How to make an office chair more comfortable

Want to know how to make an office chair more comfortable? We've assembled, tested, and reviewed all the best office chair options - and these are our top tips for adjusting your seat so it's just right.

Even with cushioning and control mechanisms and a range of sizes for a range of body types, it's rare for computer chairs to be the perfect sit right out of the box. That's why you can get a range of essential accessories to upgrade and enhance your office chair for pure comfort.

First, we'd recommend getting the best option in your budget, as cheaper seats typically offer fewer adjustment controls, less padding, and features like headrests and moveable armrests that can ease your seating arrangements. Choose a fabric chair for more breathability, or a cushioned leather or leatherette for additional padding. Always check the height range and seat dimensions to make it suits your body type. And consider your surrounding office furniture and peripherals. For more ideas to create a natural workspace flow, we reviewed the best standing desks and best office desks.

We spend more and more time at our desks, and an uncomfortable office chair can make us less energetic and productive, and even impact our health and posture. Whether you want to how to make an office chair more comfortable for your back, you want more padding for your posterior, or extra support wherever it's needed, here's what we recommend adding to your existing set-up.

How to make an office chair more comfortable: Essential accessories

1. Buy an adjustable foot rest

Sitting down is one thing, but comfort levels can definitely be improved by investing in an adjustable foot rest. These generally need to be bought as an added accessory, although some office chair manufacturers include them as part of a package for some seating bundles.

There are lots of these on the market and so it's pretty easy to find a make and model that will fit within the constraints of any budget. If you can stretch to it, aim for one of the more premium models that often come with massage dimples built into the foot pad area as part of the design. Resting your feet on these, without shoes for optimum effect, can really help melt the stress away over long periods of time.

2. Enhance your armrests

While your feet are going to enjoy a quality foot rest, another area that can make your office chair feel much more comfortable is in the area where your arms go. If you find your arms get tired during long periods spent sitting at a desk, then a lack of or poor support from the arm rests can often be a contributory factor too. What's more, some standard office chairs frequently arrive with less than satisfactory arm rests as part of the basic design.

You can get padded armrests that attach to your existing office chair to improve support for your elbows and forearms. You'll find these on Amazon and plenty of other stores. In our experience, memory foam is the best material to choose. This smart foam has an innate knack of feeling great to lean or rest on, no matter how many times you’ve done it.

If you can, pick the right armrests when selecting your office chair. They come in three different versions: 2D armrests move move backwards and forwards. 3D armrests move backwards, forwards, up, and down. 4D armrests move backwards, forwards, up, down, in, and out.

3. Add a seat cushion

If your office chair doesn't have good support then another quick fix is the humble seat cushion. Investing in a variation on this theme – there are lots out there to buy, can help revitalise your seating position by offering more support and comfort, all rolled into one package.

One look at the Amazon listings tells the story. Seat cushions come in an array of different styles and designs along with having a wide variety of materials in their construction. Ergonomically designed memory foam cushions will help improve your posture. The other bonus frequently delivered by a quality brand is that it should improve airflow around your posterior, which if you work in a hot environment can add extra comfort and support when you're sat for long periods of time.

4. Buy new wheels

It may seem an unlikely idea, but there are lots of manufacturers out there who are more than ready to help improve your office chair comfort levels by selling you a new set of wheels. It’s surprising just how many office chairs don't actually feel very mobile, which if you need to move around on one a lot can soon become a real chore. Therefore, third-party wheel makers have formulated a wide variety of designs that will improve your mobility in the workplace.

It’s possible to choose a new set of casters to suit your flooring too, with some working to great effect on pile carpets while others are better aimed at hard floors. They’re generally easy to fit on to an existing chair, once you’ve removed the old set, and will revitalise your seating arrangements. In fact, they work so well that in many cases you’ll wonder why you didn't replace them sooner.

5. Tweak the peripherals

Making your office chair more comfortable to spend any amount of time in isn’t just about the seating position itself. Have a think about everything else that works in tandem with your workstation time. You might want to think about getting a wrist rest, which can aid comfort levels around the lower arms, wrists and hands.

Another key area for getting those workplace comfort levels up will often centre around your monitor. If you work using a laptop, this can also produce problems as they tend to encourage slouching and induce bad posture if you don't have yours in a decent position.

Spend some time getting your screen into a better position if it isn't already, or think about investing in a bracket or stand in order to do it more effectively. Similarly, consider investing in a laptop stand, or raising it up with one of many accessories that have been designed to boost comfort levels in the workplace.

We explored 7 essential office chair accessories you should consider