Kick Up Your Heels
Today’s Reclining Furniture
Comes in Styles Even the Most
Design-Savvy Homeowners Approve Of
High-leg recliners by LaZBoy
Tell me if this argument happens at your house: Husband wants a recliner where he can kick back to watch TV or take a nap, but Wife says no way! I won’t have one of those chairs in my house. But husbands, rejoice! These days, reclining furniture comes in all shapes, sizes and styles with chairs that even the most design-savvy wife will approve of. To prove our case, we’ve collected a few photos from the brands that we carry in our store. There are sleek styles with clean lines. Yes, these all recline, even though they don’t all have “that look.”
The Forte collection, by Flexsteel
The F9 collection, by Craftmaster
The F9 collection, by Craftmaster
The Duo collection, by LaZBoy
The Grant collection, by Flexsteel
But you can’t pick a recliner based on the look alone, at least not if you care about comfort. To help you find the right reclining piece for your home, our designers have some advice:
1. Find one that fits — just like clothes, recliners come in different sizes. There are some oversized for people who are tall and others that are petite and many in between. And just because you might need an oversized or petite recliner, doesn’t mean that any one in that category will fit your body. You need to sit in them, take them for a test recline, so to speak, to see how they feel. You’ll know the right one when you find it. You’ll let out a sigh of relief.
2. How will it be used? — Some of the sleeker, more stylish recliners are not designed for taking naps. They don’t have high enough backs to offer the neck support. Rather, they provide a means of raising your legs at the push of a button (or pull of a lever) without needing an ottoman nearby, taking up space. So while these recliners might be right for some activities (talking on the phone, reading a book or visiting with friends), they probably aren’t the best choice for others (watching a football game, binge-watching your favorite TV series or taking a Sunday afternoon nap).
3. Take cover — If the recliner that “fits” your style and needs doesn’t have the profile that you love, you can still modify the look by picking a cover that matches your style. Maybe that’s leather, or maybe it’s a stylish pattern. The stereotypical recliner has a fuzzy, blanket-soft cover, and those are beloved by many, but they don’t blend into every room. So if you’re looking to bridge comfort and style, consider recliners from brands that let you select your cover.
4. Manual or Power? — There are a few recliners that only come as a push-back style, but many manufacturers give you the option of ordering a manual or power recliner. Manual recliners have a lower price, but the power recliners have added features — like a maneuverable headrest and lumbar features, as well as a USB port, so you can charge your cell phone or tablet while you’re in the chair. And it’s hard to beat being able to recline at the push of a button rather than the pull of a lever, which can be an issue for anyone who struggles with strength.
We have a variety of recliners on a sales floor right now. That includes a good number of traditional recliners and a fair number of the sleek, non-recliner-looking styles, plus we have many more that are available to order, and hundreds of cover choices to complete the look. There is definitely something for everyone and every aesthetic. If you’re a recliner snob, you should really rethink your attitude. There’s a reason recliners are one of the most popular items we sell, year in and year out.
The L9 collection, by Craftmaster
The Edie collection, by LaZBoy
The Colby reclining sofa and Albany reclining chair & ottoman, by LaZBoy