f the choice is between buying a standard chair and buying a swivel chair, the answer should always be to buy a chair that swivels.
Great for adjusting throughout the day to keep you comfortable - and perfect for effortlessly swinging around to accept a fresh cup of coffee during a big work meeting, a swivel chair is the office or living room upgrade you’ve been missing out on.
The first thing you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a swivel chair is where you’ll be sitting on it and what purpose it serves.
If you’re searching for the best swivel chair for the office, you’ll probably want something a little more professional and likely with plenty of support, especially if long days are common.
Something that’s also especially important when it comes to swivel chairs in the office is the ergonomics of your chair. An ergonomic design is essential for reducing stress on your back, neck, and shoulders. Look for chairs with adjustable features like armrests, seat height and tilt mechanisms to ensure you can customise the chair to your specific needs.
Whereas if you’re looking for a swivel chair for your bedroom or the living room, you’re probably more concerned about comfort and style than you are when it comes to features like practicality.
But the overall most important factor in choosing a swivel chair should always be its feel. Look for a chair with ample cushioning and good lumbar support to ensure that you can sit comfortably for long periods of time without shuffling around and waving goodbye to sensation after a few hours.
If you’ll be using your chair on the daily, you’ll want one that looks the part even after months of wear. Look for durable and breathable materials like mesh or leather to ensure you stay cool, calm and collected hour after hour.
We’ve rounded up all of the best swivel chairs below
This versatile swivel chair is a great choice for your home office and adds just the right amount of style without demanding too much attention. The Hironpal Office Chair comes in a soft grey shade with an even softer velvet fabric. It’s easy to clean and suitably durable, even if you’re liable of the odd coffee cup spillage. Its high-density sponge also keeps you comfortable for long hours on the phone or Zoom meetings.
You may typically associate swivel chairs with an office set-up but the Upholstered Swivel Accent Chair is here to break the rules. Looking like something closer to a duvet than an actual chair, this is a swivel option for those who refuse to sit still for long periods of time. This comfortable armchair has thick cushions, cosy fabric and is also mounted on a swivel base for easy adjustment. It might just be the ultimate ‘work from home’ chair.
Everyone needs an attention-grabbing chair in their life and this distinctive one is definitely just that. Bonus points for its swivel functionality, which isn’t something you’ll always see included with a chair of this style, The Fey Upholstered Swivel Accent Chair gives you something unique. It’s a fabulous look made with gorgeous attention to detail. Its densely padded seat and comfortable back mean you’ll feel right at home perched on this chair no matter where in your house it’s placed.
If you’re looking for a swivel chair that fuses function and form, this AA Products Gaming Chair is one of the best choices around. Designed as a gaming chair, it brings together everything you need for hours of relaxation without ever getting a stiff neck or achy back. Its thick base and supportive arms make it great for lengthy sessions at your computer or gaming device, while its padded design is adjustable to suit all heights.
Is it a normal chair? Is it a static chair? The clue might be in the name with this one but it’s fair to say the Upholstered Swivel Armchair looks just like any other chair from a first glance. One of the most versatile options around, it comes in three classy shades and offers a comfortable base even for hours of meetings. It’s crafted with a solid and engineered wood frame and boasts a mid-century modern silhouette, adding a vintage-inspired accent to your bedroom or living room.
The only thing missing from this swivel chair set-up is an extra-furry cat to position on your lap, for the inevitable moment of spinning around and saying “I’ve been expecting you”. While it doesn’t come with a feline included, it does feature soft-touch fabric upholstery, an ‘easy twist’ handle to operate the manual recliner and a fashionable addition to all kinds of room set ups. Its star base has plenty of retro-modern appeal in curved wood with an oak finish.
Another option that doesn’t look like your typical swivel chair, this Habitat number is one that works just as well in a home office as it does in your living room or bedroom. The Habitat Ezra Velvet Swivel Chair comes in a stylish soft pink shade with a comfortable base that you’ll long to relax into after a busy day on your feet. With its scalloped back and soft velvet-effect finish, this textured swivel chair is a popular choice and it’s easy to see why.
Sometimes you don’t need all of the bells and whistles, you just want to strip things back to basics with a product that does what it says on the tin. Enter: John Lewis’ Radcliffe Office Chair. This soft leather-esque chair is a great all-rounder for providing comfort and style without taking up too much room. Its comfy and supportive foam-filled seat and backrest make it suitable for a full eight hour working day, while its lack of armrests let you sit close to your desk and slide the chair tidily away underneath at the end of the day.
This Furniture Village Legend Fabric Designer Swivel Chair is one of the comfiest swivel chairs around, fusing the traditional armchair design with all of the function necessary from a swivel option. It’s also one of the most versatile around if you’re a fan of the shape, coming in a huge range of patterns and colours to fuse with the rest of your decor.
With a high back, elegant silhouette and chic button detailing, this swivel chair is one you’ll probably get cosy on for an evening of reading or watching a movie with a glass of wine in hand rather than working from.
John Lewis’ ANYDAY range is a great choice for stocking your home with budget friendly yet eye-catching pieces and this swivel chair is a prime example that ticks all the boxes. One of the most accessibly priced yet high quality swivel chairs around, it comes in a cheerful yellow shade that promises to brighten up even the dreariest of Monday mornings.
It’s sleek, just the right amount of retro and it’s upholstered in a corduroy velvet fabric that’s as bright and vibrant as it gets. The back rest is curved and shapely and the seat is height-adjustable, so it’s a great option for perching at your desk for short periods of work.
Its budget-friendly price and versatility means we’d put the Hironpal Office Chair in first place when it comes to the best swivel chairs. It tilts, leans and is also easy to clean. What more could you want?