Buying Office Furniture

Modern workspace with sleek wooden desk, ergonomic chair, laptop, notepad, and decorative items by a window.
Modern home office setup with ergonomic chair, wooden desk, laptop, notepad, and desk lamp.
Buying guides

What type of chair do I need?

From simple chairs for web surfing, to complex ergonomic seats for long hours at your desk, a good work chair should be:

  • The right fit, enabling you to move freely and carry out tasks comfortably

  • Able to accommodate everyone who intends to use it, regardless of size or shape

  • Supportive of your body in a number of comfortable postures

  • Suited to your workstation, especially the height of the desk and the layout of the equipment on it

Fixed chairs
Brown leather chair with a steel cantilever frame and armrests, featuring a tufted seat and backrest.

Perfect if you...

  • Will use the chair occasionally - for less than 2 hours daily

  • Want a chair that could also be used as a dining chair

  • Need it fully assembled

TIP

 If you’re using your chair for long periods, or if you’re sharing a chair, you’ll need more adjustable features. All the adjustments should be within easy reach and you should be able to operate them, while seated, with minimal effort.

Shop fixed chairs

Standard swivel chairs
Ergonomic black office chair with mesh backrest and adjustable armrests on a five-wheel base.

Perfect if you...

  • Will only use the chair for 2-4 hours a day

  • Suffer from back pain

  • Want a simple design

Ergonomic chairs
Modern office chair with grey mesh backrest, cushioned seat, and adjustable armrests on a wheeled base.

Perfect if you...

  • Work from home and sit for more than 4 hours a day

  • Have a fixed height desk

  • Will share the chair with someone of a different build

TIP

If you’re buying a chair that you will use everyday, try sitting on different styles for an extended period, so you can find one that fits you.

Shop ergonomic chairs

Features to look out for

Seat height
Outline of an office chair showing adjustable height feature with directional arrows.

  • The most important feature

  • Your feet should rest flat on the floor

  • The back of your thighs should not feel compressed

  • If you can’t adjust your desk height, adjust your chair 

  • Lower your chair until your elbows are just above the table top

  • If your feet still don’t rest flat on the floor, get a footrest

Seat depth
Diagram of an office chair showing adjustable backrest movement, indicated by a double-headed arrow.

  • You should be able to sit right at the back of the chair without pressing the backs of your knees

  • Sit at the back of the chair to use the backrest correctly and support your lumbar

  • If you suffer from lower back pain, look for seats with adjustable depth

Backrest / lumbar support
Diagram illustrating an adjustable chair armrest with an arrow indicating upward and downward movement.

  • Find a chair that has a backrest with the appropriate size and shape

  • It should support your lower and middle back properly 

  • And help you to maintain the natural S-shape of your spine

  • Your arm and shoulders should move freely

Backrest tilt
Diagram of an office chair showing adjustable backrest tilt mechanism with directional arrow.

  • Allows you to adopt different postures, e.g. upright, or semi-reclined

  • The angle between your thighs and back should be around 95 to 105 degrees

  • Your abdomen and chest should be open and not compressed

  • This posture lets you breathe better, sending more oxygen to your muscles

Dynamic sitting
Illustration of a chair mechanism showing adjustable backrest tilt function with directional arrows.

  • The longer you work, the more important the chair movement becomes, such as the ability to recline

  • Chair movements depend on your weight, so opt for auto weight adjustment

  • You should be able to maintain good posture without having to exert excessive force

  • If your chair doesn’t feature auto weight, adjust the tension of the backrest

  • You should be in total balance whether you’re upright or leaning back

Armrests
Illustration of an adjustable chair armrest with an up-and-down arrow indicating height adjustment.

  • You need to support the weight of your arms

  • Fixed height armrests are fine for occasional use

  • For extended use, they should adjust, at least in height

  • Height adjustable arms can be lowered to go neatly under the desk

  • Ergonomic chairs allow you to change the width between armrests to suit your body width

  • Armrests shouldn’t prevent you from getting close to your desk - if you end up sitting at the front edge of seat you won’t be able to use the backrest correctly, losing lumbar support

Swivel

  • An important feature if you need to reach other parts of your table or desk

  • If the chair doesn’t swivel, you may have to frequently twist your back to reach, which isn’t good for your back health

Seat surface

  • An important feature if you need to reach other parts of your table or desk

  • If the chair doesn’t swivel, you may have to frequently twist your back to reach, which isn’t good for your back health

Tip

Even on an ergonomically correct chair, don’t sit for a long time without a break! Short but frequent breaks are much better for you (both physically and mentally) than one long break after a very long time.

Modern living space with a wooden table, yellow chairs, and a bench with colourful cushions.

John Lewis Home Insurance

Flex our Bronze, Silver and Gold Buildings and Contents Cover and adapt our optional add-ons to suit you

Choosing your desk

A dedicated office desk makes working, studying or just taking care of paperwork a little easier - or use your laptop in comfort with a space-saving computer desk.

 

Bureau, writing desk or workstation
Stylish wooden cabinet with open doors, featuring multiple shelves and compartments for versatile storage.

  • Comes with built-in storage

  • Perfect for your living room or a shared area

  • Great for paperwork rather than computing

    Shop desks

Small desk or laptop side table
Compact wooden desk with a minimalist design, featuring a smooth surface and sturdy vertical sides. Ideal for small spaces.

  • Ideal if you have limited space

  • Great for using your laptop

  • Clean, simple designs

    Shop desks

Wall, ladder or corner desk
Modern glass corner desk with sleek metal legs, featuring a transparent design ideal for small spaces.

  • Great if you have limited or unusual space available

  • Perfect for clever storage

  • Best for use with a laptop

    Shop desks

Height adjustable or extendable desk
Sleek white rectangular office desk with minimalist metal legs, ideal for modern workspace setups.

  • Can be shared by people of different heights

  • Fits your laptop or computer station

  • Suitable for a home office

    Shop desks

Filing desk
Wooden desk with three drawers on the right side. The minimalist design has a natural wood finish.

  • Ideal if you have a reasonable amount of space

  • Great for using your laptop or for doing paperwork

  • Usually comes with in-built storage

    Shop desks

Ordering

Fitted office services

Did you know we can help you plan and install a home office?

All our fitted furniture comes with a 10-year guarantee.

Delivery

Standard delivery for smaller items is free when you spend over £50, otherwise it's £4.50. Delivery of larger items is £19.95. You'll see the delivery options available to you at checkout.

Interest Free Credit

Spend over £200 on Home, Garden, Furniture & Lighting and spread the cost. 0% APR Representative. Terms and conditions apply.

Office furniture guarantee

Check individual product pages or our guarantee page for details.