7 Ways to Tell if Your Refurbished Chair Has Hidden Premium Features

Ways to Tell if Your Refurbished Chair Has Hidden Premium Features

Let’s be honest: when you hear the word refurbished, you probably imagine some poor old chair dragged out of a skip, patched up with duct tape, and given a new lease of life with the promise, “It’s basically like new.” But at Corporate Spec, we know that’s nonsense. The right refurbished office chair can actually outperform the cheap new alternatives, and often hides premium features that many people overlook.

So how do you spot the gems — those refurbished chairs that deliver champagne quality at lemonade prices? Here are seven ways to tell if your seat has those hidden premium features.

1. Adjustable Lumbar Support

A lot of bargain chairs on the high street come with a token plastic bump masquerading as “lumbar support.” But proper premium chairs often have fully adjustable lumbar systems. Take the Herman Miller Aeron Size C — with its PostureFit SL support, you can fine-tune the lower back pressure to match your posture, rather than the other way round. If your chair hugs your spine just right, you’ve struck gold.

2. Multiple Tilt Options

Not all tilts are created equal. Some budget chairs only let you flop backwards like a garden recliner, while premium models allow infinite tilt locking and synchro-tilt for healthier movement. Chairs like the Steelcase Leap V2 are built for micro-adjustments, encouraging you to shift and stretch throughout the day. If your refurbished chair rocks and locks in more ways than one, you’re sitting on a serious upgrade.

3. Breathable Mesh or Premium Upholstery

Sweaty back in summer? That’s a dead giveaway your chair’s not premium. The Herman Miller Aeron Size A solves this with its 8Z Pellicle mesh, engineered for airflow and durability. On the flip side, if you prefer luxury padding, look for refurbishes in quality leather, like the Vitra Eames EA217. Either way, premium materials are built to last, not peel after six months.

4. Seat Depth Adjustment

This is one of those features you don’t notice until you need it. Shorter legs? Longer legs? Premium office chairs let you tweak the seat depth so your thighs are supported without cutting off circulation. The RH Logic 400 nails this — it’s almost like the chair gives you a bespoke fitting, without the Savile Row price tag.

5. High-End Mechanisms You Don’t See

Here’s the thing: the fanciest part of many premium chairs isn’t what you see, but what you feel. Smooth gas lifts, silent gliding casters, and weight-sensitive tilt controls often lurk beneath the seat pan. For example, the Haworth Zody features asymmetrical lumbar adjustments and eco-friendly design — you’d never know it was built with sustainability in mind unless you peeked at the specs.

6. Customisable Armrests

Flimsy, fixed armrests are a nightmare. Premium chairs, even refurbished, often boast multi-directional arms that move in ways your elbows didn’t think possible. The Humanscale Diffrient World keeps it sleek and simple with weight-sensitive recline but clever arm designs. If you can raise, slide, pivot, and soften your elbow perch, that’s a hidden premium perk right there.

7. Brand Heritage That Speaks Volumes

Here’s the ultimate hidden feature: heritage. A Vitra Eames EA119 isn’t just a chair, it’s a design icon. A Herman Miller Mirra isn’t just ergonomic, it’s the product of decades of research. A refurbished premium chair carries that DNA — which means you’re sitting in something that’s already stood the test of time. That’s a hidden feature no “brand new” no-name chair can claim.

Why This Matters

The next time you hear someone dismiss “refurbished” as second-rate, just smile knowingly. Your chair isn’t just refurbished — it’s hiding premium engineering, ergonomic science, and timeless design.

And don’t just take our word for it. According to The Guardian’s feature on the rise of refurbished goods, refurbished items across industries are booming, as more people wake up to quality and sustainability.

Final Thoughts

Spotting hidden premium features in refurbished office chairs is a bit like finding out your favourite pub does a secret Sunday roast menu — once you know, you’ll never settle for less again.

So next time you sink into your chair, ask yourself: is this just a seat, or is it a silent powerhouse of ergonomic wizardry? If it’s the latter, you’ve officially cracked the code.