Levito redefines expectations for furniture design, presenting itself as much more than a chair, it’s a bold statement piece that bridges art and functionality. Designed for installations and exhibitions, Levito challenges perceptions, inviting viewers to engage with its dual-sensory experience. This innovative creation transforms a simple act, like sitting, into an exploration of balance and contrast.
At first glance, Levito’s design may seem unstable, even precarious. Its structure consists of two separate components connected by wires, giving the impression of fragility. This visual uncertainty is an intentional artistic choice, crafted to spark curiosity and encourage deeper engagement. Despite appearances, Levito is structurally sound, providing tactile comfort and stability. This intentional contrast, visual instability versus physical reliability, forms the heart of Levito’s identity.
Levito offers a two-stage experience that separates perception from interaction. Initially, viewers are drawn to its striking aesthetic, questioning its usability and marveling at its unconventional construction. This stage engages the mind, encouraging curiosity about its functionality. The second stage begins when one sits on Levito. Here, its true ingenuity shines: the interconnected parts allow for a subtle, fluid sway along its axis, evoking the sensation of floating on a cloud. This gentle motion surprises and delights, transforming skepticism into trust.
By emphasizing this interplay between appearance and experience, Levito elevates itself from furniture to an experiential design piece. It challenges users to reconsider traditional notions of function and aesthetics, offering a sensory journey that blurs the boundaries between art and utility. Levito’s unique form and functionality make it ideal for galleries, exhibitions, or modern living spaces, where it seamlessly integrates bold artistic expression with everyday practicality.
For those who value innovative design, Levito is more than an object; it’s an invitation to explore the relationship between comfort and curiosity. It embodies the idea that furniture can be more than utilitarian—it can provoke thought, inspire wonder, and deliver delight. By merging visual intrigue with tactile pleasure, Levito sets a new standard in furniture design, offering an experience that is as engaging as it is functional. Whether admired for its artistry or appreciated for its comfort, Levito transforms the way we interact with the objects in our lives.
Herman Miller is known better for its consortium of office chairs than for gaming chairs. But its gaming division: Herman Miller Gaming, has a new, artistic vision to turn some eyes its way. The furniture giant has partnered with FAILE, a brainchild of Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, to revive the nostalgia of the Arcades, Ataris, and Nintendos of the ‘80s through painting and printmaking approach on chairs, wooden Joysticks, and printed posters.
The initial idea for Herman Miller and FAILE collaboration was to work with the prints collection of the former. McNeil and Miller, however, saw varying opportunities in the furniture maker’s gaming repertoire and besides gaming-inspired printed posters and tangible painted joysticks with whimsical game-like characters, they have gone ahead to give colorful art love to Herman Miller’s ergonomic gaming seat.
Brooklyn-based collaboration between artists Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, FAILE, has been blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture through painting and printmaking. The choice of material is little of significance, since their collaboration since 1999, the two artists have worked with a range of materials ranging from traditional canvas to sculptures, from window pellets to wooden boxes and their idea of transforming the Embody Gaming Chair into a piece of exceptional art is therefore no surprise.
McNeil and Miller have characterized 12 variants of the Embody, using its seat and back as the canvas of distinction similar to skateboard decks. According to the duo, through the artwork, they intend to bring to ‘Herman Miller Gaming that which was not in the digital realm but captured some of the character making of gaming.’ This also extends into the creation of joysticks, which have a tactile wood feel and personality of their own that uniquely comes to life depending on the setting they’re used in.
FAILE and Herman Miller have created 100 unique characters, based on drawings and doodles. Each of these is handcrafted and painted with hand for uniqueness. While the chairs are designed exclusively for the Herman Miller Gaming archives, and are not available to purchase. Joysticks and prints are available for preorder and will go on retail starting October 1 for $995 and $250 respectively. If you want an experience of the artistic collection before committing to it, you can check them out in an installation in New York from September 27 through September 29.
Anyone who has owned a cat will know the truth about who is really the master and who is the pet. Although they can definitely be cuddly and sentimental, furry felines are also known to be temperamental and territorial. And by that, it usually means that any place in the house can be their territory. All kidding aside, cats tend to love squeezing into tight spaces, even when you’ve already provided a lush, comfy, and unfortunately very open bed. Embracing the behavior of cats and how they can be central to owners’ lives, these concept designs envision furniture for humans that cats will appreciate, or rather, cat furniture that just happens to be usable by humans.
For reasons unfathomable to all except their regal kind, cats love to squeeze into cramped spaces. Of course, they’ll still enjoy plush beds, but give them a box or a tube and their natural instincts kick in. So why not just design sleeping furniture that appeals to this behavior directly instead? Bonus points if it can also be used by their human owners, potentially letting them bond even better when resting in the same place.
That may be the thinking behind this rather unusual set of cat-friendly furniture design concepts. Or perhaps they’re human-friendly cat furniture designs. Either way, these chairs will be enjoyable to both parties, though their maintenance will probably be less so for humans. The common theme these chairs have are the armrests that act like dark tunnels, enticing cats to go inside to nap. There’s ample space for a cat or even two, so it’s not exactly a cramped and uncomfortable space at all.
Two variants of these armchair designs exist. Perhaps the more interesting one of the two has an armrest that goes around the back of the chair, creating a single tunnel that cats can walk through from end to end. There is also a more modest version where the armrests swap out tunnels for shelves, allowing owners to put other things on the side that won’t be used by the cat, presuming the cat doesn’t claim that space and pushes the vase off the shelf.
There is even a stool design where the very low backrest curves inward, creating that same tunnel shape where the cat can lie inside behind you. Truth be told, the seats don’t look too comfortable, especially with the backrests so low. They might have been unintentionally designed with feline comfort as the priority, showing who the real master of the house is. That said, they are indeed interesting designs and, to some extent, quite feasible, though the question of how to clean up after the cat inside those armrests still remains.
An “ergonomic chair” is designed to accommodate a wide range of individuals but must be tailored to the user’s body dimensions, workstation, and tasks for true ergonomics. Prolonged sitting, despite requiring less physical effort than demanding tasks, poses significant health risks such as back pain, stiff necks, and leg numbness, strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons, increasing the risk of discomfort and injury. Corrections are necessary for better ergonomics and to prevent discomfort or injury. Here are features to consider when selecting an ergonomic chair.
An adjustable seat height is essential for comfort, allowing your feet to rest flat on the floor ensuring that most individuals can keep their feet flat on the ground, maintain horizontal thighs, and align their arms evenly with the desk height. Note that a seat height range of 16 to 21 inches is usually comfortable for most people.
The NEWTRAL MagicH chair adapts to the user with an auto-following backrest and headrest, providing support whether sitting upright, leaning forward, or reclining. It accommodates various sitting styles, ensuring comfort and promoting healthy posture. The Pro model includes a foldable footrest and 4D Extended Armrest for comprehensive support, with adjustable features tailored to individual needs, enhancing overall comfort and preventing injuries.
2. Seat Width and Depth
The seat dimensions should ensure comfort by accommodating individual height and body shapes. It should maintain a depth that leaves 2 to 4 inches between its edge and the back of your knees to avoid excessive pressure.
The Routine Chair by Yubin Lee and Minkyoung Song is a smart, ergonomic chair that adjusts the headrest, armrests, and reclining angle based on an app-controlled schedule. Designed for optimal comfort and productivity, it offers three modes—work, chill, and rest—automatically adapting to the user’s routine. Competing with top brands like Herman Miller, this innovative chair ensures seamless comfort and support, making it ideal for professionals in a digital work environment.
3. Seat Tilt
In office chairs, the tilt mechanism plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy, properly aligned spine and back. The tension and strength within the tilt mechanism ensure adequate support for your back.
The 5° Chair by Seoul-based design firm 250 Design is tailored for those who naturally lean back in chairs. With 360° rotation, forward and backward tilting, and lateral movement up to 5 degrees, it offers dynamic seating for office or home use. Designed to support prolonged sitting, its cushioning molds to the body’s contours, while angled wave springs reinforce the legs for multidirectional tilting. This compact chair, ideal for small spaces, replaces traditional wheels with a swivel and spindle mechanism, ensuring stability and support without sacrificing mobility.
4. Backrest Lumbar Support
Lower back support is vital in an ergonomic chair to maintain the natural curve of the lumbar spine. An essential feature of ergonomic chairs, lumbar support maintains the spine’s natural curve, reducing stress and preventing slumping. Adjustable backrests ensure optimal alignment for user comfort.
The Typo Office Chair by AMDL Circle, designed for Mara, excels in providing comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics, all essential for productivity. Its playful yet ergonomic design boasts a curved timber base and backrest, complemented by a colorful metal structure. This intentional blend of materials not only enhances comfort but also adds personality to the chair, turning what might seem like a mistake into a defining feature.
The LEVUS offers a reclined work setup, perfect for reducing back pain and discomfort for those who spend long hours at a computer. Ideal for both home and office use, it features an adjustable, lightweight aluminum structure that supports multiple monitors and includes an adjustable headrest, mouse station, and keyboard table. The ergonomic design reduces vertical spine pressure, making it a comfortable choice for gamers, creators, and office workers alike. Easy to assemble and designed for ultimate comfort, the LEVUS transforms traditional workstations into ergonomic havens.
5. Backrest Recline
The backrest of an ergonomic office chair, ideally 12 to 19 inches wide, should support the natural spine curve with proper lumbar support easing pressure on spinal disks and muscles by distributing upper body weight. If the chair has a combined seat and backrest, it should offer adjustable angles and a locking mechanism to prevent excessive backward movement.
In the dynamic landscape of offices and remote work, traditional chairs and desks often strain the spine with vertical pressure, despite the advent of standing desks. The LEVUS chair offered a reclined design as a solution, but ErgoQuest’s ZGW-0b zero-gravity reclining workstation takes innovation further. Engineered to alleviate back and neck pain, it allows for customizable work angles from zero to ninety degrees, featuring the motorized ErgoQuest ZGC-1 chair and accommodating up to four monitors on a sturdy steel mast. Packed with conveniences like side tables and a padded keyboard tray, it prioritizes comfort and productivity. The ZGW-0b represents a new paradigm in work setups, blending laziness with postural wellness for enhanced efficiency.
6. Armrests
Armrests provide valuable support during typing or using the mouse by taking the weight off your arms, reducing strain on the shoulders and upper arms. Adjustable armrests allow vertical movement to position them correctly and promote shoulder relaxation.
The Nouhaus Ergo3D is no ordinary ergonomic chair; it’s a high-back marvel with dynamic lumbar support, 4D adjustable armrests, and a class-4 hydraulic gas-lift main pillar, all for a fraction of the price of similar models. Designed to exude luxury by Nouhaus, it offers personalized spine support and cranium comfort, thanks to its unique features like the ‘Just-For-Me’ Lumbar Support System and adjustable headrest. Clad in breathable HD ElastoMesh fabric, it ensures comfort during long hours of use.
7. Headrest
Supporting the back of the head and upper neck, it alleviates tension in the shoulders and upper torso.
8. Materials
The material covering the seat and back of the office chair should be adequately padded for extended sitting comfort, with breathable cloth fabric being preferable, while options like leather or velvet are commonly found in high-end models.
The Path Task Chair by Humanscale stands out for its sustainability, using 22 pounds of recycled materials, including ocean plastic and fishing nets. Made in the USA in a solar-powered plant, it minimizes carbon emissions and water use. The chair features FormSense Eco Knit for self-adjusting lumbar support and a Gravity Mechanism that adjusts recline support without knobs or levers. Designed by Todd Bracher, it combines innovative materials and mechanics with a sleek design, fitting seamlessly into any home or office. Available in various colors, the Path Task Chair exemplifies sustainable and ergonomic seating.
9. Wheels
Soft rubber wheels are ideal for hard surfaces, while hard wheels are better suited for carpeted floors.
Volkswagen’s surprising venture into office furniture yields a unique mobile office chair, blending automotive innovation with functional design. Crafted by their Commercial Vehicles division in collaboration with Try, this electric chair boasts a top speed of 12.4 m/h and a range of 7.5 miles. Complete with a rear-view camera, 360-degree sensors, and an entertainment system loaded with feel-good songs, it caters to both practicality and comfort. With storage compartments for gadgets and a trailer hitch for paperwork, it’s a whimsical yet functional addition to any workspace.
10. Swivel
For proper posture, any traditional or ergonomic chair should rotate effortlessly, enabling the user to access various areas of their desk without strain.
These tips will certainly assist you in buying the best ergonomic chair for your office or home.
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