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Having the right chair can make a huge difference to your day-to-day life, particularly if it’s where you spend a lot of your time. Finding the “perfect” chair for you is incredibly personal - it depends on who you are and how you use your chair, not on a list of features.
Whether you use your chair for reading, napping, eating, or hosting visitors, this guide will help you think about what you need and how your chair can work for you. If you want to learn more about the types of seating we offer, check out our buyers’ guide.
Be Honest About How Easy It Is to Stand Up
Getting up and down from a chair can become a challenge, whether that’s due to older age, mobility issues, disability, or a number of other causes. The height and firmness of a seat matter more than you might think. Our Occupational Therapist, Natasha Bruce-Jones, says that “as a general rule, the lower and softer the surface, the more challenging a transfer will be”.
Have an honest think about how much help you might need. Which of the following statements do you think fits you best?
- “I can easily get in and out of a higher seat with firm arms”
- “I need a bit more help, but want to keep some effort in standing to preserve leg strength”
- “I need powered help to get up and down from my chair”
For those who just need a higher seat and something solid to push off from, a high-backed fireside chair like the Skye Fireside Chair is a perfect choice. Wooden armrest knuckles, as seen on the Verden Fireside Chair, can be a great addition.
When you need a bit of extra help, choosing a chair with adjustable legs like the Eden High Back Chair will mean you can change the height to decide your level of support. You can also adapt it as your needs change. Adjustable furniture raisers can be an affordable way to keep using a chair you love.
If you’re in need of powered help, you’ll want to opt for a riser recliner. Our MaxiComfort Cloud Riser Recliner would be a great place to start, with user-friendly controls which will lift you up and gently ease you down to a comfortable seat.
Match the Support to Where You Ache
Thinking about where those aches and pains come from will help you determine what to look for in your perfect chair. For those who need relief in their neck and shoulders, something with a high back and winged shape will offer support.
Lower back pain can also be helped with the right chair. Look for lumbar shaping, upright backrests, and dodge any deep chair that you think you might end up slumped down in. The Winchester Fireside Chair ticks all of these boxes perfectly, and could provide the back relief you need - just like it did for this customer:
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★★★★★ "The Winchester Fireside Chair has made a huge difference to us as it is sturdy and comfortable for my husband who cracked his spine. It is the only place he has found that eases his back when sitting down." Denise - Winchester Fireside Chair Review |
If you’re someone who deals with swelling or pain in your legs, consider a chair that will allow you to pop your feet up. The Lynton Riser Recliner with Heat & Massage will do just that, and even takes it one step further with features to soothe your aches and pains. Natasha advises, “Be cautious to avoid vibrating the neck and shoulder regions if you suffer with migraines, vertigo or other vestibular conditions”.
Pair your chair with a heated cushion or throw for extra warmth on colder days. Our heated products guide compares the options.
Think About Where the Chair Will Live
You’ll want the chair to be the right size for your perfect spot. Consider your route to get to the door, whether you need somewhere to pop a walking aid down next to your chair, and what you want to be facing.
If you need to be switching between the TV and looking at guests, or you have a smaller space, you might find a swivel recliner a better fit for you. Our Belmont Swivel Riser Recliner has a smaller footprint, but still offers the support to lift you up from seated. A fireside chair would be another alternative for more compact spots.
Choose a Chair That Feels Like It Belongs in Your Home
As Natasha says, “It is important that your house still looks and feels like a home”. Does your home have an old-style country charm? A checked upholstery like the Stirling Fireside Chair will fit right in. If your style leans a little more modern, the plush velvet of our Coniston Fireside Chair comes in a cool grey or a vibrant teal.
Create Something Bespoke, and Try Before You Buy
What could be more perfect than a chair you’ve created, bespoke to your needs? As CareCo Founder, Will Harrison, puts it, a chair like this is “an important investment in your quality of life and your independence at home”. With our showroom-exclusive Ultimate Comfort line, you can work with our friendly team to select the features and fabrics which will create your dream living room setup. Find your nearest showroom to pop in and feel the difference that a personalised chair can make.
It’s not just the Ultimate Comfort chairs that you can experience in store - many of our chairs are available to test in person. We’ll even bring you a cuppa so you can truly test things out feeling like you’re at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of chair is easiest to get out of?
A riser recliner will offer the most help to ease transfers when moving from sitting to standing. If you can still stand unaided, a high back seat with firm arms may be enough for you.
What chair is best for a small living room?
Swivel chairs or fireside chairs generally have a smaller footprint. If you need the support of a riser recliner but have a smaller space, a wall hugger model may be an option for you.
Can I get VAT relief on a chair?
Any chairs which were designed solely for use by those with disabilities or a long term illness are eligible for VAT relief. Most of our riser recliners fall into this category, so VAT relief is usually available on these. Provided you have a disability or long term illness, simply pop your medical details in at checkout and we’ll get the VAT removed. Our fireside and high back chairs were not designed solely for use by people with disabilities or long term illnesses therefore the VAT must be paid.
