The struggles of short people aren’t limited to the inability to reach the top shelves without help. Most furniture manufacturers build their products keeping in mind the height, width, and weight of an average build individual.
The furniture options for short people are few and far between. I’m sure you can relate.
Thankfully, with the new wave of body positivity and inclusivity, more and more brands are reinventing their approach. Today, if you do your research well, you will come across plenty of furniture options that are exclusively designed for short people.
You just need a checklist of things to look for to find the most comfortable, value-for-money furniture to suit your needs.
I have gathered up a few tried and tested tips that always work for me. Let’s check them out-
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Check the Height
Checking the dimensions is the very first thing you need to do when browsing the furniture catalog. It gives you a clear picture of whether the investment will be worth it.
If you are specifically shopping for a recliner for short people, make sure the height is adequate for supporting your lower back region. Also, a good recliner height is the one that keeps your feet touching the floor when you sit upright. For a short person, say between 4’10”- 5’3, a recliner between 36- 40.5″ in length would be ideal.
Not just for recliners, this rule of thumb applies to any seating furniture you’ll spend a lot of time sitting on, such as office chairs. If your feet don’t touch the ground when sitting on an ergonomic chair, it’s bad news for your back and hips.
It will force you to constantly readjust yourself on the chair when you’re working on the computer. And when I say that’s hella uncomfortable, take my word for it. That’s why you should take your sweet time finding a heavy-duty office chair specially crafted for petite individuals.
Check the Weight Capacity
This is one of the most essential features to keep an eye on when you are petite but heavy. Many low-profile ergonomic chairs and recliners don’t have a high weight capacity.
To extend the lifespan of your furniture and ensure your own safety, always filter your furniture by weight as well. And while you are at it, don’t forget to check out the width and seat depth as well.
If you are on the fluffier side, go for a chair that’s at least 40-inch wide with a seat depth of 22”.
Invest in Furniture with Height-adjustable Seat
Height-adjustable chairs, desks, and tables are some of the best inventions to have come out of the last decade for short people. If you are going to set up your office yourself, I would highly recommend getting height-adjustable furniture.
It will help you seat comfortably and maintain a healthy posture for long hours. This, in turn, will let you focus more on your work and less on fixing an awkward sitting position.
Choose the One with Adjustable Armrest
I can’t stress this enough- badly positioned armrests are the absolute worst. Nothing is more distracting than armrests that are either too high or too low when you are trying to get some work done.
Therefore, learn from my mistakes and go for a chair with height-adjustable armrests. Your neck and shoulders will thank you for it. Sometimes, the armrests are too far apart which makes it difficult to type on the computer effortlessly for an extended time.
So, if you can afford to spend a little more, find an ergonomic chair that also lets you tweak the armrest width.
Determine the Ideal Height & Distance from the Desk
This applies to people looking to upgrade their desk/chair combination in the office or at home, for gaming. Sitting for long hours at a poorly built computer desk can be catastrophic for your back, neck, shoulder, and eye.
The computer monitor and keyboard’s distance from the chair is the key attributes here. If you are going for a fully or semi-adjustable ergonomic chair, here’s the range you should aim for-
Say, you are 5’4” or 64 inches. The ideal seat height should be 17” and the monitor 43” from the floor. This will allow you to look straight at the screen instead of looking up, thus, reducing eye and neck strain.
To further minimize the eye strain, choose a desk/chair combo that allows you to keep the monitor at least 25” away from your eyes.
Conclusion
Short people struggles are real, which is even more prominent during furniture shopping. The options are limited and it takes a fair bit of digging to find something that’s not just suitable for your height but your room too.
That’s where this comprehensive guide comes to your rescue. Follow the aforementioned tips and you will definitely find furniture options worth your while. Good luck to you!