Not only are headrests a great way to improve your sitting posture, but they can also help you avoid neck and back pain. If you're looking for a way to make your office chair more comfortable and inviting, adding a headrest is great. This article will show you how to add a headrest to an office chair with a simple step-by-step guide.
Add Headrest to Office Chair - Comfy Life
If you want to buy a comfortable office chair, there are plenty of choices available on the market, such as leather or fabric office chairs. But if you want something special for your style, then you should try the headrest for the office chair.
Adding a headrest to your office chair is an easy DIY project that you can complete in just a few minutes. Office chairs come in different shapes and sizes, each with its unique set of features.
One of the most important features is the headrest. The headrest supports your neck and back, making sitting in an office chair more comfortable for extended periods.
Why Are Headrests Important?
If you work in an office chair all day, your neck, shoulders, and back will tell you all about it.
Relieve Tension
With a headrest, you can relieve some tension by resting your head on the back of the chair for a few minutes. Bringing your head forward also creates space between your lower neck and upper spine, allowing for improved circulation and better posture.
Lumbar Support
The same goes for lumbar support — this feature is designed to help keep your spine in proper alignment by giving you a comfortable place to rest your pelvis and lower back.
Adjustable-Height Desk
Headrests are especially useful if you use an adjustable-height desk because they allow you to adjust the height of your monitor so that it’s at eye level when seated comfortably at your desk.
Headrests are available on many office chairs and even more ergonomic chairs — they should be part of any good office chair buying guide.
Methods to Add Headrest to Office Chair
DIY Style
The first way is to do it yourself. This will require some minor woodworking skills or a friend who has them.
- You will need to cut out the right pieces of wood (or other material),
- Attach them to the chair, and
- Cover them with fabric or leather to match the rest of the chair's upholstery.
This option is not very expensive but requires some effort on your part (and time). If you're unsure about completing this project successfully, consider hiring someone else who can do it for you professionally for around $50-$100 (depending on location).
Velcro Strips
The first method involves using Velcro strips. This option is best if you want the headrest to be removable and interchangeable with other chairs in your home office space.
Materials Needed:
- Velcro strip (1-inch wide by 4 feet long)
- Screwdriver
- Pair of scissors
Step One:
- Measure the height of your chair back, where you want the headrest positioned.
- Cut one Velcro strip into two equal pieces, about 2 inches longer than that measurement.
- Wrap these pieces around both sides of the back support.
- Don’t cut both pieces at once; instead, cut one piece from each end so that you have enough material left over for mistakes!
Step Two:
Position one piece of Velcro on the back of your chair, about 2 inches above where you want your headrest to be positioned.
Step Three:
Fold over one side of the remaining fabric and attach it to the other side with Velcro as shown below (pay attention to which side is up). Do not sew it yet!
Step Four:
- Flip over your fabric.
- It’s facing out; lay it flat on your work surface with the right sides together (the side without Velcro should still be facing up).
- Sew along the edge with a 1/4 inch seaming allowance (or however much you want between each row of stitches).
- Make sure to leave an opening on one side large enough for turning!
Step Five:
Turn inside out through opening and iron flat.
Step Six:
Sew along the seam, leaving a 5-inch opening in the back for stuffing.
Step Seven:
Stuff with polyester fiberfill or other stuffing material. Sew opening closed using a small whip-stitch.
PVC Pipe
If you want to add a headrest to your office chair, you can use PVC pipe, available at any hardware store (1/2″ diameter works well).
- Cut the PVC pipe into four equal lengths and screw them together with nuts and bolts. Then attach a piece of leather or fabric over the top of the PVC frame to look nice and cozy.
- You can also cover the PVC frame with leather or fabric, but this may be more expensive than buying leather or fabric already covered in padding.
- Optionally, add some padding to the back of your chair by stuffing it inside an old pillowcase or pillowcase filled with some old clothes.
Foam Padding
First, decide on the type of foam padding you want to use. You can use whatever kind of foam you want, but we recommend using memory foam as it provides better support than regular foam.
Next, take off the back of your chair and measure how much fabric you need for the headrest. You will also need to measure how wide the strap needs to be, so it fits around the back of your chair. This is important because it won't work if it's too big or small.
The next step is to cut out all your fabric pieces and attach them using a sewing machine or needle and thread (if you don't have a sewing machine).
The last step is attaching everything and sewing it onto your chair!
Final Words
Adding a headrest to your chair makes it more comfortable and adds style and class. Add new accessories like neck rests and footrests to make the office work fun.
Do you have another idea? Please share them in the comments section below!
