Buying a Riser Recliner Online: 3 Things to Think About

Buying a piece of furniture is always a big investment. But buying a riser recliner is a different prospect entirely – more than just a stylish, comfortable addition to your living room, a riser recliner armchair is an important investment in your quality of life and your independence at home. So it goes without saying that you need to do your research before making a purchase. But what exactly, beyond basic comfort and style, should you think about before buying a riser recliner online? These 3 tips will help you make the best decision.

Size It Up

Buying a riser recliner online means you don't have the luxury of comfort-testing your new chair. In an ideal world, your recliner would be crafted to your specific measurements, and you'd know it would be an exact fit. Make sure you take notice of the specifications listed online. You should especially check the seat depth (your bottom should be at the back of the chair so that the whole of your back is supported). Don't use cushions to make a chair that's too big feel more comfortable, as this will build pressure in your knees. Check the seat width as well. Too wide and you won't feel enough support. Too narrow and the riser recliner will be uncomfortable. And finally, check the height of the chair. If it's too short for you, your legs won't be at the right angle and will start to ache. A chair that's too high will leave your feet dangling, increasing pressure in your back. Try measuring a chair that you already like sitting in. Compare it to the listed specifications online to see if the recliner is suitable for you. Remember, many riser recliners are made in petite, regular and bariatric sizes. (And we might be stating the obvious, but you also need to make sure the riser recliner will fit where you want it to go. The motors need a bit of space to function, so you can't push your chair flush to the wall like an ordinary armchair).

Rest or Recuperation (or a Bit of Both)?

You will have seen that riser recliners generally come in single motor or dual motor setups. This is a decision to make based on your lifestyle, and what kind of use you want from your chair. A single motor riser recliner is ideal if you want a more traditional armchair, with the added benefit of being able to lie back and catch up on some rest. Dual motor chairs give you plenty of options in terms of sitting positions. Being able to manipulate the angles of the backrest and the footrest independently of each other (for example, keeping your back straight but your feet raised) gives you a lot more control over pressure relief. So if you're on the mend after a recent op or you're living with a long-term medical condition, a dual motor riser recliner will suit you better. If you're after even more pressure relief, you could consider a 4-motor recliner chair. These modern chairs include two extra motors: one in the headrest and one in the lumbar area. The powered headrest offers support to your neck and shoulders, and the powered lumbar support gives vital pressure relief to a key part of your back.

Style with Substance

When buying a piece of furniture designed to improve your wellbeing and quality of life, style should be one of the last things you think about. But, of course, we all want a new piece of furniture to look great when we add it to our homes. A super stylish chair that also helps you to stay independent in your home is an absolute win-win, in our books. Like the choice between single motor and dual motor riser recliners, your choice of upholstery should be based on your lifestyle and specific requirements.

Some conditions, like Parkinson's or arthritis, can leave you with shaky hands that might mean you're more prone to spillages. If you don't want to spend too much time on cleaning and maintenance, leather might be the better option for your riser recliner. If you've got your heart set on fabric, make sure you invest in a fabric care kit. Got pets? Fabric upholstered riser recliners can trap the smell of cats and dogs. Plus, some dogs like to chew and some cats like to scratch. Buying a new riser recliner only to have it ruined by your dog is likely to leave you a bit pupset! (Sorry.) Scratches on leather are much easier to buff out, so you might want to consider it as an alternative to fabric. If real leather is out of your budget, faux leather offers the same style but often at a much lower price.