Lift Chair Guide
Need Help Choosing the Perfect Lift Chair?
Bellevue Healthcare’s 3-Step Guide is here to help guide you in selecting a chair that fits your needs and lifestyle.
1. Determine Your Positioning Needs
Which chairs properly meet your lifestyle and physical needs?
While all lift chairs have a stand-assist function and some degree of recline, they vary in their range of recline and leg positioning options. Based on their positioning options, lift chairs can be grouped into 3 positioning categories:
- 2-position
- 3-position
- Advancing Positioning (Zero Gravity, Infinite Positioning and Twilight)
Consider how will you will be using your new chair day-to-day:
– Do you plan on sleeping in the chair?
– Do you need the chair for medical or therapeutic purposes?
– If so, which positions are required to give your body the support it needs for sleep or therapeutic support?
2-Position Lift Chairs
Perfect for reading a book, watching tv, or conversing with friends or family, lounge is a semi-reclined potion.
- Lift
- Lounge
3-Position Lift Chairs
Recline is a deeper recline than Lounge but not fully flat. Well suited for napping and relaxing.
- Lift
- Lounge
- Recline
Advanced Positioning
Includes Infinite, Zero Gravity and Twilight chairs which have a wider range of positioning and even custom positioning options. Ideal for those who have therapeutic needs or require custom positioning. Some models come with power headrests.
- Lift
- Lounge
- Recline
- TV
- Full Recline
- Trendelenburg
2. Find the Perfect Fit
Not Too Big, Not Too Small – How to Select A Chair That’s Just Right
The next step is to determine what size of chair you will best suit your body.
- Are you petite, tall or somewhere in-between?
- Do you require a chair with a higher weight capacity (400+ lbs)?
Good news: lift chairs come in a come in a range of sizes to suit a wide variety of individuals.
Petite Lift Chairs
Designed to support individuals who are 5’4″ and under.
Standard Lift Chairs
Suite individuals between 5’5″ and 6′. These chairs typically have sizing options of Small, Medium, Large or S/M and M/L.
Heavy Duty Lift Chairs
Crafted for individuals who require additional weight capacity (375+ lbs) and the comfort of a wider sear.
Tall Lift Chairs
Designed to properly support individuals who are 6’4″ or taller. These chairs have deep seats, taller backs, and higher floor to seat height.
Lift Chair Sizing Tips
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is the maximum weight the chair can support to safely function.
Why Weight Capacity is Important
Being too close to a lift chair’s maximum weight capacity can cause stress on the frame and motors over time, which can shorten the lifespan of its motor(s) and structural integrity of its frame.
Recommendation
We recommend selecting a chair that has a weight capacity that exceeds your body weight by at least 20% or at least 20 lbs. For example, for an individual who weighs 375 lbs, we recommend a chair with a 400 lb. weight capacity.
Seat Width
Seat width is the available seating space between the arms of the lift chair.
Why Seat Width is Important
It is important to make sure the seat isn’t too wide as it will cause the chair user to favor one side of the chair. Over time this will cause stress on the chair’s structure and motors. Too narrow of a seat can cause discomfort and pressure on the hips of the chair user and in turn stress on the frame of the lift chair.
Recommendation
To find your seat width, measure your backside while seated on a firm surface and add 2. Compare the the seat width measurement provided for the lift chair that you are interested in.
If you are sitting in the chair, your hands should be able to pass freely along the sides of your hips.
Seat Depth
Seat depth is the distance from the back of the seat cushion to the front edge.
Why Seat Depth is Important
Too deep of seat can leave the chair user’s back improperly supported while seated or require them to lean, scoot, or strain in their seat. Too short of a seat depth will shorten the available leg extension, which will potentially leave their feet unsupported and dangling when the chair is reclined.
Recommendation
The seat depth should be measured from the bottom of the back of the knee to the base of one’s back. Compare this number to the seat depth number for the chair your are interested in.
If you are sitting in the chair, your lower back should reach the back of the lift chair without any leaning or stretching. Make sure your legs are flush against the chair at a ninety-degree angle.
Floor to Seat Height
Floor to Seat Height is measured from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.
Why Floor to Seat Height is Important
If the chair’s floor to seat height is too short, the chair user’s knees will be elevated and unsupported which can lead to discomfort.
If the chair’s floor to seat height is too tall, the chair user’s feet will dangle which can lead to discomfort and strain.
Recommendation
While seated measure the distance from the bottom of your foot to the top of the back of the knee. Compare this number to the seat to floor measurement for the chair you are interested in. You can find the seat to floor height and other measurements on the Specifications or Sizing tab on the lift chair’s product profile.
Ideally when sitting, your feet should be able to comfortably be flat on the floor without scooting forward in the seat.
- If your feet dangle or you need to scoot forward to reach to floor: the seat height is too tall.
- If your knees rise above the seat (or above your hips) while seated, then the seat height is too low.
3. Style & Options
Now that you’ve narrow the list down to chairs that will suit your comfort and physical needs, it is time to pick a chair that will look great in your home and add options and upgrades.
Lift Chair Options and Upgrades
- Special order upholstery and colors
- Heat and message options
Try A Lift Chair
Every Bellevue Healthcare showroom has a selection of lift chairs available for you to try in person. Take a seat and with the push of a button, recline or stand with easy with the lift function. Upholstery samples are also available so you see the colors and feel the textures in person.