With its lounge-feels, thoughtful adjustability, and plush, natural upholstery options, Room & Board for Business’ Jude brings “soft office” energy into both corporate workplaces and stylish WFH setups.

Michelle Weiss, Publisher of Work Design Magazine, and Nicole Zack, Design Manager and Workplace Strategist at Ted Moudis Associates, spent several days working from Jude, evaluating comfort, adjustability, and user experience across a range of tasks and settings. Here’s what we learned.

First Impressions: A Cozy, Elevated Presence

Jude immediately stands out for its comfy residential, almost lounge-chair-like character. The profile is clean and inviting, with a generously sized seat and back that feel more “living room” than “board room.”

What won us over first was the seat pan which is wide, supportive, and dressed in a 4″+ cushion that feels intentionally plush.

It’s like working in a lounge chair that’s been lifted to task height.

If your design aesthetic leans toward comfortable minimalism or warm modern interiors, Jude fits right in.

The Run Down

Jude is super comfortable and supportive.

Overall Experience: Reviewers agree Jude is a nice change from a typical task chair, it’s very roomy and plush across both the seat and back.

It’s Made for You: There are 235 fabric options to choose from!

‘View In Your Space’ Feature on the Website: This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s fabric chooses, dimensions and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Sustainable Fabric: Slightly textural but still soft, this twill fabric is made from thick yarns in a classic diagonal pattern with a bit of heathering. The Derry neutral chair we reviewed is a GREENGUARD Gold Certified® Revolution® fabric.

Wellbeing Bonus: For designers selecting products that support neuroinclusive, relaxed-focus environments, Jude is a strong contender.

Additional Standout Feature: Intuitive & Easy to Reach Controls

Room & Board for Business made a smart choice here: keep the controls simple and easy to find.

Every adjustment felt intuitive, with no guesswork about what each lever or knob would do. Adjustability isn’t over-engineered as the chair gets you to a comfortable, task-ready position quickly. There’s even some cozy, built-in lumbar support.

Designer-to-Designer: What You Should Know

This chair isn’t a fit for every application, and ergonomically it doesn’t offer all the adjustments you’d expect from a traditional, all day task chair. That said, that’s part of its strength. It’s well-suited for library, conference room, guest space or quiet room settings in the workplace where people want a change of pace from their primary workstation, or in a home office where comfort and a residential look are priorities.

Treat Yourself this Season!

Jude delivers an impressive blend of coziness, function, and design sophistication. It offers the kind of plush, supportive seating that makes long stretches of focused work feel easy and the aesthetic that makes a workspace feel intentionally curated.

With the holidays around the corner, Jude also happens to make a fantastic home-office upgrade. If your workspace wish list includes comfort, style, and a bit of indulgence, this chair deserves a spot under (or next to) the tree. Order yours here.

Images courtesy of Room & Board and our reviewers.

The post Chair of the Month Review: Jude by Room & Board for Business appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet Ignition 2.0 with Spectrum Mesh

The HON Company’s Ignition 2.0 has long been a dependable choice in performance seating; with this latest update featuring the Spectrum Mesh version, HON brings together bold aesthetics, ergonomic comfort and sustainability in a package that fits modern corporate workspaces.

The Rundown

The chair had excellent ergonomics, and the lumbar support made long periods of sitting much easier.

Adjustable Arms: Height adjustments allow a tailored fit for different users or postures.

Seat Comfort: Synchro-tilt control help ensure the chair accommodates upright work and relaxed recline.

Mesh Back: The Spectrum Mesh supports airflow and natural lumbar curve while allowing the body to move, rather than feeling “locked in”.

Ships Quick: Ignition 2.0 in Spectrum Mesh is also part of the HON NOW quick-ship program, shipping in just two weeks

Sustainability Story: The mesh contains 20 % post-consumer recycled polyester. Plus it meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (free of harmful chemicals and 100 % free of heavy metals).

What We Loved Most

Design & Aesthetics

The simple form and clean lines of the chair made everyone stop and ask where it was from, and the pop of color was an added bonus!

One of the standout first impressions of the Ignition 2.0 Spectrum Mesh is the bold color palette. The Spectrum Mesh option comes in 22 curated hues ranging from neutrals (Linen, Quicksand) to vibrant tones (Cobalt, Bullseye, Key Lime) giving specifiers and designers a broad palette to match brand, culture, interior décor.

Fun color options and a variety of styles conveniently within the same line.

The Ignition 2.0 chair that we reviewed was an eye-catching Cobalt Blue mesh and seat. From the perspective of modern workplace aesthetics, where monochromatic  color schemes are trending, the bold yet restrained options here give a clean, unified look.

Additional Standout Features

We also like the fact that Ignition 2.0 comes not only in the standard task version that we reviewed but also cafe stools, multipurpose stacking and sled base chairs, and a big-and-tall task chair. The enables flexibility across a variety of use-cases (private, collaborative, and creative environments) which is a plus for workplace designers juggling multiple settings.

The “View it in My Space” configurator was another standout component on the website because it allows designers to visualize the Ignition 2.0 chair at true scale in the actual environment using augmented reality. This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s color (since there are many great options), scale, and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Special Thanks to Our DLR Group Co-Reviewers

Elly Franklin, Interior Designer

Brendan Bell, Interior Designer

Images courtesy of Hon and DLR Group.

Curious about what it was like to work from Ignition 2.0? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

Want more options from The Hon Company?

Check out our Review of Flexion ->

The post Chair of the Month Review: Ignition 2.0 by Hon appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Work Design Magazine’s Katie Sargent along with designers at Ted Moudis NYC spent the month of September working from Amia by Steelcase. Here’s their top takeaways from the experience.

Meet Amia by Steelcase

Amia is undoubtedly the underdog of the Steelcase task chair lineup. The chair is quiet and refined, yet hiding beneath its smooth exterior are all the bells and whistles of a highly sophisticated ergonomic task chair. 

The Rundown

• Key Features: Four unique back expressions for a wide range of visual aesthetics to fit any space.
• Chair Design: LiveBack Technology – Steelcase-exclusive comfort technology designed to provide lumbar energy through all of the unique ways the modern workforce moves and sits.
• Adjustable Options: Precision Fit/Manual Chair. Standard 4-Dimensional Arms, Fully adjustable arms that move in height, width, depth, and pivot to enhance neck and shoulder support.
• Fabric Options: Multiple fabric options from neutral to brighter colors including leather. 
• Sustainability Spotlight: Product Certifications – BIFMA Level 3; CAL 117; BIFMA + EN Compliant ; SCS Indoor Advantage Gold – Furniture; Environmental Product Declaration; Available in CarbonNeutral Product Certification; Re-manufacturable through Circular by Steelcase: Remade

Available for purchase in the Steelcase Store

What We Loved Most

After sitting in the Amia chair for a month, both in a home office and office building setting, we understand why this chair is universally loved Steelcase task chair. The biggest benefit of a manual chair are there are lots of adjusting options to make the chair work for you. The lumbar back height knob was especially cool. 

User Friendly While still having cutting edge ergonomics

The customizations don’t stop with the chair functionality, it expands into the aesthetics as well. It comes in a fabric back or shell back option which can help it have a more residential feel as well. Overall, it is a comfy and robust chair that checks all of the boxes! 

Additional Feature Spotlight

• Price Starting at $999
• Designed by the Steelcase Design Studio in collaboration with Thomas Overthun of IDEO
• Check out a video on how to adjust the Steelcase Amia below!

Want to See More From Steelcase?

Last August we reviewed the Karman task chair. Catch the full review here.

Meet Our Reviewers from Ted Moudis

• Bailey Cook, Junior Designer, Ted Moudis
• Brooke Krugman, Junior Graphic Designer, Ted Moudis

Curious about what it was like to work from Amia? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Amia by Steelcase appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Work Design Magazine’s Erin Fox, alongside designers from HOK’s DC office, spent the month of August putting Evo to the test. Over weeks of daily use, reviewers explored its adaptability across different work styles, settings, and needs.

Meet Evo by Allsteel

Redesigned for the modern workplace, Evo is flexible to every user’s needs. A weight-activated mechanism along with a mesh-style backing shift and respond to every movement. Our reviewers highlighted the comfort, support, and stability of the chair. 

“I enjoy the lumbar support and how it makes me sit up straighter than I do in my normal chair.”

The innovative Quilted Knit back draws inspiration from 3D knitting technology found in the fashion and footwear industries and is produced through a zero-waste manufacturing process. Supportive and sustainable, Evo’s backing blends the comfort of upholstery with the breathability of mesh. The knit material is created from 100% recycled content and is designed for easy disassembly for proper recycling. 

“Evo is lightweight but offers good support. Plus I like the adjustable seat depth.”

The Rundown

Key Features: Adjustable lumbar support, 4D arms

Chair Line: The Evo family includes a task chair, task stool, conference chair, and side chair 

Aesthetic Options: Choose from a palette of 40 new paint colors for the arms and bases, plus a range of accent stitch colors

Sustainability Spotlight: Evo’s 3D Technical Knit Back is produced through a zero-waste manufacturing process. Plus, select Evo models are now available as carbon neutral.

Weight Limit: 350 lb weight rating

What We Loved Most

Evo provided a range of ergonomic-tuning with controls that were easy to find and use. The most popular adjustments with our reviewers were the lumbar support and seat depth. The 4D armrests also provided a myriad of adjustable options, perfect for transitioning to different work environments and positions throughout the day.

“Although the multi-position armrests were nice, once I found the right spot I didn’t need to readjust.”

Our reviewers tested a blue and aluminum-colored design that showcased the uniquely quilted backing. Evo feels as comfortable as it looks, and reviewers highlighted the stability when reclined. This task chair felt lightweight and breathable, perfect during our summer month of testing. 

Evo proved to be more than just another task chair—it’s a thoughtful balance of ergonomics, aesthetics, and sustainability. For anyone seeking a seat that adapts seamlessly to the way they work, while reflecting modern design values, Evo makes a strong case as a new workplace standard.

Meet Our HOK Reviewers

Nita Tuvesson – Director of Operations

Ella Macfee – Interior Design Professional

Lana Yoon – Senior Associate 

Curious about what it was like to work from Evo? Check out our Instagram Reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Evo by Allsteel appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Work Design Magazine’s Katie Sargent along with designers from Ted Moudis Associate’s NYC office spent the month of January working from the Aarea Conference Chair by Teknion. Here’s the top takeaways from the experience.

Meet Aarea by Teknion

Beautiful, comfortable, second-life materials and well engineered – what more could you ask for?! The Aarea conference chair is great for a variety of workplace settings, even outside of a conference room! Our reviewers found the chair very comfortable while also remaining stable and supporting focused work.

The Aarea Conference Chair intelligently breaks down into individual components, recognizing that wear and tear to various parts happen at different rates. This forward-thinking design approach allows the chair to be serviced when needed and supports repairing the product rather than throwing it entirely away; ultimately increasing its lifespan. However, at the end of its lifecycle, all of the components can be recycled, effectively reducing the product’s carbon output.

The Rundown

• Key Features: Simple swivel tilt mechanism – intuitive and ergonomic. 
• Weight Limit: Designed and tested for users up to 300 lbs.
• Chair Design: Designed by Pearson Lloyd and available in three styles – conference, casual lounge and work lounge. 
• Adjustable Options: Height adjustable and back tilt-lock. 
• Fabric Options: Knit available in 11 different finishes. 
• Sustainability Spotlight: Made with minimal components and second-life materials, the mélange knit back is fabricated from retrieved marine plastic to minimize virgin materials and waste.  

What We Loved Most

The Aarea chair offers great support while keeping an appealing, professional look. We loved the backrest and lumbar support, how comfortable the seat pan and armrests are, and the fact that the chair remains stable when sitting reclined. 

I love the look of the chair and it is very comfortable, it felt like i was working from home!

The controls are easy to find and the chair is simple to adjust and recline which makes the chair ultra user friendly, wether it is at workstations or in more high-traffic areas like conference or meeting spaces or lobby and public spaces. Other key favorite parts of the chair is the width and comfort level as well as the fact that when working with back straight, the chair support doesn’t move forward with you BUT for reclining position, it is fabulous.

Additional Feature Spotlight

• Meets ANSI/BIFMA requirements.
• The knit back is made to size, creating no additional cut-off waste.
• Optional universal tablet for left or right-handed users.

Want to see more from Teknion?

You can also see their products (like their community table with TV lift) featured in Ted Moudis’ NYC office tour.

Meet Our Ted Moudis Reviewers

Jamie Herenstein, Project Designer

Paige Gigantiello, Project Designer

Curious about what it was like to work from Aarea? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Aarea by Teknion appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet Noetic

In today’s hybrid workplace, where you work, how you work and who you work with is constantly shifting. With all the things you need to think about – feel good that Noetic won’t be one of them.

Noetic is a thoughtful ergonomic task chair that is also available as a task stool. Designed by Studio Black Box, this versatile seating series responds to the varied nature of today’s workplace by adapting to an individual’s posture, movement and how they work. Noetic’s sleek profile and contemporary look complement a range of formal and casual environments, including assigned, touchdown and co-working spaces.

This chair would be a great option for projects that are looking for locally sourced materials.

The Run Down

• Rollin Rollin Rollin: The carpet casters are standard and allowed for plenty of seamless moments moving good distances on wood floors. Hard surface casters are also available.
• Many Adjustable Options: Back height, adjustable lumbar support, seat depth and arm adjustment options support a range of body types and seating preferences.

• Aesthetic Options: Interior Designers can personalize the Noetic chair with a choice of ten Dimension Mesh and six Digital Mesh colors. Bring it all together with three frame finishes, matching arms and bases, and a comprehensive selection of Global Carded or Alliance Partner textiles.
• Sustainability Story: Noetic is made in North America from 90% locally sourced materials to reduce its carbon footprint. Plus the seating series was designed to be repaired rather than replaced, to keep it out of landfill. It’s also backed by Global’s Limited Lifetime Warranty (see website for details), is GREENGUARD Gold and BIFMA LEVEL certified.

What We Loved Most

Superior Seat

Plus a moisture barrier is available!

Controls are Easy to Find

Easy to Adjust & Recline as Positions Change

Adapting to our ever-changing positions throughout a day or even just making a meeting more comfortable, Noetic shines as their weight sensing synchro-tilter automatically adjust the tilt tension according to the users weight. Worried about taking things too far? The back angle adjustment has a multi-position tilt lock. Most importantly, it’s stable when in a reclined position!

This chair seamlessly adjusts to user preference without any hiccups in mechanism controls – making it a great solution for various work styles.

Additional Standout Features

This versatile seating series fits in all types of modern work environments by offering plenty of individual and intuitive adjustments. It’s an easy solution for assigned, touchdown and coworking spaces.

Sleek, stylish and can easily integrate into any design!

LEARN MORE HERE

Product images courtesy of Global Furniture Group. All other photos courtesy of Partners By Design.

Special Thanks To Our Guest Reviewers

Cindy Rumas

Project Interior Designer, Partners By Design (PBD)

Bojana Vazic

Project Designer, Partners By Design (PBD)

Curious about what it was like to work from Noetic? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday.

Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

The post Chair of the Month Review: Noetic™ by Global Furniture Group appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Work Design Magazine’s Katie Sargent along with the design team at HOK NYC spent the month of September working from Specere by Okamura. Here’s their top takeaways from the experience.

Meet Specere by Okamura

Form and function perfectly collide through a chair that moves with you! Specere is a lightweight, compact task chair with long-lasting comfort. It can fit in a variety of work settings including conference, training, workstation and at home. As the landscape of work continues to change, Specere can shift to fit in any work space as well.

The Rundown

• Key Features: Full, responsive back support, height adjustable using a simple pin beneath the seat.
• Chair Design: The design focus is monobloc – one color, one material, one basic shape from one cast.
• Adjustable Options: With or without armrests and 2 different caster types. Also comes in a stool option.
• Fabric Options: Seven vibrant monochromatic colorways. 
• Sustainability Spotlight: By limiting the number of materials and components Specere has lowered the carbon footprint through production and distribution. While built to last, Specere’s components can be disassembled for recycling.

What We Loved Most

Specere is a simple and stunning task chair, which adds a sleek look to the work space. We tested the dark green color, which hides any stains or wear from use. While the chair color options are very bright, the monochromatic design keeps it feeling subtle and grounded.

The color is so vibrant and really pops in any environment. 

The chair is quick and agile, it is the perfect touchdown chair for an office on the go or a space in transition. The wheels roll seamlessly across a variety of floorings without marking or snagging and can easily be pulled up to an impromptu training, extra space for a meeting or more seating in a conference room. It’s slim frame makes it quick to move about.

Additional Feature Spotlight

• The Specere chair addresses two unique problems; enhancing user comfort through advanced ergonomics and reducing visual clutter in office settings.
• Chair designed by B4K
• Check out a video of the chair below!

Want to see more from Okamura?

Last September we reviewed the Sphere task chair. Catch the full review here.

Meet Our HOK Reviewers

• Shira Itzkowitz, Interior Design, HOK
• Wendy Kelman, Resources Generalist, HOK
• Rachel Mongeluzo, Interior Design, HOK

Curious about what it was like to work from Specere? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Specere by Okamura appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Together with the interiors team at DLR Group in Chicago, we worked from the Cosgrove Executive Conference Swivel Chair in conference rooms and meeting settings during the entire month of June. Read on to see what you need to know about this seating option for your next project.

Meet Cosgrove

Work Design along with our partner reviewers at DLR Group, enjoyed a sneak peek experience with Cosgrove prior to it’s debut at Design Days 2024. True to the description, Cosgrove transformed 5 minute touchdown meetups to 2 hour long marathon meetings into moments of artful, slimline sophistication. Even on zoom calls, the mid-century sleekness of the high back version caught the attention of others on the call.

The quilted back detail enhances its refinement while ensuring superior comfort. Available in two back heights, high back and mid back, Cosgrove easily transitions from the executive boardroom to the meeting room and to the executive office.

At the DLR offices, Cosgrove’s home base was the conference room but it was a frequent favorite at small collaboration spaces throughout the office as well.

It’s the perfect blend of form and function in spaces where groups of all sizes gather.

The Run Down

• Comfort: While Cosgrove was an immediate fit in our cases, it comes with easily adjustable controls, including a knee-tilt mechanism for additional individualized comfort.
• Posture Support: The design promotes healthy seating habits and good posture.
• Materials and Build Quality: With the dual upholstery option, the combinations are endless.
• Chair Options: Executive Conference, Guest Chairs (available with or without arms) and a faux leather option are all available in two back heights, high back and mid back. Cosgrove also features a polished aluminum swivel base and is also available in a 4-star guest base in polished aluminum. We reviewed the Executive Conference Chair with the high back and arms.
• Movement: Cosgrove gives just the right amount of tilt and swivel movement to keep guests comfortable even when meetings run long.
• Sustainability Story: 100% of JSI products are GREENGUARD certified, and many are UL 2818 GREENGUARD Gold certified. Additionally, many JSI products are ANSI/BIFMA e3-2019 certified. While they have not yet been GREENGUARD certified for Cosgrove, they are confident they will be as it is vital to their sustainability practices and culture.

What We Loved Most

Wellbeing

I really love how much it enforces the user to maintain good posture, which I know I could use help with.

While guests aren’t intended to be in the chair for extended periods of time, all reviewers agreed that it is superior in promoting upright seating for all shapes and sizes.

Additional Standout Features

Quickship Options! To maximize time on projects, options of both the executive conference high back and the executive conference mid back in black faux leather with black polyurethane arm caps are available on their 10-day Quickship program.

Images courtesy of JSI and DLR Group.

Special Thanks To Our Guest Reviewers

While Cosgrove took up residency in conference room, several DLR employees and their guests spent time in it. Feedback from two specifiers in particular stood out and warrant special thanks:

Kailey Smith

AIA, Associate and Architect at DLR Group

Aaron Kalfen

AIA, Senior Associate and Project Architect at DLR Group

Want to see Cosgrove in person?

Experience the new Cosgrove models in JSI’s refreshed showroom at 345 N Morgan on the 6th floor in Chicago’s Fulton Market!

Curious about what it was like to work from JSI’s Cosgrove? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Cosgrove by JSI appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet O6

The O6 task chair blends contemporary aesthetics with solid ergonomics and comfort. The sleek silhouette is an eye-catching addition to any setting, and with Allsteel’s intuitive online configurator, users can tailor every aspect of the chair to their personal preferences for optimal support and style.

This design promises easy ergonomics with an array of color and pattern options for your frame, seat, and fabric preference.

While we reviewed it with office environments in mind, our partners at PBD took a broader view.

O6 could also be a fit for hospitality or education designers.

The Run Down

• Comfort: The O6 chair is built with contoured shapes and ample seat cushions to deliver all-day comfort and responsive ergonomic support in the workplace. It also features a weight-activated recline that all reviewers enjoyed.
• Chair Design: We are all fans of the clean lines of the silhouette. Armless options and the task stool version are also appealing.
• Adjustable Options: Users can fine tune their experience by adjusting the height, depth, and tilt to make it the perfect perch.

• Fabric Options: With 29 different mesh colors and 4 frame colors to choose from, users have the chance to make a design statement throughout their workspace. It’s perfect for achieving the popular monochromatic color look as well.
• Sustainability Story: According to Ecomedes, O6 has earned the following certifications and standards: BIFMA Level 3, CA Section 01350, CDPH Standard Method V1.2-2017, and SCS Indoor Advantage Gold. The total recycled content sits just over 20% at 21.4%. For the full details and Human Health stats click here.

What We Loved Most

O6’s Universal Appeal

An attractive palette of mesh and textile options for the back and seat enables O6 to make a strong design statement. The simple style of this task chair makes it is a solid seating solution for multiple spaces in work environments and other industries too.

It’s very clean, simple design lines make it appropriate for most interior applications.

Controls are Easy to Find and Straightforward Adaptability

All of the adjustments can be found in this short video below.

Auto-adjusts for mobility while maintaining stability

With the ease of moving a bar in the back, the lumbar support earned high ratings across all reviewers. Specifically when temporarily tilting back, our reviewers found the chair was extremely stable.

Additional Standout Features

Comfort is a key component of our reviews and this seat pan stood out earning some of the highest ratings. The contoured shape and ample sized seat cushion offer lasting support. When combined with the mesh back, it helps the user sit more upright.

Additionally, it rolls easily which is important in modern work environments.

Product images courtesy of Allsteel. All other photos courtesy of Partners By Design.

Special Thanks To Our Guest Reviewers

Cindy Rumas

Project Interior Designer, Partners By Design (PBD)

Justine Scrimali

Project Designer, Partners By Design (PBD)

Bojana Vazic

Project Designer, Partners By Design (PBD)

Want to see more seating solutions from Allsteel & HNI?

Check out our review of The HON Company’s Flexion task chair!

Curious about what it was like to work from Allsteel’s O6? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: O6 by Allsteel appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet Freedom Headrest

A dozen reviews in, this was our first review of a task chair with a headrest and it did not disappoint. Based on the original design by Niels Diffrient, and now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Freedom Headrest eliminates traditional adjustment mechanisms, leveraging the user’s own body weight and physics for intuitive positioning.

With a focus on spine health and overall well-being, this chair provides personalized support as it aligns with the user’s movements, offering better spinal alignment and reducing discomfort which ultimately promotes a healthier sitting experience.

The Run Down

• Comfort: Humanscale believes in order for a chair “to be ergonomically great, it has to be comfortable”. Because of the intuitive ergonomic design, you can move effortlessly from one position to another, making it feel as if the chair were custom-made for you or whoever happens to be sitting in it at any given moment.
• Chair Design: We reviewed Freedom Headrest in Kvadrat Vanir textile with Graphite frame. The arm and back has a sleek and clean design.
• Adjustable Options: While Freedom Headrest mainly offers self-adjusting support, the synchronous arms are designed to allow you to effortlessly change your arm support with one hand. The headrest also allows for manual height adjustments.
• Fabric Options: In partnership with Kvadrat, Humanscale offers the chair in nine different textiles from the brand, marrying function with design. One design reviewer commented that “Freedom Headrest is a great way to incorporate color and/or branding into a space.” Whether you are ordering one for your home office or specifying many of them, there’s a cool configurator tool (with ways to request samples) on their website.
• Sustainability Story: It’s a planet positive product! Constructed with 19% post-consumer and 15% pre-consumer recycled materials, the Freedom Headrest is meticulously designed to be free of harmful chemicals, adhering to the Living Future Institute’s strict standards.

What We Loved Most

LUMBAR SUPPORT

The back and lumbar (lower back) support earned top ratings across all reviewers. The headrest was most noteworthy with multiple screen use or when leaning back. During the times when temporarily tilting back our reviewers found the chair was extremely stable. On the reviewer wishlist is the ability to control the stiffness of the lumbar support.

I really enjoyed the headrest support and auto-adjusting functions when I recline.

SEAT PAN – PERFECTING THE BOUNCE!

Comfort is a key component of our reviews and this seat pan stood out earning nearly perfect scores. From the front, the curve of the seat pan makes the chair look like it is smiling.

The cushion is plush enough to feel comfortable, but firm enough to be supportive. I enjoyed the ease of a gentle bounce but didn’t feel unstable.

MID-REVIEW HUMANSCALE ACHIEVED B CORP CERTIFICATION!

Humanscale’s journey has always been guided by a profound commitment to sustainability and a positive impact on the planet. This includes pursuing independent, third-party validated certifications like Living Product Challenge (LPC), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), to name a few, to break through misleading claims about sustainability, build trust, and demonstrate invaluable proof of transparency, which is essential to achieve real progress. Congrats on this latest milestone!

Additional Standout Features

While Freedom Headrest can be used for long periods of time, it’s also well-suited for shorter term instances where comfort matters including in conference rooms and spaces for quick meetings, such as huddle spaces or phone rooms.

The reviewers also agree that Freedom Headrest is a standout option for employees who work with multiple screens (including gamers!). In fact, a report by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) from 2022, a significant percentage of Gen Z identifies as gamers with approximately 65% of them reporting that they play video games daily. Given these stats, Freedom Headrest is positioned to be a popular choice among younger users.

Product images courtesy of Humanscale.

Special Thanks To Our Guest Reviewers

Nicole Zack

Design Manager Workplace Strategy, Ted Moudis Associates

Haley Gwin

Project Designer, Ted Moudis Associates

Marisa Rodriguez

Proposal Coordinator / Interior Design Student, Ted Moudis Associates

Gabe Serafini

Senior Project Architect, Ted Moudis Associates

Want to see more ergonomic options from Humanscale?

Check out our review of the Path task chair!

Curious about what it was like to work from Freedom Headrest? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more every Friday. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

The post Chair of the Month Review: Freedom Headrest by Humanscale appeared first on Work Design Magazine.