If you are purchasing an office chair to use in a home office, you may want to look at options other than the chairs that are often purchased for the Institute which typically range in price from $650-$850 per chair.

If you are considering changing the height of your current work surface, there are standing desk converters available that let you turn any fixed-height desk into an adjustable workspace.

Purchase through B2P

Consistent with MIT policies, purchases should be made through B2P on a purchase order. Furniture is not an allowable item on the MIT Procurement Card. Do not use a personal credit card and seek reimbursement.

 

One Chair Does Not Fit All

Buying a chair involves many considerations beyond price. As you consider the high-, mid-, and low-cost options available to you, VPF highly recommends working directly with MIT’s furniture expert and interior designer Stephen Newman, who can guide you through the process to find the appropriate chair to fit your needs and budget.

Stephen Newman
Project Manager for Fixtures, Furniture, and Equipment
MIT Facilities-Campus Construction
sfnewman@mit.edu
617-253-8373 

 

Mid-Range Cost Options for Chairs

The following three chairs are available from Creative Office Pavilion, an MIT Preferred Supplier. These mid-priced options are purchased frequently for use across campus and offer many of the recommended ergonomic adjustments at a budget-friendly price. The prices below include recommended ergonomic features.

SitOnIt Seating: Focus -  $376*

SitOnIt Seating: Novo -   $389*

SitOnIt Seating: Witt -     $348*

*Prices vary depending on the features selected.

If you are interested in one of these chairs, please contact Stephen Newman to obtain an individual quote for the chair. He will work with you to select features and then place an order through B2P and arrange to ship the chair to your home. The delivery cost is approximately $100.

Once the order is received, your chair will be shipped to Creative Office Pavilion’s warehouse for assembly. They will then contact you directly to schedule a delivery appointment. Delivery crews cannot enter your home; delivery is to the front door only.

 

Lower-Cost Alternatives for Chairs

Please contact Stephen Newman if you are looking for even lower-cost options, as he manages MIT’s contracted relationships with additional Preferred furniture suppliers who offer discounted prices.

If purchasing from vendors such as Staples or Amazon through B2P, without working directly with Stephen, we highly recommend you consider a range of factors when making a choice.

There are many chair features that can determine how well it can address your ergonomic needs. You should look for a chair with the following:

  • Adjustable arms
  • Adjustable lumbar
  • Adjustable seat depth
  • Pneumatic seat height adjustment
  • Synchro or Enhanced Synchro-Tilt with back lock/tension control
  • Caster type—you will need to purchase a chair that has the proper wheels for your floor. Soft casters are required for wood/tile/hard surface floors and hard casters are required for carpet. Casters are not interchangeable unless otherwise noted.
  • Amazon often sells refurbished/used chairs with little or no warranty, please review details prior to purchasing.

 

Standing Desk Converters

Stephen Newman recommends the following standing desk converters (height-adjustable desk stands) for you to consider:

VariDesk® Pro Plus™ 36

Varidesk offers MIT a 10% discount. Put "Member # 840741” in your Purchase Order description to receive the discount.

Fully Cooper Standing Desk Converter

Contact Stephen to place an order with Fully.