So you've put in the long hours, proven yourself to your company, and you've finally been rewarded with that corner office (or cubicle). I always imagine the day when I finally make if from middle management to senior management and what type of office furniture I would get from my new office. I figure I'll go with modern furniture to give it a timeless look. This may sound a little strange, but what I'm really looking forward to is getting one of those plush executive chairs. I remember sitting in my dad's executive leather office chair and feeling like I was the king-of-the-hill. There wasn't anything I couldn't do while I sat in that chair. I also noticed how everyone seemed to respect my dad more when he was sitting in it compared to when he would walk around the office having meetings on the go.

You may or may not know what an executive office chair is, so I'll give you a quick rundown. These chairs aren't your average run-of-the-mill office chairs. These are top-of-the-line chairs, made from superior materials (leather, steel, etc.), and solidly constructed for maximum comfort and durability. The majority of the chairs have a taller back, and come in natural leather and fine wood materials. Most of the current models are also some of the most ergonomic chairs on the market.

As I've already mentioned, the main purpose for these chairs is to give off an aura of prestige and high status. But, that doesn't mean you can't buy yourself an executive chair if you don't have a corner office. I have an executive style chair for home, and it has done wonders in reducing my neck and back pain. Now I'm not going to pretend like these chairs are cheap because they aren't. However, there are always sales going on in your local furniture stores and online at furniture sites. I picked up my chair on sale from Amazon.com for about $180 (the regular price was $290).

Some companies even use executive office chairs in their waiting rooms and conference rooms. I work for a large financial firm, and we pretty much have executive office chairs in every conference room, cubicle, and waiting room.

There are a couple of things you want to take into consideration when you start looking for your own executive office chair. First and foremost, make sure your chair has great ergonomics. It has to give you great lumbar support and alleviate the stress that sitting all day puts on your spine, neck, and shoulders. If the chairs you're look at don't provide this support, do not buy them. I don't care how cool they look, or what fancy buttons and options they have. If you can't sit comfortably for long periods of time, you're just torturing yourself in the long run.

You'll also want to look for a chair with adjustable armrests. It's important that your arms that your arms are comfortably positioned the right way, especially when you're typing. This will decrease the likelihood of neck and back pain. Most of the armrests are padded, so you comfortable rest your arms while you're working.

Most of the executive chairs on the market have a wide range of adjustable features, such as pneumatic seat-height adjustment, adjustable seat tilt, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable headrest and armrests, and so on. The more adjustable features your chair comes with, the better. It may take a little while to become familiar with all the bells and whistles, but once you get the hang of it, your chair will provide the best support for your body.

From a style and design perspective, you can find a chair that satisfies all of your design needs. If you're into the more traditional aesthetic, you can purchase the big leather chair with the oak wood accents. Or, if you're into classic modern design, you can pick up a timeless Eames chair. You can also select from a variety of fine leathers, fabrics, and wood panels. So there is a chair out there for you no matter what your style preferences are.

Many people think that all executive chairs are made from leather and wood. That was once true, but now they come in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, and construction. I have an executive chair made from mesh and it is a God-send. Not only was it cheaper than the leather chair's I was considering, but it also doesn't get me all hot after I sit in it for a long period of time.

The color range is a little limited, but you can't really go wrong with black. It's a solid color that doesn't draw the wrong kind of attention to you. I guess that's why most of the chairs are black and not white. Although, if you have the cash, there are some pretty nice chairs that come in white, green, burgundy, and earth tones.

I'm not a heavy guy, but my chair can supposedly support 300 pounds easily. So, if you're on the heavier side, this chair will give you great support, comfort and style.

You can't really go wrong with an executive office chair. They're comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, durable. They might cost a little more on the front  end, but the added comfort and boost in productivity more than makes up for it.