What should I know about the swivel base and five-star base on an office chair?

The five-star base (5 arms radiating from a center hub) is the safety and stability standard for all commercial office chairs — it provides the widest stable footprint relative to the chair's size. Nylon bases are standard; glass-filled nylon is stronger; polished aluminum is the premium option for executive environments. Base diameter affects how far the chair swivels without hitting walls or adjacent furniture — standard diameter is 26"–28". Avoid chairs with fewer than 5 stars (some inexpensive models have 4), which is less stable. FindOfficeFurniture.com carries office chairs with proper five-star bases — call 888-719-4960.