How to Choose the Right Riser Recliner Chair for Your Needs

Choosing a riser recliner chair is about much more than finding a comfortable seat. The right chair should suit your height, body shape, mobility, preferred sitting position and the way you use the chair throughout the day.

A well-fitted riser recliner can make sitting and standing easier while giving you greater control over your position when relaxing. However, with different sizes, motor configurations, back styles and support options available, it is worth taking the time to understand what will work best for you.

At Chiltern Care Chairs, we help customers compare different styles and try chairs before making a decision, either at our Chesham showroom or during a free home visit.

Start with the right chair size

One of the most important parts of choosing a riser recliner chair is getting the size right.

A chair that is too high, low, deep or wide may feel uncomfortable even if it has plenty of cushioning. It can also make sitting down and getting up more difficult.

When sitting comfortably, your feet should ideally be well supported rather than left hanging above the floor. The seat should be deep enough to support you without pressing awkwardly behind the knees, while the backrest should suit your height and preferred sitting position.

Many of the riser recliner chairs available from Chiltern Care Chairs come in several sizes rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, models within the current range are available in options including Petite, Small, Standard and Grande, depending on the chair.  

There are also ranges that can be made to measure and tailored to match your size.

This is one reason why trying a chair in person can be so useful. Measurements are important, but how a chair actually feels when you sit in it matters just as much.

Think about how easily you sit down and stand up

The lifting function is one of the main reasons people choose a riser recliner.

At the touch of a button, the chair gradually raises and tilts forwards to assist the transition towards standing. It can then lower the user back into a seated position in a controlled way.

If standing from a conventional armchair has become difficult, this can reduce the amount of effort required during an activity that may happen many times during the day.

However, the lifting mechanism should not compensate for a badly fitted chair. The seat height, depth and overall position should still suit the person using it.

Your individual mobility should therefore form part of the decision from the outset, rather than choosing a chair based solely on its appearance or reclining functions.

Single, dual or tri-motor: what is the difference?

One of the most common questions when considering how to choose a riser recliner chair is which motor configuration to select.

A single-motor chair typically controls the backrest and footrest together through a simpler movement. This can make it straightforward to operate and may be suitable for someone who is comfortable with a smaller range of seating positions.

Dual-motor models give greater independent control over the backrest and leg rest. This allows you to adjust one without necessarily moving the other, providing more flexibility when reading, watching television, resting or putting your feet up.

Some Chiltern Care Chairs models are also available with tri-motor configurations, giving additional control over positioning. Current models including the Hollingwell or Canterbury offer a choice of single, dual or tri-motor options.

There is no motor option that is automatically best for everybody. The most suitable choice depends on how much control you would like over your sitting position and how you expect to use the chair.

Consider how you spend your time in the chair

A riser recliner may become one of the most frequently used chairs in the home, so think about what you normally do while sitting.

Someone who mainly uses the chair for shorter periods may have different priorities from somebody who spends much of the day sitting, reading, watching television or resting.

If you regularly raise your legs, independent control over the leg rest may be particularly useful. If you prefer to remain relatively upright while reading, you may want a chair that allows the backrest and footrest to be positioned separately.

It is also worth considering where the chair will be positioned in the room and whether there is sufficient space for it to recline properly.

Testing different positions before buying can make it easier to identify which functions are genuinely useful to you rather than paying for features you are unlikely to use.

Look closely at the back support

Not all riser recliners feel the same behind the back.

Different models use varying cushion designs, back heights and levels of lateral support. Some people prefer softer cushioning that allows them to settle into the chair, while others feel more comfortable with a firmer and more structured back.

For example, the Cartmel has a higher ergonomic back and is designed to provide greater lateral support, while other models use fibre-filled backs or multiple pillow cushions to create a softer seating feel.

The right choice will depend on your posture, comfort preferences and how long you typically remain seated.

If you have specific postural requirements or an existing medical condition affecting how you sit, it may also be appropriate to discuss your seating needs with a healthcare professional alongside seeking advice from a specialist chair supplier.

Check the seat depth and width

Seat measurements can make a considerable difference to everyday comfort.

If the seat is too deep, you may find yourself sliding forwards or sitting away from the backrest. If it is too shallow, the thighs may not receive enough support.

Width is equally important. A seat should provide enough space to sit comfortably without being unnecessarily wide, as excessive space can reduce the support provided by the sides of the chair.

Choosing a supportive riser recliner chair therefore means looking at the proportions of the whole chair rather than simply checking whether it feels soft when you first sit down.

A specialist fitting can help establish which size is most appropriate for your height, proportions and preferred posture.

Decide how much independent adjustment you need

Modern riser recliners can offer considerably more than basic lifting and reclining.

Depending on the model, options can include adjustable head support, lumbar adjustment, different motor arrangements and specialised reclining positions.

The Ashfield range, for example, can be customised with options including powered headrest adjustment, lumbar support, heated seat option and different motor configurations.

These features can be useful, but more adjustment is not necessarily better for every person. Somebody who prefers simple controls may find a straightforward chair easier to use, while another person may value being able to fine-tune several areas independently.

Think about what you will realistically adjust every day.

Choose a chair that suits your home as well as your needs

Practical support does not mean you have to compromise on how the chair looks in your home.

Riser recliners are available in a wide range of traditional and contemporary designs, with different arm styles, back shapes and upholstery options.

Selected Chiltern Care Chairs models are available in both fabric and leather, and water resistant and waterproof fabrics, while different styles range from traditional scroll arms to softer pillow arms and wooden grab handles.

Consider the room where the chair will be used, the existing furniture and whether you would prefer a chair that blends into your current décor or becomes a feature in its own right.

The chair still needs to work correctly within the available space, so remember to consider the room required behind and around it when reclining.

Think about the controls

Controls should be simple and comfortable for the person who will actually use the chair.

Before buying, try operating the handset yourself. Check that the buttons are easy to distinguish, that you can comfortably hold or reach the control and that the chair movements feel intuitive.

This can be particularly important if dexterity, eyesight or memory difficulties affect day-to-day activities.

A chair with more functions may naturally require additional controls, so balance the benefits of extra adjustment against ease of use.

Try before you buy

Online research is useful when comparing features, but a riser recliner is a very personal purchase.

Two chairs with similar specifications can feel very different once you sit in them.

Trying several sizes and styles allows you to compare seat depth, cushioning, back support, arm height and reclining movement. It also gives you the opportunity to see how comfortable and stable you feel when the chair raises you towards a standing position.

Chiltern Care Chairs has a showroom in Chesham where customers can compare different models. Free home visits are also available for people who would prefer to consider suitable options in their own surroundings.

Do not choose on price alone

Price is naturally part of the decision, but the cheapest chair may not offer the best value if the fit or functionality is wrong.

A riser recliner is often used every day and may be relied upon for several years. It therefore makes sense to consider build quality, comfort, sizing, guarantee, fitting and aftercare alongside the initial cost.

The aim should be to find a chair that fits the person properly and offers the functions they genuinely need rather than simply choosing the model with the longest list of features.

The majority of our chairs are built in Britain, with free delivery and fitting included across the current riser recliner range.

Choosing a riser recliner chair with confidence

Understanding how to choose a riser recliner chair starts with considering the person who will use it.

Think about your height and proportions, how easily you sit and stand, how long you spend in the chair, the positions you find comfortable and how much control you want over the backrest and leg rest.

From there, compare the different sizes, motor options and support styles available rather than assuming one particular chair will suit everybody.

At Chiltern Care Chairs, our team can help you compare riser recliners and find an option fitted to your individual needs. You can visit our Chesham showroom to try different chairs or arrange a free home visit if you would prefer to explore suitable options at home.

To discuss your requirements or arrange a visit, call 01494 793129.