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Why the Right Office Chair Matters
Your office chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture you’ll ever buy. Whether you spend an hour a day at your desk or work full time in the office, the chair you sit on directly affects your comfort, posture, and productivity.
At Recycled Business Furniture, we help businesses across the UK choose the right office chairs — combining quality, ergonomic design, and sustainability. From refurbished task chairs to stylish meeting room seating, we stock a wide range of recycled and nearly-new options that deliver performance without the hefty price tag.
This guide breaks down the different types of office seating, their features, and what to look for when choosing the perfect fit for your workspace.
Meeting Chairs
Meeting chairs are designed for shorter periods of sitting — typically during conferences, client meetings, or team discussions. Comfort, flexibility, and style are key.
There are two main types of meeting chair frame:
Cantilever legs: These provide a slight spring when you sit back, offering extra comfort during long meetings.
Four-leg chairs: A classic, sturdy option without the bounce of a cantilever frame. They’re reliable, easy to move, and stackable for convenient storage.
While comfort is important, meeting chairs are also about presentation. Choose a design that matches your office aesthetic — whether sleek and contemporary or traditional and professional.
Operator Chairs
Operator chairs (also called desk chairs, secretarial chairs, or task chairs) are the workhorses of any office. Designed for daily use, they offer essential ergonomic support for people who sit at a desk for extended periods.
Here’s a breakdown of the main types:
Secretarial chairs – Lightweight, simple designs suitable for shorter use (a few hours a day).
Operator chairs – Standard office chairs ideal for most desk-based roles.
Task chairs – More robust and feature-rich, designed for long hours of work.
Managerial and executive chairs – Typically higher-backed and more padded, offering a premium level of comfort and design.
Regardless of style, the most important thing is adjustability. Everyone’s body is different, and your chair should adapt to you — not the other way around.
Understanding Chair Mechanisms
If you’ve ever wondered what all those levers under your chair do, here’s a simple guide.
1-Lever Mechanism
Controls the gas lift (seat height). On more basic models, other adjustments are made using hand screws.
2-Lever Mechanism
Adds the ability to lock or unlock the backrest angle.
3-Lever Mechanism
Includes seat base angle control, allowing for more tailored comfort.
Permanent Contact Back (PCB)
This mechanism allows the chair’s backrest to “float” with you as you lean back. The tension can be adjusted to suit your weight, so you’re always supported without feeling pushed forward.
Synchronous Action
Both the seat and back move together — typically with the seat base moving half as much as the backrest. This encourages natural movement and promotes better posture.
Seat Slide
Lets you adjust the seat base depth, providing better leg support — especially beneficial for taller users.
Pump-Up Lumbar Support
A small air bladder in the backrest that inflates (using a pump similar to a blood pressure cuff) to provide extra lower-back support.
These features may sound technical, but they make a huge difference in comfort — particularly if you’re seated for long stretches of the day.
Additional Features to Consider
When shopping for office chairs, you’ll also encounter a few optional extras:
Armrests: Many people ask for them, but not everyone uses them. They can add support, but can also restrict movement or prevent the chair from tucking neatly under the desk. If in doubt, test both options — chairs without arms are usually around £10 cheaper.
Colour choices: Black and blue are the most common and therefore slightly pricier. Choosing an alternative colour can save money and add personality to your workspace.
Materials: Mesh backs promote breathability, while upholstered options provide warmth and a traditional look.
And one more golden rule — the heavier the chair, the better the build quality. Durable components and solid construction mean the chair will last longer, support you better, and deliver greater value.
Sustainable Seating from Recycled Business Furniture
At Recycled Business Furniture, we believe high-quality doesn’t have to mean high cost. By sourcing and refurbishing premium brand seating, we offer businesses a more sustainable way to furnish their offices.
Our recycled and nearly-new office chairs often come from corporate refurbishments or overstock, meaning you can access leading ergonomic brands for a fraction of the price of new. Each chair is carefully inspected, cleaned, and tested to ensure it meets our standards for comfort and performance.
Whether you’re furnishing a single home office or an entire workplace, choosing recycled furniture helps reduce waste and carbon emissions — without compromising on style or comfort.
Choosing the Right Office Chair
When selecting your next office chair, consider:
How long you’ll sit each day – The more time at your desk, the more adjustability and lumbar support you’ll need.
Your workspace layout – Compact spaces may benefit from chairs without arms or with smaller bases.
Your posture needs – Look for adjustable backrests, seat height, and tilt features that suit your natural movement.
Aesthetics and sustainability – Choose designs that reflect your brand image and support eco-friendly values.
If you’re unsure which option is best, our friendly team at Recycled Business Furniture is happy to help you find the perfect fit.
Find Your Perfect Office Chair Today
Whether you’re upgrading your workspace, fitting out a new office, or replacing worn-out chairs, Recycled Business Furniture has a wide selection of ergonomic and stylish seating — at up to 70% less than the cost of buying new.
Visit our High Wycombe showroom or browse our current stock online to explore our full range of operator chairs, task chairs, meeting chairs, and more.
Call us today or visit Recycled Business Furniture to find the right chair for your workspace — and for the planet.
For more information on Office Seating Explained: Operator, Task, Managerial and Meeting Chairs talk to Recycled Business Furniture Ltd