I have this habit of checking, as the new year approaches, which items in my house need replacing. Among the things that urgently need replacement is my chair. It's old and causes lower back pain whenever I sit on it for more than an hour. To be honest, it was a cheap chair, and I regret not spending more on a better one, especially since I've used it so much this year.
I've learned an important lesson: if something is essential and used frequently, it's worth spending a little more to get a higher-quality version. For example, investing in a good desk chair is better in the long run because a cheap, unreliable chair can lead to health issues over time. It's always smarter to invest in something that will last and bring long-term benefits rather than risk regretting it later.
With that in mind, I went to the IKEA store last Sunday to check out the options available to me. Although there’s a furniture store at a shopping mall near my house, I wanted to explore more options before making a purchase. I know for sure that IKEA is a great choice because they consistently design innovative home products and have expertise in home furniture. They are also a popular option here in Singapore, as evidenced by their growth from just one store a few years ago to three stores now.
Another thing IKEA is known for is its Swedish Restaurant and snack bar. So, I thought I might as well visit their store to do some window shopping and enjoy some good food after a long walk around the store.
I arrived at their Tampines store around 1 PM, which wasn’t ideal because they were holding their year-end sale—a much-anticipated event for many.
The Swedish Restaurant was crowded, and my plan to have lunch didn’t work out as the queue stretched almost the entire length of the restaurant. There were probably more than 30 people in line, and there weren’t any available dining tables either. I realized it would be a challenge to get both food and a table, so I decided to abandon that plan and focus on what I came for: checking out the chairs available.
There were plenty of options available, but these particular chairs caught my eye. Their prices ranged from S$199 to S$315 and up to S$359. I was hoping that the cheaper chairs would offer the same level of comfort as these, but unfortunately, they didn’t. That’s likely the reason why these chairs are more expensive in the first place.
I started by checking out the more affordable option. At the price of S$199, I thought it was reasonable; however, the lumbar support isn’t adjustable. In fact, there’s no dedicated lumbar support at all, which disappointed me, even though the chair otherwise matched my preferences.
The second chair I checked was the one priced at S$319. This one really impressed me because, while it’s not the most expensive, it seems to tick all the boxes for me. The lumbar support and armrests are adjustable, the seat is made of leather with just the right balance of firmness and softness, and the wheels move smoothly as well. Even before inspecting the more expensive options, I already felt like this might be the one I’d choose.
The last item I tested was the more expensive one. I was really surprised by this chair because, although everything else seemed right for me, I noticed that it swayed too softly. It felt as though I was about to fall whenever I leaned back, which I found quite odd.
In the end, choosing the right chair is all about finding the balance between comfort, functionality, and price. While I was impressed by some options, I learned that investing a bit more can often lead to greater satisfaction and long-term benefits. I’m excited to make my decision and finally upgrade to a chair that supports both my productivity and well-being.