!