How to Make a Chair More Comfortable: The Complete Guide

Ah, chairs. When they’re good, they’re great. But when they’re bad, they can be a downright disaster. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve the quality of a chair. Curious as to what these “things” are? Then keep on reading. Here’s how to make a chair more comfortable!

Employ a Seat Cushion

Is your chair particularly hard? Does it cause your knees to rise up above your thighs?

If so, you should consider employing a seat cushion. A seat cushion will not only provide padding for your rear end but it will also elevate your body, preventing you from sinking down into your chair.

There are all kinds of things that you could use for a seat cushion. You could lay a blanket down or you could use a pillow. Or you could just invest in a specially designed seat cushion.

The key is to find something that’s comfortable for you. You might even consider using different cushions for different times of the year. For instance, a blanket is much warmer than a flat cushion and would better suit you during the winter months.

Support the Lumbar

One of the biggest issues that individuals have when sitting in chairs is supporting the lumbar portion of their backs. This is the portion of the back just below the rib cage. It’s subject to a great deal of body weight and demands a firm foundation.

Now, some chairs are designed to provide lumbar support. Note, though, that the vast majority of them are not.

Fortunately, you can add it separately. Lumbar support pads are available for between $20 and $50. You could also invest in a high-quality, full-size back cushion.

Don’t feel like paying anything? A blanket can get the job done too. Just stuff it behind you until you find a comfortable position.

Raise the Armrests

The position of your arms can have a huge effect on the overall comfort of your chair. In most cases, the problem is that the armrests are too low.

When this occurs, the body is forced to slump down, resulting in bad posture and, in some cases, chronic pain.

The solution? All you have to do is add armrest supports. These supports will add height to your armrests, helping you to maintain your posture and prevent uncomfortable positions.

Not to mention, they’ll provide cushion to your chair, making it more comfortable to the touch. Over the course of a long workday, this cushion can make all the difference in the world.

Make Sure Your Chair Is Big Enough for Your Body

The fact of the matter is that not all chairs are equipped to support all bodies. Some office chairs are exceedingly small, designed for only the bare minimum of support. These are not typically going to accommodate larger individuals.

Why? Because they’re not sturdy enough to handle the weight, they’re not tall enough to support the shoulders, and they don’t possess dimensions that are in-line with your body.

If a chair doesn’t fit you, it quite simply doesn’t fit you. No amount of accessories is going to make it any better.

Smaller people can usually make alterations with bigger chairs. The opposite is very rarely true. If you fit into the latter group, go out and find yourself something that works for you.

Consider a Footrest

It’s not just your chair itself that affects your chair’s level of comfort. Your body and its relation to the ground can make a seismic difference as well. If you’re on the short side (or have short legs), you might consider employing a footrest.

A footrest will enable you to place your feet flat on a solid surface. This will lend support to the rest of your body, allowing you to sit upright with minimal effort.

Those who are unable to create a solid base with their feet must generally utilize more of their core. This not only leads to fatigue but, in many cases, back issues as well. That’s, quite obviously, not a comfortable situation.

Fortunately, you can turn just about anything into a footrest, from a cardboard box to a piece of styrofoam to a step stool and more. If you wish, you could also buy a footrest online; they’re available for between $15 and $40.

Practice Good Posture

It doesn’t matter how many accessories there are on your chair if you’re not sitting in it the right way. The truth of the matter is that your posture alone can destroy any chance you have of a comfortable seating position. As such, you’ve got to get it right.

Now, what is a good seating posture? It starts with the feet. They must be flat on the ground, with weight transferred evenly from the heel to the toe.

Then, there are the knees. They should be bent at a 90-degree angle so that the lower legs are perpendicular to the ground and the upper legs are parallel to the ground.

The lower back should be straight, not slumped. The upper back and shoulders should be back, with just slight elevation in the chest.

The neck should be perpendicular to the ground with the eyes facing straightforward. You shouldn’t have to look up or look down in order to see your computer screen. It should be perfectly level with the position of your eyes.

Obviously, you won’t keep this position throughout the entire day. However, it should be your default, and you should return to it after moments of stretching.