Take a Seat: The Truth About Chairs, Comfort, and Carpets in Hybrid Work Life
Let’s talk about chairs.
Not the kind you see in design magazines that no one ever actually sits in. I mean your chair. The one you’re in right now, or the one you spend eight hours a day on—give or take a few stretch breaks and snack runs. Whether you’re working from a sleek office space, a kitchen corner, or that patch of calm between the sofa and the pile of Lego (!), seating matters more than we often give it credit for.
I’ve been hybrid working for years now, and I’ve sat on everything from a pricey ergonomic seat to a dining chair that left me feeling like I’d aged ten years in one Zoom call. So let’s dig into it. The good, the bad, the surprisingly comfy. And a few tips along the way.
What Makes a Good Office Chair (and Why It’s Worth It)
If you have the space and budget for a proper office chair, don’t skimp. Think of it like shoes—you wear them every day, and if they’re poorly designed, you feel it. Same goes for chairs.
Here’s what to look for:
Adjustability: Seat height, back tilt, armrests, lumbar support—the more you can tweak it, the better.
Lumbar support: A gentle push in your lower back can save you from that hunched-over goblin posture we all slide into by 3pm.
Breathable fabric: Leather looks classy but can get sweaty. Mesh is cooler and often more flexible.
Seat depth: Your back should hit the backrest and your knees should bend naturally at the edge of the seat.
That said, not everyone has space or cash for a big chair that looks like a spaceship. So let’s get creative.
Making Dining Chairs Work for You
I worked from a dining chair for years before I finally got my own home office space. They’re definitely not built for eight-hour days, but sometimes that’s the reality. If you’re going down that route, here are a few things to try:
Add a cushion: Or two. Something with memory foam if you can swing it. This helps with pressure on your hips and thighs.
Lumbar roll: A small pillow, a rolled-up towel, or an actual lumbar cushion behind your lower back.
Footrest: Stack a few books or use a small box to keep your feet flat and your posture decent.
Breaks matter even more: You can survive on a less-than-ideal chair if you stand up and move around every 30-60 minutes. Set a timer. Dance a little…. ;)
And if you’re using your dining chair as your office chair, don’t forget to swap it out when dinner comes around. That mental reset is important.
Sofas: The Double-Edged Sword
The sofa is the ultimate trap. Cosy? Yes. Productive? Occasionally. Ergonomic? Absolutely not.
Sitting on a sofa with a laptop on your lap is great for about 15 minutes. Then your neck starts to crane, your shoulders hunch, and your wrists are typing at weird angles.
If you’re set on working from the sofa (no judgment, I’ve been there), here's how to level it up:
Lap desk or tray: Raise the laptop off your legs and give yourself a stable typing surface.
External keyboard and mouse: Let the laptop screen sit higher and keep your wrists in a natural position.
Support your lower back: Cushions behind you, under your arms, anywhere you need support.
Feet up, not out: If you can prop your feet up on an ottoman or stool, it helps keep your hips and knees aligned.
Don’t forget to stand up every so often. Your body will thank you.
Rugs, Carpets, and Floor Feel
If you’re in socks or slippers all day, the feel of the floor starts to matter.
Hard floors: Stylish, but brutal on your feet and chair wheels. A rug under your desk helps soften things, absorbs sound, and makes the space feel more “yours.”
Chair mats: If you’re rolling on carpet, a mat can stop you sinking into a corner by noon. They also help protect your flooring from scuffs.
Rug tip: Make sure it’s not so fluffy your chair sinks into it. Low-pile or flat-woven rugs work best under rolling chairs.
And if your chair doesn’t roll? Even more reason to have a soft layer under your feet. No one likes cold toes.
Positioning is Everything
You can have the best chair in the world, but if your screen and keyboard are in the wrong place, you’ll still end up stiff and sore.
Here’s my setup checklist:
Screen at eye level: Top third of the screen should be at eye height. Use a stand, books, or even a shoebox to get it right.
Keyboard and mouse at elbow level: Your arms should be at about a 90-degree angle. If your desk is too high, consider a keyboard tray or lower chair.
Distance matters: Your screen should be about an arm’s length away. Too close and your eyes get tired; too far and you lean forward.
The Reality: Perfect Is Rare
Here’s the thing—most of us don’t live in houses with spare rooms, adjustable lighting, and desks that rise at the touch of a button. Hybrid working often means making the best of what we’ve got.
Some days you’re at your kitchen table. Some days you’re at a co-working space. Some days, it’s the sofa, your child’s beanbag, or wherever you can grab 20 quiet minutes.
So don’t beat yourself up if your setup isn’t Instagram-worthy. Focus on little improvements: better posture, a cushion here, a footrest there, taking breaks, being kind to your body.
Because hybrid work isn’t just about location—it’s about adaptability. And your chair, however humble, is part of that journey.
Final Thought: Move Often, Sit Well
The best chair in the world still won’t save you if you’re sitting still all day. The best advice I can give is to mix things up. Sit, stand, stretch, walk. Change your chair now and then. Work near a window. Roll out a rug. Put a plant on your desk. Make your space yours.
And when you find that perfect seating setup—even if it’s a dining chair with a rolled-up towel and a footstool made of cookbooks—celebrate it. Because that’s hybrid work at its finest: thoughtful, flexible, and just a little bit improvised.