Chairs & Armchairs

Check seat height against the tabletop and the clearance underneath, including aprons and drawers. Your feet need suitable support, while the seat depth should let you use the backrest without its front edge pressing behind your knees. A deep seat may suit lounging in an armchair but make sitting close to a table difficult. Measure whether the armrests pass beneath the top too; otherwise the chair will remain farther away.

For an office or gaming chair, establish what actually adjusts: height, depth, arms or recline. A striking backrest and cushions are not substitutes for adjustments that suit your body. Check how the locking mechanism works and the stated load limit. For a reclining armchair, measure its extended footprint and required wall clearance; closed dimensions do not describe the space needed during use.

• Try several settings rather than only the display position.
• Do not infer medical benefits from an ergonomic label.

Castors make approaching a desk easier but may move too freely on some floors. Check the surfaces the manufacturer specifies and whether compatible castors or protectors are available. On fixed-leg chairs, check that the feet sit correctly and that their pads will not damage the finish. Do not replace castors or feet with parts that merely look similar.

Fabric, mesh and smooth coverings feel different and require different cleaning. Read stain-care instructions and find out whether the covering or cover can be replaced. A dining seat exposed to spills needs different attention from a reading armchair. Before deciding, check cleaning access around joints and armrests, the return conditions and whether you can try the seat without forfeiting the right to return it.