After a long day, nothing seems better than to recline and decompress your back or lounging for a movie marathon! But it does take just the perfect recliner! Where do you start to find the correct piece?
Because our bodies come in all different combinations of size, it is important to find the combination in a chair that matches our specific size! It is like finding the perfect pair of shoes….so that they are comfortable and fit so that we don’t feel squished or get blisters!
That is because people have purchased chairs for years…. all the wrong ways! They have looked at the style, or especially the covers! I have heard so many times…” I don’t know why I purchased that chair. It is so uncomfortable!” They never considered the fit, or had someone at a store help them find the perfect fit!
So, how do you find the perfect fit?
Recliners are made with different combinations of sizes. I think the most important is to have the correct sear height. If you are shorter, you probably need a seat height that is lower about 17-18” off the floor. A taller person definitely needs a higher seat, maybe 21-23” off the floor. When you set, the top of your leg should be flat and still have your feet on the floor!
What if the seat is too low?
If it is too low, it will be really hard to stand up! And if it is too high, your feet will dangle and go numb if you sit too long!
What else is important about the seat?
Along with the height, the depth is a key factor. It must be shallow enough to give you good back support! If the seat is too shallow and you have longer legs, half your thigh will not be supported!
What about the back height?
The back should support your back and into your neck. If it is too tall, it may push your head forward with no neck support. Taller people will definitely need a taller chair, so that it fits to their neck. This will give great alignment to their spine, so while they rest, nap or watch a movie, their head is supported!
Is there any other measurement that is considered?
Yes, the longer legs can be an issue, as when you put your feet up, the footrest should be just under the heel. This gives support to the leg and foot. In the same respect, your foot should not be on top of the footrest as that stops the blood flow into the foot!
Selecting a recliner takes a little work to find the perfect fit!
Yes, but the store should help you! I generally can see your body length and then show you 1-2 styles which will fit! Keep in mind, smaller chairs are designed for smaller built frames, and larger chairs are made for taller people. Lots of times people tell me, I don’t like the looks of that chair! It is too big. Unfortunately, if you are tall, that chair will be bigger! That is why people don’t get the correct fit, as the looks sometimes overtake their selection!
Looks seems to be what people want but the fit is way more important! Thank you for explaining the best way to find the perfect recliner! And, thank you for watching DesignTime!