10 of the best minimalist office chairs that don’t compromise on style

Following on from my post yesterday rounding up the best desks for the simple home office, today I’m sharing an edit of the best minimalist office chairs. Because office chairs can be such ugly things – it’s surprisingly hard to find a contemporary design that’s comfortable and functional, yet doesn’t compromise on style and looks.

A big, bulky monster of an office chair is just going to ruin the look of a beautiful, pared-back home office and bring everything else down. But if you’re working from home everyday, it’s more important than anything to have a chair that’s supportive and ergonomically designed so that you don’t develop any aches and pains while you work. It’s well know that poor posture can lead to headaches, back pain, sleep problems and even low mood and feeling less motivated. One study by Health Psychology found that people who held a slumped posture showed more negative moods and lower self-esteem than those who sat in an upright posture.

Having worked from home for over three years, I know that if I work from the dining table or the sofa, there’s no doubt I’ll get uncomfortable twinges afterwards, particularly on my sides if I’m in a twisted position. I’ve noticed such a difference in my body since getting an ergonomic office chair by Humanscale in 2018 (PR gift – pictured below). With a flexible, form-sensing mesh seat and back, plus an automatic, weight-sensitive recline, it’s designed to adapt and automatically adjust to the sitter’s shape. My lower back feels supported and I naturally sit up a little straighter. What’s even better is that there’s no unnecessary gadgets or unsightly mechanisms – the design is simple and streamlined; the perfect companion for a minimalist office.

Here I’ve found 10 minimalist office chairs that balance form and function. I’ve chosen a range of simple designs (coincidentally, they’re mostly grey!) that come under the £1,000 mark. There’s a mix of sophisticated upholstered chairs, flexible mesh designs and moulded plastic forms. I’ve also indicated those that come with a 10-12 year guarantee.

Such is the way with high-quality designer items, most of the office chairs listed here have 6-7 week lead times as they’re made to order. It’s true that good things come to those who wait, but if you’ve suddenly found yourself working from home and are struggling with a makeshift set up and an extra dining chair, the high street has a number of more affordable designs with quick delivery times.

[This post features affiliate links, where I earn a small commission on any potential sales. The green text highlights a sustainable design]

1. Vitra Physix Office Swivel Chair, £841, Nest.co.uk – designed by Alberto Meda in 2012, the Physix chair is based on the idea of creating a continuous seat shell by stretching a single textile panel between two side panels. It’s made of powder-coated aluminium and comes in deep black or soft grey. 6 week delivery
2. STUA Gas Chair – Auto Return, £741, Nest.co.uk – designed by Jesus Gasca, the STUA gas chair was envisioned as an embodiment of gas in the form of fluid lines. Sleek chromed aluminium combines with Kvadrat Steelcut Trio Fabric in grey. 6 week delivery 
3. Herman Miller SAYL Office Chairs, Aristo, £670, John Lewis [ad – affiliate link] – the award-winning SAYL office chair features a frameless back that flexes freely to give full ergonomic support and freedom of movement, with an elastolex foam and fabric seat providing cushioning that conforms to the contours of the body. Innovative 3D intelligent suspension technology allows greater tension in places that need more support, such as the lumbar areas. SAYL is made using fewer materials in creative ways, reducing its carbon footprint. It comes with a 12 year parts guarantee. 6 week delivery
4. Vitra Rookie Office Swivel Chair, £400, Nest.co.uk – designed by Konstantin Grcic, Vitra’s Rookie chair is small and compact design, without armrests that could otherwise take up space. It features a flexible backrest and integrated seat and back adjustments. Choose from four subtle, pastel tones. 8 weeks delivery
5. LÅNGFJÄLL office chair, £105, IKEA – A simple design with soft, smooth curves, made of a cold foam seat with build-in lumbar support. It features a tilt and height-adjusting mechanism hidden under the seat that allows you to lean back easily. The safety castors have a pressure-sensitive brake mechanism that keeps the chair in place when you stand up, and releases automatically when you sit down. Choose from a white or black base, a swivel base or secured base, and armrests or no armrests. It comes with a 10 year guarantee
6. HAY About A Chair AAC24 Office Chair, £435, John Lewis [ad – affiliate link] – a simple design made from a polypropylene shell seat supported by a swivel, four-star castor base in polished aluminium. Includes a 2 year guarantee
7. Humanscale Diffrient World Task Office Chair, £579, John Lewis [ad – affiliate link] – created by industrial designer Niels Diffrient, the Diffrient office chair features a mesh backrest designed with a weight-sensitive recline mechanism. It automatically adjusts to support every recline position, moving with the sitter to provide balanced, lumbar support throughout the working day. The tri-panel, non-stretch mesh removes the need for external lumbar support devices or manual controls, offering a flexible feel and a minimalist look. Read my review on the blog here. Includes a 15 year guarantee. 4 week delivery
8. Ginnie office chair, £75, Habitat [ad – affiliate link] – available in four colours, this affordable office chair has a moulded plastic seat with a faux leather upholstered seat pad and a chrome pedestal base on castors. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something that is easily to clean and wipe down as there’s no fabric upholstery. Delivered within 3-5 days
9. Muuto Fiber Armchair Swivel Base, £669, Nest.co.uk – designed by Iskos–Berlin, Muuto’s Fiber Armchair offers a new interpretation of the iconic shell chair. It is made from an innovative mixture of wood and plastic fibres, with an ergonomic seat structure for comfort and a gas lift that allows the seat to be easily raised or lowered. 7 week delivery
10. Herman Miller Setu Multi Purpose Chair, Alpine, £630, John Lewis [ad – affiliate link] – named best sustainable design solution of the decade by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Herman Miller’s Setu chair features a kinematic spine that bends and flexes with the body. The elastomeric fabric conforms to your contours to keep you comfortable and supported. From the polypropylene Kinematic Spine to the durable alloy base, the chair is finished without using toxic coatings. It comes with a 12 year parts guarantee