To determine the ideal distance between the desk and chair in an office, you need to consider two criteria: height and width. A suitable height distance helps reduce muscle and joint strain when sitting, while an appropriate width distance facilitates movement and enhances convenience. To understand how to establish the correct distance between the desk and chair, follow the detailed article below from Okamura.
1. Why is it Important to Determine the Distance Between the Desk and the Chair?
Establishing the right distance between the desk and chair brings several significant benefits to the health and performance of users. Here are some outstanding advantages of arranging the appropriate distance:
Creates Comfortable Movement Space: A reasonable distance between the desk and chair makes it easier to move around the office, avoiding unnecessary collisions between employees. This not only enhances the working experience but also creates a professional and friendly environment that encourages collaboration and interaction among team members.
Ensures Enough Workspace: If there are too many chairs around a desk and they are placed too close together, you may feel cramped and uncomfortable, impacting work efficiency. Properly arranging the distance creates a relaxed working environment, allowing employees to adjust their sitting positions easily and minimize fatigue during long periods of sitting.
Ensures Comfortable Sitting Posture: When the distance between the desk and chair is adjusted correctly, your feet will rest firmly on the floor while your arms can rest lightly on the desk without excessive reaching or bending. This helps maintain a natural and comfortable posture throughout the work process, preventing related health issues such as back pain, muscle strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Determining the Distance Between Desk and the Chair
Establishing the distance between the desk and chair should consider factors such as the height of the seated person, chair design, and the specific working environment. Below is a detailed guide on how to measure the ideal distance you can refer to:
2.1. Guidelines for Determining Height Distance
The height distance between the desk and chair needs to be adjusted according to the type of chair. Depending on the chair design, the height determination between the desk and chair will differ to ensure a comfortable working posture:
1 - For Chairs with Armrests:
For chairs with armrests, determining the distance between the desk and chair is crucial for comfort and improving work efficiency. The armrests not only support the arms but also help reduce strain on the user's neck and shoulders.
Here are two specific steps to help you determine the appropriate distance:
Step 1: Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the height from the top of the armrest to the underside of the desk.
Step 2: Once you have the height measurement, adjust it so that the armrest is about 2–3 cm away from the underside of the desk.
2 - For Chairs Without Armrests:
For chairs without armrests, you need to pay attention to the height so that when seated, your feet are firmly on the floor and your knees form a 90-degree angle with the floor, helping to maintain a proper and natural sitting posture while working.
You can refer to the two specific steps below to determine the appropriate distance:
Step 1: Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the height from the top of the seat cushion to the underside of the desk.
Step 2:The optimal distance between the seat cushion and the desk surface will depend on your height and the length of your legs. The ideal distance should be between 25–30 cm, but the most important thing is to ensure your feet are firmly on the ground when seated. If this distance is not appropriate and your feet do not touch the floor, you need to adjust the chair height to create comfort and optimal support.
2.2. Guidelines for Determining the Distance Between Chairs
The horizontal distance between the desk and chair also needs to be adjusted appropriately to fit the office space and the seating position of each employee. Below are guidelines to help you determine the horizontal distance for two basic seating positions in the office:
1 - If the Employee Sits with Their Back to the Wall:
For a position with the back to the wall, ensure there is enough space behind to prevent the chair from hitting the wall when leaning back. Here are two steps to help determine the appropriate horizontal distance between the desk and chair:
Step 1: Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance from the edge of the chair to the wall behind.
Step 2: Ensure there is at least 20–30 cm of space between the edge of the chair and the wall to facilitate chair movement.
2 - If Employees Sit Back to Back:
For positions where employees sit back to back, ensure there is enough space between the two opposing chairs. You should ensure there is enough distance to avoid collisions when one of the employees moves or adjusts their chair. Here are two steps to help determine the suitable horizontal distance between the desk and chairs:
Step 1: Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance between the edges of the two opposing chairs.
Step 2: Ensure the distance between the two chairs is at least 60–70 cm to provide comfort and space for movement.
3. Explore the Latest 8 Models of Office Chairs and Desks
Okamura, a leading Japanese office furniture brand, stands out with its sophisticated design, durable quality, and a strong focus on ergonomic factors. Okamura's products not only provide comfort but also offer optimal support for users, enhancing work efficiency. Collaborating with renowned design firms like Italdesign, Okamura continuously launches innovative products to meet the diverse needs of modern users, creating ideal and stylish workspaces.
3.1. Modern, Stylish Work Desks
Okamura's work desks not only impress with their modern design but also incorporate many features to support users during work:
Height Adjustment Feature: With a flexible design, Okamura's desks allow you to easily switch between sitting and standing positions to suit all body types, helping you work more dynamically and avoid fatigue.
Intelligent Cable Management System: With intricately designed grooves and holes for cable routing, this system makes it easy to organize various types of cables. Additionally, this feature keeps things tidy, ensures safety, and enhances the aesthetics of the workspace.
You can refer to the table below to learn more about the modern desk lines from the Okamura brand:
Desk | Material | Dimensions |
Precede |
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Oree |
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Workflex |
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Soliste |
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3.2. Enhance Productivity, Health-Focused Work Chairs
Okamura work chairs are designed based on ergonomic principles, providing maximum support for the spine and minimizing health issues related to prolonged sitting. Key features of Okamura chairs include:
Ankle Tilt Reclining Function: The chair back reclines around your ankles, relieving pressure on your discs and joints and helping to prevent spinal problems.
Flexible Adjustment Options: Okamura work chairs offer adjustable height, depth, tilt, and armrests, allowing you to customize your seating position for optimal comfort and work efficiency.
Ergonomic Design: Ergonomic design is a core element of all Okamura products. The chairs are developed based on human body research, ensuring a comfortable and natural sitting posture. The seat and backrest are typically made from high-quality materials with good elasticity, effectively distributing pressure and supporting the spine.
You can refer to the table below to learn more about the stylish chair models from the Okamura brand:
Chair | Material | Dimensions |
Finora |
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Sabrina Standard |
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Sphere |
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Sylphy |
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The distance between the desk and the chair is a key factor in creating an ideal workspace that enhances comfort and work efficiency. I hope the information provided helps you adjust this distance appropriately, leading to an optimal working experience.z