Will It Fit You? Seat Depth, Footrest and Height (5'2" to 6'4")
Fit guide · Published by Outdoor Nook, which makes and sells the recliners shown
You can't sit in an outdoor recliner before it arrives, so the next best thing is the numbers and what owners your height say. The short version: our wicker recliners have the shorter seat and suit most people up to about 5'7". Our aluminum recliners have a deeper seat that taller owners love.
Below are the seat measurements for each model, a height guide from 5'2" to 6'4", an honest look at the footrest and a few small fixes that help. This guide is part of our Recline & Relax guide.
1. The three numbers that decide fit
Three measurements matter most:
- Seat depth is how far the seat runs from the front edge back. Too deep and your knees don't reach the edge, so your feet dangle and your lower back loses the backrest.
- Seat height is floor to seat. It decides whether your feet rest flat and how easy it is to stand up.
- Seat width between the arms decides whether you can shift, tuck a leg or sit sideways.
Here they are for each model, from the size charts on our product pages:
| Model | Seat depth | Seat height | Seat width | Footrest height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keywest (wicker) | 18.9 in | 20.1 in | 22.04 in | 19.5 in |
| Malibu II (wicker) | 18.9 in | 20.1 in | 24.4 in | 19.5 in |
| Newport (wicker) | See product page | 20.1 in | 22.04 in | See product page |
| Huntington (aluminum) | 22 in | 20.5 in | 24 in | 16.5 in |
| Shoreline (aluminum) | 22 in | 20.4 in | 24 in | 16.5 in |
| Kiesta (aluminum) | 22.8 in | Ask us | 24.2 in | 16.1 in |
Seat heights are close across the range, 20.1 to 20.5 inches. The real difference is depth: about 3 to 4 inches more seat on the aluminum models. The Newport size chart does not show a side view, so check its product page for depth.
2. What shorter owners tell us (5'2" to 5'7")
We read all 635 of our product and company reviews. Twelve owners between 5'2" and 5'7" mention fit, and almost every comment is about one of two things: the seat feels deep, or the footrest is hard to close. Across all reviews, a handful say the seat is deep and more say the footrest is stiff. Most of them still rated the chair five stars, but it is worth knowing before you order.
“this chair seems to be made for a taller person. My wife is 5'6" and she cannot put her feet on the ground when she sits down. The seat is too deep.”
Notice the pattern. The sharpest seat-depth complaint is on an aluminum model, with its 22-inch seat. On the wicker models, shorter owners more often say their feet dangle a little and then put the footrest up anyway:
“Cushions are thick, so if you have short legs, your feet will dangle, which is when the recliner feature comes in handy.”
3. What tall owners tell us (6 feet and up)
Tall owners are among the happiest in our reviews: all eight who give a height of 6 feet or more rated four or five stars. They mention the high back and the room to stretch out. One Huntington owner wrote in at 6'3":
“Awesome outdoor recliner! I’m 6’3 and this chair is so comfortable that I wish I had one inside.”
One honest exception: a 4-star reviewer over 6 feet said the back reclines further than he'd like for watching TV.
Recline tension isn't adjustable. If your chair tips back further than you'd like, contact us and we'll send a firmer, forward-leaning back frame at no charge.
4. A height guide, 5'2" to 6'4"
This is our suggestion from the measurements and what owners say, not a rule.
| Your height | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 5'2" to 5'5" | Keywest or Malibu II (wicker) | 18.9 in seat depth, the shortest we make. Add a lumbar pillow if your back doesn't reach. |
| 5'6" to 5'9" | Wicker for a snugger seat; aluminum if you like to sink back | Some owners at 5'6" and 5'7" say their feet barely touch the floor, so expect to use the footrest. |
| 5'10" to 6'1" | Any model | Both depths work. Choose on looks, width and material. |
| 6'2" to 6'4" | Huntington, Shoreline or Kiesta (aluminum), or Malibu II | Aluminum: 22 to 22.8 in seat depth supports long thighs. Tall owners also rate the Malibu II (18.9 in) highly. |
Two people of different heights? You don't have to compromise: buy one wicker and one aluminum, or read One outdoor recliner or two? for how couples handle it. One couple at 5'4" and 6'2" found the Newport worked for both:
“My husband is 6'2 and I am 5'4 and they are comfortable for both of us.”
5. The footrest: how it opens, how it closes
Our recliners are fully manual. You lean back to recline and the footrest rises. There is one full-recline position, not a series of stops. To close it, sit forward and push the footrest down firmly with your calves until it locks.
That push is the most common fit complaint in our reviews, and it comes mostly from smaller or lighter owners:
“The only issue I have with the chairs is the leg rest is hard to put down. I’m 74 years old and petite”
What helps, from owners and our team:
- Sit forward first. Shift your weight off the backrest so the chair comes upright, then push down with both calves together.
- Give it some practice. Some owners find it gets easier with use.
- Call us if it still won't close. 1-800-296-0232. Never stand or sit on the open footrest, and close it before you stand up.
If you know you have weak legs or limited strength, take this seriously. Order one chair first and use the 14-day return window to test it at home.
6. Small fixes that make a big difference
- A lumbar pillow is the simplest fix for a seat that feels deep. It moves you forward so your knees reach the edge. One Huntington owner added lumbar cushions and called the result bliss.
- You don't need an ottoman. The footrest is built in and supports your legs fully reclined, so keep the floor in front of the chair clear instead.
- Check the weight limit. Every model is rated for 300 lb, one adult at a time.
Once you know which chair fits you, make sure it fits the patio: How much space does an outdoor recliner need? Then compare materials in Wicker or aluminum: 5 questions that settle it.
Good to know before you order
- Delivery is free. We ship by FedEx to the 48 contiguous states, typically within 7 to 10 days. FedEx delivers to your door or curbside, and each chair comes in its own box of about 90 to 100 lb, so line up a second pair of hands. Assembly needs no tools.
- You get a 14-day return window. Return an undamaged item in its original condition within 14 days of delivery for a full refund, with free FedEx pickup. After that, returns are accepted up to 90 days with a 20% restocking fee. See our returns policy.
- The frame carries a 5-year limited warranty and the cushions 2 years, against defects in materials and workmanship, for the original buyer. Read the full warranty.
Choose your recliner
Shorter? Start with wicker. Tall? Start with aluminum.
Questions before you order? Call 1-800-296-0232 or email cs@outdoornook.com.
Quick answers
Which outdoor recliner is best for a short person?
Which recliner is best for a tall person?
How do I close the footrest?
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Can I adjust how far it reclines?
Sources. Reviews: our own analysis of 635 Outdoor Nook product and company reviews on Reviews.io, October 2026, quoted as written; excerpts are marked. Dimensions are read from the size charts on our product pages, October 2026. Prices are from our product pages as of October 2026 and can change.
