Best Office Chairs for Small Spaces

The short answer

• Working at home most days: a compact ergonomic chair with adjustable lumbar support.
• Desk in a tight corner, shorter sessions: an armless task chair that slides fully under the desk.
• No room for an office chair at all: a lumbar support cushion on a firm dining chair.

What a chair needs, according to OSHA

OSHA's computer workstation guidance sets out what makes a chair work for your body:

• Seat height that lets your whole foot rest on the floor, with the back of the knee slightly above the seat. If it cannot go low enough, use a footrest.
• Seat depth that supports your thighs without the front edge pressing behind your knees.
• Lumbar support that adjusts in height to fit your lower back.
• A backrest that reclines and holds its position.
• Armrests only if they adjust properly; otherwise remove them.
• A strong five-leg base with castors that suit your floor.

Side by side

Where they differ

Size and fit

Armless chairs take the least space because they slide right under the desk when you finish. Ergonomic chairs are bulkier, with taller backs and wider bases. A cushion takes no space at all.

Support

The compact ergonomic chair is the only one that meets all of OSHA's points. A good armless task chair covers height and usually seat depth. A cushion adds lumbar support but cannot change height or depth.

Value

If you work at home every day, the chair is where to spend. If you work at home once a week, a cushion on a dining chair may be all you need.

The picks in detail

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying on looks. A chair that cannot adjust in height or depth will not fit you, however good it looks.
• Fixed armrests that hit the desk. If they stop you pulling close, remove them or choose a chair without.
• Wrong castors for the floor. Hard castors on wood can mark it; soft castors suit hard floors, and a mat protects carpet.
• Sitting still for hours. No chair fixes that. Stand up and move every half hour or so.

Fitting a chair into a small room

Measure from the desk edge to whatever is behind you. You need enough space to pull the chair out and stand up; about 30 inches (75 cm) is a comfortable working guide. Armless and mid-back chairs tuck away best. If the chair lives in a bedroom, choose a fabric and colour you will not mind seeing every evening.

Setting up the chair

Adjust height so your feet are flat and knees roughly level with hips. Set the seat depth so you can fit two or three fingers between the seat edge and the back of your knees. Move the lumbar support to the curve of your lower back. Lower armrests so your shoulders stay relaxed while typing. Then sit back; a good chair works only if you use the backrest.

Storing it

A chair with a low back slides under the desk. Remove or lower the armrests if they stop it tucking in.

Which should you choose?

Set up the desk and screen first, then choose the chair that lets your feet rest flat with the screen at eye level. Our ergonomic desk setup guide walks through every height, and how to build a home office in a small bedroom covers where the desk should go.

How we chose

These are research-based recommendations: we compared published specifications, maker documentation and the features that matter in a small home. We have not tested them hands-on. Most picks are types of product rather than single models, so the buttons open the retailer's results; compare a few listings before you buy, in your own country's store.