When it comes to office chairs, armrests are often overlooked and treated as a minor detail or even an optional extra. But in reality, well designed armrests play an important role in posture, comfort and long term musculoskeletal health. We often find that armrests are the feature that can make or break a chair, especially when it comes to supporting a wide variety of users.
The purpose of armrests is support, not decoration
The main function of armrests is to support the forearms naturally and comfortably at desk level. This helps maintain good postures throughout the working day. When your arms are supported correctly, the strain on your shoulders, upper back and neck is reduced. More importantly, armrests help stop your forearms from drifting forwards onto the desk.
Why does that matter? Because when your arms move forwards, your shoulders follow, and before long your back is no longer in contact with the backrest. This subtle shift in posture, when repeated hour after hour, often leads to discomfort and fatigue. Good armrests help prevent this by keeping your elbows back and your back supported.
What makes a good armrest
Armrests should be designed with comfort, function and adaptability in mind. Here are the key features to look out for:
Natural positioning: You should be able to use your keyboard and mouse while your arms are resting on the armrests. You may naturally type without armrest support, but should fall back onto them when you pause from typing and use the mouse. If your arms are hovering awkwardly or reaching forward to use the keyboard and mouse, the armrests are not doing their job.
Height adjustment: People vary in height and arm length, so armrests must be adjustable in height to suit the user and the working environment. With the knees level with or slightly lower than the hips, the armrests should adjust to support the arms at the same height as the desk.
Width adjustment: This is often where many chairs fail. Armrests that are fixed too wide apart will not suit most users and can make the entire chair feel uncomfortable. Being able to adjust the width of armrests is essential, particularly in shared workspaces or when the same model of chair is used by different people.
Comfortable surface: Armrests should be wide enough and soft enough to feel comfortable all day. Narrow or hard edges are unpleasant and discourage proper use.
Desk compatibility: Armrests should not stop the user from sitting close to the desk. Chairs that require the armrests to be lowered under the desk are usually poorly designed. Similarly, if there is a large gap between the armrest and the backrest, the design of the armrest is poor and likely to prevent effective back support.
Ask yourself how your armrests adjust and feel
Take a moment to assess your current office chair. Can you adjust the height and width of the armrests? Do they feel natural and comfortable to rest on while working? Can you sit close to your desk with your arms supported? If not, your chair may not be offering the level of support you need, and this could be contributing to discomfort or poor posture during the day.
Better design leads to a better experience
When purchasing chairs for many different users, armrest adjustability becomes even more important. Without both height and width adjustment, the chance of the chair suiting the majority of your team is greatly reduced. And without supportive and comfortable armrests, even a high quality chair may not deliver the expected benefits.
At DSE Solutions, we help businesses choose ergonomic seating that includes properly designed armrests. We supply a wide range of ergonomic office chairs that offer excellent adjustability and comfort, helping your team feel better supported throughout the day.
If you are reviewing your current chairs or planning a wider office refit, get in touch with us. We are happy to offer advice, recommend suitable options, and provide a quote for individual or volume orders.
Armrests are not an afterthought. They are an essential part of a well designed office chair — and a small detail that makes a big difference.