How to Set Up and Adjust an Over Armchair Table

Getting the most out of an over armchair table comes down to knowing how to set it up properly. This guide walks you through unboxing, positioning the base, adjusting the height, setting the tilt, and moving it from room to room without any fuss.

Key takeaways

• Set the height so your forearms rest flat without your shoulders hunching
• Aim for a table surface 2 to 5 cm above your elbow height when seated
• Use a flat (0°) angle for meals and a tilted angle for reading or writing
• Always lock both the height and tilt before use
• Release the brakes and tilt the table back before moving it through doorways

In this article

• Setting Up Your Over Armchair Table
  • Unboxing and checking the parts
  • Positioning the base correctly under the chair
• Getting the Height Right
  • The elbow-height test
  • Adjusting height on an over armchair tilting table
• Setting the Tilt Angle for Different Activities
  • Flat for eating and drinking
  • Tilted for reading and writing
  • How to lock the position
• Moving the Table Safely Between Rooms

Setting Up Your Over Armchair Table

Most over armchair tables arrive mostly assembled. A few minutes with the parts list and you'll be good to go.

Unboxing and checking the parts

Before you do anything else, lay the parts out on the floor and check them against the manual's parts list. Most models include:

• The main tabletop with tilt mechanism
• The height-adjustable upright post
• The wheeled base frame
• A side tray (on some models)
• Locking levers or knobs for height and tilt

If anything is missing or damaged, contact the supplier before you start assembly. Trying to work around a missing part is never worth it.

Attach the post to the base first, then the tabletop to the post. Most connections are tool-free: push, twist, and click. Give each joint a firm tug to confirm it's secure before moving on.

Positioning the base correctly under the chair

This is the step that catches most people out. The base needs to slide under the chair legs, not just rest in front of the chair.

1. Sit in the armchair as you normally would.
2. Release the wheel brakes on the table base (push the brake lever down with your foot).
3. Slide the base under the front edge of the chair until the tabletop is roughly centred over your lap.
4. Lock the brakes so the table stays put.

The base legs should straddle the chair legs, not block them. If the table feels unstable or the base sits at an angle, check that all four castors are on a flat, even surface. Carpet is fine; deep-pile rugs can cause wobble.

If you have a recliner, make sure the base clears the footrest when it extends. Most tables work fine with recliners, but check the internal leg width of the base against your chair's footrest span before you recline fully for the first time.

Getting the Height Right

Height is the most important adjustment. Too low and you'll hunch forward. Too high and your arms are raised all day, which causes shoulder strain quickly.

The elbow-height test

Run this quick test every time you set up the table:

Sit in your normal position in the chair. Let your arms hang relaxed at your sides. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees so your forearms are horizontal. Your forearms should rest comfortably on the table surface without your shoulders hunching up or your arms reaching down.

In practice, the table surface should sit roughly 2 to 5 cm above your elbow height when seated. For most adults, that falls somewhere between 75 cm and 85 cm from the floor. Measure from the chair though, not the floor, since seat heights vary.

Adjusting height on an over armchair tilting table

Most over armchair tilting tables adjust from around 75 cm to 91.5 cm in height. To set it:

1. Find the height-adjustment lever on the upright post. It's usually a spring-loaded pin or a flip lever on the side.
2. Squeeze or flip the lever to release the lock.
3. Slide the post up or down while holding the lever open.
4. Release the lever when the post clicks into the nearest height notch.
5. Give the tabletop a gentle press downward to confirm the height is locked.

Some models use a continuous-height collar rather than notched positions. Turn the collar anticlockwise to loosen, slide to your preferred height, then turn clockwise until snug.

Setting the Tilt Angle for Different Activities

The tilt function is what makes an over armchair tilting table so versatile. A flat surface works for meals; a raised angle works for reading and writing.

Flat for eating and drinking

Always set the table flat (0°) for meals, hot drinks, and anything that could spill. A tilted surface with a bowl of soup is an accident waiting to happen.

Check that the tilt lock is fully engaged before placing food or drinks on the table. A quick press on the far edge will tell you if the surface is stable.

Tilted for reading and writing

For reading, writing, or using a tablet, a gentle tilt brings the surface closer to your natural line of sight. This reduces neck strain compared to looking straight down at a flat surface.

Most tables tilt from 0° to around 45 to 52°. For reading, a tilt of 20 to 30° is usually comfortable. For writing, keep it closer to 15° so your pen doesn't roll. Try a few angles to find what suits you best.

Use the partial back rim (fitted on most models) to stop books or a tablet sliding when the surface is tilted.

How to lock the position

Every adjustment, height and tilt, must be locked before use. Run through this quick checklist each time:

• Height lever: engaged and not springing loose
• Tilt knob or lever: turned fully to the locked position
• Wheel brakes: all four pressed down
• Side tray (if fitted): clicked into its bracket

It takes ten seconds and prevents wobble and spills. Worth doing every time you move the table or change the settings.

Moving the Table Safely Between Rooms

The four castors on an over armchair table are built for smooth movement across hard floors and low-pile carpet. Follow these steps to move it from room to room without straining your back or catching a doorframe.

1. Release all four wheel brakes.
2. Tilt the tabletop back to its flattest position so it doesn't catch on a doorframe or wall.
3. Remove anything on the table surface before moving it.
4. Push from the upright post, not the tabletop edge, to avoid tipping.
5. Slow down before thresholds or changes in floor surface.
6. Re-lock the brakes and reset your height and tilt once you arrive.

If you need to get past a tight doorway, check the outer width of the table base against the doorway opening before you commit. Most standard interior doorways in Australian homes are 820 mm wide, which is enough for most models. Still worth a quick check if your home has narrower passages.

Once you're settled in the new spot, run through the pre-use checklist again before placing anything on the table.

If you're still choosing a table, our guide to the best over armchair tables in Australia covers what to look for in features and build quality. Or browse our full range of over-chair tables for recliners to find the right fit for your chair.