Lift Chair Measurments

A lift chair is a type of recliner that has a strong lifting mechanism in the base of the chair. The lifting mechanism raises the chair into the air to make it easier and safer to stand and sit.

Today in addition to having a motorized base, the backrest and footrest are also controlled electronically. This makes it very easy to find a comfortable position while sleeping, watching TV, or reading.

Lift chairs come in all different shapes and sizes, so it is important to purchase one that will work with your body type. Lift chairs are rated for different heights and you do not want to get one that will lift you too high into the air, or not high enough.

Understanding the Measurements

This image shows the measurements you could expect to find when shopping for a lift chair.

Weight Capacity:This describes how much weight the chair can support. It is a good idea to always give your self a little bit of wiggle room when choosing a chair. Usually allow for an extra 20% of weight, so for this chair you would probably want to weigh at most 320 pounds.

Recommended Height: This takes into consideration the dimensions of the chair and provides a fairly accurate recommendation as to how tall the user of the chair should be.

Floor to Top of Seat (FTP): This measurement is taken when the chair is in its upright position and is important for figuring the height recommendations.

Seat Depth (SD): This refers to the distance in between the armrests.

Seat Width (SW): The width of the seat is figured by measuring the seat from the front to back, stopping at the backrest.

Seat to Top of Back (STB): This is the measurement of the distance from the bottom of the backrest where it meets the seat to the top of the chair.

Putting it All Together

These measurements can provide you with a real sense of how the chair will fit your body. It is a good idea to measure one of your existing chairs before you begin shopping for a new lift chair. This way you will have a set of measurements you can relate to and compare to the lift chairs measurements.

One other consideration is how close the chair can be placed to the wall and still recline. This distance varies and some lift chairs can be placed 6 inches from the wall and still recline. This type of lift chair are is called a wall hugger and is not the norm. Most lift chairs need to be placed around 18 to 24 inches from the wall.