Why taller Australians need different office seating
Being tall is an advantage in many situations, but not always when you sit at a desk all day. Standard office chairs are usually built for the “average” user, which can leave taller people cramped, unsupported, and sore.
Most mass‑market chairs assume a height of around 165–180 cm. If you’re above that, you may find your knees sitting too high, your shoulders hunching forward, or your head sitting well above the headrest. Over time this can contribute to lower back pain, tight hips, and poor circulation in your legs. That’s why it’s worth looking for ergonomic seating specifically suited to a longer torso and longer legs.
For taller workers, correct seat depth and backrest height matter just as much as padding and materials. The right set‑up allows you to keep your feet flat on the floor, your knees slightly below hip level, and your spine in a neutral “S” curve. Pairing a suitable chair with other ergonomic gear such as monitor arms and height adjustable workstations helps keep your whole workstation in proportion to your body, not the other way around.
Key ergonomic features tall users should look for
Before you choose a chair, it pays to understand which adjustments actually matter when you’re above average height. A taller body needs more than just an extra click on the gas lift.
Seat height is the first non‑negotiable. Look for a higher gas lift range so that, when seated, your feet sit flat and your thighs angle slightly downward rather than up toward your torso. Just as important is seat depth: ideally there should be a small gap (about three fingers) between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees. A sliding or adjustable seat pan is especially useful if you have long femurs but still want to keep good lumbar contact.
The backrest should support both your lumbar spine and your upper back. Chairs with high backs or contoured frames work well for taller professionals because they support the shoulder blades, not just the lower spine. A height‑adjustable lumbar support lets you position the curve exactly where your lower back needs it instead of wherever the design assumes it should sit.
Armrests are another detail that often goes wrong. For a tall frame, wider armrest spacing and plenty of vertical adjustment reduce shoulder shrugging and tension in the neck. Fully adjustable armrests (sometimes called “4D” arms) move up and down, in and out, and forward and back, so your forearms can rest comfortably while typing. If you’re building a complete set‑up from scratch, consider matching your chair with task chairs for shared spaces and monitor arms to get your screens to the right eye level.
Suitable chair types for taller office workers
Not every style of seating works well for extra height. Some categories are naturally better suited to long limbs and higher weight ratings.
Many tall users find that heavy duty chairs tick multiple boxes: higher gas lifts, deeper seats, and stronger frames. Although they’re often marketed for 24/7 use or higher weight capacities, their more generous proportions can also make day‑to‑day desk work far more comfortable for a tall body. If you like a more traditional corporate look, leather chairs often come in high‑back designs, offering head and neck support without sacrificing adjustability.
If you run warm or work in a non‑air‑conditioned space, consider mesh office chairs. The breathable back helps regulate temperature, and many mesh models aimed at the ergonomic market feature tall backrests and adjustable lumbar zones. For project‑based or collaborative environments, pairing your main chair with simpler task chairs around meeting tables ensures guests and colleagues also sit in a supportive, adjustable seat.
For specialised roles, it’s worth exploring drafting chairs, especially if you work at counters, lab benches, or tall sit‑stand desks. These include extended gas lifts and foot rings to support your legs at higher positions, which can be a game‑changer if you’re tall and frequently alternate between perching and standing. If you’re outfitting a home office and prefer locally produced furniture, Australian made chairs give you the option to support local manufacturers while often offering custom configuration, upholstery, and component choices that suit taller frames.
Matching your chair to your desk, screens, and daily tasks
Even the best‑fitting seat won’t feel right if the rest of your workstation is set up for someone shorter. For tall people, coordination between chair, desk, and screens is essential.
A height‑adjustable desk lets you set your work surface to match your chair rather than compromising with a fixed standard height. With height adjustable workstations, you can adjust the desktop so your elbows rest at roughly 90 degrees while typing, shoulders relaxed and wrists straight. When you stand, you can raise it further to keep that same neutral arm position, which is particularly useful when you’re tall and traditional sit‑stand presets come up too low.
Screen position is just as important. Tall users often find their monitors sitting too low, forcing them to bend their neck downward all day. Quality monitor arms let you raise screens to eye level, adjust the distance, and angle them to prevent glare. This flexible set‑up is especially helpful if your chair has a tall backrest or headrest, as you can align your eye line with the top third of the display while keeping your spine supported.
If you move between multiple tasks—typing, reading documents, sketching, or video calls—micro‑adjustments during the day help keep you comfortable. Recline slightly when you’re reading or on calls, then return to a more upright position for focused typing. Combining an ergonomic office chair with a properly set‑up workstation, and using tools like task chairs or mesh office chairs in secondary spaces, ensures your whole workday supports your posture, not just your main seat.
Buying tips, trials, and long‑term comfort
Choosing the right chair is part measurement, part testing, and part planning for the future. A little preparation can save years of discomfort.
Start by measuring your current set‑up: note your height, how high your existing seat is from the floor, and whether your feet rest comfortably. When you research options, check the manufacturer’s specifications for seat height range, seat depth, back height, and weight rating. For taller Australians, a higher maximum seat height and deeper seat pan are usually more important than extra features you may never use.
Where possible, test a few different chair styles—high‑back leather chairs, breathable mesh office chairs, and more robust heavy duty chairs—to see how they feel over at least 10–15 minutes of real sitting. Pay attention to whether your lower back stays in contact with the lumbar support, whether the seat edge presses into the back of your knees, and whether the armrests adjust to meet your forearms without lifting your shoulders. If you need assistance getting in and out of your seat due to mobility issues, it may even be worth looking at power lift chairs as a supportive option for a home office or mixed‑use space.
Finally, think about durability and maintenance. Taller and heavier users put more load on chair components, so quality mechanisms and frames are worth the investment. Locally produced options such as Australian made chairs often come with robust warranties and service support, which can be especially valuable in a busy office. Paired with a well‑set‑up workstation—including monitor arms and height adjustable workstations—the right chair can turn long days at the desk into a more comfortable, sustainable way to work.
