1Width Between Arms
Let's begin by measuring the seat width of your recliner chair. This is the width between the arms of the chair, in inches.

Start where the chair seat meets the arm rest, and measure the distance to the opposite arm rest.

This measurement will ensure that you get a chair that is wide enough for you to fit comfortably in, but not so wide that you have to stretch your arms out to rest them on the arm rests.

2Seat Depth
Next, you'll want to measure the seat depth of the chair. To measure seat depth, start from the center of the seat, at the point where it meets the backrest. Measure the distance to the edge of the seat.

For rounded seats that don't have a straight edge, look for the point where the seat cushion starts bending down into the leg rest.

It may help to hold a broomstick between the arm rests of the chair, to get a feel for where the edge of the seat is.

3Floor to Top of Seat
After you've measured seat width and seat depth, it's time to measure the seat height from floor. Having a correct seat height is important. A chair that is too tall will cause your legs to dange. A chair that's toor short means your feet will hang off the edge of the footrest when the chair is reclined.

Hold one side of the tape measure on the ground, and measure the distance to the top of the seat cushion.

4Seat to Top of Arm
The next measurement we're going to take is the arm rest height, also known as "Seat to Top of Arm". This is the distance between the top of the seat cushion and the top of the arm rest.

Take your measurement starting at the top of the seat cushion, where the seat meets the arm rest. Measure the distance to the very top of the arm rest.

It might help to lay a book across the arm rest so you can see where the top point is.

Having the right arm rest height ensures that you won't have to stretch your shoulders uncomfortably to rest your arms.

5Seat to Top of Back
The final measurement you need to take is the height of the back rest, also known as "Seat to Top of Back".

This is the distance from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the back rest. The back rest height of a chair is important. It ensures that your head will fall squarely upon the back rest cushions. If the back rest is too short, your head might tower over the top of the chair.

Start from the top of the seat cushion, and measure the distance to the very top of the back rest. It might help to put a book or something flat on top of the head rest to determine where the top point is.

This lift chair narrowing system is great if you have a chair that you love and you know fits you well, but you want the added mobility of a lift chair. If you aren't sure which chair you want, your best bet is to give us a call. One of our lift chair experts will be able to talk to you and figure out which lift chair will fit you best.

We are one of the first companies to sell lift chairs online, and in that time we have completed numerous service calls and follow-up visits, so we have a good feel for which lift chairs will work for each person.

We have experts waiting to answer questions between 8am and 10pm PST.
Feel free to call any time and leave a message, and we will call you back.
Call us toll-free at 800-798-2499. Locally at 623-931-1983.

We also have a live chat system built into our web site. At the bottom right corner of this screen is a green box. Follow the instructions on the box and you can chat with one of our lift chair experts straight from our website.

Start using the lift chair narrowing system.