When I started my own business several years ago, I bought a $49 chair from an office supply store. After a couple of months, I was ready to fling it across the room. I thought I'd gotten a bargain, but what I really had was a backache.

When purchasing chairs, small business owners often make the mistake of going for the cheapest or best-looking option. It may not seem like much, but a chair is one of the most important pieces of office equipment you can buy. With the eight to 10 hours you can spend in it every day, a chair affects not just your physical comfort but your productivity and long-term health as well.

Here is what you should really consider, especially when choosing chairs to fit a whole variety of employees in your office.

Adjustability. Unless you intend to give every employee a chance to pick his or her favorite model - hardly a practical solution if you have more than a handful of workers - you need to find a task chair that will adjust to fit all girths and heights. Some dealers will bring in chair samples, however, for employees to try and vote on in-house. Keep in mind you may still need to get special chairs to support very tall or short or heavy workers.

Look for adjustable height, backrest, and armrests. Generally, the more adjustable a chair, the more it costs. Expect prices between $300 and $500 per chair.

For evaluating a chair, the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) recommends using the following guidelines:

• Feet should be planted firmly on the ground, legs at a right angle to the floor and thighs firmly against the cushion.
• The seat should be rounded in front to prevent cutting off circulation behind the knee, and your weight should be distributed evenly on the seat.
• The chair's height should allow wrists to be straight while typing.

Fabric. Don't assume that because a chair is expensive it comes with the most durable fabric. The higher cost is due to the chair's ergonomic structure, not its upholstery. There are usually several available grades of fabric, so make sure to ask for stain resistance or durability if you expect much wear and tear in your office.

Choose a breathable fabric. Leather chairs sure look good, but unless you're in them for short periods in a conference room, they tend to get uncomfortable and sticky in warm temperatures.

Guidance. When you bring in new office furniture, have a consultant walk around to make sure workers have optimized their chairs and furniture for their respective dimensions. Some dealers will even send a representative on an initial visit for this purpose.

Your employees may become used to unnecessary discomfort as they work. Try to periodically check employee postures and politely suggest improvements.

So let comfort rule. And don't try to squeeze through OSHA standards by the seat of your pants. Start creating an ergonomically sound office environment now by choosing the right chairs.

Quick tips