Chairs Chairs Chairs Chairs Chairs

So, I bought a new computer chair.

The Search Begins

Three months ago, I realised I needed a new chair. So, like any modern shopper, I went online, searched “computer chairs,” and instantly got bombarded with results from D2C brands. Suddenly, ads for chairs were following me everywhere - Instagram, Twitter, even random websites. That’s when I truly appreciated how good online advertising infrastructure is. I searched for something once on Google, and now the internet was determined to sell me a chair.

But instead of helping, this flood of options overwhelmed me. Choice paralysis hit hard. Too many brands, too many models, too many opinions. I closed the tabs and logged out.

Trying It the Old-School Way

Since then, I decided to take a different approach. Over the past three months, I visited multiple local vendors, browsed countless online stores, read reviews, and even asked for recommendations on Discord groups and Twitter.

I have sat on over 100 chairs. My bum has been through an extensive testing process.

Even after all that, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. My buyer persona is confusing - even I don’t understand how it works. I’ve seen high-back computer chairs priced anywhere between ₹5,000 and ₹36,000. I sat on chairs across this entire range, trying to figure out what felt right.

The Struggle of Choice

One thing I do know about myself: I struggle with too many choices. When I get presented with an endless list of options, I get overwhelmed and shut down. The internet was doing that to me - constantly showing me more chairs, more ads, more “best picks.”

That’s why I preferred trying chairs in person. I wanted to experience the comfort firsthand. After all, this is something I’d be sitting on for over eight hours a day. Looks didn’t matter as much as comfort.

So, I visited store after store, sitting on chair after chair. But something was missing. I wasn’t getting that feeling - the feeling of “this is the ONE.”

My indecisiveness started exhausting my parents. Meanwhile, people on the internet suggested I go for a Featherlite chair. They seemed great, and a lot of people swore by them. But again, I wanted to try before buying.

The Moment of Decision

Then, finally, it happened. I sat on a particular chair, and everything clicked. My back felt supported. My bum felt comfortable. And I thought, Okay, this is the ONE.

Ironically, at another vendor’s shop, I had a completely different experience - I tilted back too far and fell off a chair. Clumsy me. Embarrassing, yes, but also a lesson in life: observe first, then act.

What I Looked For

• Soft cushion

• Back support

• Neck support

• Customisable armrests – Trust me, you think you’re fine with fixed armrests, but you won’t be. Get 3D-adjustable ones. Once you set them right, you’ll feel the difference.

Some people like firm cushions, and that’s fine. It’s a personal choice. You do you.

As for things like the wheelbase and height adjustment, you don’t have to worry about them - they’ve become standardised across the industry.

The goal is simple: you should be able to sit on your chair for eight hours straight and feel fine.

Budget

Chairs range anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹36,000, depending on what you’re willing to spend. My budget was ₹8,000 to ₹12,000, and I found a chair that fit within that.

As for my old chair? It’s been moved to another table. If you’re upgrading, you can either give your old chair to someone who needs it or sell it. I’ll miss mine - it was with me through my COVID days. That chair was actually bought with a company-allocated budget, so shoutout to my previous company for that.

I spend a lot of money on books and medicine (sed) - those are non-negotiable expenses. But for everything else? I tend to be frugal.

What’s Next?

Now that the chair hunt is over, the next piece of furniture I’m looking to buy is a chest of drawers - preferably plastic, but I’m open to other materials too.

Funnily enough, I was actually out looking for a rack when I found the chair. The vendor had a small shop outside the stadium, and I liked that there were multiple options to try. I think the push from my parents also helped me finally make a decision.