2. Aim to sit higher
The seat is the heart of any living room and the area that really needs to be focused on. “Higher and firmer seats and armrests really make a difference,” says Mullally.
Becky Story by Floor interiors emphasizes the importance of seats that are easy to get in and out of, especially for those with mobility difficulties. A seat that’s too low can be problematic, she says. “Or sitting that goes down in the back, because it takes a lot more upper body strength to get up. The same goes for sofas that have really soft cushions or where the seat is very deep.”
For a smaller change than buying new chairs and sofas, Eva Byrne from houseologists suggests that a standard 18-inch seat height should accommodate yourself and any visitors, and “a raised cushion in your favorite spot will improve accessibility here if needed.”
Vaceva also emphasizes the importance of good back support to keep it upright, along, potentially, with support for legs that need to be lifted. But she also has a word of caution about power recliners. “Personally, I don’t think they work in our favor,” she says. “They promote less movement and less activity…which can have a negative impact on the body, mind and overall health.”
It’s not all about sofas and armchairs — think about customized solutions. Vatzeva suggests that a great place to add new seating is inside a window or alcove. “These are good places to put the seat at the right height,” she says. “They can be stand-alone pieces or built-ins, and offer a wonderful way of combining the practical with the beautiful, while being customized to suit your needs.”
Living room furniture store
The seat is the heart of any living room and the area that really needs to be focused on. “Higher and firmer seats and armrests really make a difference,” says Mullally.
Becky Story by Floor interiors emphasizes the importance of seats that are easy to get in and out of, especially for those with mobility difficulties. A seat that’s too low can be problematic, she says. “Or sitting that goes down in the back, because it takes a lot more upper body strength to get up. The same goes for sofas that have really soft cushions or where the seat is very deep.”
For a smaller change than buying new chairs and sofas, Eva Byrne from houseologists suggests that a standard 18-inch seat height should accommodate yourself and any visitors, and “a raised cushion in your favorite spot will improve accessibility here if needed.”
Vaceva also emphasizes the importance of good back support to keep it upright, along, potentially, with support for legs that need to be lifted. But she also has a word of caution about power recliners. “Personally, I don’t think they work in our favor,” she says. “They promote less movement and less activity…which can have a negative impact on the body, mind and overall health.”
It’s not all about sofas and armchairs — think about customized solutions. Vatzeva suggests that a great place to add new seating is inside a window or alcove. “These are good places to put the seat at the right height,” she says. “They can be stand-alone pieces or built-ins, and offer a wonderful way of combining the practical with the beautiful, while being customized to suit your needs.”
Living room furniture store