Office Chair Versus Reclining Armchair, for Home Office

Russ on 21/10/2022 - 01:56
Last edited 21/10/2022 - 01:57

I'm looking to get a new chair for my home office, and I wondered if a conventional office chair is the best choice.

Good office chairs seem quite expensive, and my physio tells me I have back problems due to sitting too much with my legs at 90 degrees to my torso. Apparently it causes shortening of the muscle that I use to bring my knees up to my chest, so when I want to straighten out (e.g. walking and sleeping), my pelvis is held at the wrong angle, causing back pain.

So I've been wondering, perhaps a reclining armchair is a better choice for my work-at-home chair. When reclined, my body will be closer to being straight, my spine will be well supported, there's no chance of me "slumping" into an unhealthy position. So an armchair sounds better than an office chair.

There are a few negatives that I can see:

  • no desk surface in front of me, so nowhere to put books and paperwork. Not really a problem for me, all my "paperwork" is PDF files on the computer screen.
  • the computer keyboard can sit on my lap, but where will the mouse go? Perhaps use a lap table for both?
  • for the computer monitor, I already use a 40-inch TV as my monitor as I have trifocal glasses, and I sit far enough from the monitor that I can use the "far" section of my glasses (which is far larger than the thin "middle range" section of the trifocals). As I will be reclining, I think I'll have to mount the TV/monitor on a wall bracket, near the ceiling.
  • I'll have a side table for all those other things a desk is used for, like a horizontal place for my coffee mug.

The only other problem I can see is that I'll be so comfortable that I'm more likely to fall asleep!

And just to be clear, when I say "reclining armchair", I mean something like this: https://www.mattblatt.com.au/mb/buy/shangri-la-seattle-swive…

Has anyone tried using a reclining armchair as a work chair, and how did you find the experience? Were there any negatives not listed above?

Computing Chair Office Chair

Comments

  • jv on 21/10/2022 - 02:48
    -2

    and I wondered if a conventional office chair is the best choice.

    I prefer the non-conventional chairs.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2022 - 02:53
    +2

    i have been using a recliner instead of an office chair + desk for the last 9 + years

    no desk surface in front of me, so nowhere to put books and paperwork. Not really a problem for me, all my "paperwork" is PDF files on the computer screen.

    that is a problem, but if you get a small table and put it next to the recliner, it's not so bad.

    the computer keyboard can sit on my lap, but where will the mouse go? Perhaps use a lap table for both?

    get a recliner with arms wide enough to use a mouse on, that is what I do. you might have to raise the DPI of your mouse if you are used to dragging it across the desk.

    for the computer monitor, I already use a 40-inch TV as my monitor as I have trifocal glasses, and I sit far enough from the monitor that I can use the "far" section of my glasses (which is far larger than the thin "middle range" section of the trifocals). As I will be reclining, I think I'll have to mount the TV/monitor on a wall bracket, near the ceiling.

    i just mount it on a table to the side

    there is one negative you haven't though of: cords. they do not last long when used on a recliner, as they are moved around a lot more than they would be on a desk, and the weak points (where the cord attaches to the keyboard or mouse) tend to give out after a while. i recommend wireless gear, wireless headphones too, unless you are using speakers.

    logitech g613 works wonders and the batteries (normal AAs) last for over a year on a single charge, with daily use.

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 11:44
      +1

      Thanks for the detailed reply!

      there is one negative you haven't though of: cords

      Indeed I hadn't thought of that. My mouse is cordless, but not my keyboard. I occasionally do secure work (I'm a contractor to many companies), so a cordless keyboard is not permissible, as the "encryption" done by wireless keyboards is almost certainly weak encryption. So it looks like I'll have to replace my keyboard every year or so, or upgrade to one with a replaceable cord.

      • McOzbargainer on 15/11/2022 - 23:03

        Why would you have to replace a wired keyboard/the cable?

        • Russ on 16/11/2022 - 17:41

          Cables wear out and become unreliable when they get flexed all the time. As I would be moving the keyboard frequently from my lap to wherever the keyboard gets stores when I'm not sitting in the chair, maybe it'll last a year. In general, the more often a cable moves, the faster it wears out.

  • Ryanek on 21/10/2022 - 06:48
    +4

    Is a standing desk an option? Sounds like you could benefit from being in a standing position?

    That recliner is going to suck in summer.

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 12:12
      +1

      Is a standing desk an option?

      Sadly no. That will just make life painful.

      A standing desk would help with restoring the correct length to my leg muscles, but bones also adjust to suit your average posture. Your bones are continuously being "eaten away" by your body, and re-deposited wherever there is stress in your skeleton. This is why broken bones heal, you lightly stress the break during the healing process, and more bone deposits at the break.

      What this means is that the bones in my lumbar spine have gradually changed shape, over many years, to suit the incorrect forward tilt of my pelvis. This has taken place over 50+ years, so it can't be corrected within the decades of life I have left, unless surgical options are considered.

      By sitting at a less-than-90-degrees angle, I should be able to stop the problem becoming worse. This suits the curve of my lower spine and pelvis, so I will be comfortable in the chair, and my average posture will be straighter, so maybe I'll see a little reversal of the incorrect bone shape.

      That recliner is going to suck in summer.

      It's not too bad, but I live in hot, humid Brisbane, and I've also lived in central Australia. I'm acclimatized to the heat.

      I will be draping cotton towels over the recliner, so I can wash them regularly. It's a lot easier than cleaning a cloth seat! And will feel cooler in summer.

  • TightLikeThisx on 21/10/2022 - 07:33
    +2

    As someone who has suffered back issues both physically and financially I would go with the office chair.

    In fact I would go with an expensive ergonomic office chair. The recliner like you showed doesn't really support your lower back. You can find products or cushions to do this but its still not adjustable to your individual body. Cheap furniture like the one you linked to has a tendency to loose its support over time like cheap mattresses.

    The proper way to sit in an ergonomic chair is to slightly slouch and have the chair support your spine.

    I used to buy the premium ergonomic office chairs that officeworks sold but recently upgraded to a Steelcase Gesture chair and it's a world of difference. The price was insane but the warranty lasts forever and the company is established. Also I was about to start seeing a physio due to issues the previous chair gave me. I have seen this office chair sell for $350 used so the second hand market is an option. Just try out a bunch of chairs to be sure the one you are getting is right for you.

    When it comes to health related things like this pricing can be counter intuitive. What you save in the price of the chair you can pay back double in physio or doctors bills.

    You can still use a TV as a monitor with an office chair. You just need to get a keyboard arm that attaches to the chair:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=S…

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 12:17

      The recliner like you showed doesn't really support your lower back.

      That's only an example, I haven't gone shopping for recliners yet. I need a tall one to support my head as well, and I'm quite tall, so it may be difficult to find one tall enough.

      You just need to get a keyboard arm that attaches to the chair

      I didn't know those existed! Thanks!

      • TightLikeThisx on 21/10/2022 - 18:15
        +1

        I almost 2m tall myself. If you decide to go with the recliner just make sure you get an adjustable lower lumbar support.

        With your hips you really want them to be open when sitting like 90 degrees on an office chair. If you sink into the recliner it puts you into a slight squatting position which leads to anterior pelvic tilt issues.

        I have a full sit stand desk but if I had to downsize I would probably ditch my entertainment unit. Throw my TV onto a trolley and get one of those arms for my desk chair. I would roll the trolley around my place to use different postures. One static posture is not ideal for anyones body. It’s like a caste in that sense.

        With a trolley you can roll the TV right up to your couch/bed for the big screen experience too.

        • Russ on 22/10/2022 - 02:16

          I almost 2m tall myself.

          Likewise.

          make sure you get an adjustable lower lumbar support.

          I didn't know that feature was available in recliners, now that I know, I'll look for it!

          If you sink into the recliner it puts you into a slight squatting position which leads to anterior pelvic tilt issues.

          I assume you mean when the recliner is in the "upright" position. I'm planning to have mine on permanent recline, although that may make getting in and out difficult. I've had to repair a few recliners for relatives, it seems the recline mechanism shouldn't be over-used if long life is desired (they always contain plastic parts that go brittle with age).

          I would roll the trolley around my place to use different postures.

          I like the idea, but given the size and weight of my 40-inch "monitor" and how high it has to be mounted, I think moving the chair around will be easier, and have a lower risk of damage.

          • TightLikeThisx on 22/10/2022 - 12:17
            +1

            @Russ: The lumbar support isn’t build in. I was referring to add on devices that can be used.

            In regards to the trolley I was referring to the ones used in offices. They come up regularly on Gumtree/FB marketplace for cheap during office clear outs. They are very sturdy unlike a lot of the ones sold for typical domestic use. With this you can just roll it around to say the kitchen bench to break up the long sitting sessions. I understand though if you share your house with others this might not be ideal due to it being a trip hazard with all the cables and whatnot.

            Another option might be getting a dresser and putting it on castors as well that way you could mix up it with the recliner for a combination of sitting and standing.

            Regardless of how ergonomic your recliner is staying in the same position for long extended periods of time is going to take a toll on your body. I guess if you break up these sessions with body weight exercises this can be mitigated though.

            If I was you I would check out the r/battlestations on Reddit. Heaps of inspiration for a recliner setup. Personally I am not into such a setup due to the weird angle the arms are in during typing. You can tilt the keyboard up but this is fatiguing during long typing sessions having the hands above the elbow altitude wise. I don’t mind surpine position though it’s only really suitable when using Linux with a tiled window manager and a split keyboard and little to no mouse usage. Surpine isn’t the best for focus too close to bedtime but if it’s under a table like mine it can be a stealthily little setup to break up all the sitting/standing especially after a coffee break.

  • Stopback on 21/10/2022 - 08:18

    Is your back pain weight related and lack of exercise related

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 12:20

      Neither. The physio tells me I have "hyperflexible" joints, which apparently makes me susceptible to such problems. Also see my answer to Ryanek above.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2022 - 19:14

        ehlers-danlos syndrome?

        • Russ on 22/10/2022 - 01:49

          ehlers-danlos syndrome?

          I haven't had that name mentioned to me, so I had to look it up, and it's not what I have. I'm not nearly as flexible as the pictures shown on the wikipedia page, and I don't have stretchy skin. I do have "hitchhiker's thumb", which is how my physio made the initial diagnosis.

          What I have appears to be caused by stretchy ligaments. If I spend fifteen minutes on my side, leaning on one elbow, my collarbone will partially separate from the top of the sternum, and my shoulder will start to ache. Even slumping in a chair while my arms are on the armrests will start to cause me discomfort within a couple of minutes. My physio says this is because the shoulder joint isn't a ball-and-socket joint like the hip is, it's more like a ball held against a flat surface by ligaments. This problem apparently also extends to the ligaments that hold my spine bones together, a previous physio told me to "stop hanging on your ligaments", and showed me how to correct my standing posture so my core muscles were engaged. Looking through the back conditions in Wikipedia, it appears I have a degree of Lumbar Hyperlordosis, caused by tight hip flexors.

  • Banj0 on 21/10/2022 - 09:22
    +3

    I hope your physio recommended regular breaks and certain stretches/exercises for you. Doing this through the day might be a better option than any chair choice.

    I really don't think a lounge chair is the best option here, but I guess different strokes for different folks. I'd be thinking that, even if it helps the lower back (big if), it may simply shift the problem elsewhere.

    Steelcase and Herman Miller are the two names that will keep coming up if you research this stuff. There are also recliners available in office chair styles.

    I have spine issues that came to a head a few years back, which took a year or so to get under control. I picked up an Ergohuman chair, recliner type with headrest - I don't think Ergohuman is quite up to Herman Miller standards, but they're still a hell of a lot better than Officeworks specials. I initially found the seat a little hard (I got the leather seat, with mesh back), but got used to it. I believe it works quite well for me, and helps remind me not to fall into forward head posture. I can also flick the lever and recline back quite a way, which is nice if I'm simply on a call or something. combined with an adjustable desk, and monitors on arms, I actually have a much better work setup in my home office than in the office provided by my employer.

    Take from that what you will.

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 12:24

      I hope your physio recommended regular breaks and certain stretches/exercises for you

      No. The physio did give me stretches that will result in temporary relief, but the problem is the shape of my skeleton, caused by many years of incorrect posture, and having hyperflexible joints which makes me more susceptible to posture problems. See my reply to Ryanek above for more detail.

      • Banj0 on 21/10/2022 - 13:57

        I'm certainly not hyper flexible, but sitting work is not doing me favours. Regular breaks and movement have been the trick for me. One size does not fit all.

        Chair change has been great though. I hope you find something suitable that helps!

        • Russ on 22/10/2022 - 02:07

          but sitting work is not doing me favours.

          Yep, sitting all day is not something the human body evolved to do. Nor are we suited to lying on a flat mattress, with our curved spines. Flat mattresses were a rarity until a few hundred years ago, most people slept on what we would consider cushions, stuffed with hay, wool, feathers or hair.

          I hope you find something suitable that helps!

          I already have an old armchair that I modified to give better lumbar support, and it's very comfortable, but not tall enough to support my head when reclining (I'm too tall for it). Because of that, I haven't tried using it seriously for work-from-home, so I thought I would ask the combined wisdom of OzBargain, and it hasn't disappointed!

  • star-ggg on 21/10/2022 - 10:00
    +3

    the best option is a standing desk, and then stretching + exercise after work. No chair exists that will allow you to maintain a healthy body while sitting for 8hrs+ per day.

    • Russ on 21/10/2022 - 12:27

      the best option is a standing desk, and then stretching + exercise after work

      Perhaps for other people, but not for my particular problem. See my reply to Ryanek above.

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 21/10/2022 - 18:45

    Completely different chairs no?

    Office chair is designed to keep you alert with occasional "refresh" usually by leaning back then going straight back to normal angle to get on with the next task. Most people also go with "mesh" office chairs which will keep you cool in the Aussie summer.

    Armchair is designed to help you relax at the end of the day. Does not support an "alert" posture just lets you sink into the seat or even sit on it sideways to have a nap.

    • Russ on 22/10/2022 - 02:41
      +1

      Office chair is designed to keep you alert

      I reckon "office chairs" are designed to be cheap to mass-produce, quickly assembled, and easy to move or take up and down stairs.

      Armchairs are normally not considered suitable for an office because of their width, weight, and the lack of castors and swivel on most of them. You can't pull them up to the desk, and getting in and out of the chair would be difficult.

      However, the more expensive an office chair gets, the more it starts to resemble an armchair. Have a look at the chairs used by the various US presidents at the "resolute desk" in the oval office.

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