Why Chair Choice Still Matters
Even dedicated standing desk users typically spend 50-70% of their work time sitting. Standing all day isn't the goal—variety is. That means your chair gets significant use, and a good one is worth investing in.
Moreover, the ergonomic benefits of a standing desk are undermined if you're sitting in a bad chair. You can't achieve good posture in seating that doesn't support it.
Types of Seating for Standing Desks
Traditional Ergonomic Office Chairs
Full-featured office chairs with lumbar support, adjustable arms, and multiple positioning options. What most people think of as an "office chair."
✓ Pros
- Full ergonomic support
- Comfortable for extended sitting
- Many adjustment options
- Wide variety at all price points
✗ Cons
- Takes up floor space
- Need to move/push aside when standing
- Good ones are expensive
Recommendation: The best choice for most standing desk users who sit for significant portions of their day.
Drafting Chairs/Stools
Higher chairs designed for elevated work surfaces. Useful if you want to "perch" at a mid-height desk position.
✓ Pros
- Works with higher desk positions
- Enables "third position" between sitting and standing
- Usually includes foot ring for support
✗ Cons
- Less support than full ergonomic chairs
- Not ideal for long sitting periods
- Requires desk at higher position to use
Recommendation: Good addition for variety, but not a replacement for a proper chair unless you sit minimally.
Sit-Stand Stools / Perching Stools
Minimal seats designed for short perching sessions. You're partially standing, partially leaning—not fully sitting.
✓ Pros
- Very small footprint
- Encourages active posture
- Good for quick rests while standing
- Often portable
✗ Cons
- Not comfortable for long periods
- No back support
- Takes practice to use comfortably
Recommendation: Nice supplementary option for standing desk users who want a quick rest without fully sitting.
Active Sitting Chairs (Balance/Wobble)
Chairs that encourage movement while sitting—balance ball chairs, wobble stools, kneeling chairs, etc.
✓ Pros
- Encourages core engagement
- Reduces static sitting
- Can improve posture for some users
✗ Cons
- Tiring for extended use
- Not suitable for all tasks
- Some people find them uncomfortable
- Mixed ergonomic evidence
Recommendation: Interesting for variety, but don't rely on them as your only seating option.
What to Look for in a Chair
Essential Features
- Seat height adjustment: Must adjust to work with your desk's sitting height
- Lumbar support: Lower back support prevents slouching
- Seat depth adjustment (or appropriate fixed depth): Should support thighs without pressing into back of knees
- Stable base: Five-point base with quality casters
Nice to Have
- Adjustable armrests: Should support arms at desk height without forcing shoulders up
- Adjustable backrest: Angle and height adjustment for personalized support
- Headrest: Useful for reclining/resting; less critical for active work
- Breathable material: Mesh or breathable fabric for comfort
Chair and Desk Height Relationship
Your chair and desk must work together. When sitting:
- Feet flat on floor (or footrest)
- Thighs parallel to floor
- Elbows at 90 degrees when hands are on keyboard
- Desk at or slightly below elbow height
If your chair's height range doesn't accommodate this with your standing desk at its lowest setting, you may need a different chair or a footrest to compensate.
Space Considerations
In small spaces, chair storage becomes a factor:
- When standing: Where does the chair go? Can it push fully under the desk? Does it need to be moved elsewhere?
- Chair size: Compact chairs work better in tight spaces
- Chair weight: If you're frequently moving it, lighter is better
💡 Small Space Tip
Look for chairs that can push completely under your desk at its lowest height. This keeps the chair out of the way when standing and makes the space feel less cluttered.
Budget Considerations
Office chairs range from very cheap to very expensive. General guidance:
- Budget: Look for basic adjustability (height + tilt). Skip chairs with fake "ergonomic" marketing but no real features.
- Mid-range: Good lumbar support, quality materials, reasonable adjustability. Best value for most people.
- Premium: Maximum adjustability, high-end materials, long warranties. Worth it if you sit many hours daily and have the budget.
Chairs are worth investing in—you're sitting on it for hours. A bad cheap chair costs more long-term in discomfort and potential health issues than a reasonable mid-range option.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Expensive" is relative, but you do need a decent chair. Even standing desk users sit for significant portions of the day. A quality mid-range chair with proper adjustability and support is a worthwhile investment. Don't buy the cheapest option assuming you won't use it much.
For brief periods, yes. For extended sitting, no—stools lack the back support needed for long-term comfort and posture. Stools work well as a secondary option for quick perching, but a proper chair should be your primary seating.
Options: (1) Get a chair with lower armrests or no armrests, (2) Get a desk with a higher minimum height or more under-desk clearance, (3) Accept that the chair will sit beside the desk when you're standing. In small spaces, option 1 is usually best.