As a home editor, I'm always on the lookout for trendy home decor products — and TikTok has definitely influenced my purchases more than once. After weeks of seeing the viral cross-legged desk chair pop up on my FYP, I finally gave in and bought one, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
Sometimes, viral products become must-have home decor, while other times, they end up in the donation pile a few months later. Without a doubt, this cross-legged chair is a purchase I’d happily make again. It’s not only incredibly comfortable (I’ve used it daily for the past six months), but it also adds a stylish touch to my home office.
My Review of the PUKAMI Criss-Cross Chair
It's hard to say which brand was the OG cross-legged chair on TikTok, as Amazon and Walmart sell a number of dupes. PUKAMI seemed to be a favorite among TikTok users, so that's the brand I went with.
My first impression: The viral chair arrived at my doorstep well-packaged, and was surprisingly easy to assemble. The instructions were easy to follow, taking less than 10 minutes to build. I will say that, because the seat back and seat cushion have some weight to them, it's best to have another person on hand to help you hold these two pieces together while you put the screws in.
Once it was put together, I thought the chair looked gorgeous — and I found it way more spacious than expected. The seat cushion is an impressive 25.5 inches wide, which allows for various seating positions (the options aren't limited to criss-cross applesauce!). As someone who has a hard time sitting still and tends not to conform to conventional seating positions, I love that the armless desk chair allows me to switch positions throughout the day.
As for style, the polyester upholstery feels soft (I chose the beige color, but it's available in an array of colors) and it looks chic paired with my distressed wood desk. Keep in mind: I recently noticed a minor change to the tufting after frequent use.
It's worth mentioning that the desk chair I purchased from Amazon features a five-inch adjustable height, 360° swivel and 108- to 130° tilt angle (although I personally find the tilt function unimpressive). I love that the seat cushion is wide and deep, providing plenty of space for my legs.
It can be a little challenging to reach your feet to the floor when sitting all the way back in the chair (note: I'm 5'6"). If I catch myself sitting in one position for too long, my feet occasionally fall asleep.
While I'm a fan of my PUKAMI, there are a variety of similar versions of this chair out there, so feel free to choose a style that pairs best with your space and budget. Some may be slightly smaller, have thicker seat cushions or feature different tufting styles. There are also faux leather cross-legged chairs and others with wheels.
What to Consider Before Buying the Criss-Cross Chair
Of course, while there's a lot to love about this viral office chair, the main selling point is the ability to sit cross-legged. But you may be wondering, Is it healthy to sit cross-legged on a chair? Keep reading: I spoke with an expert to discuss the health considerations associated with the popular "criss-cross applesauce" position.
- You shouldn't sit cross-legged all day. Many of us — myself included — find it most comfortable to sit cross-legged, or positioned with one leg up and one leg down. "The problem is, when your feet don't touch the ground for a long period of time, there's not enough circulation in your thighs," explains Calista Yong, a physician assistant for Premise Health. "If your body is putting all of that pressure onto your legs, you're going to end up losing circulation in the lower legs."
- The chair doesn't have armrests. When sitting in a chair without armrests, we all have the tendency to lean forward, which can cause back pain. "I recommend pulling your chair all the way into your desk, so you can rest your arms on it," says Yong. "Make sure that you're not leaning forward and be extra careful about keeping your back straight."
- It's not ideal to sit in any one position for extended periods of time. "Aches and pains are going to occur with almost every chair if you're sitting in one position for a long period of time," says Yong. "Make sure that you're standing up, changing your seated position and just keep your body moving."
The bottom line: No matter what type of chair you're sitting in, try standing and stretching every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the workday to minimize aches and pains.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
