How To Buy Chairs And Seating

Posted by Mike Phipps on December 10, 2018

This article was updated on 22/04/2024.

Chairs and other seating aids are important for providing comfort, support and relief when sitting down, whether it be for a meal, to improve posture, or simply for socialising. With lots of different variations, our handy guide makes it easier to know which chair is right for you.

Needs and requirements when buying a chair

The most important things to consider when buying a chair are why you need it. If you’re buying a chair which you will be spending a lot of time sitting in, something comfortable and pressure relieving is a must to prevent the build-up of sores, whilst something with a high back is better for support the lumbar region.

Things to consider before buying a chair:

• Your own body weight and height
• Your strength and ability - will you need help transferring?
• The chair’s purpose - dining, relaxing, pressure relieving?
• How long on average will you be sat in it?
• Does it need to be portable or adjustable?

 

Living room chairs

If you’re looking for a chair for relaxing comfortably in the lounge, an armchair is an ideal product for providing the utmost comfort and support. Choose from either a single or dual motor chair, which can recline into a comfortable snooze position and raise to gently tilt you to your feet.

Dual motor chairs are more ideal if you’re wanting a chair which keeps your legs elevated without reclining the backrest. For more support to the lumbar region, a high back chair is recommended to relieve pressure from the back and help improve posture. They can be adjustable or fixed height.

Products shown: Indiana Rise & Recline Chair, Adjustable High Back Chair,  Queen Anne Chair

Rising Aids

Depending on your ability, you may require something smaller and more portable than a chair. Chair risers are ideal if you only need a slight boost from your seat and their smaller size means they can be used on different chairs in your home, or even taken on holiday with you.

If you want a slightly more permanent solution, wooden furniture raisers are ideal for lifting your chair to a level which is right for you, whilst a seat cushion is more portable and easy to remove when you don’t require it.

Products shown: Panda Bamboo Furniture Raisers, Medeci Furniture Raisers, Uplifting Seat, Assist-A-Tray

Kate Makin, OT

Kate Makin qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. She is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

As a registered occupational therapist (OT), Kate is a science degree-based, health and social care professional, taking a “whole person” approach to both physical and mental health and wellbeing. This enables individuals, of all ages, to achieve their full potential and lead as independent life as possible.

Click here for Kate’s registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Throughout her career, Kate has worked in many different clinical settings, in both the public and private sector. Kate has been running her own independent occupational therapist business since 2009. She is passionate about disability aids and adaptations, with a specialist interest in postural management and seating.

As Ability Superstore’s resident OT, Kate is on hand to offer professional advice and answer any queries.