Adding finesse to your office is as simple as reviewing my best wood office chair ideas to bring the elegance of nature into your workspace. Indigenous wood combined with artistic designs will make your office feel like you’re working in the forest, the calmest place to express your authentic creativity.
We chop trees once they reach a certain age or wisdom as they have many tales to tell. Fortunately, you don’t need to be as old and wise as the rings on the tree to use this material in your office. If you’re like me, you’ll probably want to be able to retire by the time you have as many rings as the trees used for furniture.
Adding a wood office chair to your workspace will make you feel sagacious while turning your office into a tree-mendously inviting space for clients. You can feel like an actual monarch sitting atop your throne. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or remote worker (as most of the world has become), you’ll find a fitting throne.
My rating system is based on the practical, artistic, and indigenous traits of each home office chair. Additionally, I’ll teach you the secrets of keeping your throne as polished and maturely beautiful as possible.
A Wooden Tale
Everything has history, even lumber furniture. Wood furniture dates back to Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, making sense if you weigh the comfort of sleeping on stone slabs against wooden beds. These civilizations thankfully evolved from the stone age, and sleeping in caves became a thing of the past.
Ancient Egyptians made the first throne-styled chairs. They were called cartouches and displayed intricately designed artwork because the Egyptians didn’t do anything half-baked. They also designed beds with wood legs and stools with linen or cloth covers for comfort.
Egyptians also made cabinets, boxes, and chests to keep their treasures safe while maintaining their extravagant style. The reason they loved wood so much, other than not having to sleep on stone slabs, was that they could carve, polish, and create elaborate designs from the malleable material.
Sargon of Akkad was a Mesopotamian from the 23rd Century BC who claimed the god, Dagan, gifted him the cedar woods in the upper country near Silver Mountain. The Mesopotamians reserved wood furniture for royalty and those of high stature, and they only made wood chairs for royal buttocks at this stage.
On the other hand, Ancient Egyptians never had their own wood. The Nile River is barren and without trees, so they had to import timber. Hence, they also treated it as a material used for the wealthy due to its rarity. The aristocrats in Europe also began importing wood, but their supply was local.
Europe had abundant forests, and all it took was enough money to pay for processing the wood into furniture, boats, and housing. If you ever wonder whether the wood is worth adding to your office, remember that it once was a sign of elegance and reserved for the mighty. How mighty do you wish to feel in your office?
Best Wood Office Chair Ideas: A Timber System
Before marching into the woods with an ax and whistling timber songs while wearing a lumberjack outfit, slow down to see why I choose the chairs I do. Wood holds many secrets and not just wisdom and strength. I designed a rating system for wood office chairs to prevent me from axing some random tree in the forest.
I rated each chair with five factors. Each factor met by the chair will earn between up to one star.
The Wood Should be Indigenous to North America (1 star)
Non-indigenous wood isn’t the wisest choice when planting trees or treating the wood for longevity. Certain wood has grown in specific regions for centuries, making it more resilient to the local pests and climate, which matters if you want a wood office chair that lasts forever. Indigenous wood earns one full star.
The Type of Wood Also Matters (1/2 to 1 star)
Some wood is more resilient than others, even if they come from the same region. For example, maple is more robust than pine, making it the better choice for an office chair that lasts. It can have pine trimmings, but any chair that uses the A group of indigenous wood below will earn a full star, and the B group will earn half a star.
Handcrafted Office Chairs are Winners (0 to 1 star)
Call me silly, but I love handmade furniture. However, not every chair will meet the elaborate styles of Ancient Egyptians, so the number of details or the chair’s beauty will earn it between 0 and 1 star. Wood is such a gift to us, so we should stretch the possibilities.
Availability is Essential, too (1 star)
I’ve shared some designs that aren’t readily available on Amazon or at your local Home Depot, but that’s so you can consider having one handmade. There are incredible craftsmen in North America, many Amish, and their passion is designing beautiful furniture.
Finally, an Office Chair Should Fit Into Most Designs (1/2 to 1 star)
An office is where we need to work, be creative, become productive, and create magic, so having a comfortable office chair that fits most designs is essential. You might not be able to replace all your office furniture at once. The level of ease for each chair to fit into most offices will earn between 1/2 and 1 star.
Indigenous Wood in North America
I further based my rating system on two classes of wood; A and B. These are the most famous indigenous woods in North America. I classed them either as acceptable an accent or an excellent option for furniture like an office chair.
The A Group
The A group of indigenous wood are great options for office chairs. They’re solid, durable, and long-lasting. They include:
The B Group
You can also use the B group of indigenous wood for office chairs, but they should only act as accents because you don’t typically use them for furniture. They’re not as durable, but they can add beautiful details when complementing the A group of wood. They include:
Top 12 Wood Chair Ideas for Exceptional Offices
Now the fun begins! Through my extreme fussiness, these are my top picks for wood office chairs. I promise you won’t be disappointed. There’s one warning, however. Wood office chairs are pricy in most cases, but a higher price comes with longevity and executive royalty. Sometimes, we just have to pay the price.
Traditional Executive Office Chair
The Traditional Executive Office Chair is craftsmanship at its finest, and it’s made locally by our wonderful Amish community. This chair is sturdy, comfortable, and it can be custom-made in your choice of indigenous wood! Customizing the chair will cost extra, but this is a gorgeously studded office chair to suit most people.
Pros
- Solid elm, oak, maple, cherry, hickory, or walnut (kiln dried)
- Customized details include studs and knots
- Height adjustable
- Swivel chair
- Tilt lock and knee tilt for improved circulation in your legs
- Hand-cut leather
- High-density foam
- Handmade
- Casters come with a guarantee
- Mortise and Tenon design
- Optional custom trim colors, casters, and finishes
- Available at Dutch Crafters
- Highly durable and easily assembled
Cons
- The price starts at $930
- Extras cost more (including whether you add finer details)
Rating: 5
Delray Desk Chair
The Delray Desk Chair makes you think you’re relaxing on a beach while in the office. It has a stolen comfort design enveloped with two solid wooden armrests. The chair is inviting while offering bentwood, turned wood, and a curved base. Handcrafted by the finest craftsmen, this is another sure winner for wood office chairs.
Pros
- Choose from maple, oak, cherry, hickory, and walnut (kiln dried)
- Optional customized upholstery designs include knotted, chesterfield, and leather
- Durable base with a mortise and tenon structure for additional durability
- Swivel and tilt functions
- Customizable casters
- Available at Dutch Crafters
- Complete customization available on request
- Handcrafted to perfection
- Delicate patterns and details in the wood grain
- Has a country feel
- Great for most offices, especially casual ones
Cons
- Optional customization costs more
- The chair starts from $607
- It looks slightly like a dining chair
Rating: 4.5
Benjara Gray Chair
The Benjara Gray Chair is a lovely modern office chair that perfectly balances upholstery and wood to give it that yin-yang feel in the office. The color is also great for fading into a contemporary office where wooden furniture has been painted or finished to look worn. Even though there are no carvings, the style feels detailed.
Pros
- Solid pine wood with a worn finish
- Swivel chair
- Height adjustable
- Padded and upholstered backrest, armrests, and seat for comfort and style
- Textured weaving for additional style depth
- Neutral color that fits into most designs
- Available on Amazon
- Hooded casters
- It feels French
- It would likely suit female executives better
- Durable and easily assembled
Cons
- Costs $458 without assembly ($49 extra)
- It might seem feminine for men
- It doesn’t indicate weight capacity (necessary for the style of chair)
Rating: 4.5
Lancaster Desk Chair
The Lancaster Desk Chair is the height of exquisite wooden finishes in your office. It looks like a gorgeous chair you’d find in a cottage near the ocean. The chair is carefully carved to allow a more comfortable seating area; however, you’ll probably want to use cushions to ensure you don’t feel the brunt of solid wood for hours.
Pros
- Choose from solid oak, maple, or cherry
- Turned and bentwood styles
- Detailed office chair
- Swivel chair
- Tilt and lift functions
- Customizable caster wheels
- Customized stains and finishes
- Available in unfinished wood if you want to paint it
- Handcrafted locally by the Dutch Crafters
- Quality craftsmanship to ensure durability
- Optional distressed style available
- It looks incredible in a more casual or rustic workspace
Cons
- Costs $490
- Not suitable for more than 200 lbs. weight
- It won’t fit any office (should be matched to wood finishes)
Rating: 4.5
Brigid Upholstered Task Chair
The Brigid Upholstered Task Chair is a beautiful office chair for women. It has a sleek design. It’s not carved or detailed, but it’s still eye-catching. As a bonus, it works for women who don’t like armrests in their way. The chair looks and feels like freedom in the office, and it rolls around like a dream.
Pros
- Solid oak base and trimmings
- Swivel chair
- Height adjustable
- Easy-rolling casters
- Gorgeously sleek design for the female executive
- Traditional banker chair style
- High backrest
- Solid lumbar support
- 250 lbs. weight capacity
- Tilt tension control
- The light beige fabric fits most designs, including contemporary styles
- Polyester fabric
- Available at Home Depot
- Durable and easily assembled
Cons
- Costs $385.04
- It won’t look good in a man’s office
- No handcrafted details (the backrest is bentwood, though)
Rating: 4
Mission Desk Chair
The Mission Desk Chair is a return to classics with a touch of leather combined with wood. It feels sophisticated in every sense, and it fits into an executive space where you want to make a loud yet gentle statement. It has a striking accent as the studs separate the leather and wood.
Pros
- Choose from maple, hickory, elm, oak, and walnut (kiln dried)
- Swivel chair
- Lift and tilt functions (with lock)
- Mortise and tenon design for incredible durability
- Customizable casters
- Handcrafted
- High-density foam
- Hand-cut leather
- Precision tilt tension for personalized positioning
- Knee tilt for improved circulation in your legs
- Customizable upholstery, trimmings, style, and finish
- Available from Dutch Crafters
- Nailhead design
- Suits executives in formal offices
Cons
- Costs $1,051
- It doesn’t fit well into casual or contemporary offices
- Not too much detail on the wood
Rating: 4
The Ultimate Throne
The President Massage Office Chair might test your patience when ordering one, but it’s the throne that trumps all office thrones. It’s gorgeous, comfortable, and may lead to sleeping in the office. However, it loses some points due to lack of availability. If you’re patient enough, this chair might be your choice.
Pros
- Solid mahogany base, arms, and accents
- Swivel chair
- Height adjustable
- Full massage chair
- Reclines
- Tilt tension control
- Cowhide fabric (dark brown to fit most offices)
- Heavy-duty casters
- Suits executives
- It has a royal feel
- Detailed carvings on the top accents
Cons
- No weight capacity is shared
- It could take six weeks to arrive
- It costs an astronomical $3,465
Rating: 4
Edelweiss Desk Chair
The Edelweiss Desk Chair brings a classic touch to an office with a gentle wooden accent, and it’s handmade by the Amish. It combines the traditional essence of leather and wood to fit into formal offices. It’s super comfortable. Yes, I’ve sat in one. The swivel function also seems sleeker than other office chairs.
Pros
- Choose from hickory, elm, maple, oak, walnut, and cherry (kiln dried)
- Customizable upholstery (leather or fabric)
- Gas lift with a tilt lock
- Various finishes, casters, and finer details available to personalize
- Handcrafted and available from the Dutch Crafters
- Tension tilt for individual positioning
- 250 lbs. weight capacity
- Comfortable and stylish
- Suits executives with formal or wooden offices
- Durable and easily assembled
Cons
- Starts from $1,043
- Customized choices cost more
- It won’t fit into casual or contemporary offices
Rating: 4
Boyel Executive Chair
The Boyel Executive Chair doesn’t flaunt much wood, but it makes the list for style, availability, and exceptional comfort. It’s made for big and tall executives who want that added lumbar support for their lower backs. Let’s face it; you need to consider your lower back as much as your pocket and office preferences.
Pros
- Solid mahogany base and armrests
- Height adjustable
- Swivel chair
- Lift and tilt adjustable to cater to all positions you may desire
- Soft bonded leather for durability and easy cleaning
- Available at Home Depot
- Easy-rolling casters
- Padding for extra lumbar support
- More affordable than most at $240.52
- Suits executive men and women
- The fabric is beautifully detailed
- Durable and easily assembled
Cons
- It has a plywood core
- There’s no detailing in the wood
- The chair is bulky
Rating: 3.5
Mid-Century Swivel Chair
The Mid-Century Swivel Chair doesn’t have a lot of wood, but it’s a gorgeous chair. Art Leon designed it to fit into contemporary offices for an executive feel with ultimate comfort. It also comes in multiple colors, making it a versatile option for various personalities.
Check out our full list of mid-century office chair ideas.
Pros
- Solid beech wood legs
- Swivel (360 degrees)
- Faux leather comes in beige, brown, gray, red, mocha, and olive green
- 330 lbs. weight capacity
- Available on Amazon
- Suits offices, homes, and reading corners
- Durable and easy assembly
- Affordable at $149.99
Cons
- Not height adjustable
- Has no casters
- Lacks handcrafted details
Rating: 3.5
Dark Brown Task Chair
The Dark Brown Task Chair is welcome in most offices. It’s an elegant, simple, and sturdy office chair. The design is a mashup of modern and antique as the legs tell a tale of an Edwardian style. The studs give the chair enough detail to score some points, and the rounded back is comfortable.
Pros
- Solid oak
- Height adjustable
- Swivel
- Dark brown faux leather to fit any office
- 250 lbs. weight capacity
- Tilt tension control
- Available at Home Depot
- Stylish design to suit executives, receptionists, and remote workers
- Durable and easy assembly
Cons
- Expensive at $399 (pricy for faux leather)
- Not intricately detailed
- The casters don’t roll easily
Rating: 3.5
Fruitwood Bankers Chair
The Fruitwood Bankers Chair is a pretty wooden sight in an office, but it’s a little dainty and not for heavier professionals. However, it certainly brings the wooden touch you seek in a workspace. It won’t fit into all offices, but it can be that perfect start to changing your professional style.
Pros
- Solid pine
- Swivel chair
- Lift and tilt function (with lock)
- Easy-rolling casters
- Choose from three finishes; brown, espresso, and black
- Fine bentwood features
- Available from Home Depot
- It would look lovely in a small, informal office
- Easily assembled
- Affordable at $165.32
Cons
- Not as durable as the other chairs due to the banker’s design
- It won’t suit all offices
- Steel core beneath the wooden finish
Rating: 3.5
Bonus: The Kneeling Chair
The Kneeling Chair is a unique idea for an office, designed to support good posture and relieve back and neck pain while you’re in a kneeling position. The chair might be unconventional, but it’s another wood office chair idea to consider.
Pros
- Solid oak
- Unique design to keep your posture perfect
- Reduces back and neck pain
- You can use it for meditation (another bonus!)
- Linen cushion with high-density foam
- Rocks back and forth
- Available from Amazon
- Affordable at $125.99
- Suits any office where unconventional ideas are welcome
- Promotes comfort and productivity simultaneously (what a miracle!)
Cons
- Isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
- Not suitable for people with knee injuries
- Feels informal
Rating: 3.5
Added Bonus: Just Pure Noble Fun!
The Luxury Noble Chair shouldn’t make my list, but it’s made with wood, believe it or not. It’s the closest you can come to feel like royalty in your office, but it won’t fit most offices, and it’s pretty limited in that area. The absolute gorgeousness of this chair is just remarkable, making me add it as a final bonus to my favorites.
Pros
- Gorgeous and noble never looked better
- Solid wood frame (doesn’t indicate which wood)
- Fine details to match the wealthy class of yesteryear
- Chesterfield and studded design
- Turned wood
- Swivel and reclining chair
- Moves well on the casters
- Brazilian cowhide leather
- Handcrafted
- Lift and tilt
- Available on Amazon
Cons
- Costs $2,591 (yikes!)
- Isn’t as durably designed as the other options
- It can’t fit every office design (only the elaborately decorated ones)
Rating: 2.5 (Only Due to the Lack of Wood Knowledge and Style-matching Inabilities)
How to Care for Wood
Adding wooden touches to your office or home office is a superb choice. You’ll never regret the natural tones expressed in your workspace, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to prehistoric eras where you could work in the nude in the middle of a forest. Okay, please don’t work in the nude unless you’re a nudist.
There’s nothing more incredible than feeling at one with nature; however, you prefer doing it. But for this instance, let’s stick to bringing wood into your office for that natural feel. Wood is one living source that breathes and can be maintained for many years. Cut your arm off, and you won’t be able to keep it alive.
Chop a tree, and you can maintain the wood beautifully for long periods. Many antique pieces and relics are made of wood, dating back centuries. To keep your timber in pristine condition, apply these tips:
- Wood is still very much a living source, even once it’s turned into an executive office chair. It can still be damaged and worn by the climate, pests, and extreme temperatures. Never place your chair near a fireplace, open window, or vent if you want to prevent environmental wear and tear.
- Keep your wood office chair clean by dusting it regularly and using gentle detergent to wipe it down. Don’t use harsh chemicals as they can damage the finish. Wring the cloth out as much as you can before wiping the chair down, and use a wrung cloth with plain water to go over it again.
- Purchase wooden polishes to keep treating the wood. Most of them will contain silicone oil or petroleum distillates, both keeping the wood in tip-top shape while restoring the shine and grain. Don’t use too much polish, and always clean the wood first to avoid trapping dirt under the chemicals.
- Revitalize dry wood with oil every six months because wood dries as it ages. It can also shrink and crack if you don’t revitalize it frequently. Use fine steel wool to gently rub all other chemicals off before applying furniture oil and letting it soak for 15 minutes. The steel wool must not be able to scratch the wood.
- Some furniture comes with a wax coating, which also needs to be restored every six months. Use fine steel wool to gently remove the old wax before wiping it down with a clean, dry cloth. Always follow the grain when using steel wool. Then you can apply furniture wax to set for 20 minutes.
- Wood office chairs will sustain damage, and you need to treat them immediately. Old English Scratch Cover can hide scratches and minor damage after a gentle sanding with fine steel wool. You could also paint or re-stain the chair if the damage runs deeper, and you’ll need to sand it down thoroughly first.
Bonus Tip
Sometimes, you might spill coffee on your armrests. You probably thought of protecting wooden furniture with coasters, but a chair is different. That morning coffee can undoubtedly stain the wood when someone surprises you. Your pants might be safe with a wash, but the wood won’t be safe if you don’t care for it.
If you have a dark stain from water or coffee, gently dab white vinegar onto the stain with a cloth and let it sink into the wood for 10 minutes. Rub it down with a clean, dry cloth, and voila!
If you have a white stain from liquids, create a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and white toothpaste before applying it to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rubbing it down with a slightly damp cloth and then a dry cloth.
Looking after the wood isn’t as complicated as neurosurgery, but paying so much for a beautiful office chair and losing it to the elements or that infamous morning coffee spill can be a pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which Office Chair is the Best for Long Hours?
Answer: Some office chairs above are designed for additional lumbar support. Supportive chairs are better than stylish chairs when it comes to your back, posture, and neck. You also want one with high-density foam to support your backside. The Edelweiss Desk Chair and Traditional Executive Chairs are best.
Question: What Upholstery Complements Wood Office Chairs?
Answer: Hands down, leather is the most beautiful inlay for wooden furniture, be it desks or chairs. Fabric upholstery also looks fantastic, but choosing a leather color to match the finish of your wood is what brings style to your office. Choose darker leathers for darker woods and lighter leathers for lighter woods.
Question: Why are Office Chairs so Expensive?
Answer: The dynamics of an office chair are more complicated than a regular dining room chair. They come with lifts, tilts, hydraulics, durable casters, and lumbar support for those long hours. They’re also not manufactured at the rate of other chairs, and these are the two main factors for them being so expensive.
Additionally, if you want true quality and customizable designs from local Amish crafters, you’ll pay the price, but then you know you’ve got the best office chair!
Best Wood Office Chair Ideas: Final Thoughts
With so many offices being at home now, it’s a space we all want to feel relaxed and professional at the same time. It remains a place where creativity must blossom into productive ideas, and some professionals host a myriad of meetings on Zoom. Wouldn’t you want a fantastic chair behind you?
My office is like a palace for my mind, and it’s where everything begins and ends each day. I want to feel comfortable while still expressing my most creative and productive sides. For me, the traditional executive office chair is a must. If you don’t have a chair creating the ultimate office for you, get one now!
You know which are my favorites, even if my criteria for choosing them may seem eccentric. Admittedly, I’m a little over-the-top, but my choices make perfect sense. My first choice is an all-around winner, but any of the alternatives are great options.
For more great office ideas: