Drafting Chair Buyers Guide

If you are in any profession which has work surfaces above standard desk height, such as graphic designer or lab technician, you are going to need a chair specifically designed for these elevated levels. In other words you are going to need a drafting chair.

The modern drafting chair is the perfect solution for raised work areas like counters, laboratory tables and any large surface that is angled. Unfortunately, while most people know what a drafting chair is, they have little idea on how to select the right one for their needs.

A quick look at any online catalog will show a dizzying array of drafting chairs and stools with dozens of designs and features to choose from. In this article I going to show you how to zero in on the right drafting chair for you.

You should note that 'drafting chair' and 'drafting stool' are often used interchangeably in sales literature and manufacturer's web sites, even though most interpret chair and stool to mean different things. Typically, a chair implies a back rest with possible arm rests. A stool little more than a seat. For clarity we will use the term 'drafting chair' throughout the rest of this article to mean either.

Before deciding on any particular chair model it is very important to determine the correct seat height you will need for proper posture. A drafting chair not correctly matched to the user and work surface will invariably lead to reduced productivity and potentially serious back pain.

There is no hard and fast rule on this process but a good starting point is to make sure that when seated   your elbow is roughly level with the lower front edge of your work surface (see Fig 1).


To calculate this distance first measure the distance from the lower front edge of the work surface to the floor (shown as 'A' in the diagram). Next, sit in any available chair and have someone measure the distance from your elbow to the seat (shown as 'B' in the diagram). Now subtract B from A. This will give you the approximate seat height required for your drafting chair. For the greatest flexibility make sure the seat can adjust slightly above and below this height as you will likely want to try a few different positions to find the most ideal setting.

In addition to seat height it is also important that the foot ring be adjusted so as your feet can rest comfortably without causing pressure behind the knees.

If the chair will be used by different people you will need to concentrate on adjustable drafting chairs  with a good range of options to meet each user's requirements. For example, try and take a number of sample measurements as detailed above so as you can determine the minimum and maximum height required.

Most drafting chairs allow the seat to easily swivel 360 degrees, just like a regular office chair. This may, or may not be the best option depending on your work environment and personal needs.

If you have to repeatedly turn your attention in multiple directions a swivel seat is a must as this will keep you from twisting your upper body out of alignment. In this instance a circular foot ring is highly recommended as this will allow you to control the swivel no matter which direction you're facing.

On the other hand some drafting chairs have fixed seats and are designed to stay put in one place. They have the advantage of being more stable and are frequently less expensive.

In recent years the role of ergonomics has taken center stage in many aspects of industrial design in general, and seating in particular. Many are realizing the long term benefits of ergonomics in reducing strain and injury and at the same time improving productivity.

The arrival of the ergonomic drafting chair is a fairly recent development but one that is already having a large impact of the purchasing decisions of the consumer.

If you are looking to take advantage of ergonomic features in drafting chairs they usually fall into the following categories:

• Height adjustable foot rest
• Seat tilt mechanism
• Detachable Arm rests
• Adjustable Back Rest
• Waterfall seat edge
• Contoured Seat Cushion

The most readily available choices in seating materials are fabric, leather and plastic. If your work environment involves the use of paints, solvents or other chemicals the most practical choice would be plastic. It is both durable and easy to clean, although not necessarily the most comfortable, especially over long periods.

Vinyl is another option as it is usually used in combination with foam seat cushions and is also easy to clean, but it is not as durable as solid plastic.

If appearance is the primary design factor than a leather drafting chair will be hard to beat.

As you can see there are a number of important factors to consider when buying a drafting chair that will be both comfortable and practical. But with a little bit of planning and research you can find the perfect seat for your needs.