Is your office chair constantly rolling away? You’ve come to the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you will learn:
- How to stop your office chair from rolling
- Why you should stop your office chair from rolling
- And much more!
What You Need to Know About Your Office Chair Rolling
Almost all modern office chairs are built on wheels. This makes it easy to go from one task to the next without having to leave your chair. But how much rolling is too much?
Generally, when your chair begins to roll as you are doing a task like answering an email or every time you lean back, this is a sign that your chair is rolling too much because it is distracting you from work.
If this sounds all too familiar, don’t panic, as there are several easy methods to stop your chair from rolling to help you stay on task. We’ve covered them all in this article, so read on to find out more about which method may help your chair to stop rolling.
Table of Contents
Supplies Needed to Stop Your Office Chair From Rolling
There are several different ways to stop your chair from rolling, which means you won’t necessarily need all of the following supplies. But you should have at least a few of them on hand if you want to properly stop your chair from rolling.
- Rubber straps/bands
- Rug or chair mat
- Locking wheels
- Screwdriver
- Duct tape
As you can see, the list of supplies isn’t too long. So grab one of these items, and let’s take a look at how you can keep your office chair from rolling.
How to Stop an Office Chair From Rolling (5 Easy Methods)
Method 1: Stop Yourself From Moving
Unfortunately, most office chair rolling isn’t the fault of the chair but rather the user. If you are fidgety or have bad posture, it is more likely you will have issues with a rolling chair. Here are some ways you can work to correct a rolling chair by fixing the way you sit.
1. Strap Yourself to the Chair
Although it may sound weird, you may be moving a lot more than you realize which is what is causing the chair to roll. Use a rubber band or strap to attach your shoulders to the chair. Chances are, this will help your posture as well.
2. Strap Yourself to the Desk
If strapping yourself to the chair isn’t helping, try attaching your chair to the desk or another heavy item in the office like a bookcase or filing cabinet. This is best done by looping a rubber strap around the back of the chair (near the base) and tying it to the large piece of furniture.
Note: Don’t tie yourself to the drawer as this may cause the drawer to come open or out of its holdings the next time you begin to roll.
3. Change Where You Sit on the Seat
A chair frequently rolls when the person sitting in it is sitting too close to the front edge of the chair or too close to the back edge. Every time you sit, your back should reach the back of the chair without you needing to lean back, and your rear end should be centered on the seat. Practice sitting this way and avoid sitting on the front edge of the chair.
Taking frequent breaks from your chair to walk around your office can also help with this problem, as it will allow you a break from your seated position without needing to sit on your chair in a weird spot.
4. Buy a Chair with More Movement
Not all chairs have the same amount of movement in the chair itself. A chair that is frequently rolling when you make small adjustments like leaning back indicates that your chair doesn’t have enough built-in movement for you.
While this is an expensive solution and not always available when the chair is provided by your work, you’ll be surprised at how much better the right chair can feel and how little you will roll.
5. Stay More Organized
Keeping your workspace clean can actually reduce the chances of your office chair working or tipping over. Take the time each day to keep the floor clear of paper, trash, or anything else that your chair may be getting caught on.
Try your best not to store anything but a trash can under your desk, as items like magazines and books can also cause your chair to roll unnecessarily.
You can also put items you use more frequently within arm’s reach and move other items to the side so you won’t need to move as much to reach the items you need to be successful at work.
Method 2: Buy Locking Wheels
Locking wheels are a great and easy way to stop yourself from rolling. They aren’t that expensive either, so even if your work won’t cover them, it may be worth installing them in your chair.
Order a set online and replace the old ones, and you’ll be good to go–no more rolling!
Method 3: Remove the Wheels
If your budget is too tight to allow for the rolling wheels, you can consider removing your wheels altogether. While you may need a screwdriver depending on the chair, generally, you can just turn the chair over and pull out the wheels. Then, cover the holes with duct tape and flip the chair back over.
The only problem with this method is depending on the chair, you might be left sitting at an awkward angle after you do this. Additionally, if you have hardwood floors in your office, this will not be good for them. Therefore this method is only recommended for those working on carpeted floors.
Method 4: Buy a Rug or Mat
A rolling chair is a common problem in offices, and thus many companies have created specialized mats to put under your chair so it won’t roll as you work. While these mats can be expensive, a small rug you bring from home can sometimes work just as well.
See if your boss will help you buy a mat before you purchase one yourself. If your boss says no, then ask if you can bring your own rug or mat from home. The shaggier the rug, the less your wheels will move.
Method 5: Upgrade Your Chair or Seat
As annoying as it is, some of the lower-end models of chairs just roll because they are built cheaply. So if you have tried everything else on this list, you may need to invest in a new seat or new chair.
High-backed chairs tend to roll less than low-backed chairs, and seats with more cushion (or a more firm seat) will roll less than those that have a saggy seat. See our guide on how to disassemble an office chair for more information on installing a new seat on your old chair.
Why Should You Stop An Office Chair From Rolling?
According to Harvard Psychologists, the average employee spends 47% of their work day thinking about tasks that aren’t work-related. Some of these nonwork-related thoughts could be caused because your chair is rolling.
Think about it, you’re focused on reviewing an email, and suddenly your chair rolls back from the desk, and you have to hurry to catch yourself from falling. Now not only is work the last thing on your mind, but your heart is probably pounding, and you will find it difficult to focus on reviewing the email you were looking at so diligently before.
If you have the proper chair that doesn’t roll, this situation won’t occur, meaning you will stay more focused on your work all day long.
It’s also worth mentioning that a chair that rolls often does so because the person sitting in the chair is uncomfortable. You spend too much time in a chair for work each day to sit in one that is uncomfortable. Work on changing your posture first and see if this helps your discomfort, if not, consider purchasing a new chair altogether.
Final Thoughts on How to Stop an Office Chair From Rolling
Overall, if you have complaints about your office chair rolling frequently, you are likely spending valuable hours of the day distracted from your work and uncomfortable in your office chair. Put a stop to this right away by trying one of the above methods to stop your chair from rolling.
If none of them work, then it may be time to consider purchasing an all-new chair that is a better fit for your body that won’t roll each time you move a few inches trying to get comfortable.
