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Learn about office chair backrests from A - Z

The office chair backrest is an important part, supporting users to sit properly, and reducing back pain and fatigue during long-term work. In the article below, Okamura will provide detailed information from A to Z about office chair backrests, including types of backrests, roles, and effective choices, helping you find high-end chair models most suitable. Let's explore now!


1. Introduction to office chair backrests

Office chair backrests are essential in supporting the back and ensuring users always have comfortable support when working. For today's regular office chair models, the backrest will be a place for the back to rest and does not have too much effect. 


However, in high-end office chairs, the backrest is often designed based on ergonomic principles, hugging the back even when the person's shoulders move. In addition, the products also integrate modern features such as adjusting the recline angle, controlling tension according to body weight, or supporting forward reclining, providing a comfortable and flexible sitting experience. 


Office chair backrests help users maintain standard sitting posture and reduce pressure on the spine
Office chair backrests help users maintain standard sitting posture and reduce pressure on the spine

The height of the office chair backrest is flexibly customized according to each type of chair, usually extending from the lumbar area to the shoulder area, providing optimal support for the user. The design helps maintain correct sitting posture, reduces stress on the spine, and ensures comfort during long working hours, suitable for users' diverse needs.


2. Classify office chair backrests according to upholstery material

Office chair backrests are often classified based on upholstery material, each type has its characteristics, meeting the diverse needs and working styles of users. Below are the 3 most popular types of backrests, popular for their convenience and optimal design.


2.1. Backrest covered with mesh

The mesh backrest combines outstanding durability with ventilation, making it the perfect choice for dynamic and modern workspaces. Below are the exceptional advantages of mesh backrest: 

  • Ventilation: Mesh material helps air circulate easily, reduces sweating, and creates an incredible feeling for the user when sitting for a long time. 

  • High durability: Mesh backrest models from reputable brands are designed with good bearing capacity, are difficult to deform over time, and ensure long life.

  • Modern design: The mesh backrest has a sophisticated, modern design with various color options. It easily blends into many office spaces while bringing elegant and luxurious beauty.


2.2. Cushion backrest

The cushion backrest is made from high-quality fabric-covered cushions, providing optimal comfort and support for the user, especially ideal for office spaces that require comfort and sophistication. Below are the outstanding advantages of cushioned backrests:

  • High durability: Cushioned backrests from high-end and long-standing furniture brands are designed with outstanding abrasion resistance, ensuring long-term durability and not easily tearing or fading over time.

  • Feeling comfortable: Fabric-covered cushions provide softness and comfort, helping to reduce pressure on the back and spine, creating a comfortable feeling for the user even when sitting and working for long periods. 

  • Color and design flexibility: The fabric has many color options, such as white, black, beige, blue, and yellow… The richness in design helps the backrest easily fit many different office styles while creating unity in corporate brand identity.


The cushion backrest provides optimal comfort and support for the user
The cushion backrest provides optimal comfort and support for the user

2.3. Leather backrest

Leather backrests are made from genuine or synthetic leather, providing a luxurious look and soft feel, suitable for offices requiring professionalism and class. Below are the outstanding advantages of leather backrests:

  • Outstanding durability: Genuine leather backrests from reputable furniture brands with outstanding quality are often very durable, have a long lifespan, effectively resist abrasion, and are not easily damaged over time.

  • Luxurious and high-end design: Leather not only gives the office a sophisticated appearance but also increases its aesthetic value, creating a classy and professional space.

  • Good elasticity: Leather can quickly restore shape, maintain elasticity and does not flatten or deform after long periods of use. 


3. The role of the office chair backrest

Office chair backrests not only support the body but also bring many practical benefits to the user's health and productivity. Below are the 3 most important roles of the chair backrest.


3.1. Reduce pressure on the spine and muscles

Office chair backrests are designed to reduce pressure on the spine and back muscles when sitting for long periods. By evenly distributing body weight, backrests help reduce stress on the vertebrae and lower back muscles, thereby preventing pain and fatigue. This is especially important for office workers, who often work at their desks for hours.


Office chair backrests are designed to reduce pressure on the spine and muscles
Office chair backrests are designed to reduce pressure on the spine and muscles

3.2. Waist and shoulder support

Backrests, especially designs that support the lumbar and shoulder areas, help users minimize pressure in these areas. The backrest is designed to hug the waist and shoulders, reducing not only back fatigue but also shoulder and neck pain. With chairs with ergonomic features, the ability to adjust the height and curvature of the backrest increases support efficiency, helping users always feel comfortable throughout the working process.


3.3. Maintain ideal posture

Backrests, especially those designed to support the lumbar and shoulder areas, help reduce pressure on these areas, bringing comfort to the user. With ergonomic chair models, the ability to adjust the height and curvature of the backrest further enhances support effectiveness, helping users always feel comfortable and relaxed during work.


A flexible adjustable backrest will help the sitter maintain the correct posture
A flexible adjustable backrest will help the sitter maintain the correct posture

4. Experience in choosing the right office chair backrest

Choosing an office chair backrest is not only based on personal preference but also needs to consider factors such as user needs, user level, and appropriate support features. Here are important criteria to keep in mind when choosing:


4.1. Consider the backrest upholstery material

Depending on the user's level and usage needs, the backrest material must be chosen appropriately, ensuring optimal comfort and support effectiveness. Here are suggestions when choosing: 

  • Users at senior management and director levels should choose chairs with leather backrests because the material not only exudes luxury and class but also shows the user's professionalism. In particular, genuine leather is durable, helping the chair maintain a new and sophisticated appearance over time.

  • Users at the employee level: Office workers can choose from various backrest materials, such as mesh or cushion, depending on personal needs and preferences. While the mesh backrest is more popular thanks to its ability to be ventilated and reduce heat accumulation when sitting for a long time, the cushion backrest provides softness and smoothness, ensuring comfort throughout the working process.


4.2. Integrated feature for the back of the chair

To ensure optimal comfort and support while working, users should choose an office chair with a backrest that can adjust tilt and recline tension. Integrated features improve the user experience and help protect back and spine health, which is critical when working long hours.


You should choose an office chair with a backrest that can adjust the tilt and recline tension 
You should choose an office chair with a backrest that can adjust the tilt and recline tension
  • Tilt adjustment features: The feature allows users to adjust the reclining angle of the backrest, helping to reduce pressure on the spine and back muscles when working for a long time. When the chair can recline back, users can change sitting positions flexibly, minimizing back strain and improving relaxation during work.

  • Recline tension adjustment features: The function allows adjusting the tension of the backrest to suit body weight, providing optimal support for the back and lumbar area, and helping to minimize pain when sitting for long periods.


In addition, for customers who work long hours, especially office workers who often have to lean forward to work on the computer, office swivel chairs with integrated lumbar support and ergonomics are ideal. The forward recline is the ideal choice. The feature helps minimize lower back and neck pain when sitting for long periods, improving sitting posture and reducing the risk of spine-related problems.


You can explore the following Okamura chair models equipped with lumbar support:

For more detailed information about each chair model, you can refer to here.


4.3. Choosing a long-standing brand ensures lasting quality

Customers should choose office chair backrests from long-standing brands to help ensure a smooth and comfortable sitting experience. In addition, office chair backrests from long-standing brands are often made of high-quality aluminum or plastic and have a long-term warranty to help ensure stability during use. 


For example, you can choose a chair backrest from the Okamura brand with many outstanding features, such as:

  • Japanese brand with over 70 years of experience: Okamura is one of Japan's leading furniture brands, established in 1945. It specializes in providing modern, classy office design solutions. Many products manufactured by Okamura meet strict quality standards and are made from environmentally friendly materials such as E-LOOP mattress, Re:net fabric, etc. 

  • Warranty up to 10 years (depending on each part): An extended warranty period helps users feel secure that Okamura backrest products will be repaired or replaced if the manufacturer makes a technical error.


Office chair backrest helps users maintain correct sitting posture and improve health, enhance work productivity, and brings comfort throughout the working process. With sophisticated ergonomic design, high-quality materials, and optimal features, Okamura chair models not only meet a variety of usage needs but also contribute to enhancing your working space.

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