How Long Does Office Chair Last? Depends On These 5 Factors…

How long does an office chair last? Generally speaking, a good quality office chair should last for several years.

However, if it is not properly cared for, it may only last for a year or two.

How Long Does Office Chair Last ? Consider These 5 Things

The life span of an office chair depends on many factors. Let’s discuss the main contributing factors:

1. The Quality of the Chair 

This is probably the most important factor in determining how long an office chair will last. A cheaply made chair from a discount store will not have a good lifespan.

A well-reputed brand that produces quality office chairs will have a longer lifespan.

For instance, Steelcase chairs are known for their high quality. This is because they use good materials and construction methods.

This results in a chair that can last for many years, even with heavy use.

But thrift store chairs aren’t built to last, no matter how comfortable they may be.

2. How Often You Use It:

If you are only sitting in your chair for a couple of hours a day, it will last much longer.

The more wear and tear put on the chair, the sooner it will start showing them.

Do you tend to sit in the same spot or move around a lot? The former will cause your chair to develop permanent indentations over time.

Or, if you are constantly getting up and down, the mechanism that controls the height adjustment may start to loosen and eventually fail.

So your chair may not last as long if you use it 8 hours a day, five days a week.

3. Usage Of Chair:

How you use your chair also affects how long it will last. For example, if you are sitting in a chair not meant for office use, it will not last as long.

An ergonomic office chair is designed for 8 hours of use per day. And thus, it will usually last longer than a regular chair.

Conversely, if you are using an office chair for gaming or other purposes, it will not last as long.

This is because repetitive use will cause wear and tear on the chair much faster than if you used it for office work.

4. Maintenance Of Chair:

Another factor that affects how long your chair will last is how well you take care of it.

Just like with any other furniture, it will last longer if you take good care of your chair.

Do you clean your office chair regularly? Do you wipe up spills immediately?

And do you keep the chair clean and free of debris?

Avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight will also help prolong your chair’s life.

So, if you want your office chair to last long, take good care of it.

5. Office Environment:

The environment in which you use your chair can also affect its lifespan.

If you work in a dusty or dirty environment, your chair will likely need to be cleaned more often.

And if you work in a high–traffic area, your chair may experience more wear and tear.

The area you work in will also affect how long your chair lasts. Does it have any trip hazards?

Are there any areas where the chair might get damaged easily?

Consider these factors when deciding how often to replace your chair.

Proper Care and Maintenance Of Chair

No matter how well-made your chair is, it won’t last forever. But you can prolong its life with proper care and maintenance.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper care. In general, you should:

1. Tighten Any Loose :

With any piece of furniture, your chair may start to loosen up over time. Be sure to check all the screws periodically and tighten them as needed.

You can refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to do this. The gas lift or mechanism that controls the height adjustment may loosen and eventually fail.

So your chair may not last as long if you use it 8 hours a day, five days a week.

2. Wipe-Up Spills Immediately:

If you spill anything on your chair, it’s important to clean it up right away. Otherwise, the spill could potentially damage the fabric or leather.

Many office chairs are of materials resistant to staining. But it’s still best to clean up any messes as soon as possible.

Also, if you have a leather chair, use a leather cleaner and conditioner. It can keep the leather from drying out and cracking.

3. Keep The Chair Clean:

In general, it’s a good idea to vacuum or dust your office chair every week. This will help remove any dirt or debris accumulated on the chair.

If your chair has removable cushions, be sure to clean them regularly as well. You can usually spot-clean them with a mild detergent.

Also, be sure to clean the base of your chair regularly. This is important because it can help to prevent the build-up of dirt and dust.

4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures:

Avoid exposing your office chair to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. These can damage the materials of the chair over time. When not in use, store your chair in a cool, dry place.

And when using your chair, keep it away from heat sources such as radiators or fireplaces.

They may not seem like it, but office chairs are quite fragile.

5. Don’t Stand On Your Chair:

Another important tip is to avoid standing on your office chair. This can damage the chair and may cause it to break.

If you need to reach something high, use a stool or step ladder instead.

When sitting in your chair, be sure to use all four legs of the chair equally. Avoid rocking back and forth or leaning to one side, as this can damage the chair.

6. Don’t Lean Back Too Far:

You should also be careful not to lean back too far in your chair. Doing this can cause the chair to tip over and may injure you.

If you need to lean back, use a chair with a backrest or put your feet on a stool.

Also, adjust your chair to be at the proper height. And when you get up from your chair, push it in so that someone else doesn’t trip over it.

7. Use Caution When Moving the Chair:

When moving your chair around, lift it from the seat, not the backrest.

Also, be cautious when rolling the chair on the carpet, as this can damage the wheels.

When you are finished using the chair, put it back in its proper place to avoid accidentally damaging it.

Also, keep the area around your chair free of obstacles. This way, you won’t accidentally trip or fall.

How To Make Office Cozy With Furniture

Apart from chairs, furniture is another important factor in making your office comfortable.

1. Your Desk:

Your desk is where you will be spending most of your time. So it is important to ensure it is the right size and height for you.

The standard office desk is 30 inches deep and 60 inches wide. But you may want a deeper desk if you are taller than average.

Also, make sure the desk is at the right height for you. The standard height is 28-30 inches. But if you are taller or shorter than average, you may want a different height.

2. Your Chair:

Your chair is another important piece of furniture in your office. It should be comfortable, the right height for you, and support your back.

It can have extra features like armrests and a headrest. Many chairs have adjustable height and width. You can also get chairs that recline or have wheels.

Also, make sure your chair is the right height for your desk. The standard height for a chair is 16-20 inches.

3. Your Screen:

Any screen you use in your office should be at the right height and angle for you. The top of the screen should be at or below eye level.

You can adjust the height of your screen by raising or lowering your chair. You can also get a stand to hold your screen at the right height.

You can also adjust the angle of your screen. The best way to do this is to get a stand that holds your screen at the right angle.

4. The Ambience:

Lighting, noise, and temperature are all important factors in how comfortable you are at work.

You should have enough light to see your screen and work comfortably. You should also have a comfortable temperature.

If the noise level is too high, you can use headphones or earplugs to block it.

Final Word:

How long does an office chair last? An office chair should last you for at least a few years if you take care of it.

You can also buy a new office chair if you want to change the look of your office. Or if your old chair is starting to show wear and tear.

When buying a new office chair, try it out in the store first. And buy a chair that has a warranty.

Last Updated on 6 months by Shahzaib Arshad