Orion Office Chair: The Walnut Shell Desk Chair Our Buyers Keep Recommending
By Furniture1003 min read
The Orion is the chair we point people to first when they say they need a desk chair but do not want the room to look like an office. It is an armless mid-century shell, walnut-finished wood on the outside and quilted upholstery on the inside, on a swivel base with a gas lift. It looks like a chair you chose for the room. It happens to be one you can work in.
What it is
The shape is the point. A curved backrest wraps the lower and mid back, and the seat is wide enough that you are sat in it rather than on it. The outer shell is walnut-finished wood, which is what gives it its warmth and what stops it reading as a task chair. Inside, the upholstery is quilted in a diamond pattern.
It is armless. That is not a compromise; it is what lets the chair slide fully under a desk and what keeps the silhouette light enough for a living room or a bedroom corner. The base is a five-point swivel with a gas lift, so it turns, rolls and adjusts for height like any office chair, without looking like one.
Who it suits
Anyone working at a desk in a room that is also a room: a spare bedroom, a landing, the end of a living room. It suits people who want an upright, supportive chair for typing rather than a soft chair for leaning back. The curved back does the lumbar work; there is no separate lumbar cushion and it does not need one.
It is less suited to someone who needs armrests for a long day, or who wants a chair to recline in. For those, the Otis keeps the walnut shell and adds a tilt mechanism.
The four colours
All four share the same walnut shell; the colour is the upholstery.
- Black is the one most people picture and the one that suits a dark desk or a room with black metal elsewhere.
- Brown is the warmest and the most forgiving of marks, and it makes the whole chair read as one piece of wood.
- White is for a light room and a light desk. It lifts a bedroom corner.
- Mint is the one people do not expect, and it is the one that gets remarked on. It suits a cream or sage scheme.
What buyers say
Nineteen buyers have reviewed the Orion. Three things come up again and again.
The fit. One reviewer, Jane, writes: "The back rest is perfect, my lumbar region fitting perfectly into the curves. I'm tall, 5'10", my long legs are also comfortable on the seat."
The build. "Feels solid and is very comfy. I'm very impressed with this chair. Will be purchasing again for my bedroom."
The assembly. "Very comfortable to sit in and easy to put together with easy to follow instructions." Nobody in nineteen reviews reported an assembly problem.
Living with it
The quilted upholstery wipes with a damp cloth. The walnut shell wants nothing beyond a dust. On a hard floor, check the castors or use a mat, as with any swivel chair, because castors on oak will mark it over time.
Find yours
Free UK delivery and 30-day returns.
See the Orion in walnut and brown, or the black, white and mint. For how to choose between our desk chairs, read how to choose a home office chair that looks like furniture, or browse all the office chairs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Orion have arms?
No. It is an armless chair by design, which is what lets it tuck fully under a desk and what keeps it looking like a piece of furniture rather than office equipment. If you want arms in the same walnut shell style, the Otis is the one to look at.
Is the Orion height adjustable?
Yes. It sits on a gas lift, so the seat height moves to suit your desk. One buyer who is 5 foot 10 noted that at its lowest setting her feet and knees were still comfortable, so it covers a good range.
Is the Orion comfortable for a full working day?
The curved backrest is shaped to sit in the lower back rather than behind it, and buyers who work from home describe it as comfortable across the day. It is a firmer, more upright chair than a padded executive style, which suits desk work better than lounging.
How hard is the Orion to assemble?
Buyers consistently describe it as easy, with clear instructions. The base and the shell arrive separately and fit together; nobody in nineteen reviews reported a problem with it.
Which colour should I choose?
Black and brown are the ones that disappear into a living room and go with dark wood. White and mint are the ones people choose for a bedroom desk or a light, Scandinavian room. All four share the same walnut-finish shell.
