Recliner chairs aren’t one size fits all. That means it’s important to get the right size for you, to ensure the perfect fit and support levels, as well as making sure it fits in your home. We’ll help you to decide whether you need a small, medium or large recliner chair, looking at key factors to make sure you’re well-informed to make the best choice for your lifestyle and home. 

Read our recliner buying guide.

Recliner chairs come in various sizes to accommodate different body types, preferences, and room dimensions. Choosing the right size of chair isn’t just about aesthetics – it can actually have an impact on how well supported you are by your chair. A properly fitted recliner provides the necessary support to help maintain good posture and prevent discomfort during extended use. A poorly fitted chair can result in ongoing issues, such as back pain, poor posture, and physical strain over time.

Understanding the size options available is crucial for ensuring comfort and proper fit, helping you to choose a recliner that fits both your body and your space – and we’ve even carried out research to back this up.

Here at HSL, we’re proud to have worked with Dr Andrea Utley at the University of Leeds to look into the physiological impacts of sitting in an HSL chair that properly fits you. The study found that sitting in a chair that fits you:

Reduces your heart rate

Increases your oxygen flow

Lowers your blood pressure

Dr Andrea Utley, a Reader in Motor Control and Learning in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds, confirmed these findings, stating:

“Research conducted at the University of Leeds has shown that sitting in a chair that is an appropriate size for an individual has a number of benefits. Even sitting involves physical effort and if the chair is the right size the physical effort is reduced. This results in a number of physiological benefits and ultimately a restful sit and reduction in fatigue.”

Small recliner chairs are designed to suit smaller living spaces, as well as people with smaller frames. That means they’re typically made with a narrower seat width and shorter seat depth, meaning they offer support in all the crucial places for smaller individuals – while also fitting more neatly into compact living spaces.

But despite their smaller dimensions, comfort and support remain key. It’s crucial to make sure that your recliner chair offers proper lumbar and postural support, even in a smaller size, to promote long-term comfort and health.

Medium recliner chairs strike the perfect balance between space efficiency and comfort, offering a moderate seat width and depth. This makes them the ideal choice for individuals of an average size, as well as those with medium-sized rooms, making them a versatile choice for a variety of different people and spaces.

They offer a great middle ground for those who find small recliners to be too compact, and large recliners to take up too much space. To make sure a medium recliner is the best choice for you, it’s important to consider not only the dimensions of your room, but also the height and depth of the chair’s seat. Measure both the room and the chair to get the best fit and maximise both comfort and functionality.

Designed for those who prefer a more spacious seating option, large recliner chairs feature wider seats and deeper seat depths. This means they offer maximum comfort and support, making them ideal for relaxation. Many large recliners also include additional cushioning and advanced support mechanisms for even better support.

Before choosing a large recliner, it’s important to ensure your space can accommodate the chair’s size without restricting movement or affecting the room’s aesthetic. Make sure you measure the dimensions of both the chair and the room to ensure you can enjoy comfort and style in equal measure.

There are a few key things to think about when choosing which recliner size to go for. These include:

Room dimension: Make sure that you measure the available space in your room. You want to ensure that the recliner fits comfortably without obstructing pathways or completely dominating the room.

User’s body size: It’s essential to choose a chair that fits the user’s height and weight. The correct size of chair provides optimal support for your head, neck, shoulders, hips and back, as well as providing long-term comfort.

Functionality and features: Don’t forget about additional features like riser mechanisms, which can impact the overall size and fit of the chair. It’s important to consider these features when making your decision.

Here at HSL, we work closely with occupational health therapists, like Julie Jennings Dip COT HCPC. As a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists, Julie is frequently consulted for independent advice by a wide range of clients throughout the UK and Europe. And Julie and her support team are also instrumental in training our Comfort Specialists, ensuring that our feel good furniture is approved by experts.

She helps our Comfort Specialists to understand good posture, the correct seating position and supportive transfer in and out of a chair. This is just one of the reasons why Comfort Specialists are able to deliver such high quality advice to help find the best chair or sofa for you.

Whichever size of recliner you choose, it’s important to measure it to make sure it properly fits both your frame and your space. The key things to measure are:

Seat width and depth: Measure these dimensions to confirm that the chair provides ample space for sitting comfortably, without feeling cramped or oversized.

Seat height: Check the distance from the floor to the seat to make sure that you can comfortably sit with your feet on the floor. This will also make sure that you can stand up easily – particularly important for users with mobility concerns.

Overall chair dimensions: Don’t forget to measure the chair’s dimensions when it’s fully reclined, including the footrest and backrest. Your chair should fit comfortably within the intended space, without obstructing movement or other furniture.

Whichever size of recliner you choose, it’s important to measure it to make sure it properly fits both your frame and your space. The key things to measure are:

Seat width and depth: Measure these dimensions to confirm that the chair provides ample space for sitting comfortably, without feeling cramped or oversized.

Seat height: Check the distance from the floor to the seat to make sure that you can comfortably sit with your feet on the floor. This will also make sure that you can stand up easily – particularly important for users with mobility concerns.

Overall chair dimensions: Don’t forget to measure the chair’s dimensions when it’s fully reclined, including the footrest and backrest. Your chair should fit comfortably within the intended space, without obstructing movement or other furniture.

Single and dual motor riser recliners are both great options – so ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. Think about your specific needs and preferences, asking yourself questions like:

Am I looking for a chair with one control for both the backrest and footrest, or do I need separate controls for more customisation?

What’s my budget?

Do I require extra support for specific conditions like arthritis or back pain that might benefit from more precise control?

By understanding the differences and evaluating your personal needs, you can find the perfect chair to enhance your comfort and mobility. To help you find the perfect riser recliner, HSL offers a comprehensive Chair Fitting service, carried out by friendly Comfort Specialists. They’ll guide you through the process of choosing a chair that fits you and offers support in all the right places. Our Comfort Specialist will explain the importance of each point of contact between the chair and the body in detail and ask you questions throughout to ensure the chair supports you as it should.

You can also request a free Home Demonstration, so you can experience the HSL showroom from the comfort of your living room. We’ll bring a selection of chairs for you to try out at home and offer friendly, expert advice with no pressure to buy, at a date and time that suits you. During the visit, their team will guide you through the selection process and answer any questions, making it easier to choose the right riser recliner – whether it’s single or dual motor – without needing to leave your home.