The short answer

The Tervo Model U is a compact office chair with a trick that matters: the backrest folds forward over the seat. Raise the arms, fold the back and the chair can disappear much farther under a desk than a normal mid-back chair.

That makes it unusually relevant to bedrooms, box rooms and work corners where the chair becomes an obstacle as soon as the working day ends.

At £129.99 when checked, it sits above the usual budget flip-up-arm chairs. The extra spend buys a cleaner design, a folding mechanism, moulded seat foam and removable lumbar support. It does not buy the deep adjustment of a premium ergonomic chair.

How much space does the folding back save?

The useful difference is parked height, not floor footprint.

With a conventional office chair, the back hits the desktop even when the arms clear it. The Model U folds at the point where the back meets the seat, so the upper half no longer blocks the desk. The flip-up arms remove the second common obstruction.

This can make a big difference under a simple desk with an open frame. It is less useful under a desk with drawers, a deep modesty panel or a low crossbar. Measure the opening, not just the overall desk width.

The five-star base does not fold. You still need enough width and depth for the wheels, and enough space to pull the chair out before sitting. Our guide to how much space you need behind a desk covers the room measurement that product listings tend to ignore.

Comfort and support

Tervo uses a breathable mesh back and a moulded foam seat. The removable lumbar pad can move up or down, or come off completely if it lands in the wrong place.

That is a sensible amount of flexibility for a chair built around storage. The lumbar pad is less sophisticated than the mechanisms on a Sihoo M57 or Sihoo Doro S100, but it is more adaptable than a fixed plastic curve.

The arms fold rather than offering multi-directional adjustment. That is good for getting under the desk, but less useful if you need precise forearm support for a full working day.

Tervo says assembly takes around 18 minutes and includes the necessary tools. Treat that as an optimistic target rather than a deadline. Chair assembly is usually straightforward, but fitting the arms and back squarely is worth doing slowly.

Model U or a cheaper flip-up chair?

A £40 to £70 mesh chair with flip-up arms can solve half the problem. Once its arms are raised, it will move closer to the desk, but the back remains upright.

The Model U earns its premium when the desk is in a room that needs to look and feel clear after work. If the chair can stay out all day, a conventional ergonomic model will usually give you more adjustment for the money.

The closest alternative is the FlexiSpot Foldex. The FlexiSpot adds a headrest, footrest and more adjustment, but it is visually larger and costs more. The Tervo is the neater choice when the priority is making the chair disappear.

For a cheaper route, see the best office chairs with flip-up arms. Those chairs do not fold at the back, but they can be perfectly adequate for occasional work.

What to check before buying

Measure the clear width and height under the desk.
Check for drawer units, cable trays and rear bars.
Leave room for the five-star base even when the back is folded.
Think about daily sitting time. Storage features do not replace proper adjustment.
Confirm the selected colour on Amazon, because the listing includes several frame and fabric combinations.

Tervo Model U verdict

The Model U is not a tiny chair. It is a normal wheeled office chair that becomes shorter when parked, and that distinction matters.

For a bedroom desk or shared room, the folding back is more than a novelty. It tackles the visual and physical clutter that makes many compact workspaces irritating. If you need all-day ergonomic adjustment, spend the money on support instead. If you need a chair that properly gets out of the way, the Tervo is one of the better-designed options.

Where to go next

Continue from this article into the most relevant compact setup guides, reviews, and hubs.

Chair guide

Best Folding Office Chairs for Small Spaces

Compare the Tervo with the more adjustable FlexiSpot Foldex and cheaper flip-up-arm options.

Read next

Room fit

How Much Space Do You Need Behind a Desk?

Measure the wheelbase, working position and route behind the chair before buying.

Read next

Desk fit

80cm vs 100cm Desk: Which Is Better for a Small Room?

Use the desk-size guide to check whether your chair will have enough room to move.

Tervo Model U Review: Does the Folding Back Save Real Space?