How would I arrange a laptop with a recliner?
Asked by
Jeruba (
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November 11th, 2020
My husband wants a recliner, and it would probably be good for him because he’s fighting edema in his legs.
However, he just sits in front of his computer pretty much all day and all night, at a computer desk with an office chair. He almost never just reads or watches TV the way a lot of people do in their recliners. There’s no way he could reach the computer from a recliner seat.
So I’m wondering if somebody has set up a successful arrangement with a recliner and some kind of lap desk or hospital tray or something that allows reclining while also using a laptop or tablet.
And, I must add, with a mug of coffee at hand all the time, plus odds and ends like a water bottle, a phone, and a nebulizer.
Do you know anybody who has made this work?
I’m not getting him a recliner that will just sit empty, taking up space. But if we can figure out how he might actually use it, I guess I’ll have to say okay.
Thanks for any help.
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14 Answers
Your problem brings to mind those wheeled tables on which they serve patients meals in hospitals. Only I believe the wheeled base actually extends beneath the bed while the table is in use. I would get on the computer and look for a chair designed to either accept or include a desk top that pivots out of the way until needed.
@canidmajor Wow, those are some really good ideas. The 46.99 one seems perfect since it has a place for the computer and a little ledge where it won’t fall off the table and the flat section for the mouse and cups.
Yes, thanks, I mentioned hospital trays in my details. But what I’m asking is if anybody’s seen somebody actually make that work with a recliner and a laptop. Putting these items together is a theoretical possibility, sure, but does it actually work?
I’m thinking about the wide range of adjustment of a recliner, unlike a hospital bed that somebody not in the bed has to control, and the height adjustment of the tray, which somebody not in the chair would have to make; as well as any other feature or combination that might look good on paper but turn out not to work in practice for the occupant of the chair.
For instance, I can picture one medication-induced “oops” with a recliner that sends a laptop crashing. Trays that suit a hospital bed might not have the same virtues when paired with a shape-changing recliner.
In other words, practicality, reality, experience—that’s what I’m after here.
My Dad had one like the ones I linked. He didn’t have a laptop, but he could write, read, and do all the adjustment stuff from his chair. It had a swivel feature so the top could be moved out of the way.
Google the Healthline recliner table.
Wow, one of those links led to a recliner with a built-in table. Very possible. Good going—thanks!
I still hope someone will be able to tell me what does work, because what should work doesn’t always, alas. My own history is marked by a lot of those.
That’s probably true for most of us. It certainly is for me.
@Jeruba: How about a stable table for one side, for the drink so it doesn’t spill and a movable table for over the chair for the laptop?
For me, the most annoying factor would be a spilled drink. Anything else can be easily rectified, but a spilled drink is a disaster and very annoying.
I’ve used the hospital trays while sitting in an overstuffed chair in the hospital. It worked fine. If you consider it, keep in mind how high the arms of the chair are. I think you would need the tray to tilt if he was using it an extended period of time.
I wouldn’t keep a drink right next to my laptop, unless maybe some of them a space for the cup so it is secure. Still seems risky.
I like the lap desks, but keep in mind that holding the lap desk while trying to get up means you must be able to get up without using your hands, unless you have a place off to the side to put down the lap desk.
There are recliners that lift the person almost to a standing position if he needs help getting out of the chair.
Maybe get the chair first and then try using the laptop with a pillow, which would be like a lap desk, and you will also be able to figure out the hospital tray possibility also. Whether he needs it to tilt, or if it is ok static. he can figure out the height he needs. They are adjustable, but just make sure it adjusts low enough and high enough. I like my arms low at my side when I type. Note: If you use a pillow at first keep in mind your computer can get hot while resting on a pillow, depending on the lap top.
I use a four wheel desk similar to the ones in the pictures above with my recliner. I pull it over when in use, and push out of the way to get up. The base rolls right under the recliner footrest. I also have a plastic wheel chair sheet on top of the table for more flexibility in turning the laptop. I keep a side table next to me for coffee and such. I recently bought a recliner cover with pockets for my TV remote, fan remote, mouse and headphones
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