I like the idea of being able to go green in every room in my home, from the kitchen to the bathroom and everything in between. In my home office (more of a work area right now), part of that is going paperless whenever possible. I also repurposed a utility table to use as a desk. But the major green work solution? My gorgeous Amia chair by Steelcase.
A few months ago, I featured the Amia for its features on paper. It really looked to be the ultimate in sustainable design: Gold Cradle to Cradle certification for indoor air quality, 97% recyclable, it can contribute to your home’s LEED certification…the list goes on. But, I wondered, how would this chair stand up to real use?
Steelcase sent me a chair to use and review, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. I wanted to delay the review a bit so I could get to use the chair for a while and see how it really feels. I knew it would be a huge step up from the cheap rolling office chair I had bought a few years back that was literally falling apart. The entire back fell off every time I made a sudden move, and the mechanisms that made the chair move up and down worked occasionally, at best.
Functionality
From day 1, the Amia improved my work environment. My lower back didn’t hurt nearly as much at the end of the day. After a few weeks, it didn’t hurt at all (though my shoulders were still tense at the end of the day). Every part of the chair is adjustable, so you can make it fit your individual body, height and needs:
- ARMS: You can slide the arms forward and back and rotate them for optimal comfort, and you can also adjust their height.
- SEAT: In addition to adjusting seat height, you can adjust its depth, sliding it forward and backward to conform to your posture.
- BACK: There is a LiveLumbar support cushion inside the back that can be moved up and down for extra support where you need it most. The entire back can also be leaned backward or positioned upright, and you can adjust the tension.
- WHEELS: I opted for the standard carpet casters, but they rolled easily on both carpet and bare floor.
Style
If you’re looking for a work chair that is both functional and stylish, this is it. The Amia chair is minimal and clean. I choose the green fabric, but there are lots of other colors to choose from, so it isn’t tough to make it match your decor. I also chose the platinum frame since I’m not very fond of black. This is just enough to make it feel modern and unassuming — two qualities that can’t be ascribed to very many work chairs.
Though I may eventually change the fabric if when I get tired of the green, this may very well be the last work chair I ever own.
Verdict
If you’re in the market for a new work chair and you can afford to spend a couple hundred bucks, you will not be disappointed by the Amia. It is comfortable, adjustable in all the right places, and stylish enough to fit in with your office decor without sticking out like a sore thumb.
And did I mention it’s Green? It’s eco-qualities are too numerous to mention more than once, so see the “Why It’s Green” list below. The Amia gets an A+ in my book, and I resoundingly recommend it.
Why It’s Green:
- All materials in the Amia chair were required to pass materials chemistry analysis by MBDC, an independent organization that tests each substance for safety to human and environmental health
- Chair is 98% recyclable by weight and the use of inseparable mixed materials was avoided to make recycling easier
- Amia earned the Gold Cradle to Cradle™ Product Certification from MBDC for using environmentally safe and renewable materials
- Amia has Indoor Advantage™ Gold certification for protecting indoor air quality, so it may help contribute toward earning LEED credits for your home
- Should you decide to resell, donate or recycle your Amia chair someday, the Steelcase Environmental Partnership program can help connect you with ways to do that
Price:$599-664 (aff)
Product Review: Amia Chair by Steelcase is the Best!
I like the idea of being able to go green in every room in my home, from the kitchen to the bathroom and everything in between. In my home office (more of a work area right now), part of that is going paperless whenever possible. I also repurposed a utility table to use as a desk. But the major green work solution? My gorgeous Amia chair by Steelcase.
A few months ago, I featured the Amia for its features on paper. It really looked to be the ultimate in sustainable design: Gold Cradle to Cradle certification for indoor air quality, 97% recyclable, it can contribute to your home’s LEED certification…the list goes on. But, I wondered, how would this chair stand up to real use?
Steelcase sent me a chair to use and review, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. I wanted to delay the review a bit so I could get to use the chair for a while and see how it really feels. I knew it would be a huge step up from the cheap rolling office chair I had bought a few years back that was literally falling apart. The entire back fell off every time I made a sudden move, and the mechanisms that made the chair move up and down worked occasionally, at best.
Functionality
From day 1, the Amia improved my work environment. My lower back didn’t hurt nearly as much at the end of the day. After a few weeks, it didn’t hurt at all (though my shoulders were still tense at the end of the day). Every part of the chair is adjustable, so you can make it fit your individual body, height and needs:
Style
If you’re looking for a work chair that is both functional and stylish, this is it. The Amia chair is minimal and clean. I choose the green fabric, but there are lots of other colors to choose from, so it isn’t tough to make it match your decor. I also chose the platinum frame since I’m not very fond of black. This is just enough to make it feel modern and unassuming — two qualities that can’t be ascribed to very many work chairs.
Though I may eventually change the fabric if when I get tired of the green, this may very well be the last work chair I ever own.
Verdict
If you’re in the market for a new work chair and you can afford to spend a couple hundred bucks, you will not be disappointed by the Amia. It is comfortable, adjustable in all the right places, and stylish enough to fit in with your office decor without sticking out like a sore thumb.
And did I mention it’s Green? It’s eco-qualities are too numerous to mention more than once, so see the “Why It’s Green” list below. The Amia gets an A+ in my book, and I resoundingly recommend it.
Why It’s Green:
Price:$599-664 (aff)
Product Review: Amia Chair by Steelcase is the Best!