Did you know that you could add a headrest to just about any type of office chair? Yes, it is true that the office chair you already bought without a headrest can be converted and made a lot more comfortable.
In this guide, we are going to show you how to add a headrest to office chairs without much effort at all.
Table of Contents
You Will Need a Universal Headrest
Before you can get to work on converting your office chair, you will need to go and get a universal headrest attachment. These loose headrests are sold on Amazon but we are certain that you would be able to find them in other places as well.
While you are shopping for a good headrest, you will notice that there are quite a few types of headrests. Yes, these one-size-fits-all devices are designed to fit most chair models but modern office chairs vary so much in shape, design, and material that it is impossible to expect one headrest to fit all chairs. You will need to keep the shape of your backrest in mind when you are looking for a compatible headrest.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when looking for a comfortable headrest.
The Fixture Design
Some of these headrests can be fitted to a chair with a clamp while others require you to tighten them to the office chair with threaded screws.
Clamp-style headrests might be easier to install but those that are secure with bolts or screws usually offer a firmer fit and a more durable design.
Then there are pillow mech chair headrest designs that can be installed on a chair by strapping it over the chair. These types of headrest pillows are perfect for a high-back office chair that can benefit from more head support but is already tall enough.
The Headrest Material
Universal chair headrests are usually available in different materials like breathable mesh fabric or they can be upholstered with high-density foam or memory foam filling.
Adjustability
Some of these loose headrests can be height adjustable or they can tilt forward or back. But not all of them do offer these adjustable features. An adjustable headrest will enable you to make a lot more chair adjustments so your chair will suit your body type better.
How to Add a Headrest to Office Chairs
Once you have your adjustable headrest, you will need to secure it to the bezel or the back of the office chair’s backrest. Here is a quick look at the steps for installing your clamp or bolt design headrest.
Install a headrest on an office chair using clamps
Many headrests are sold with clamps that you can simply clip over the edge of the backrest of a mesh office chair. The clips of the headrest set should be spaced about 3.5 inches apart. After clamping them onto the chair bezel, you can fasten the headrest to the clamps by using the threaded screws that were included with the set.
Herman Miller’s headrests are a good example of universal headrests that are installed onto chairs using this design.
Install a headrest by securing it to the backrest
If your ergonomic chair doesn’t have a bezel design at the top and instead consists of a hard plastic backing then you can secure the headrest directly onto this chair’s backrest.
For this method, you might need to drill two 1/4 inch holes into the chair’s backrest and fix the backrest directly to the ergonomic office chair using wrought screws. It can also be a good idea to use screws with socket caps so you can secure the new headrest nicely and tightly.
Good Reasons to Have a Headrest on Your Office Chair
Too many office chairs are sold without a proper headrest, especially when you consider just how important these chair fixtures are. A headrest can offer many benefits like the following;
Improves your Posture
The headrest offers additional cushioning for the head and neck and reduces the impact. Your head is held in a proper position while you work. This improves the overall condition and alignment of your spine and back.
Headrests also encourage you to sit in a more upright position since the needed head and lumbar support is there when you want to lean back.
Headrests with a curved design will also keep your head in a more neutral position instead of having your head dwindle to one side.
All of these elements contribute to good posture and prevent poor posture or bad posture that can cause a lot of neck pain or pain in the cervical spine.
More Adjustability
A quality universal headrest can usually be customized to suit your height. These headrests can move up and down or tilt forward and back. This essentially makes the average office chair much more suitable for taller users.
Enhanced Level of Comfort
It is a lot more comfortable to sit in an upright posture or even with your chair reclined back when you have good head support than it is to sit back in a chair that will leave your head dwindling backward. With a simple headrest, you can take a break from work often and simply lean back to reduce pressure on your spine.
Increases Productivity
Employees tend to be much more productive when they feel nice and comfortable. You will also be more productive since your level of fatigue will reduce when your head has ample support. An overall reduction in fatigue, and stress and the ability to take frequent breaks can do wonders for your performance on the job.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to add a headrest to an office chair, you should start shopping for the right headrest. And if you want to find a good office chair with a built-in headrest hen you should have a look at some of the other guides we have on ChairsWiki. With our guides, you can find a good chair for any office, gaming room, living room, bedroom, or any other work or non-work area.
