how to make armrests wider?
June 29, 2015 7:09 PM Subscribe
The arms of my office chair (Ikea Markus) are too far apart. What can I strap around them to widen my arm resting surface?
(in case it matters: not my chair/situation, asking for friend)
The current setup is a thick blanket laid over one arm, the seat, and then the other arm. This widens the armrests just enough that my arms can rest on them comfortably. However, the blanket slips around and needs to be refolded/readjusted frequently.
I was thinking I could replace the armrests with with thicker ones, but the armrests don't look like most standard office chairs (big metal loop that attaches at bottom). For similar reasons, a lot of the arm cushions I've been looking at don't seem like they'd fit well. Has anyone done any sort of DIY project involving this chair or a similar model? Can you recommend a cushion or armrest or [thing] to purchase for this?
In my mind, I just want some sort of long plastic softish? block that straps around each arm, but I'm not sure how to even begin looking for this. If you have creative ideas for other household objects that fit the bill, I'd love to hear them.
Alternatively, if you can recommend a better office chair to get, that would work too. Requirements: supports my head, arms not too far apart.
(in case it matters: not my chair/situation, asking for friend)
The current setup is a thick blanket laid over one arm, the seat, and then the other arm. This widens the armrests just enough that my arms can rest on them comfortably. However, the blanket slips around and needs to be refolded/readjusted frequently.
I was thinking I could replace the armrests with with thicker ones, but the armrests don't look like most standard office chairs (big metal loop that attaches at bottom). For similar reasons, a lot of the arm cushions I've been looking at don't seem like they'd fit well. Has anyone done any sort of DIY project involving this chair or a similar model? Can you recommend a cushion or armrest or [thing] to purchase for this?
In my mind, I just want some sort of long plastic softish? block that straps around each arm, but I'm not sure how to even begin looking for this. If you have creative ideas for other household objects that fit the bill, I'd love to hear them.
Alternatively, if you can recommend a better office chair to get, that would work too. Requirements: supports my head, arms not too far apart.
In my mind, I just want some sort of long plastic softish? block that straps around each arm, but I'm not sure how to even begin looking for this.
Dude. 'Tis the season for pool noodles. They even have holes down the middle so all you have to do is cut it to size then cut a slit along the length and pop it on. Easy armrest cozy!
They make them in all kinds of shapes nowadays, too. I've seen triangular and square at my nearby target (in addition to the standard round) and walgreens had a nice fat one with a nubbly texture last time I was there. You should be able to find some configuration of pool noodle that works for you.
posted by phunniemee at 7:38 PM on June 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Dude. 'Tis the season for pool noodles. They even have holes down the middle so all you have to do is cut it to size then cut a slit along the length and pop it on. Easy armrest cozy!
They make them in all kinds of shapes nowadays, too. I've seen triangular and square at my nearby target (in addition to the standard round) and walgreens had a nice fat one with a nubbly texture last time I was there. You should be able to find some configuration of pool noodle that works for you.
posted by phunniemee at 7:38 PM on June 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I recently watched a documentary where someone was using bubble wrap rolled around the armrests and fastened with duct tape to solve this problem. It looked not so great, but I imagine it did the trick.
posted by katyggls at 11:34 PM on June 29, 2015
posted by katyggls at 11:34 PM on June 29, 2015
Pool noodle, or water pipe insulation (there's probably a word for that).
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:15 AM on June 30, 2015
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:15 AM on June 30, 2015
At the link you gave, the photos indicate that there are screws on the bottom of the armrest loop, going up into the armrest itself. Unscrew those, might need to get longer screws (the assembly instructions link is broken). From a fabric store, get some foam padding and some black leather, faux black leather, or other suitable covering; cut a 4x1" into appropriate lengths, and glue or screw on the padding and covering.
posted by at at 4:01 PM on July 1, 2015
posted by at at 4:01 PM on July 1, 2015
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Wrist support for a keyboard?
posted by Juliet Banana at 7:17 PM on June 29, 2015 [1 favorite]