If you want to sit in a chair that will support your posture and keep your back healthy you need to know a few basic chair dimensions. Most pieces of furniture are designed to standardized measurements, and knowing the dimensions will make it easier for you to find seating that fits in your living room, dining room or office.
When choosing a chair for adults, ideally it will have an adjustable seat height and armrests, as well as a reclining function. This allows you to tailor your chair to fit your specific needs, and improves the ergonomic comfort.
Most people don’t realize it, but sitting for long periods of time in the same position can cause a build up of tension in the muscles and fascia. This can eventually break down good posture habits and lead to poor health, resulting in back pain or other physical problems. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to counteract this.
One way to relieve back pain is by using a lumbar support cushion, which supports the natural curve of the spine and promotes good posture. Another way to help prevent back pain is by making sure your chair has adequate seat depth. The seat depth is the distance between the front edge of the seat and the back edge. It should be large enough that your full fist will fit between the seat and the back of your chair.
Another important dimension of a chair is its backrest, which helps support your upper body and promotes proper spinal alignment while sitting. You can find a wide variety of chairs with varying styles of backrests, but the most comfortable are generally those that support your lumbar area.
You may also want to look for a chair with an adjustable armrest height, which can help you reach your keyboard and mouse without having to get up from your desk. Similarly, an adjustable headrest can help prevent neck strain by supporting the natural curve of your spine.
A sling chair, or folding lounge chair is a great option for smaller living rooms because it takes up minimal space while still providing plenty of seating. These chairs are made with a sturdy frame covered in soft fabric, and they fold up so you can tuck them away when not in use.
The smallest premium gaming chairs available are the Secretlab Titan and the AKRacing California, both of which are rated to fit a minimum height of 5’3″. All other small alternatives are rated to fit a maximum height of 5’8″, including the Herman Miller Aeron. This article was originally published on December 13, 2014 and has been updated.