While the office we once knew is undergoing a considerable transformation, office-furniture specialist Steelcase remains committed to providing the tools necessary for us to reach our full potential—wherever work happens.
It wasn’t so long ago that “office work” meant waking up early, commuting to a place of business and sitting for hours on end at a desk provided by our employer. These days, of course, it often means rolling out of bed and into the next room where we’ve hacked together some sort of home-office set-up.
While our physical surroundings may have changed dramatically, the need to be present, productive and engaged in our work is as important as ever. Having the right equipment allows us to not only perform at our highest level but also safeguard our health and prevent injury. And among the most essential pieces of equipment are the office chair and desk.
Steelcase’s Gesture chair, designed for prolonged use of digital devices.
A good office chair fits its user’s unique posture, supporting the natural contour of the back and maintaining healthy alignment of the spine. It’s also made to move as you move, even opening up the hip angle as you recline and helping you change postures while you sit. The arms of the chair, meanwhile, stay parallel to the floor so that the user’s arms are straight on the desk and eyes level with the screen.
Steelcase’s bestselling Gesture chair, developed after careful study of the body’s unique movements and range of postures, is the first chair designed for prolonged use of digital devices. It’s been named the Best Office Chair each year since 2015 by The New York Times’ product review website Wirecutter.
“It’s one of the most comfortable, supportive, and durable office chairs we’ve ever tested: Everything, from the back support to the quality fabric to the dependable adjustment knobs, has stood the test of time,” reads the latest review, published in November 2020.
But the Gesture is far from the only option from Steelcase when it comes to a high-performance ergonomic office chair. The entry-level Series 1 features integrated LiveBack technology, adaptive bolstering and 4D adjustable arms. Its small footprint and slim profile make it suitable for a range of settings, while the myriad colour, shell and finish options allow for a style to suit any decor. The Series 1 was also named the Best Overall Office Chair and “best bang for the buck” by CNN’s product reviewers in December 2020.
Steelcase’s award-winning Series 1 chair
The new Series 2, with additional performance features and greater personalisation choices, is another great option when working from home. It’s available as a standard-height task chair or as a higher stool, with an optional headrest or coat hanger, along with Steelcase’s flexible and breathable Air LiveBack technology.
Steelcase Series 2 is an attainable, high-performing task chair that can be personalised with extensive style choices
Among the higher end of the brand’s iconic chairs are the Think and Leap models. Described as “the chair with a brain and conscience”, Think senses what the body needs and moves with it as the user changes postures. The easily adjustable chair features a weight-activated mechanism, contoured headrest and evenly distributed support.
Leap, meanwhile, has the same features and more, including a Natural Glide System that enables users to comfortably recline without straining the eyes, neck or arms. It also promotes blood flow to the brain and reduces pressure on the spine by supporting the body as it moves. And, like Think, it has been designed to respect and nurture human and environmental health through the use of sustainable and easily recyclable materials.
Of course, an office chair offers limited benefits without a proper desk at which to use it. Steelcase’s height-adjustable Migration SE Pro can store four different posture settings and features a silent motor for smooth, seamless transitions. It also works in a variety of settings to suit individuals as well as teams.
Steelcase’s Leap chair
Whether working from home, commuting to an office or attempting a hybrid of the two, we need all the support we can get. By choosing a Steelcase office chair and desk, you can expect best-in-class ergonomics that will carry you—literally and figuratively—through each and every workday.
