Affordable Office Chairs That Aren't Ugly But Are Still Good For Your Back

Ergonomic office chairs can be cute, comfortable and modern without costing an arm and a leg.
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It’s no secret that sitting on a dining chair for 8 hours a day can cause some serious lower back pain, soreness or worse. Here are some stylish office chairs to consider instead.

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Ugly, bulky and sure to clash with your carefully curated home decor ― there’s a reason getting a computer chair for the home office has remained at the bottom of your to-do list.

You might have created a practical — daresay, Insta-worthy — work-from-home station. But many people working remotely right now are still missing a piece of furniture we dread researching: the office chair.

Since many U.S. employers continue to expand their work-from-home policies and encourage employees to stay in, the time has come to consider investing in a long-term seating solution for your home office.

For many folks, the first step was upgrading from the couch to an actual desk or even a standing desk, all of which can be a challenge for small spaces. Maybe you’ve even figured out how to do some of that remote work al fresco by turning your outdoor space into a workspace.

Unfortunately, it’s no secret that sitting on a dining chair for eight hours a day is not ideal and can cause some serious lower back pain, soreness or worse. In fact, a study published by the National Institutes of Health found that a subpar workplace chair setup might cause pain or muscle tension of the cervical, shoulder, and lumbar regions.

What if we told you that you didn’t have to sacrifice your style or wallet for a practical office chair? There are a lot of affordable office chairs with high-backs, lumbar support, adjustable heights and more — that are still aesthetically pleasing. 

We’ve rounded up 15 office chairs under $300 that aren’t ugly and will look great in your home office or workspace.

1
Elle Decor Ophelia task chair
This two-tone swivel chair comes in pink, ivory and gray.
2
Loberget / Bklyskar
This adjustable swivel chair comes in all white.
3
Odger
This bowl-shaped swivel chair has a rounded back and comes in a white-beige color and anthracite.
4
Safavieh Fletcher swivel office chair
This armless swivel chair comes in beige, dark gray and brown, and has a leather look.
5
Serta Leighton Task Chair
This upholstered swivel chair comes in nine colors, including blush pink, dark gray, blue and ivory.

Before You Go

31 Products For Anyone Working From Home Who Just Wants To Be Comfy
Bluetooth earbuds that are seriously perfect for anyone in search of budget-friendly wireless headphones they can wear all day. These have a charging case, come with different size caps to get your just-right fit, and are even sweat- and waterproof!(01 of23)
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Promising review: "The earbuds worked seamlessly and well out of the box. I use them while hiking the hills with my dogs and when working at my desk – I can still hear outside noises when needed for safety, but can listen to music without disturbing others. The earbuds are comfortable even during exercise, and they fit securely. Using the earbuds as a headset with my cellphone is easy as well. I do have to experiment with how they handle the Google assistant. The audio quality is at least stereo hi-fi, and the earbuds paired easily with both my phone and laptop. Wireless charging and having a large backup power source for the phone are terrific features." –Jawpar

Get it from Amazon $29.98+ (available in five colors).

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Or, if you *are* game to splurge, the holy grail AirPods Pro whose noise-cancelling capabilities are no joke.(02 of23)
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BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord writes, "I have a pair of these, and they're not playing around. Once they're securely in your ear, you can toggle the headphones between noise-cancelling and regular sound, depending on your situation. I've been working from home, and the noise-cancelling is so effective that I can work next to a window where my neighbor is doing heavy construction and I don't hear anything louder than a faint buzzing. It's quieter than if I'd just plugged my ears with my own fingers. I'm also a runner, and these don't budge when you're sweating, which is nice. It's also handy that these toggle out of noise cancellation mode, because I feel better being able to hear traffic and other people around me when I'm out and about. The TL;DR is I love these so much I have zero interest in owning another pair of headphones for as long as I live." Read her full review here.

Get them from Target for $189.99 or Amazon for $202.39.

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A genius window-mounted hanging desk so you can 1) work with a gorgeous view, and 2) get an upgrade from using your kitchen table as your "desk" even if you've only got a small space.(03 of23)
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It's from a small biz based in Miami, Florida!

Promising review: "This was exactly what I needed — a desk solution for my studio apartment so I can teach remotely without feeling like work will take over the whole place. It's sleek, well made, attaches/detaches like a breeze, and shipped quickly. Communication was a breeze. So, so happy I found this!" —Diana

Get it from Monkey Business Desk on Etsy for $79.20 (available in four finishes).

Psst — this baby ✨ships for free! ✨

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And some ergonomic memory foam armrest pads because your poor elbows are tired of banging against the rock-hard sides of your chair. Honestly, why do they even make non-squishy arm rests??(04 of23)
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Promising review: "I have a desk chair that I live in that I have tried various configurations on the arms to keep from bruising my elbows. Nothing has been much help. I am very glad that I gave this a try! The covers are super-soft, and the memory foam works extremely well. I have only had the covers in use for a week, but already I can feel a difference. This is a product that will continue to be appreciated by my elbows." —Kindle Customer

Get them from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two colors).

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~Handy~ compression gloves, which can help with carpal tunnel and arthritis pain. Your aching wrists and hands type for you all day long — this is the least you can do for them.(05 of23)
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Promising review: "I love these gloves, I’m actually wearing them right now. I am a degree in computer science which means that I’m constantly using my hands to code and mess around on computers. I use a computer at home and at work. By the end of the day my hands are sore and they hurt. These gloves work miracles. Before bed I put these on and I wear them all night. I get a good night's sleep when I wear them and I can tell when I forget to put them on because I sleep awful. I also like how easy it is to wash them. I hand wash but I’ll admit a couple of times I’ve just thrown in the washing machine because I was too tired to hand wash and they turn out completely fine, literally the same as if I would’ve hand washed. I’m 26 and I wear these gloves. My grandma is 69 and she wears these gloves. We both love these gloves very much!" —BritMcConnell

Get a pair from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three sizes).

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A ventilated laptop stand to serve multiple handy purposes. It'll help keep your laptop from overheating and, more importantly, save you from craning your neck down all day (which inevitably leads to that 4 p.m. tension headache).(06 of23)
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Promising review: "This was recommended in an article about handling working from home during this COVID-19 stay-at-home requirement — since workspaces at home aren't as ergonomic as at work when it comes to eight-hour work days. It is SO worth it! It's incredibly sturdy. The laptop is now placed at a perfect angle. I bought a wireless keyboard which I can use with my laptop when the laptop is in the stand — and then at the end of my workday, I just slide my wireless keyboard under the laptop in the space created by the stand, and I regain that bit of space on my table. I love it. Add in the brushed silvery tone, and it has been a great investment for me." —Joe Mama

Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in nine colors).

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An aesthetically pleasing mug warmer so you always have a hot beverage to sip on as you slog through spreadsheets.(07 of23)
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Note that the mug is not included! Emma got one of these for her mom for Christmas and confirms it is QUITE beautiful in person.

Promising review: "I researched so many coffee warmers and am so glad I decided on this one. It definitely keeps my coffee hot, no matter how long it takes me to drink it. I also like that it has three settings. As you drink down your coffee, you can lower the heat because it keeps the coffee very hot. I like it so much I ordered a second one for another part of the house." —hottytoddy

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in eight styles).

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Perfect memory foam slippers with anti-skid rubber soles sturdy enough to wear outside, so you won't even have to take them off to run out and grab the mail or open the door for your Chipotle delivery.(08 of23)
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Promising review: "Previously I was not a slipper-type person. But when March 2020 came around I realized that I was going to need some slippers for working from home. I selected this pair to provide comfort as well as arch support during this time. I have now been wearing these slippers daily nine months straight and I have zero complaints. They are comfy, they keep my feet warm, and they have continually provided my feet support so I don't have to wear shoes in the house. Definitely would recommend this pair based on the durability alone!" —Jenni

Get it from Amazon for $21.90+ (available in women's sizes 5/6–11/12 and seven colors).

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A six-outlet wall charger that's got ports that work for larger chargers *plus* two USB ports and even an LED light around the side. It'll make charging your endless devices a breeze day or night and save you from the daily dance of unplugging your computer to plug in your phone next to the couch, and so on and so forth, ad infinitum.(09 of23)
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Promising review: "These things are amazing. I have one in almost every room of my house. The light is just enough to be able to see at night to use the restroom or navigate the house without turning every light on. I love that the USB ports are built in — no more looking for an adapter. AND the plugs are set far enough apart you can plug some of the bigger things like Google assistant or large AC adapters and still have plenty of room!!! These are a must have in a tech or smart home." —SeiranCrow

Get it from Amazon for $16.97.

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A surprisingly comfortable ergonomic kneeling chair complete with wheels and designed to help you maintain an upright posture without actually having to stand (🙌). And after two years of sitting in the same chair day after day, any change of position is a win, amirite?(10 of23)
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Promising review: "I'm a 225-pound solid dude, back was killing me. Got this chair, took me a week or so to build up the muscles in my shins to get used to the new weight distribution, my pain is GONE. Love this chair, plan on getting a fancier one down the road, but I'm very happy with this." —AHR_Artist

Get it from Amazon for $109.99+ (available in two colors).

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A soothing lavender-scented stress ball that combines aromatherapy with cathartic squish-ability. Sure, you're smiling away on Zoom meeting, but you're really squeezing the life out of one of these in each hand while you think "this could have been an email."(11 of23)
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This Tacoma, Washington-based Etsy shop specializes in lavender goodies.

Promising review: "These are great! I wish I would have ordered them at the start of the pandemic. Definitely a great way to help manage stress. As someone with sensitivities to smells, I was worried about the lavender scent being overpowering, but after a week, the scent has calmed down and it really is relaxing. Very happy with my purchase — thank you!" —Katie F.

Get it from Lavender Luvies on Etsy for $8 (available in 10 colors).

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An adjustable rolling desk you can just scooch on up to your favorite comfy spot and boom! — instant office.(12 of23)
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Promising review: "Due to a bad back I have to use my laptop in my recliner and had gotten tired of lifting a laptop tray on and off. This table is perfect for my needs! I can slide it right under my rather small recliner/rocker and adjust the height easily. It is wide enough for my 18-inch laptop and a gaming mouse with room to spare. I took the rollers off and it still slides like silk across carpet." —Grey the Elder

Get it from Amazon for $45.76+ (available in five styles and four colors).

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And a flexible wooden sofa tray to officially complete your couch's transformation into the world's comfiest desk space.(13 of23)
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They're obviously great for after-hours relaxation, too!

Promising review: "I bought one of these for my husband since he sits in a big, comfy chair when working from home. He asked me to buy another for the arm of the chair. He loves them!" —Emily in Boston

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven finishes, including a version with a phone slot).

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A super cute mini fridge that'll keep your fave work day munchies and bevs within arm's reach. With this, you may not even miss your old office's snack stash.(14 of23)
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It can be plugged into a car adapter *or* regular outlet, and if kept closed, it can keep things cool on the go for several hours. It's even got a handle to make it portable!

Promising review: "I bought this refrigerator because I recently started working from home because of the COVID-19 quarantine. When I’m working during the day, I have to keep myself locked up in the spare bedroom so my toddler doesn’t realize I’m home. Otherwise, she would be trying to come see me all day. **Disclaimer: I don’t just lock my toddler out and leave her alone, there’s someone here taking care of her! Anyway, since I can’t really leave the bedroom, this fridge has been great to keep some drinks cold while I’m working. I put them in already cold and they hold the temperature as long as they are in the fridge." —Aratay

Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in five colors).

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A pair of blue-light-blocking glasses to help protect your weary, heavy eyes from another day of staring at screens for 10+ hours.(15 of23)
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Promising review: "During quarantine, my girlfriend and I have both spent a lot of time on screens (she on her laptop for work, and me on the TV playing video games). We got them about two weeks ago, and we've both noticed a huge difference in our blue screen tolerance. It has helped our eyes feel less tired, and pretty much anytime we look at any screen now, we are wearing these glasses. This is a great, low-priced two-pack deal. Everything looks a little bit yellow while wearing them, but that is truly my only complaint! Once you've worn them for a while you hardly notice the yellow until you take them off." —Taylor S.

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in eight color combinations).

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A light-up essential oil diffuser and humidifier with eight color modes, two brightness settings, and intermittent or continuous misting options so you can customize your workspace with your ideal ambience.(16 of23)
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Promising review: "Love it, I keep it in my office and love the different light displays, the little measure cup they send with it is perfect for measuring your water for it. The lights have two different displays lighter and darker in each color. It's really pretty as a night-light. The mist is very soft and runs a long time. I will be getting these as Christmas gifts. I love mine and will be buying more the rooms in my home. Glad I bought this one." —Ron Curenton

Get it from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in five colors), and get a variety pack of six essential oils from Amazon for $13.99.

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A five-pack of Monkey Noodles, aka the perfect fidget toy that you can knot, squish, twist, and stretch to your anxious heart's content during stressful work days.(17 of23)
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Promising review: "This is my absolute favorite fidget! I’m an adult with autism and ADHD. I carry one around with me everywhere I go. It definitely assists me in staying calm/still while I’m at work. I’ve recommended it to several friends!" —KaelynnVP

Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99.

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An adjustable foot hammock so your tootsies can lounge like they're on a resort vacation while you inch ever closer to inbox zero.(18 of23)
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Promising review: "I ordered this hammock because it was the only one I found that offered universal installation AND positive reviews. I attached it to the holes in my work desk that are for cords and cables. It works perfectly!! Bonus awesomeness: I have a pinched sciatic nerve, and using this hammock provides the perfect stretch for the piriformis muscle. If you've had sciatic pain, you know this muscle. It's also inconspicuous under my desk, so it doesn't draw attention when I'm using it." —AuntieD

Get it from Amazon for $21.78.

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A Focused & Fabulous candle that perfectly describes you and comes in several soothing scents to help keep you feeling both of those things.(19 of23)
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Dorothy B & Co. is a New York-based, Black woman-owned business that specializes in hand-poured artisan soy wax candles.

You can get the candle (which has a 50-hour burn time!!!) in Raspberry Vanilla, Caribbean Teakwood, Gardenia, Green Tea, Honeysuckle Jasmine, Sea Salt & Orchid, Vanilla & Amber, Citrus & Coconut, Mango Papaya, or Peach Nectar.

Promising review: "Love them! They came super fast, are bigger than I expected, super cute decor pieces, and they smell AWESOME!!!! Thank you so much!" —Athena Holden

Get it from Dorothy B. & Co. on their website for $25 or on Etsy for $25.

Rice-filled heat therapy pads designed to transform your workspace from a place of stress to a spa-like oasis. You can also chill 'em if you prefer cold therapy!(20 of23)
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This North Carolina-based Etsy shop specializes in microwavable heat packs. Options for this set include a neck wrap, wrist wraps, and foot warmers.

Promising review: "I ordered the full work-from-home set for myself and I’m so happy I did! I’ve worked from home long before Covid. Between living in the cold Midwest and sitting at a desk for several hours a day, these heat wraps are a lifesaver! They keep me warm and help relax my sore muscles at the same time. The quality is also amazing! The fabric is so thick and feels very durable. I’m already thinking about ordering a couple more heat wraps in different shapes and sizes for myself, and I definitely plan on giving these as gifts to other people I know who suffer from neck/shoulder pain." —KatieAnne1992

Get it from The Ferris Wheels on Etsy for $26.95+ (available in individual pieces or in sets and in 10 colors and prints).

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A heated back and neck massager you'll look forward to coming home to...and by that I mean moving from your desk to the couch to use it, since you haven't left home since last weekend.(21 of23)
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Promising review: "I'm sitting all day at home during the COVID outbreak, and I was looking for something I could use now and in the future. It is intense! I like to use it on my shoulder and on my lower back. I am excited that it can be used in the car, as I expect to be moving cross-country in the new year or so." — Alli

Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in two colors).

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Your WFH situation from now on:(22 of23)
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Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!(23 of23)
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