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What Is a Bespoke Riser Recliner Chair? Goldilocks and the Three Chairs

One chair is too small. Another is too large. The third is described as “just right”, but is it genuinely right for the person using it, or simply the closest available size?

A bespoke riser recliner chair should be tailored to the user’s individual measurements, posture, mobility and support requirements. It is different from a chair that simply offers a choice of standard sizes, fabrics or colours.

Goldilocks does not automatically need a petite, compact, standard or grande chair. She needs a chair that fits her.

That difference matters because a riser recliner chair may be used for several hours every day. Seat height, depth and width, back support, armrest position and the chair’s movement can all affect comfort, posture and the ability to sit and stand confidently.

What does “bespoke riser recliner chair” mean?

A bespoke riser recliner chair is a chair configured or manufactured around the person who will use it.

This usually begins with a seating assessment and individual measurements. The chair can then be tailored to provide the appropriate seat height, width and depth, together with suitable cushioning, back support, armrests and reclining action.

Choosing a fabric or selecting from several standard sizes provides useful personalisation, but it does not necessarily make a chair bespoke. True made-to-measure seating considers how the chair fits and supports the person, not just how it looks in their living room.

Standard, made to order and made to measure: what is the difference?

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they describe different levels of choice.

Chair type What it usually means Best suited to
Standard-size chair Manufactured in predetermined sizes, such as small, medium or large Someone who fits an existing size comfortably and wants a quicker or more affordable option
Made-to-order chair Produced after ordering, often with a choice of fabric, colour, backrest or motor Someone who wants to personalise the chair but does not require individual dimensions
Made-to-measure chair Configured or manufactured using measurements selected for the individual user Someone who needs a more precise fit, specific postural support or dimensions not available in a standard chair

A standard-size chair is not automatically unsuitable. If its dimensions and movement fit the user correctly, it may provide excellent comfort and support.

The important point is transparency. A selection of standard sizes gives the customer more choice, but it is not the same as having a chair measured and made for their body.

Why does the correct chair fit matter?

A riser recliner chair does more than provide somewhere comfortable to sit. It may also help the user change position, elevate their legs, recline for rest and move towards standing with less effort.

If the chair is too high, too low, too wide or too deep, the user may compensate by leaning, sliding forwards or adding cushions. These adjustments can reduce the support the chair was intended to provide.

A well-fitted chair should allow the person to:

Fit becomes particularly important when someone spends long periods sitting or lives with reduced mobility, joint discomfort, muscle weakness or changing postural needs.

Seat height: not too high and not too low

The correct seat height should support the user’s feet while allowing their knees and hips to rest in a comfortable position.

If the seat is too high, the feet may not sit securely on the floor. This can feel unstable and may create uncomfortable pressure underneath the thighs.

If the seat is too low, standing may require greater effort from the knees and hips. The user might need to push heavily through the armrests or rock forwards to build momentum.

Made-to-measure seating allows the height to be chosen with the user’s lower-leg length and usual footwear in mind. This provides a more individual fit than simply selecting the nearest standard size.

Seat depth: supporting the legs without creating pressure

Seat depth is the distance between the front of the seat cushion and the backrest.

If the seat is too deep, the user may be unable to sit fully against the backrest while keeping their knees comfortably positioned. They may begin to slide forwards or place additional cushions behind their back.

If the seat is too shallow, the thighs may not receive enough support, and pressure may become concentrated over a smaller area.

The ideal depth should support the upper legs while leaving comfortable clearance behind the knees. This is one reason why two people of a similar height may still need very different chairs.

Seat width: more space is not always more comfortable

It is easy to assume that a wider chair will feel more comfortable, but too much space can reduce support.

If the seat is too wide, the armrests may be difficult to reach and the user may lean towards one side. If the seat is too narrow, it can feel restrictive and create unwanted pressure.

The correct seat width should allow the person to sit comfortably while keeping both armrests within natural reach. It should provide space without allowing the user’s posture to become unsupported.

Backrests, armrests and cushioning

Measurements are only part of a successful seating assessment. The shape and feel of the chair must also suit the individual.

Different backrest designs provide different types of support. A waterfall back has three cushion segments, which can allow for more specific firmness along the user’s spine, where they may want a more supportive lumbar, or headrest specifically. Alternatively, a lateral back has sufficient side support, that helps the user sit more upright and provides firmer cushioning around their torso.

Backrest positioning also matters. It should provide the required support for the shoulders, neck and head without encouraging the user to slide or lean forwards. This is why you will often find long-term adjustment in a bespoke chair, as the cushions will be easily moveable to ensure they always support the natural changes in a person’s body.

Armrests should allow the arms to rest naturally while keeping the shoulders in a comfortable position. They should also offer a secure place for the hands when the person is preparing to stand.

Cushioning needs to balance softness with stability. A very soft seat may initially feel luxurious, but it can make repositioning or standing more difficult for someone with reduced strength. The right firmness depends on the user, their posture and how long they are likely to remain seated. For those using a chair for much of their day, specialised seating options can be built in at the start of the manufacturing process, to help minimise the risk or pressure sores, and prolong comfort in the seat.

What parts of a bespoke riser recliner chair can be tailored?

Depending on the chair and manufacturer, made-to-measure options may include:

Not every customer will need every element adjusted. Bespoke seating is about identifying which features genuinely affect that person’s comfort, support and independence.

A bespoke fit also includes the chair’s movement

A chair can have the correct dimensions while still moving in a way that does not suit the user.

Riser recliner chairs are available with several types of motor action. A single-motor chair generally coordinates the backrest and leg rest, while a dual-motor chair provides more independent adjustment. Tilt-in-space mechanisms can change the user’s position while maintaining a more consistent angle between the seat and backrest.

Wall-hugger mechanisms may be considered where space is limited, as they are designed to require less clearance behind the chair.

The appropriate movement depends on what the user needs the chair to do. They may want to:

The handset should also suit the user’s grip, vision and dexterity. Additional functions are only helpful if the person can operate them confidently.

Does everyone need a made-to-measure riser recliner?

No. Some people fit comfortably and safely into a standard-size riser recliner chair.

Standard chairs can provide good support, faster delivery and a more accessible price. The deciding factor should be whether the chair fits the individual, rather than whether it carries a particular label.

Made-to-measure seating may be especially valuable when:

A seating specialist can help determine whether a standard chair provides a suitable fit or whether individual measurements would offer a meaningful benefit.

How can you tell whether a chair is genuinely bespoke?

Before purchasing, ask the retailer exactly what “bespoke” means for that particular chair.

Useful questions include:

  1. Will the chair be made using the user’s individual measurements?
  2. Can the seat height, width and depth be altered separately?
  3. Can the backrest, armrests and cushioning be selected around the user’s needs?
  4. Is the chair available only in predetermined sizes?
  5. Does bespoke refer to the chair’s dimensions or only its fabric and finish?
  6. Will the user receive a seating assessment?
  7. Can different motor actions be demonstrated before ordering?
  8. What happens if the user’s needs change?
  9. How long will the chair take to manufacture and deliver?
  10. What servicing and aftercare are available?

A reputable mobility retailer should be able to explain clearly which elements are standard, which can be personalised and which are genuinely made to measure.

Try the chair before deciding what feels “just right”

Measurements provide valuable information, but they cannot fully show how a chair will feel or move.

Wherever possible, the person who will use the chair should try different models and experience the rising and reclining actions. A seating assessment should consider their posture while sitting, their movement when standing and the positions they use for relaxing or resting.

It is also important to measure the intended location at home. The room needs sufficient space for the chair to rise and recline without obstructing doors, furniture, walking routes or mobility equipment.

At Cavendish Health Care & Mobility, customers can explore a wide range of riser recliner chairs and discuss both standard and made-to-measure options with knowledgeable staff. The aim is to find a chair that suits the person, their home and the way they live.

Finding the chair that is genuinely right

The best riser recliner chair is not necessarily the biggest, softest or most expensive. It is the one that provides the right combination of fit, support, movement and comfort for the individual.

For some people, that will be a well-fitting standard chair. For others, only a made-to-measure riser recliner will provide the dimensions and support they need.

That is the real lesson from Goldilocks and the Three Chairs. The customer should not have to adapt to whichever chair is closest to their size. The chair should be chosen and, where necessary, made to fit them.

This article was inspired by a conversation with one of our lovely customers, whose experience highlighted the importance of finding a chair that is genuinely tailored to the individual. We would like to thank her for inspiring our Goldilocks and the Three Chairs story.

Date published: 20/08/2026

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