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How We Choose the Best Sofa for Disabled Loved Ones

Lili Hu 2025-10-14

We know that choosing a new sofa for our home is a big choice for anyone. But if we, or someone we care for, have a disability or find it hard to move around, picking the right sofa is even more important for our comfort and safety. A good sofa is more than just a nice piece of furniture; it is a helpful tool that can make our daily lives much easier and promote independence.

The sofa is one of the most used items in the home, just like our bed. Sometimes, a sofa may even act as a bed for at least part of the day. Because we use it so much, we need to choose one that is truly supportive. This guide will help us look at the key things we must check for when choosing a sofa. When we shop with Atunus Home, we can find high-quality mobility furniture that puts comfort, support, and independence first.

Table of Contents

Why We Need a Special Sofa for Daily Living

When we look for furniture that is made to help with mobility, we are looking for things that will make our lives easier and help us be more independent around the home. Choosing furniture that assists with mobility is very important for supporting both our physical and mental health.

Getting More Freedom

Mobility furniture allows us to gain a significant amount of independence. When we choose a sofa that is easy to get onto and off of, we can rely less on others and feel more confident when moving around our residence. The right sofa is designed to make things like sitting and standing easy and effortless. This increased independence can greatly improve our overall quality of life.

A Place to Rest and Feel Better

A supportive sofa is crucial for keeping us in good health and preventing aches and pains. For people who have to sit for long periods, having a sofa with the correct support and soft padding means maximum comfort. Special sofas can offer temporary relief from symptoms of pain caused by conditions like backache or arthritis. Good posture, which supportive furniture encourages, is important to avoid problems like neck and back pain, poor circulation, and even mental health issues like increased anxiety.

Finding the Right Feel: Support and Firmness

Comfort is one of the most important things we need to think about when choosing a sofa. The sofa must have a supportive backrest and seat to provide good posture and stop pain and discomfort.

Softness That Stops Us

We must make sure the cushions have the right firmness. If a sofa is too soft, with huge, fluffy cushions, it is not ideal for people with low mobility. Too much softness encourages us to sink in, which makes it extremely hard to get back up, especially if our joints are stiff or weak. We need a sofa that is firm enough to push off of easily. The best choice finds a balance: cushioned enough for comfort but firm enough for support so we do not sink in.

Support for Our Back and Head

Good back support is crucial to make sure the sofa holds us in the correct sitting position. The lower back (lumbar area) needs the right amount of padding. When we look at a sofa, we should check that the curve of the seat back follows and supports the curve of our spine.

We also need full support for our head and neck. The head is heavy, and our neck muscles can weaken over time. If the backrest is wrong, it can make our body work harder to keep the head up, which leads to increased tiredness. We should look for a sofa with a high backrest. A high back allows our head to rest without us having to slump down, which is especially important for improving lung capacity and healthy breathing. Some high-back sofas are ideal for people who have back or spine pain.

The Perfect Fit: Getting the Size Right

An ill-fitting sofa or chair can cause discomfort and pain. This is why it is best to look for furniture that can be made-to-measure, perfectly tailored to our exact needs.

Why Seat Height Matters Most

The height of the seat is extremely important for accessibility. If a seat is too low, it makes rising up very difficult because we have to pull our entire body weight up and out. This challenge is much greater for those of us with a physical disability.

To find a comfortable sofa, the seat needs to be at the correct height to support our back and legs. Ideally, when we sit down, our feet should be flat on the floor, and our knee should form a right angle. Higher seats or custom-made seating heights are important to allow us to easily move in and out of a wheelchair or standing position. If the chair or sofa is too high, it could put pressure on our back and legs, causing discomfort.

Depth and Comfort

We also need to pay attention to the depth of the seat cushion. If the sofa is too deep, our back might not be fully supported, which can build pressure in our knees. A deep seat also requires us to use a fair amount of movement to position ourselves at the end of the seat, which can be difficult, painful, and might even result in a fall.

A good tip is that we can always add extra pillows and support to reduce the depth of a deep sofa. However, we cannot remove padding to make a shallow sofa deeper.

Using Armrests to Help Us Rise

Armrests are a very important part of a mobility sofa. They help us feel comfortable while sitting, and they are a helpful tool for getting in and out of the seat with ease. They provide the support and stability we need when rising.

Choosing Sturdy Arms

When we choose a sofa, we should look for armrests that are sturdy and solid. Armrests made from solid wood are often recommended. This is because arms that are heavily padded or covered in cloth can compress (squish down) when we push on them for support, making it hard to get in and out. If we do not like the look of wooden arms, we can look for ones with thin arms or think about covering the wooden arms with a non-slip fabric.

Keeping Our Shoulders Happy

We need to make sure the armrests are in the right position. If the armrest is too high or too low, it can cause discomfort. If they are too high, they can push our shoulders up toward our neck, and if they are too low, they can force our shoulders down. Incorrect arm height can also compress our rib cage, which can make breathing difficult over time.

Special Sofas That Do the Work

For those of us who have low mobility, there are special types of sofas and chairs designed specifically to provide extra help.

Riser Recliners: Lifting Us Up

A great choice for people who struggle to get in and out of a seated position is a riser recliner chair or sofa. These have a motor that raises the seat up to an almost standing position just by touching a button on an easy-to-use handset. Sitting down is also made easy, as the recliner takes the strain off our knees and hips. Riser recliner sofas are specially designed to work for people with different health conditions or disabilities.

If we are looking at a two-seater recliner sofa, Atunus Home may offer models where each seat can move independently. This means that one person can safely lift themselves to their feet while the other person stays seated, allowing everyone to enjoy maximum comfort levels.

Reclining for Better Health

Many mobility sofas come with a reclining option, which means we can adjust the position of the seat and backrest for maximum comfort. A reclining sofa allows us to move to an almost lying-down position, making it an ideal place for resting, sleeping, or napping.

Putting our feet up while sitting down has many health benefits. It is helpful for people who have circulatory issues, tiredness (fatigue), or swelling in the legs (lower limb oedema). Experts suggest choosing a recliner with an integrated leg raiser rather than a separate footstool. Putting our feet up can help with blood flow and circulation, which reduces pressure on joints and can decrease swelling in our lower body.

Atunus Home may also offer luxurious features in their mobility seating, such as heat and massage functions. These features help our body relax and can keep our body in good shape and free of pain.

Safety and Quality First

Safety is a very important concern when we are picking out furniture for the home of someone with limited mobility.

Look for Strong, Sturdy Frames

The sofa must be stable and sturdy. We should look for a strong frame that can support our weight. Mobility aids are an investment, so we want a high-quality product that is built to last. We should check that the legs and frame are made from a strong, durable material, such as high-quality wood. If we buy low-quality sofas, it might save money at first, but it risks making existing problems like back pain worse.

We also need to avoid sharp edges or corners. It is wise to consider furniture that is padded or has rounded edges. This reduces the risk of injury from accidentally bumping or knocking into the sofa or other furniture items.

Easy-to-Clean Materials

The material on our sofa should be durable and easy to clean. We should look for fabric that is liquid- or stain-repellent. If spills happen, especially for those of us with low mobility, it can be hard to get up quickly to clean the mess in time, which can damage the fabric. Choosing durable and stain-resistant fabric means the sofa stays clean and lasts longer. Some people find that leather models offer better comfort and rigidity than material upholstery.

We should also think about the space around the sofa. We need to make sure the sofa is placed in an area that is easy to reach and is free of obstacles. There must be plenty of empty floor space near the sofa for things like walkers or wheelchairs to move easily.

Shopping Smart with Atunus Home

Finding the perfect mobility sofa is a big step toward a happier and healthier life. Companies like Atunus Home can help guide us through this process with personalized options and services.

Getting Our Sofa Made Just Right

The best way to ensure that our sofa is safe, supportive, and comfortable is to have it made to measure. We know that an ill-fitting sofa will cause pressure and discomfort. Atunus Home offers a unique and bespoke ordering service where they can create our ideal sofa to our exact measurements, including special heights or depths.

Atunus Home may also offer a free, no-obligation home visit or demonstration. During this visit, they can assess our individual needs and take key measurements to create a unique plan for our made-to-measure sofa. This helps ensure we get the perfect fit, tailored just for us.

Understanding Tax Relief

Since mobility furniture is an investment in our health and independence, we should also consider the cost. If we are purchasing a sofa for ourselves or a loved one with a disability or a long-term medical condition, we may be eligible for VAT relief (Tax exemption) on certain products. This means we will not be charged the tax on zero-rated products, which is an important way to save money on this essential purchase.

Conclusion

Choosing the right sofa is important because it can greatly enhance the quality of life for disabled individuals, giving us support, stability, and more independence. When we select a sofa, we must remember to prioritize supportive firmness over sinking softness, ensure the seat height and depth are exactly right for our bodies, and look for features like solid armrests and helpful riser functions. By focusing on high quality and choosing made-to-measure solutions, we can find the perfect balance between comfort and support. Looking for a supportive sofa from companies like Atunus Home is a valuable step toward greater comfort and independence in our living room.