Orthopedic chairs - sitting room chairs

Orthopedic chairs for the living room have a different function to those used in the workplace and should be considered as totally different items of furniture.

Orthopedic sitting room chairs are used for relaxation and comfort and see the user relaxing rather than fulfilling some kind of activity.

Consequently, these orthopedic chairs are designed around a “statically” seated person who is not required to lean forward with their arms projecting in front of their body, or to swivel round and access different work areas on a composite desk.

Who should consider an orthopaedic living room chair

Orthopedic chairs for relaxation are commonly used by the elderly, the arthritic, or those with mobility problems, but they offer a benefit to everyone. These chairs typically have high and comparatively vertical back rests and may have forward tilting functions to aid standing up and sitting down.

The seat height of these chairs may also be higher than a standard chair to encourage a better posture and to assist and ease the process of standing up. This aspect of an orthopedic chair’s design is a benefit to all and not just those of advancing years or with mobility problems.

Most items of orthopedic furniture have firm padding and this is aimed at providing support in key areas. Whilst very comfortable, orthopedic sitting room chairs may initially feel hard, but this firmness helps provide support to key load bearing parts of the seated body. For most, an initial awareness of these “chair types” firmness quickly eases as their users become accustomed to them.

High chair (or high seat chair)

This is a chair with a higher than normal seat which makes getting in to and out of the chair much more effortless for older people or people who finding bending difficult. For information about this kind of chair please see this page High chair. "High seat" chairs often have high backrests and this type of chair is described below.

Features of high backed chairs

A standard orthopedic chair for home use will provide superior back and seating support to that of a regular chair. Although many of these chairs are now stylish, the primary motivation behind their design is support and comfort, rather than appearance.

Firm high back rests make these chairs comfortable and the elevated seat height makes the angles between the back and the upper legs, and the upper legs and the lower legs ideal for the sitting posture.

Today, many of these "high backed" orthopedic chairs come in a number of contemporary designs and colours that can co-ordinate to any room.

Appearance

The days of orthopedic house (easy) chairs being style-less and old fashioned are long since gone. Orthopedic chairs for relaxation are frequently indistinguishable from those comprising part of a three piece suite and most people find them more comfortable than standard chairs.

Today, even most “lift” chairs are indiscernible from their regular counterparts and most orthopedic chairs are available in fashionable designs and fabrics. It is easy to select an orthopedic sitting room chair that has no obvious features differentiating it from any other easy chair.