As an independent retailer working with a number of furniture manufacturers, we feel that we are in a privileged position to give unbiased, expert advice on the products we sell. As a result we’ve given one of our account managers, Jim, the task of writing a number of reviews on the products we supply to hopefully give you opportunity to read about the pro’s and con’s of office seating, and help you to make an informed decision when it comes to making that investment in a great office chair.
This review will be of a task chair called Savvi, from manufacturer BMA Nomique. It is highly adjustable and offers great value, so what is it specifically we like about the chair?
First, we like the mechanism.
The mechanism is tension controlled so it can easily be adjusted and balanced to match an individual’s size and body weight, and can be locked off to give a fixed sitting position should you prefer.
The back rest has a distinctive shape that not only gives it a great aesthetic, but also supports the upper back while you recline. It has a defined lumbar support curve, which isn’t really a curve at all but a sharp inward line designed to protrude gently into the lumbar region of the lower back, helping to maintain the healthy ‘S’ shape of an upright spine.
Seat depth is incredibly important for adjusting the chair correctly for people, allowing the user to have the ideal amount of support along the thigh, and allowing them to sit back properly into the chair. The Savvi boasts a seat slider with good range, making it suitable for people of all sizes. The seat itself is nice and wide and has a good two inch layer of foam to make it comfortable and supportive over long periods.
The 2D arm rests offer height and depth adjustment to support the arms of the user. The arm rests are a good size, made of a soft rubber offering comfort as well as support, and have enough range of adjustment to suit most people. One small downside of the chair is that the arms aren’t width adjustable, but that is common for chairs in this price bracket. But this does mean that people with very small frames will probably prefer the version of the chair without arms.
A major plus point about this chair, one making it a serious contender in the corporate world, is the chair’s looks.
It’s a very pretty chair, there’s no denying it, especially with the two-tone strip at the base of the back rest. It can be specified with a black nylon base, a satin base, or for the really flash a chrome base. I recently saw one in white leather with a chrome base and it looked spectacular. The back bars (supporting the back rest) can also be specified in satin, nylon or chrome.
On the whole, this is a great chair. It is highly adjustable, great value for money and very easy on the eye. If you’re looking for a chair that will look good in a home office, or in a sprawling corporate environment alike, this will fit in easily and keep the vast majority of users sitting in it happy all day long. If you’re suffering from a pre-existing back condition, or similar musculoskeletal disorder, then this probably won’t have the level of support you need, but that’s not what this chair is for. What it probably will do though is keep any workstation related back problems well and truly at bay, and still look pretty while it’s doing it….