At Senior By Design, we have a rule that might sound simple… but it’s one we take very seriously:
We never specify a chair we haven’t personally sat in.
Every. Single. One.
Dining chairs, lounge chairs, activity chairs, accent chairs—you name it, we’ve tested it. And not just a quick sit and go. We’re talking about a full evaluation: comfort, support, ease of getting in and out, arm placement, seat height, depth… the whole experience.
Because in senior living, a chair is never just a chair. It’s independence. It’s dignity. It’s safety.
Why We’re So Obsessed With Chairs
Over the years, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of senior living communities. We’ve also spent countless hours talking with residents, operators, and caregivers.
And one thing has become very clear:
If a chair isn’t comfortable or easy to use, it won’t get used.
Even worse, if a resident struggles to get out of a chair or feels embarrassed doing so, they may avoid that space entirely.
That’s not acceptable to us.
We believe every piece of furniture should invite residents in-not push them away.
The “Little Senior Lady” Test (Yes, It’s Real)
Our founder, Reid Bonner, has what we like to call our unofficial testing model:
The “little senior lady” test.
Reid stands at 5’4” and, after more than a decade in senior living, has developed a very specific instinct for what works-and what doesn’t.
When we sit in a chair, we’re asking:
Is the seat height right for easy entry and exit?
Is the seat depth comfortable, not too deep or too shallow?
Are the arms in the right position to help someone stand up safely?
If a chair doesn’t pass these basics, it’s out. No matter how good it looks.
Spoiler Alert: Most Chairs Don’t Make the Cut
Vendors love to send us catalogs with hundreds of options.
We love to politely say: “Great, when can we come sit in all of them?”
We regularly travel to showrooms and factories across the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe to test seating in person.
And here’s the reality:
Only about 10% of chairs actually pass our sit test.
That’s right—90% don’t make it.
Too low.
Too deep.
Too hard.
Too soft.
Too difficult to get out of.
Design alone doesn’t cut it. Performance matters.
Dining Chairs: Where Details Really Matter
Dining chairs are one of the most critical-and most overlooked-pieces in senior living.
We focus on details others often miss:
Grip & mobility: Residents need a safe way to pull a chair out. We often add handles or request cut-outs so there’s a clear place to grab.
Weight balance: Chairs can’t be too heavy… but they also can’t slide out too easily.
Leg construction: We avoid screw-on legs whenever possible. In high-useenvironments, those are a failure point. We prefer integrated frames for long-term durability.
And one of our biggest rules:
The seat should never blend into the floor.
For someone with compromised vision, a seat that matches the flooring can essentially “disappear.” That’s a safety risk we won’t take.
So we intentionally design with contrast, often using brighter or more distinct colors to clearly define where the seat is.
Yes, We Paint Chairs Bright Colors (On Purpose)
Most manufacturers offer a handful of standard wood stains.
We take it a step further.
At SBD, we often custom-paint chair frames in bright, uplifting colors. It adds
personality, energy, and most importantly - visual clarity.
Pair that with:
Vinyl or impermeable seat surfaces for durability
Performance fabrics on the inside back
Beautiful patterned or velvet fabrics on the outside
and suddenly you have a chair that’s:
Durable
Safe
Easy to clean
And still feels like it belongs in a home - not a facility
Comfort Without the “Clinical” Feel
One of the biggest challenges in senior living design is balancing performance with comfort.
We never want a space to feel clinical.
That’s why we’ve embraced newer materials like liquid-impermeable, performance-backed velvets.
They give us the ability to create spaces that feel:
Soft
Warm
Residential
Inviting
while still meeting the durability and cleanability standards required in senior living.
Built to Last (Because Chairs Get Moved… A Lot)
In senior living, furniture doesn’t sit still.
Chairs are constantly being:
Moved for events
Rearranged for socializing
Shifted by residents and staff
That’s why we prioritize commercial-grade construction and often specify products with 10-year warranties.
At SBD, we also stand behind our work with a 1-year warranty, but our goal is to partner with vendors who go far beyond that and stand behind their product long-term.
Global Sourcing, Local Testing
We don’t just rely on catalogs-we go find the best.
Our team regularly visits:
Furniture factories across the globe
Major markets like High Point, Las Vegas, and NYC
Specialized senior living events like Environments for Aging
We also operate out of the Dallas World Trade Center, giving us access to over 1,000 showrooms.
And at our 35,000 sq. ft. Design Center, we keep furniture on hand so:
We can test it
Our clients can test it
And we can move quickly when projects require it
We Invite Our Clients to Sit Test With Us
Here’s something we strongly encourage:
Not every chair works for every resident population.
We want our clients to experience the seating firsthand—to feel the difference, understand the details, and see why we’re so selective.
Because once you sit in the right chair… you know.
Final Thought: It’s About Dignity
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about furniture.
It’s about making sure a resident can:
Sit down comfortably
Stand up safely
Feel confident doing both
No struggle.
No embarrassment.
No hesitation.
That’s what the SBD Chair Test is all about.
And yes…
we’ll keep sitting in every single one.
