The simplest way to raise a chair for an elderly person is to add furniture risers under the legs, place a firm cushion on the seat, or use a portable seat lift that helps with standing. The right method depends on the type of chair and how much height you need to add. Most older adults benefit from a seat height between 17 and 19 inches (430 to 485 mm), which keeps the hips at or slightly above knee level and makes standing up dramatically easier.
Why Chair Height Matters So Much
Seat height is the single most important factor in whether an older person can get in and out of a chair independently. When a seat is too low, the hips drop below the knees, which changes the mechanical leverage needed to stand. The body has to generate significantly more force from the thighs and core to push upward from that position. For someone with a hip replacement, arthritis, or general muscle weakness, that extra effort can mean the difference between standing independently and needing someone’s help.
Soft cushions make the problem worse. A plush sofa or recliner cushion compresses under body weight, sinking the person even lower than the seat’s listed height. This is why many older adults struggle most with lounge chairs and couches, not dining chairs.
The ideal seat height varies by the person’s leg length. The distance from the back of the knee to the floor (called popliteal height) averages about 15 inches for older women and 16.4 inches for older men. Research on aged care seating recommends a seat height of roughly 17 inches, or about 18.5 inches if a footrest is used. The U.S. accessibility standard for built-in seating sets a range of 17 to 19 inches. A good starting point is to measure from the back of your loved one’s knee to the floor, then aim for a seat surface 1 to 3 inches above that number.
Furniture Risers and Leg Extensions
Furniture risers are the most popular and affordable option. These are sturdy blocks, typically plastic or wood, that sit under each chair leg. They come in heights from 2 to 6 inches and are sold in sets of four. Weight capacities vary widely. Heavy-duty plastic risers can support up to 1,300 pounds per set or even 6,000 pounds for oversized models designed for couches and recliners. Solid wood risers tend to handle 300 to 1,000 pounds per riser.
When choosing risers, match them to the chair’s leg type. Some risers have a recessed well on top that cradles a leg or caster, while others have a flat surface for wider bases. Products specifically designed for recliners, like the Stander Recliner Risers, use non-slip surfaces and low-profile designs that work with wooden recliner frames. For chairs with casters, look for risers with a deep enough well to keep the wheel from rolling out.
A few safety rules apply to all furniture risers:
- Check stability before use. The chair should not wobble or rock once placed on risers. If the person tends to lean heavily to one side when transferring, even a small wobble becomes a fall risk.
- Don’t move furniture with risers in place. Lift the chair off the risers first, reposition it, then set it back down.
- Avoid creating a trip hazard. Risers that extend beyond the footprint of the chair legs can catch a foot or walker wheel. Choose risers that sit close to or within the chair’s base.
- Use all four risers. Raising only the front or back legs creates an angled seat that’s harder to sit on and stand from safely.
Firm Seat Cushions
A firm cushion placed on the existing seat is the quickest fix and works especially well for dining chairs, kitchen chairs, and office-style chairs where risers might not fit. The key word is firm. A soft foam cushion compresses under weight and defeats the purpose. Look for high-density foam cushions marketed as orthopedic or “riser” cushions, typically 3 to 5 inches thick. Some are wedge-shaped, angling slightly forward to make standing easier by shifting the person’s center of gravity toward their feet.
The cushion needs a non-slip bottom or ties that secure it to the chair. A cushion that slides when someone pushes up to stand is genuinely dangerous. Test it by pressing down firmly on one edge. If it shifts at all on the seat surface, add a non-slip grip pad underneath.
Portable Seat Lifts
For someone who needs more than just extra height, portable seat lifts provide active assistance with standing. These are cushioned platforms that sit on top of a chair or couch and use a spring or motor to gently tilt the person upward as they begin to rise. They come in two types.
Non-electric models use a hydro-pneumatic spring calibrated to the user’s weight. As the person shifts their weight forward to stand, the spring engages and lifts the seat, providing up to 70% of the effort needed to get upright. These require no power source and are lightweight enough to move between chairs or take on trips.
Electric models plug into a wall outlet and provide 100% lift assistance for users up to 300 pounds. A handheld control lets the person raise or lower the seat at their own pace. These are a more affordable, portable alternative to buying a full power lift recliner, and they can be placed on most armchairs or sofas.
Both types add some height to the seat just by sitting on top of it, typically 3 to 5 inches, so they address the height problem and the strength problem at the same time. Many come with memory foam cushioning and removable, washable covers.
Raising a Recliner
Recliners present a unique challenge because they’re heavy, they move during use, and their bases vary in shape. Standard round furniture risers often don’t fit a recliner’s flat wooden base or wide frame. Purpose-built recliner risers use a larger platform with non-slip surfaces that accommodate the recliner’s base shape. Some have a well deep enough to hold the entire base foot, while others are flat platforms the base rests on.
Another option is a custom wooden platform. A simple plywood platform, slightly larger than the recliner’s footprint and 2 to 4 inches tall, gives a stable surface. If you go this route, cover the top with non-slip material and make sure the platform edges don’t extend so far that they become a tripping hazard. The platform should be heavy or secured enough that it doesn’t slide on the floor when the recliner’s footrest extends.
For someone who uses a recliner as their primary seat, a power lift recliner is worth considering. These have a built-in motor that tilts the entire chair forward and upward, bringing the person to a near-standing position. They’re a bigger investment, but they eliminate the sit-to-stand problem entirely.
How to Find the Right Height
Before buying anything, measure two things: the current seat height (press down on the cushion to get the compressed height, since that’s the actual sitting surface) and your loved one’s popliteal height (back of the knee to the floor while wearing their usual shoes). The difference tells you how many inches you need to add.
If the compressed seat is 14 inches and the popliteal height is 15 inches, you need at least 3 to 4 inches of lift to reach the recommended range of 17 to 19 inches. A care facility study found chair heights ranging from about 16 to 20 inches across different furniture, which means even a small adjustment can bring a too-low chair into a comfortable and safe range.
Experts in aged care seating note that the ideal setup offers variable height, since needs change over time. A chair with adjustable leg extensions, stackable risers, or a removable cushion gives you flexibility to fine-tune the height as strength or mobility shifts. If you’re choosing furniture for an older adult’s home, prioritizing seats in the 17 to 19 inch range with firm cushions will prevent most of the common problems with sitting and standing.