Kirton Chairs: What You Need to Know & Alternative Options

If you’re researching specialist seating for care environments, you’ve probably come across the term kirton chair.

In this guide, we’ll break down what kirton chairs are, who they’re designed for, their pros and cons and what other options are available.

What is a Kirton chair?

Kirton chairs are a brand of specialist seating designed for people with longer-term postural needs. The name is synonymous with Kirton Healthcare, a British manufacturer of healthcare seating products. Due to the longstanding presence of these chairs in the care industry, the name ‘kirton chair’ is often used generically, rather than referring to one specific model.

In general, Kirton chairs are care chairs that have been designed for postural support, with shaped backs, lateral support, and adjustable headrests to help maintain proper alignment.

They have the following features which are common across care chairs, to support long-term health postural needs:

• Pressure relief – cushions designed to reduce the risk of pressure sores
• Tilt-in-space mechanism – allows the whole chair to tilt backward safely without changing the user’s posture
• Adjustability – seat height, depth, armrests, and leg supports can often be customised
• Mobility – many models are on wheels for easy movement in care settings

Kirton chairs are commonly used by people in care homes and hospitals who have limited mobility, need hoisting, or have neurological conditions like strokes or Parkinson’s.

Kirton chair

Pros and cons of Kirton chairs

Pros

Excellent postural support

Kirton chairs provide high levels of support for users with complex seating needs. This can improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and prevent further physical complications.

Pressure management

The pressure-relieving cushions and tilt-in-space functionality are major benefits for individuals at risk of pressure sores.

Customisation options

Many models can be tailored to the user, allowing adjustments that accommodate changing needs over time.

Cons

Cost

One of the most common concerns is price. Kirton chairs can be a significant investment, particularly for private buyers or families.

Clinical appearance

Some users find the design overly clinical in appearance, which may not suit more homely environments.

Weight and size

These chairs are often bulky and heavy, making them less practical in smaller spaces or for frequent repositioning outside of care settings.

Are there alternatives to Kirton chairs?

Kirton chairs are well-known in the care industry, but there are a growing number of alternative chairs out there, particularly for those who need more flexibility or modern designs.

Our range of specialist Lento chairs have the same core features you’d expect with kirton chairs, including:

• Advanced pressure-relieving cushions
• Tilt-in-space functionality
• Adjustable components for personalised support
• Durable, easy-to-clean materials for care settings

However, our chairs place a stronger emphasis on accessibility and flexibility, making them suitable for both professional care environments and home use.

• Enhanced standaid compatibility, making access in and out of the chair even easier for those with mobility challenges

The Sara Stedy compact is one of multiple standing patient hoists that can be used alongside the Lento Mobile riser recliner chair.

• We’ve done away with the clinical aesthetic, giving our chairs a classier, more luxury feel with seamless fabrics, richer colour schemes and sleek dark castors.

• Our toolless adjustment system not only makes them easy to adjust, but provides limitless sizing options. This is not only available in the seat dimensions of the chair, but in features like the SpineSupporter™ backrest system on the Lento Cove chair which provides countless backrest configurations.

• This inbuilt flexibility makes it possible to adapt and customise the chairs across a broad range of users, simplifying the purchasing process for larger care home groups and hospitals.

Other additional seating options available include:

Rise and recline chairs

Rise and recline chairs are ideal for users who need assistance standing up but may not require full postural support. While not as specialised as a kirton chair, they can be a more affordable and practical option for moderate needs. These are popular in private homes with either manual or electric reclining action, and can be made to measure with chosen fabrics to match interior styling.

Moulded seat systems

Moulded backrests and seat systems are often used for complex spinal deformities, built into the client’s wheelchair or powerchair to provide postural support on the move.

Conclusion

A kirton chair remains a trusted and widely used solution for individuals with complex seating requirements. Its strong reputation and clinical design make it a reliable choice in many care settings, however there are lots of alternative options available with additional benefits depending on the needs of the user.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on the individual user’s medical needs, living environment, and personal preferences. Consulting with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist can help ensure you choose a seating solution with the right balance of comfort, support, and practicality.