Mesh Chair Vs Leather Chair: Which One to Choose for Your Office

Every office is different, which is why it’s a good thing that there are so many varieties of office chairs out there. Two of the major ones are the mesh chair and the classic leather chair. They both look very different but share some common advantages too. Let’s take a look at the mesh vs leather chair debate in more detail.

The Benefits of Mesh Chairs

Diving straight into the benefits of mesh office chairs, we can see why they are so popular in offices worldwide. Many ask, “are mesh chairs better than leather?” While this really involves a lot of personal preference, there are certainly plenty of benefits to choosing a mesh office chair.

Firstly, they are lightweight, which makes them easy to move around the office. But they’re also more than strong enough to provide a comfortable work experience. Let’s look at some more specific benefits.

Ergonomic Design

If you’ve ever wondered if mesh chairs are comfortable, we assure you they are. Because we associate comfort with more plush seating designs, it’s a common mistake to assume that mesh chairs aren’t comfortable. In fact, quality mesh office chairs are ergonomically designed to offer excellent comfort and support.

If you’re trying to create an ergonomic workspace, mesh chairs are a great place to start. Mesh chairs usually have a terrific ergonomic design, allowing users to customise the height and depth to ensure maximum comfort. But the curved backrest also provides great lumbar and spinal support.

Also included is an adjustable headrest which promotes great head and neck support, and the armrests help you maintain an ergonomic position. A chair that encourages correct posture is always good because slouching in office chairs can lead to serious back and neck issues.

Excellent Breathability and Ventilation

When you spend a lot of time sitting at your desk, the backrest usually heats up, which in turn heats your back and causes sweat. Not only is this pretty unsightly in an office environment, but it also drastically decreases your comfort level. Mesh chairs, however, have breathable and ventilated back support. This is one of the huge benefits of a mesh chair when you’re comparing mesh vs leather office chairs.

Even in an air-conditioned office, sitting on a leather chair for long periods will almost certainly increase your body temperature and encourage sweating, but mesh chairs do the opposite. So, mesh office chairs are an excellent option for better office hygiene, especially in confirmed spaces like conference rooms.

Low Maintenance

Nobody wants to spend time cleaning office chairs, and the reality is that in most offices, nobody does. This is where fabric office chairs, in particular, are much less hygienic than mesh and leather chairs. Due to the ventilated back of a mesh chair, there is more airflow and less sweat left behind. A quick wipe with a cloth and a mesh chair is almost instantly cleaned.

In addition, with no fabric involved, mesh chairs don’t tear, rip or end up looking second-rate after a couple of years. It’s worth mentioning that some mesh chairs do include a padded fabric seat portion, but the amount of fabric that’s prone to rips and fading is significantly decreased.

Tips for Choosing a Mesh Office Chair

If you’ve decided that mesh office chairs are the best fit for your workplace, it’s time to start shopping. Like anything else in the world, mesh office chairs come in various styles and designs. Some are better than others, of course, and usually, you get what you pay for. Here are some features to look for, ensuring you get the best quality mesh office chairs on the market.

– Armrests

– Adjustable headrest

– Lightweight and easy to move

– Comfortable seat

– Adjustable height and depth

– Ensure it provides good ergonomic support

These tips should help you make the smart choice regarding mesh office chairs. But it’s also important to consider budgeting and your needs. For example, if you want multiple mesh office chairs for meeting rooms or conferences, you can find suitable products for a slightly cheaper price and invest more into more expensive feature-packed mesh chairs for desks, as these are used more often and for longer periods of time.

The Benefits of Leather Office Chairs

When comparing mesh vs leather chairs, it’s obvious that mesh chairs have some great benefits. However, leather office chairs are also very comfortable. They look great and are pretty easy to maintain. So, we’re definitely not prepared to say that mesh is the winner just yet. There are also many reasons why people prefer a high-quality leather office chair for their main workstation.

Let’s find out why leather office chairs are so popular.

Padded and Comfortable

Are leather chairs comfortable? That’s a pretty resounding “Yes!” Leather is a sought-after material for all types of furniture inside and outside the office. Part of that reason is that it offers exceptional comfort.

Leather office chairs are usually well-padded, and especially over time, the leather becomes even more comfortable. There’s a feeling of luxury when you sink into a leather office chair, which can’t be replicated with other chair material types.

We should note, however, that some types of leather office chairs focus heavily on the comfort aspect but not necessarily the ergonomic requirements of an office chair. So, if you’re concerned about bad posture, ensure your leather office chair is also ergonomically designed for support rather than just comfort.

Excellent Visual Appeal

There is a certain elegance attached to leather. We love leather couches, leather seats in cars, and of course, leather office chairs. There’s almost a level of prestige that comes with a nice leather office chair. Hence, it’s not uncommon for high-level management to be blessed with beautiful leather chairs while other workers aren’t so lucky.

However, there are cost-effective leather office chairs on the market that are suitable for all businesses. If you regularly have clients visiting your office, visually stunning leather office chairs create a great impression, so they can be a worthy investment on a lot of levels. Plus, simply buying office chairs because they improve the look and feel of a workplace is a perfectly valid reason for your choice.

Easy to Clean

While we’ve talked about mesh office chairs being easy to clean, leather chairs share some of these same qualities. In fact, quality leather chairs are designed in such a way that the leather can pull heat from the body while also helping you stay cool if the office is air-conditioned.

While they will certainly cause you to produce more sweat than a mesh chair would, leather chairs are also easy to clean. Simply wipe them down regularly, and they should stay perfectly hygienic. It is important, however, to use only the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions. Certain types of leather require different treatments and can be damaged by regular cleaning products.

Long-lasting

Leather is well-known as a durable material for all of its use cases. Leather is used in all sorts of manufacturing, such as furniture, clothing, sports equipment and much more. This is because it’s very durable and long-lasting. If you maintain a leather office chair effectively, it will be with you for a long time.

Because the leather itself is quite easy to keep clean, it can last a very long time. The only issue you may find with leather chairs is the padding can wear down. So, over time with regular use, padding wears down, and the chair becomes less comfortable. However, this is an extremely slow process, and when you choose more luxury chairs, they’re likely to have even better padding.

Tips for Choosing a Leather Office Chair

Do you think a leather office chair is for you? Here are some things to look out for when making a purchase.

– Ensure the type of leather is easy to clean
– Back and neck support
– Quality padding
– Comfortable armrests
– Ergonomic design
– Choose the style and design that suits you

Leather office chairs can be a little more expensive than mesh chairs. However, they do give your office a touch of luxury. Follow the tips above, and look after your leather chair by not leaving it in direct sunlight (this can cause the leather to crack), and you’ll have a comfortable chair for many years.

Which is Best: Mesh vs Leather Chair?

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. People who favour status and immediate comfort are likely to prefer a high-quality leather chair that looks and feels great. More OH&S-savvy people may prefer the sleek, ergonomic, modern design of a mesh office chair.

Both are quite easy to clean and maintain, although leather chairs are much heavier than mesh. Mesh is a lot more breathable but may not have the luxurious level of comfort provided by leather chairs.

Overall, one of the biggest commercial office fit out mistakes you can make is to assume that everyone wants the same type of chair. Ask your employees what they want and need because having a combination of different office chairs is completely fine. Many offices allow people to choose their own style of chairs while fitting out meeting and conference rooms with the same mesh office chairs for continuity.

At the end of the day, whatever works best for you and your employees is the right choice.

High-quality Mesh vs Leather Chair Solutions

Here at Direct Office, we specialise in office fit-outs, including providing all the office furniture you need. So, whether you just need to upgrade a few office chairs or require a complete range of desks, chairs and other office furniture, we’re the team to call. Contact us today to discuss your requirements with one of our experts and find out how we can assist in furnishing your commercial office.