We’ve all been in a classroom where the only seat available is one of those little kindergarten chairs. And as we make our way towards it to sit down, we think, “It won’t be that bad.” So, we channel our inner child and sit. Then, the longer we sit with our knees by our ears, the more our backs start locking up, and we realize, “It actually is that bad.” Never mind the amount of mental fortitude it takes to get back up out of those chairs without looking like we are 97 years old. Obviously, this is an extreme example, but it still goes to show just how much the size and shape of a school chair really matters.
Whether you know it or not, the classroom chair is one of the most important pieces of school furniture in your learning space. Students spend the majority of their time in their seats, so it’s important to choose chairs that fit the style and size of your students.
That being said, if you’re looking to simply add a few new chairs to your space or completely outfit a whole campus with new furniture, here are the five things you need to know before purchasing school chairs for your K-12 students.
1: Measure. Measure. Measure.
When it comes to school chairs, the first thing you need to consider is size. Here are a few tips to consider:
Leave a 10–12-inch gap between the seat and the desk or tabletop.
Order a chair that will fit at least 75% of your students.
It's often best to order the larger size in the suggested size range.
The chair seat height will depend on the grade level of the students you are ordering for. Use this size graph to choose the perfect size chair for your classroom.
2: Washability is a must.
Kids are messy and hard on their school chairs and furnishings. Moreover, age doesn’t really matter. You could have a preschooler who rolled in the dirt at recess or a high schooler who spilled her entire fancy coffee the moment she sat down. Look for school and classroom chairs with smooth backs and hard, non-porous surfaces for easy cleaning.
Here’s what we recommend for…
Kindergarten: Sprogs' Profile Series School Chair
Middle School: Learniture® Profile Series School Chair
High School: Chrome Sled Base Stack Chair
3: Easily moveable from learning space to learning space
Everyone knows one of the ways to the custodian’s heart is to keep the floors free from scuff marks. That’s easily doable when you have chairs with nylon glides or rollers in your classroom. And as a bonus, glides and rollers make it much easier to reconfigure your classroom on the fly.
Three options for nylon glide chairs:
Three options for roller chairs:
4: Trending classroom chairs to consider
Fidgety and busy students in the classroom can result in a lot of distractions. Flexible seating has become a very popular way to accommodate students while also providing a bit of fun in the classroom. When it’s time to buy classroom furniture and seating for your school, consider the latest (and very popular) chairs and stools that mitigate distractions, accommodate various student preferences, and incorporate inclusivity into every learning space.
One product we particularly love is the wobble stool. The wobble stool accommodates students who just need to get their wiggles out, AND it benefits the entire classroom by minimizing disruption.
Help improve your students’ focus by choosing one of the following:
5: Consider inclusive and adaptable seating for your students
Inclusivity is of the utmost importance in today’s classroom. When a student feels like they belong, it leads to better mental health and learning outcomes. If you need a chair for a student who requires a custom fit, look no further than School Outfitters.
Here are a couple of our adaptive seating favorites:
Don’t forget this School Outfitters tip: For students who require a custom school chair fit, use measurements from the bend of the knee to the floor. Then, select the seat height that is closest to this measurement.
Why choose School Outfitters for your school chairs
Finding the right chairs for your classroom has never been easier. School Outfitters lets you virtually design your classroom so you can find the right school furniture for your space. Once you’ve created your dream floor plan with chairs that fit your space perfectly, one of our room design experts will work with you to bring your design to life.
Experience positive with every classroom chair purchase
Our school furnishings experts know school furniture and classroom chairs better than anyone. We’ll work with you through the whole process, whether you’re just buying one chair or 500 new chairs for an entire campus renovation. School Outfitters makes product ordering super simple and offers quick shipping, contracts and co-op savings, and more. And our favorite part is working with you again and again since 97% of the top 1,000 districts are repeat customers. Contact us today to get a free quote on chairs that are a perfect fit for your spaces.
