Height of an Egg Chair

Seat Height

• Comfortable seat height is averaged between 18 to 20 inches from the ground. In many cases, an egg chair has a bit more of a seat tilt than normal chairs, so the front edge of the chair may sit higher than normal. Identify the person most likely to use the chair in the home and adjust the height of the chair so that person can rise and sit in the chair as comfortably as possible. If the chair is for more general use, elevate the bottom of a hanging chair to 16 to 18 inches to compensate for the slope of the seat.

Seat Slope

• The slope of a chair seat is higher in the front and sloping toward the back of the chair. In many cases, the chair seat slope is so minimal that it may not be visible, and sometimes the chair seat will actually be level. Usually people like to sit back and down slightly for maximum comfort. Unusual chair designs sometimes make slope a real issue, and some egg chairs fall into this category. Adjust the chair so that the slope is comfortable and the chair is easier to use.

Seat Back Slope

• The height of the chair is calculated from the floor to the top edge of the chair. The seat back should be tall enough to support the shoulder blades comfortably. The optimum height for chair comfort is 3 inches higher than the shoulder blades. The lower part of the chair back should angle forward slightly, and the top of the chair back should angle back. The top of the chair in the area of the shoulder blades is called the scoop, and it should curve toward the front but not so much that your shoulders feel crowded or ache.

Arm Rests

• If you egg chair has arms, they should be positioned so that the underside flesh of your lower arms rest naturally and comfortably along the top of the arm. If the arm is too low or too high, it will place uncomfortable pressure on your shoulders, arms and possibly your back. If no arms are available, there needs to be enough room inside the egg for your arms to rest comfortably. When choosing a chair, sit in the chair for more than 15 minutes to see if your legs go numb, your shoulders ache or your neck becomes stiff. If you have these symptoms the chair may not be a good choice for you.