In short: The right lift recliner chair is the one that fits your body, not an average one. Taller people need a higher back and a longer legrest, petite people need a shorter, shallower seat so they do not slide forward, and larger or broader builds need extra width and support. A made-to-measure chair like the Configura Comfort is set up to your height, weight and shape. We offer free assessments, fittings and in-home demonstrations across bayside Melbourne.
When a lift recliner chair does not work out, it is almost never the features that are wrong. It is the fit. Most chairs are built for an “average” body, so if you are tall, petite, broad, or a larger build, a standard chair can leave you unsupported and uncomfortable no matter how good it looks. This guide explains how to get the fit right, and why a proper fitting matters far more than the badge on the chair.
A lift recliner is somewhere you might spend a good part of your day, and sometimes your night. If it does not fit your body, you feel it quickly: legs dangling off the end of the footrest, knees riding up too high, a backrest that stops halfway up your back, or a seat so deep you slide into a slouch. A poor fit is not just uncomfortable, it creates pressure points and makes the lift and recline feel awkward instead of effortless. Get the fit right and the same chair becomes the most comfortable seat in the house.
These are the things a good fitter checks before recommending anything:
This is the one the market handles worst. Standard backrests and legrests are simply built too short, so a taller person ends up with their head above the chair and their feet past the end of the footrest. Look for a taller backrest and an extended legrest, and know that made-to-measure options exist. A chair sized to a taller frame is a completely different experience to squeezing into a standard one.
The opposite problem, but just as important. A seat that is too deep or too high leaves your feet dangling and pushes you into a slouch, which is uncomfortable and makes standing up harder. A shorter seat depth and a lower seat height let you sit right back, fully supported, with your feet flat on the floor.
There are lift recliners made for a broader frame, with a wider seat, stronger lift motor and a higher weight capacity. The trick is matching the chair to your hips and shoulders and choosing one rated properly for you, so it is safe, roomy and genuinely supportive rather than a tight fit.
A family came to us recently after weeks of frustration trying to find a lift chair for their father, a tall gentleman around 190cm. Nothing off the shelf worked. The legrests were too short for his legs and the backrests left his upper back and head unsupported. We measured him properly and fitted a Configura recliner tailored to his legrest length and backrest height, and for the first time he could actually relax and sleep in it. They had found us through our online lift chair guide, which is exactly why we write them.
We are product experts first, and we fit the chair to the person, not the person to the chair. We take the time to measure you, understand your body, your day and what you are finding hard, and then match or tailor a chair to suit, including made-to-measure options from brands such as Configura when a standard size will not do. Getting the fit right also helps with pressure care, because good support means fewer pressure points. And because the only real way to know a chair fits is to try it, we offer free in-home demonstrations so you can feel it in your own home. See our full guide to the best lift recliner chairs in Melbourne for the models we recommend, or read what a lift recliner is in plain English.
A made-to-measure chair like a Configura will usually cost more than a standard off-the-shelf recliner, and it helps to understand why so there are no surprises. You are not just paying for a chair, you are paying for one built specifically around your body and your needs. The extra cost reflects:
For someone who has never been able to get comfortable in a standard chair, or who will spend much of the day and sometimes the night in it, that tailored fit is usually money well spent, because a chair that does not fit is no bargain at any price. We are always upfront about the cost, and we will only recommend a made-to-measure option when a standard chair genuinely will not do the job.
For a taller person, the best lift chair is one sized to their body, not just the tallest model on the floor. What matters most is a taller backrest that supports the whole back and head, and a longer legrest that fully supports the calves and feet rather than leaving the legs dangling. Some brands offer made-to-measure options, so the right answer is usually a proper fitting rather than a single model.
Yes. Several quality brands, such as Configura, offer made-to-measure and customisable lift recliners where the seat height, seat depth, backrest height and legrest can be built to suit the person. This is often the best solution for someone who is very tall, petite, broad, or who has struggled to get comfortable in standard chairs.
A chair that does not fit leaves you unsupported. If the seat is too deep your feet dangle or you slouch; if the backrest is too short your upper back and neck get no support; if the legrest is too short your calves hang off the end. Beyond comfort, a poor fit creates pressure points and makes the lift function feel awkward. The right size makes the difference between a chair you tolerate and one you genuinely relax in.
There are lift recliners built for a broader frame and a higher weight capacity, with a wider seat and a stronger lift motor. The key is choosing a chair rated for the person and sized to their hips and shoulders. We can measure you and match you to a chair that is safe, comfortable and properly supportive.
Yes. A made-to-measure chair such as a Configura usually costs more than a standard off-the-shelf recliner, because it is built specifically to your measurements and needs rather than mass-produced. The extra cost reflects the custom fit, quality made-to-order construction, stronger and longer-lasting frames, your choice of supports and features, and the time to measure and fit it properly. For someone who cannot get comfortable in a standard chair, or who spends much of the day in it, that tailored fit is usually money well spent. We are always upfront about cost and only recommend made-to-measure when a standard chair will not do.
If you or someone you love has struggled to find a lift chair that fits, that is exactly what we are here for. You can book a free showroom visit or in-home demonstration, or call us for a chat on 1300 225 203. We will take the time to get it right.
About the author: Daylan Kempster is the founder of Mobility Co, a family-owned mobility and assistive-technology showroom in Cheltenham, bayside Melbourne. He fits lift recliners, adjustable and hi-lo beds, scooters and walkers in older Australians’ homes every week, and works alongside occupational therapists across bayside and south-east Melbourne.
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