10 Best Office Chairs for Small Spaces

From dorm rooms to studio apartments, small living spaces may force you to get creative with your various furniture arrangements. Compact office chairs keep you organized and save you space in your room. When your space is restricted, investing in a compact office char will create a productive and attractive work environment. Not to mention, it still leaves room for other pieces of furniture, such as your office desk and storage options. 

Office chairs come in a variety of ergonomic features, designs, and build quality. In this article, we’ll share the ten best office chairs for small spaces and a buyer’s guide on how to choose the right one for your space. 

The Best Office Chairs for Small Spaces

• Herman Miller Aeron – Our Top Pick
• Staples Hyken – Budget Pick
• Duramont Office Chair – Best Under $300
• Steelcase Series 1 – Best Under $500
• Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain
• HON Ignition 2.0 – Best for Short People
• NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Mesh
• Herman Miller Sayl – Best Breathability
• Steelcase Leap Plus – Best for Heavy People
• DRAGONN by VIVO – Best Kneeling Chair

Herman Miller Aeron – Overall Best Office Chair for Small Spaces

Check out our guide on the Best Herman Miller Chairs

If you’re looking for a highly comfortable, ergonomic, and relatively compact chair, the Herman Miller Aeron is likely the best choice you can make. It’s available in three sizes to accommodate an array of body types. Getting the smaller version can mean saving a few inches of space. Since it doesn’t have a high backrest or headrest, it won’t obstruct the view across the room and will make your place feel less crowded. Of course, since the chair has 3D adjustable armrests, you can easily lower the height to stow around the chair under your desk for a cleaner look for the office. 

Space-saving aside, the Aeron has phenomenal ergonomic features that make long hours of sitting extremely comfortable. The chair is upholstered with its patented 8Z pellicle mesh, an elastomeric suspension upholstery with varying tension levels. The tension is looser in the center and tighter along the edges. As the user moves in their seat, the mesh will adapt to their micro-movements to provide consistent support and pressure relief. 

Furthermore, the Aeron has an industry-leading lumbar support system. Most chairs office chairs only provide support to the lumbar area. However, the Aeron features the PostureFit SL to support the lumbar and sacrum. These are individual pads that adjust to your spinal shape and movement. The upper portion keeps the back straight by applying pressure to the lumbar curve, while the sacrum support will prevent the hips from tilting forward. 

Pros:

• Aeron offers three different sizes to accommodate a wide range of body types
• 8Z pellicle mesh has varying levels of tension to eliminate pressure and adapt to micro-movements 
• PostureFit SL supports both lumbar and sacrum for a healthy posture 
• Synchro-tilt opens up the torso and improves spinal alignment 
• 3D adjustable arms allow you to stow away chair under the desk 
• Herman Miller provides up to a 12-year warranty 

Cons:

• Quite expensive compared to most office chairs 

Staples Hyken – Most Affordable Office Chair for Small Spaces

The Staples Hyken is easily one of the cheapest mesh office chairs on the market. Although it may not have the luxury embellishments that other chairs have, it does the job. The Hyken features a full mesh upholstery on the backrest and seat, plus all of the basic ergonomic features you need. 

So what does this chair have to offer? Its full mesh design allows for airflow to pass through, which keeps users cool and well-ventilated. Also, it prevents the uncomfortable heat-buildup and profuse sweating that you get from leather or other heavy-fabric chairs. 

The chair features built-in lumbar support that has height-adjustable capabilities. This means you can move the support up or down to fit the curve in your spine. As a result, it’ll push against the curve and keep your body in an upright posture. 

Moreover, the backrest has a recline range between 90 to 140 degrees, along with four lock positions. Users can easily change positions to suit their needs. 

Pros:

• One of the cheapest office chairs you’ll find 
• Hyken offers an adjustable headrest to support your head and neck 
• Mesh material maximizes airflow and keeps you cool 
• Lumbar support is height adjustable to fit into the curve of your spine 
• The seat width is 19 inches, which is relatively compact 

Cons:

• Durability is a question mark
• Armrests are only height adjustable 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $200

Duramont Office Chair – Best Office Chair for Small Spaces Under $300

As a consumer, we all want to get the most bang-for-our-buck. We’re willing to pay a little more if the product is noticeably better than the cheaper option. The Duramont is a step-up from the Staples Hyken. 

Instead of a complete mesh chair, it comes with a fabric upholstered seat with a high-resilience foam cushion. High-resilience foam means that the seat cushion will feel much more bouncy and soft while sitting. This is contrary to the memory foam, which slowly compresses. High resilience foam will feel soft while sitting and help to support any movement in your seat. 

In addition, you get additional adjustments compared to the Hyken. It has a headrest that tilts backward and a height and depth-adjustable lumbar support. The adjustable headrest allows you to feel supported while in a reclined position. And the lumbar support lets you control how much the support will protrude outwards to your lower back. 

The last thing you want in a small space is a bulky, heavy, and traditional leather chair. This chair has a slim and contemporary design, which will make your office space look modern. It has a relatively narrow profile that doesn’t take up too much space or look like a bulky or hefty chair.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive office chair 
• Adjustable lumbar support can be adjusted by height and depth 
• Rollerblade caster wheels are perfect for limited space 
• Fabric seat cushion reduces pressure in your buttocks area 
• Breathable mesh allows air to circulate, keeping your back sweat-free 

Cons:

• The chair only reclines up to 120 degrees 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $300

Steelcase Series 1 – Best Office Chair for Small Spaces Under $500

Steelcase is typically known for its premium office chairs, and the Series 1 is no different. However, it comes at a much cheaper cost than the other Steelcase chairs, with comparable ergonomic features. Its design is relatively compact with no headrest and a mid-backrest. Also, the backrest has somewhat narrow on the top-end and helps to make your space feel much bigger. 

The Series 1 offers a few high-end ergonomic features, such as their LiveBack flexor system. This is the patented Steelcase feature where the backrest will flex and bend to support movement and your spinal shape. This ensures you’re receiving consistent support while also encouraging movement, which enhances circulation throughout your body. With the adjustable lumbar system, you can control the firmness of your lower back support as well. 

In addition, Series 1 offers more intuitive features. When you recline, the chair will automatically adjust the tilt tension to provide a smooth resistance as you recline. Without the tilt-tension, tilting backward would feel unstable. 

One of its coolest features is the seat cushion. It has built-in air pockets to relieve the pressure in your buttocks area and conforms to the shape of your body. Its flexible seat edge will bend slightly to alleviate tension built up under your thighs. 

Pros:

• Steelcase Series 1 has a compact design allowing your space to feel more open 
• Fully adjustable seat depth also helps to limit the space that the office chair takes up
• LiveBack flexor system adapts to your spines shape and changing postures 
• It automatically adjusts tension based on your weight for a smooth experience 
• Flexible seat edge bends slightly to relieve pressure under your thighs 

Cons:

• It looks different than most office chairs, and some people might not like the design 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $500

Herman Miller Embody – Best Small Office Chair for Back Pain

If you’re an office worker who sits for over eight hours a day, finding a supportive chair that promotes a healthy posture is essential for your workspace. There’s nothing worse than feeling agonizing pain running down your back from a hunched posture. The Herman Miller Embody is a premium-grade office chair with plenty of ergonomic features to keep you pain-free. 

It features a narrow-backrest that allows for greater flexibility in movement. This slim profile is perfect for people with small places and needs every piece of furniture to have a compact design. 

The BackFit dial allows users to decrease or increase the curve in the thoracic region of the spine. Rather than the standard lumbar support, this BackFit adjustment provides a much more complete back support. Since the backrest is designed to mimic the human spine, the support will not only fill into your lumbar curve but also support other areas of your spine, like your sacrum. 

In addition, the Embody has a pixelated backrest that moves in sync with your body. It features ribs that flex and contract based on your body movements. This encourages you to move in your seat to enhance circulation. The support will adapt to your shape and movement to prevent slouching. 

Pros:

• The pixelated backrest features ribs that contract and flexes as your body moves for a customized support 
• Their narrow backrest allows more freedom of movement and takes up less space in your room
• The synchro-tilt mechanism helps to increase circulation and improve spinal alignment 
• BackFit adjustment perfectly aligns with the shape of your spine to prevent back pain 
• The seat has four layers to provide the ultimate balance between comfort, support, and breathability 

Cons:

• Some people may prefer more padding 

HON Ignition 2.0 – Best Small Office Chair Short People

Feeling engulfed in your chair or having your seat dangling from the edge isn’t comfortable to sit on. That’s why it’s important to get a chair that suits your body type. The Hon Ignition 2.0 is designed for short people because of its plethora of adjustments and compact design. Its dimensions are a few inches smaller than standard chairs, measuring at 20” width by 19” depth. This also lends itself to fit into tighter spaces in your room. 

Despite its relatively low price, the Hon Ignition 2.0 has premium ergonomic features. It has a seat glide mechanism where you can adjust the seat pan forward or backward. It’s useful for short people to adjust the seat pan back to ensure your feet are firmly planted on the ground, while your backrest is fully supported. 

In addition, the Ignition 2.0 has intuitive features like the synchro-tilt, tilt-lock, and side tilt-tension adjustment. With the synchro-tile, the back reclines at a 2 to 1 ratio in comparison to the seat angle. This ensures your feet stay relatively flat even in a reclined position. And it opens up your torso angle to improve spinal alignment and circulation throughout the body. 

Pros:

• Fully adjustable arms let you tuck in the office chair under your seat to save space 
• Seat depth ensures your back is always being supported especially for short people 
• Tilt-lock and tension lets you easily change seating positions 
• Two layers of seat padding alleviate pressure and evenly distributes weight 
• Lumbar support is height adjustable 

Cons:

• Lumbar support may feel a little flimsy 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs for Short People

NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Mesh Office Chair for Small Spaces

Heavy sweating leather office chairs can ruin your sitting experience. Perspiration can easily stain and degrade any leather upholstery. Not to mention sitting becomes a sticky and sweaty mess. Mesh upholstery is the most breathable upholstery in the market. 

The NeueChair by Secretlab uses a high-quality elastic mesh made of a premium three-layer mesh created by DuPont yarn and polyester fiber. This material has a very flexible and forgiving nature that optimizes your support based on your movements and helps to alleviate the pressure build-up that accumulates from sitting for a long time. In addition, the NeueMesh material has passed many stringent ASTM tearing, tensile, and abrasion resistance tests to ensure long-term durability. 

In addition to the mesh material, the NeueChair offers a few other useful features, such as the ControlShift levers. These adjustment levers are located right under the armrest. Rather than bending awkwardly to make the adjustments in your chair, you can squeeze the levers gentle to adjust the seat height and backrest angle. 

One of its most unique features is the Focus Mode setting. This is an ergonomic setting designed to increase your productivity. The backrest is pushed forward into your lumbar in this mode, and the seat pan slides backward. As a result, you don’t have to lean back for the backrest support. 

Pros:

• NeueMesh offers elasticity and breathability designed for durability, long hours of usage, and feel on the skin 
• The ControlShift levers located under the armrests for easy access 
• Focus Mode setting pushes backrest forward and seat backward to optimize productivity while working 
• Relatively compact design and specifications that won’t take up too much space 
• Waterfall seat edge increases circulation and allows blood to flow down your legs 

Cons:

• Lumbar support isn’t depth adjustable 

Herman Miller Sayl – Most Breathable Office Chair for Small Spaces

The Sayl is the best bargain you’ll find from the Herman Miller brand. Herman Miller is also known for its prestigious and high-end office chairs. However, the Sayl has priced more affordably while still offering plenty of luxurious ergonomic features. 

One of which is their ventilated elastomer backrest. Its web-like characteristics and cone-shaped backrest will surely turn heads in your room. Even if you don’t have space for plenty of furniture, this office chair is a piece that complements your room very well. 

The elastomer backrest will adapt to your movements by flexing and adjusting its support. As a result, you’re experiencing a dynamic comfort customized to your body and will encourage movement in your seat. The holes within the backrest are web-like and thus much bigger than normal mesh. As a result, you’re getting more airflow in, which keeps you cooler and prevents sweating. 

One of the unique aspects of the Sayl is its forward tilt capability. With the forward tilt, you’re keeping a healthy posture and reducing the strain on your lower back and buttocks by shifting the weight forward. Also, you increase the blood circulation in your legs, back, and feet. Not to mention, tilting the backrest forward helps you save a little space in your room. 

Pros:

• Narrow backrest takes up less space 
• Unique web-like backrest design adds a modern and refreshing furniture piece to your room 
• Injection-molded foam on the seat pad enhances comfort for long hours of sitting 
• Ventilated back has larger pockets of holes providing exceptional breathability 
• The 3D intelligent back uses elastomer strands allowing flexibility for movement and flexes with your body for pressure relief 

Cons:

• Only reclines backward up to 124 degrees 

Steelcase Leap Plus – Best Small Office Chair for Heavy People

Most chairs that are designed for heavy users have extra-large dimensions to accommodate their users. The Steelcase Leap Plus has an outstanding weight capacity of 500 pounds, yet it still maintains a relatively slim profile. It has slightly bigger dimensions than the Steelcase Leap model, but not astronomically bigger. Thus, the Leap Plus will make a perfect addition to your small living space. 

This chair has plenty of comfortable and supportive features that make it suitable for sitting all day. The LiveBack technology helps the back to change shapes to support the entire spine. This reduces the chances of a hunched posture and prevents the lower back from sagging. In addition, the fabric is a 3D knitted upholstery, which offers a blend of soft texture while providing breathability. The fabric allows air and moisture to pass through the seat, providing some thermal comfort. 

Steelcase Leap Plus also accommodates users with different body types. With the adjustable seat depth, you can move the seat pain forward or backward to ensure your back is always supported and your legs aren’t cut off from circulation due to the seat pan being too far out. 

Pros:

• Steelcase Leap supports up to 500 lbs 
• LiveBack technology supports your body as you move and mimics the shape of your spine 
• 4-way adjustable arms alleviate tension from your neck and shoulders 
• Natural Glide System lets you comfortably recline while keeping your entire body aligned 
• Proprietary seat cushion has built-in air pockets to conform to your body shape and movements 

Cons:

• Quite expensive 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs for Heavy People

DRAGONN by VIVO – Best Kneeling Chair for Small Spaces

Kneeling chairs are designed to improve posture and reduce back pain by angling the thighs down to a 60 to 70-degree angle instead of a 90-degree angle. It shifts the bodyweight forward, which takes a lot of pressure off your glutes and lower back. As a result, you’re much more likely to maintain an upright posture. And, you’ll be activating and strengthening your core muscles as well. 

The Dragonn by Vivo is an ergonomic kneeling chair that takes the kneeling chair to another level. It comes with two times the paddings on the seat and shin cushions. Thus it helps relieve the pressure allowing you to work longer without feeling pain. 

Also, there are front locking wheels to prevent you from rolling as you’re working. The seat height adjustment is impressive, ranging from 21 inches to 31 inches. This means you’ll be able to use a wide array of desk options to work, such as regular desks to even kitchen countertops. 

Of course, this kneeling chair has a very simple design and is much smaller than a standard office chair. This means you’ll save tons of space, which means more walking space for your room. The uniqueness of the kneeling chair will surely draw eyeballs to your chair and will be a great conversation starter for guests as well! 

Pros:

• Simple and compact design that takes up little space in your room 
• Very inexpensive 
• Sliding hips forward reduces spinal compression and back pain 
• It offers two times more cushion than other kneeling chairs 
• A wide range of height adjustability to fit various types of desks 

Cons:

• It may be uncomfortable to sit on at first until you get comfortable sitting on a kneeling chair 
• No armrests 

Choosing the Best Office Chair for Small Spaces- Buyer’s Guide

There are many components to picking the right office chair, especially when you have a spatially challenged home. You’ll have to be strategic about how you pick your chair by considering factors such as size, comfort, build quality, ergonomics, and more. 

Build Quality

Most average consumers won’t consider the build quality. Instead, they’ll simply look at the price tag. However, the build quality is often associated with the price. Brands like Herman Miller offer a 12-year warranty on their chairs because they are supremely confident about their build quality. 

We like to look at the chair’s frame, base, seat cushion, and testing certifications to verify the build quality. The frame and base should be made of sturdy materials such as steel, wood, or aluminum. Avoid chairs that use nylon or plastic materials in the base or frame of the chair. Stronger materials will ensure longer durability and a higher weight capacity. 

The seat cushion should use high-density or high-resiliency foam. This means that the foam won’t deteriorate in shape easily. Most standard foam cushions will only last a few years, while these foam cushions will last much longer. 

Lastly, check to see if the chair has passed any third-party testings and has received certifications for it. Reputable manufacturers will send their products to third-party testing sites to test the safety and functionality of the chair. Many factors will be tested, such as weight capacity, back force strength, drop test, seating durability, tilt angle stability, front stability, armrest strength, base strength, swivel test, caster durability, upholstery test, and structural strength test. Being BMSI/ANSI approved means the chair is reliable and will likely be durable for the long term. 

Weight Capacity

The build quality is often correlated to the weight capacity as well. Chairs with higher weight capacity tend to have a wider base and reinforced metal to support more weight. On average, office chairs can hold up to 250 pounds. However, some chairs can hold much more, such as the Steelcase Leap Plus, which supports up to 500 pounds. Make sure that the chair can comfortably support your weight. 

Size

If you’re working with constraints on the amount of space you have, you may want to look at the size of the chair. Chairs with a narrow seat width, shallow seat pan, and short back height save space and make your place look bigger. 

However, make sure that the chair can accommodate your height. For example, the Herman Miller Size A is a few inches in dimensions smaller than Size B. Size A only accommodates users up to 5’10”, while Size B can suit individuals up to 6’7” tall. Thus if you’re a tall person, you’ll need to get Size B. 

Ergonomics

Ergonomics can be defined as the chair’s capability to help improve efficiency while working and support a healthy posture. Given this definition, there are many aspects you can point to, such as adjustments and comfort. 

Higher-end chairs will have unique ergonomic features to make sitting upright easier. For instance, the BackFit dial on the Herman Miller Embody allows you to align the backrest to your spine. As a result, your entire spine is supported, making it effortless to sit up straight. 

Or the design of the Dragonn by Vivo helps to promote good posture. That’s because the kneeling chair shifts your weight forward and places the pressure on your shins rather than your glutes and back. This forces you to sit forward and prevents hunching over. Thus, you can say, the ergonomics of this chair are effective. Look for ergonomic functionalities within each chair to see whether it’s designed to improve your posture. 

Seat Comfort

Seat comfort can be subjective, but this will depend on the type of seat you have. A mesh seat should be flexible and forgiving. A rigid mesh will feel hard and stringent, which is uncomfortable to sit on for a long time. Flexible mesh materials allow you to move around in your seat, and the forgiving nature will provide pressure relief and weight distribution. You may even want to look for chairs with a waterfall seat edge. This is where the seat slopes down to increase circulation in your legs. 

If a chair has a seat cushion, look for high resiliency, high density, or memory foam padding. High density offers firmer support, while high resiliency provides a soft and bouncy effect. Perhaps the most comfortable seat cushion is memory foam. That’s because it easily molds to the shape of your body and slowly compresses, making you feel like you’re sitting on a cloud. 

Back Support

The purpose of back support is to ensure good posture and keep your entire spine supported. Office chairs should have lumbar support that fills the gap between your back and the chair. This prevents your back from hunching over and causing back problems. 

In addition, the backrest may have a tilt mechanism allowing you to recline backward. Sitting in a reclined position will help to unload spinal pressure and give your back a rest from keeping an upright posture. It’s best to recline when you’re not working with intense focus. Changing the tilt angle allows you to change positions, which increases circulation in your body. 

Some chairs will have adaptive features where the backrest bends or flexes based on your movements. As you move in the seat, the backrest will shift slightly to accommodate the movement. This ensures you’re always supported and have a good posture at all times. 

Adjustability

An office chair should have a wide range of adjustabilities to fit your body type. Look for adjustments such as seat height, seat depth, back angle, tilt-lock, tilt-tension, armrest, and lumbar support. 

The seat height ensures your feet are firmly planted on the ground and you remain eye-level to your computer screen. Seat depth helps ensure that your back is always supported. All of the back adjustments are made to help you smoothly change positions. Changing the angle of the backrest allows you to optimize the position that is comfortable for you. The tilt-lock locks in your desired position, and the tilt-tension helps to keep your recline as smooth as possible. 

Always consider the armrest adjustments as well. These adjustments put your forearms and wrist in the right position, optimal for computer usage. This prevents any unnecessary movement or bending in the arms or wrist, which may cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Price

If you’re under a strict budget, you’ll have to compare prices and features between chairs. Choosing the lowest cost chair isn’t always good because it’s likely not durable and uncomfortable to sit on. Therefore, the key is to find a chair with the best value. Luckily, we’ve provided plenty of options for chairs in all price ranges. 

The Staples Hyken, Duramont office chair, Hon Ignition, and Dragonn by Vivo are among the best low-budget options. They provide the basic ergonomic features to keep you supported in a healthy posture. Consider the Steelcase Series 1, NeueChair by Secretlab, or the Herman Miller Sayl for mid-tier chairs. 

These seating options offer better build quality and have more adjustments or ergonomic features, which add to the overall comfort level. If budget isn’t a concern, we recommend the Herman Miller Aeron, Embody, or Steelcase Leap Plus. These chairs offer premium ergonomic features that are unique to their model. They provide adaptive support to fit micro-movements and provide pressure relief throughout your body. 

Recap of the Best Office Chairs for Small Spaces

Best Office Chairs for Small Spaces	Best For
Herman Miller Aeron	Our Top Pick
Staples Hyken	Budget Pick
Duramont Office Chair	Best Under $300
Steelcase Series 1	Best Under $500
Herman Miller Embody	Best for Back Pain
HON Ignition 2.0	Best for Short People
NeueChair by Secretlab	Best Mesh
Herman Miller Sayl	Best Breathability
Steelcase Leap Plus	Best for Heavy People
DRAGONN by VIVO	Best Kneeling Chair

Conclusion

When you’re furnishing a small living space, finding a comfortable and supportive office chair can be quite difficult. It seems like you have to choose between either comfort or the style you adore. However, now that you have our list of ten office chairs, you know that’s not the case. 

These chairs have a small footprint, meaning they take up less floor space and have narrow sides. Not to mention, their compact sizing tends to open up your room and make it feel bigger than it is. We’ve hope our review guide has helped you along in your quest to find the perfect office chair for your place.