We’ve seen it all on Unplggd — from the perfectly placed Panton chair to the alien-like Embody chair. Some prefer the comfort and support a task chair provides while others opt for more stylish options that are available in side chairs. We tell you our preference after the jump and hope you share yours.
The chair is a key component to not only a visually appealing home office but an efficient one as well. When we spend countless hours a week in our chairs choosing the perfect one isn’t a decision to take lightly. And after much debate we’ve landed on the task chair for our home office. More specifically, the ever popular Aeron chair was the winner.
Designed with function in mind, the Aeron chair is incredibly comfortable and easily adjusts for various body types. The rolling casters and the pellicle membrane which easily flexes to the body are features we simply could not give up. But it isn’t a decision without its regrets. The aesthetic design is very utilitarian; the form exaggerates its function. I equate the style of the Aeron chair’s design often to the design of Dyson vacuums. Their appearance mimics their performance by highlighting the functional features of the objects. This isn’t a bad way to design but we sometimes find ourselves longing for a side chair in all of its stylized beauty. The simplicity of an Eames DSR or Tulip chair, for instance, is the antithesis to the elaborate appearance of many task chair designs that often overwhelm a space.
So what do you prefer when it comes down to the battle for the butt? Let us know in the comments!
[Image credits... first photo:Gregory Han and Jan Skácelík last photo: Chris Nguyen and Kim]
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I got a Knoll chair and it's a million times better than that bentwood IKEA chair I had a few years before. I can actually sit now for hours without my butt falling asleep. It is awesome.
I think it mostly depends on how much time you spend on that chair... At home I opted for a nice chair that fitted nicely the rest of my furniture, it's comfortable enough to spend a couple of hours on it, and doesn't look alien.
Task chair for sure. I went over it back and forth when replacing my dying, ugly office chair. I had this vision of the perfect chair that just didn't exist in any realm of long term comfort. I ended up with a Herman Miller reaction. I would have liked a leap, but I couldn't justify the price just because I thought it looked pretty.
My HM chair performs great despite being a bit bland. Eventually I will get around to slip covering it, which should help its black office appearance a lot.
I too agree that it depends on how much time you spend sitting. Its like a good pair of shoes!
Personnaly, at the office, I bought an Embody, and its the best move I ever made! Sure it look weird, but over all, it was worth every penny!
As soon as I started working from home more than 50% of the time, I knew I needed a legit chair for my poor back! So I switched from my cute chair, which is now my "guest chair" (as if I ever have guests at my home office!), and I found a used Aeron chair for a song. Best decision ever.
I have an Aeron chair at work and have been using it for about 4 years. I wouldn't spend the money on one for home, frankly. It's great at first, but it's over-engineering defeats it in the long term. All those adjustable parts? The knobs or levers start to slip as the chair ages and it slips slowly out of adjustment. Sometimes a knob or lever gives way all at once and I sink down, or I rock backwards, or an arm rest drops. Awesome during a meeting, let me tell you. The plastic edges of the seat has developed hairline cracks, too.
No, I'm not morbidly obese and I don't do anything funky with the chair other than sit in it at my desk during a standard work day.
I need to replace this piece of junk soon. I think I'd like a less fancy office chair that gives me lumbar support and has decent padding in the seat and back. Fewer knobs and levers that actually hold their position would be a big plus.
@terry
maybe your chair is just deffective. i have been sitting in this aeron for the last 3 years and it doesn't have any of the problems you are having. all the knobs are fine, nothing slips, or lets me go back if i don't want to etc. This is sitting in it for a much longer then normal workday everyday.
unfortunately, looking good and feeling good at the same time is almost impossible. but i will choose the task chair too. the HM chair is still the most comfy though it really looks unattractive.
@jmorey
All the Aerons in office are doing variations on the same thing. Let's talk in a year or so. My chair is older than yours.
Obviously, it all turns to how long you want to spent glued to your desktop. In my case, it's only a few minutes a day, and a few hours on the weekends... definitely NOT worth a lifetime of the utilitarian ugliness that are office chairs, and a comfy stylish chair does the job marvelously.
I'm still dreaming of the saddle chair Salli. It's kind of seriously ugly but I don't care. Ergonomics is what matters.
we are using an Emeco 1006 Navy chair in our home office. I really love it! you can see it here:
http://blueantstudio.blogspot.com/2009/02/sliding-closet-glass-door-diy.html
joelpirela.com
I love working, sitting on my Hermann Miller caper chair (in sweet corn) with a round gray anti-slip chair pad. It has a small footprint, pretty good back/lumbar support and looks great too.
In 1985, I spent an astonishing $450 - with architect's discount - on the best ergonomic chair I could find for my home office, used only evenings and weekends. I have been mindful of the upholstery so, except for a flattened seat cushion, it is still in such good condition I'm thinking of having it re-upholstered. It is simple, modern, the height of ergonomic design at the time - and appears to be built like a tank.
My suggestion - don't go for over the top engineering but if you plan to sit at your desk a lot, go for a well designed office chair.