Orthopedic chairs - High Chair

High chairs are chairs with a seat that is at a slightly higher level than would normally be found on a typical easy chair.

The seat height for these chairs tends to be between 17 inches and 21 inches and most manufacturers will offer a choice of heights in one inch increments. Greater height chairs can be ordered from some suppliers, but they will be special orders.

The advantage of a high chair is fairly obvious. Because you do not have as far to lower yourself in order to sit down, it makes getting up out of the chair less difficult. For this reason high chairs are popular with older people and people with ailments like arthritis, stiff joints etc.

In most cases the seat depth and width (as well as the height) of a high chair can be specified. Seat depths tend to be in the range of 18inches to 20 inches for a chair and around 36 inches for a twin seat (small) sofa.

A high chair seat width will normally be the same as the seat depth (i.e. the length from the backrest to the front edge) which will be in the 18 inches to 20 inches range. Some manufacturers will allow different width and depth dimensions to be ordered for the seat.

Styles, sizes etc

You can buy a high seat chair as a single chair, or in a double or even a three seater sofa format. This makes the option of a two or three piece suite available in a large number of matching designs.

High chairs nearly always have open legs. This is because the proportions of the chair would look unusually elongated if the base and legs were boxed in. If this were the case they would also be significantly heavier than an equivalent easy chair.

Most high chairs will have a high backrest and strong side arms. This is to offer maximum comfort and support to the person seated on them both when they are relaxing and when they stand up or sit down.

Some high chair designs are available as rockers.

The appearance of high chairs varies considerably and, whilst the open leg design is nearly always a feature, other elements of the design can vary greatly. Nearly all high chairs have wooden legs that will be stained and polished and in many instances this polished timber theme is extended to the ends (or tops) of the arm rests to make a feature.

Fabrics are selectable and come in many different patterns and styles and the combination of these design elements means that it is possible to buy a traditional or contemporary looking chair or combination of chairs and sofas.

Remote high chair (riser recliner)

In addition to a standard high seat chair you can also buy a high chair with riser recliner (lift and tilt) remote control functions.

This kind of chair has motors that tilt the seat and backrest forwards whilst lifting it up. This aids getting into and out of the chair. Additionally it means that the chair can be lowered to a regular seating height when the person is seated. You can find out more about this kind of chair here - riser recliner chair