The Perfect Modern Desk Chairs for Every Budget, Style, and Body

Worker on a Chair
If you've ever spent time sitting in an uncomfortable office chair, then you know how important this piece of furniture really is.

A subpar office chair can lead to all sorts of pain and discomfort, not to mention unproductive workdays. But finding the right desk chair can be a little tricky because what's cute and comfortable for one person might not be a great fit for someone else.

To make it easier, we're showcasing the best office chairs for every aesthetic, body, and budget so you can experience the comfort you deserve while working hard at the office.

What Should You Look for in a Good Desk Chair?

Given that a lot of us spend more time at our desks than virtually anywhere else, our desk chairs play a very important role in our daily comfort. They also tend to set the tone for an office aesthetic, so the best chairs give equal attention to form and function.

When it comes to function, there are a few features you can look for that indicate whether a chair is the right fit for you. Katie Simpson, interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors, recommends asking yourself, "Is the seat adjustable? Does it offer lumbar support? Can you purchase the chair with casters to easily move around the room?"

Additionally, if you have back problems or difficulty sitting for long periods, then you'll also want to look for an ergonomic chair, which is specifically designed to adhere to your body's natural contours and promote daily comfort.

Of course, you also don't want to invest in a chair only to have it break after just a few months of use, so Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design, recommends that you, "Always choose a chair made with good quality, durable materials. Chairs chosen for looks without taking into account comfort and longevity will end up being replaced."

11 Modern Desk Chairs for Your Home Office

1. Ergonomic Chair

Ergonomic Chair

Brand: Branch
Price: $299

Designed in Italy, this ergonomic office desk chair boasts seven adjustment points, allowing you to tailor everything from the seat height and depth to the arms and recline position so you can find the perfect fit for your body while promoting strong posture.

Read more: Branch Is on a Mission to Make High-Quality Office Furniture Accessible to Everyone

The executive chair also happens to be super cute with a customizable style. It comes in three different colors—black, gray, and light blue—with the option to choose between white and black frames. And the executive office chair's minimal, streamlined design will elevate your aesthetic without overwhelming it.

Shop now at branchfurniture.com

2. noho move

Perfect Noho Move Chair

Brand: noho    
Price: $375

Speaking of minimal, this chair is a stunning example of how chic and effective a pared-back chair can be. The patented armless design includes an auxetic mesh seat that offers four-way flexibility while supporting your body's unique contours.

Read more: noho move Review: A Versatile Chair Designed to Save your Spine and the Planet

Not your typical piece of office furniture, this mid-back chair naturally shifts with your body, whether you're tilting forward or reclining back, to provide easy, fluid comfort no matter your position. And thanks to its versatile design, the chair can work just as well as a dining chair or side chair as a desk chair. Given that it comes in two fun hues, there's no reason not to pick up a few different options for various spaces in your home.

Shop now at noho.co

3. Aeron Chair

Aeron Chair

Brand: Herman Miller
Price: $1,545

This best-in-class ergonomic office chair is ideal for anyone who takes their comfort seriously. It was first designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994, then re-engineered by Chadwick in 2016 to include several material and comfort enhancements. The chair's hardware offers adjustable spinal support to promote healthy body posture, while its state-of-the-art tilt mechanism naturally moves with your body.

But you don't have to take our word for it. It's also a favorite of interior designer Katie Simpson: “This chair is the perfect combination of ergonomics and comfort. Every component of the Aeron is designed to maintain proper alignment and balance—no matter the sitting position."

If you like gaming, there's also a special gaming chair edition with a backrest that provides customized support and accommodates a gamer’s upright, active posture.

Shop now at dwr.com

4. Desirae Desk Chair

Desirae Desk Chair

Brand: McGee & Co
Price: $850

You'll be hard-pressed to find a better-looking chair than this stunner from McGee & Co. Its solid beechwood frame pays homage to the timeless style of mid-century modern design, while contemporary details, like an adjustable 360-degree swivel star base, make it easy to move around your desk.

Though it's not ergonomically designed for hours upon hours of comfort, according to Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design, it's a great option for anyone who prioritizes style and durability: “For those not spending long hours at their desk I recommend the Desirae Desk Chair by McGee & Co. Its sleek design and solid wood build ensure a long-lasting chair, both in style and in durability."

Shop now at mcgeeandco.com

5. Phoebe Office Chair

Phoebe office chair

Brand: Lulu & Georgia
Price: $799

Interior designer Katie Simpson also recommends this gorgeous office chair from furniture brand, Lulu & Georgia: “Mixing soft boucle upholstery with a warm ash finish, this timeless yet modern chair style offers a cozy, elegant design for everyday use."

The chair's beautiful bentwood back nods to modernist design while creating a look that will bring a welcoming warmth to any space it lives in. It also features a sneaky built-in swivel that allows you to get comfortable without cramping the chair's streamlined style.

Shop now at luluandgeorgia.com

6. Finora

Finora Desk Chair

Brand: Room & Board
Price: $999

Coming in six gorgeous hues, this ergonomic modern home office desk chair is made with form-sensing mesh that offers custom lumbar support. You can also adjust it in multiple ways, including the height, seat depth, and armrests, so you'll have no trouble finding the right configuration for your body.

According to Room & Board's retail marketing manager Nicole Gaynor, “Finora has a mesh seat and back that provides support and breathability. The sleek, modern silhouette and range of  energizing color choices, like yellow, ocean, and navy, make it easy for Finora to stylishly blend with any office setting, from a corporate office to your home workspace."

Shop now at roomandboard.com

7. Embody Chair

Embody Chair

Brand: Herman Miller
Price: $1,695

We simply cannot have a desk chair roundup without highlighting another Herman Miller option.

Herman Miller is a world-renowned furniture brand that has received international acclaim for its ergonomic design and high-quality chairs. The Embody Chair high back office chair features a pixelated support system that reduces pressure and conforms to your body's micromovements—ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time working from home at their desk.

It's also designer-approved, coming highly recommended from Megan Dufresne: “For those who spend hours at their desk every day and are able to invest in a high-end chair, I highly recommend the Herman Miller Embody Chair. This chair works with your body to provide the most comfortable experience possible for sitting at a desk all day."

Shop now at hermanmiller.com

8. Graham

Graham Desk Chair

Brand: Interior Define
Price: $470

If you have a specific color palette for your home office furniture, then you can't go wrong with the Graham accent chair from Interior Define. It comes in virtually every color you can imagine, whether you're seeking an emerald green accent or peachy pink.

And its versatility extends beyond its color options. The style of the chair lends itself just as well to a home office as it does a living room, dining room, or bedroom accent. It also comes at a more budget-friendly price point than many of the other desk chairs out there.

Shop now at interiordefine.com

9. Euben Task Chair

Euben Task Chair

Brand: Joss & Main
Price: $659.99

This low-back task chair features ebony wood accents combined with a natural cane inlay, resulting in a striking piece of furniture that effortlessly combines form and function. Its unique contrasting color palette will add design-forward definition to any home office.

The chair also has a seat height adjustment ranging from 19.5 to  23.5 inches, so it will work well with a wide variety of desks and spaces. And the warm, textural look of the chair is a no-fail way to make your office feel more dynamic and inviting.

Shop now at jossandmain.com

10. Eliseno

Eliseno Office Chair

Brand: Article
Price: $399

This affordable swivel office chair from Article combines a hint of retro flair with futuristic style to create a modern chair that can slide seamlessly into all types of aesthetics. The sturdy swivel base allows you to quickly turn your attention to wherever it needs to be, while its neutral color will quietly uplift your space's style.

The computer chair is also incredibly comfortable, with a comfy plush seat and back that are easy to sink into for hours. And if this neutral color isn't exactly what you're looking for, you can also opt for the same chair in a burnt orange-red hue that will add a little heat to your look.

Shop now at article.com

11. Jovani Task Chair

Jovani Task Chair

Brand: AllModern
Price: $610

A great task chair is a to-do list's best friend, and this beauty from AllModern fits the bill perfectly. Built on an engineered wood frame, the chair's sleek swivel seat will take you from point A to point B in a flash, and its foam-filled seat will keep you comfortable while doing it.

Meanwhile, the chair's high back and sleek cutouts give it a sophisticated appearance that will enhance any look with modern style. Plus, it's compatible with tile, carpet, hardwood, and linoleum flooring, so you should have no trouble sliding around regardless of the floor you have.

Shop now at allmodern.com

What Types of Chairs Work Best as Desk Chairs?

Chairs come in infinite shapes, sizes, and styles, but there are some chairs that lend themselves much better to desk chairs than others. The right desk chair for you depends on a few factors, like your body's unique needs and for how long you'll be sitting in it each day.

"If you plan to work seven hours a day, I suggest going with an ergonomic chair that provides lower-back support, promotes good posture, helps alleviate back pain, and is comfortable enough to sit in for extended periods of time," recommends Katie Simpson. On the other hand, "if your work space is a place where you only spend a couple of hours a day, you have more flexibility with the style and overall look of the chair."

In addition to comfort, you should also consider the desk chair's functionality. For instance, if you find that you need to move around the room or a large desk quite a bit, then you probably want to look for swivel desk chairs with wheels to make those movements easier. Additionally, if a chair's height doesn't align with your desk, then it certainly won't make for a very good desk chair, so be sure to measure both your desk and any potential chairs to ensure you find the right height fit—you should also look for an adjustable seat to ensure you're sitting at the right height all day.

For many of us, aesthetics play an important role too. After all, you don't want to spend lots of time and money creating the perfect office look only to have your new chair cramp your style. So, think about how you want your office to look and feel. If you have a more traditional workspace aesthetic, then a traditional desk chair in a black or gray hue with casters and swivel base could be the perfect aesthetic fit. But if your office design is a little more outside the box, then you might want an unconventional chair featuring a bold hue or pattern. And if you tend to update your aesthetic regularly, then a timeless chair in a neutral color could be your best option.

How you sit, aka your sitting style, also matters when choosing an office chair. Nicole Gaynor from Room & Board shared some tips for finding the right chair based on your personal sitting style:

  • Start with an adjustable-height chair that allows a 90-degree angle at your knees.
  • Consider your “sitting style”. Do you perch at the edge of your chair, sit all the way back, or a combination? Choose a seat depth that will work best for you.
  • Other considerations: lumbar support, adjustable arms, and the flexibility of a swivel chair when working in a small space.
  • Don’t forget, no matter what chair you choose, you need to be conscious of your posture. Bad posture can lead to a sore neck, shoulders, and back.
  • Last but not least, be sure to layer in regular breaks throughout your day to get up and move.
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Written by
Kelly Weimert
Kelly Weimert is a writer, editor, and interior design expert with 10 years of experience writing about design and home decor. She's written for interior design publications such as MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, Domino Magazine, and Hunker. When she's not writing or editing, she's probably busy obsessing over how to beautify her home.
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