Recliners

A TV-watcher’s second home

Ask any TV-watching man or woman and they’ll tell you – a comfortable chair is absolutely essential to the experience. You just can’t enjoy the game without a cushy spot for your keister. Recliners could be defined as a smaller version of a couch - they’re just as comfortable and just as important to the design of a living room.

Editorial Review

Lazy Boy Recliners

Although “lazy boy” is a term that is often used to describe all recliners, many people don’t realize that it’s actually a brand name (the situation is very similar to that of Kleenex). La-Z-Boy is the correct spelling of the name of one of the most successful furniture manufacturers in the world.

Pros: If you’re looking to buy a La-Z-Boy recliner, be prepared to set aside a good chunk of time. There are literally hundreds of different models to choose from. The most impressive model is probably the La-Z-Boy Oasis. The Oasis is the ultimate recliner for guys. Under one armrest is a cooling unit big enough to hold a six-pack. The other armrest features a telephone you can use to order pizza. What more could you ask for when you want to kick back and watch the big game? If you’re not a “beer and pizza” kind of guy, fear not. La-Z-Boy also makes more traditional recliners.

Choosing a Recliner

Choosing the perfect chair is important, so it’ll help to understand the difference between an armchair and a recliner. An armchair generally allows only for upright sitting, whereas a recliner can be “opened,” allowing a person to put their feet up and even lay back, if desired. It all comes down to how like to sit and how you want your room to look.

Many recliners won’t look good in a traditional or upscale living room; chairs that are designed to go with these styles are often more expensive and less comfortable. Also, recliners don’t come within a living room set, as a rule, so it can be hard to match one to your existing furniture’s color and style. However, similar fabrics within the same color family can tie your recliner into your room without a lot of clashing.

If you really want a certain chair but it doesn’t come in the fabric you want, you can use a recliner slipcover to match the rest of your furniture. For example, since a leather recliner is popular but expensive, a leather recliner slipcover can achieve the same effect for less.

Recliners tend to suit recreation or rumpus rooms because they have a casual, relaxed look and because there tends to be more room in these spaces. A recliner needs space to, well, recline. Plus, it’s often larger in diameter than other chairs. So, you’ll have to think about the recliner in relation to the rest of the furniture in your living room. If it’s going to dominate the room in an unattractive manner or bump up against the coffee table every time it’s opened, maybe it isn’t the chair for you.

The best thing about recliners is the variety of options you can choose when buying one. They come with remote control and magazine pockets, compartments to store books or other TV accessories or even a cup holder. You can get a massage recliner to help you relax after a hard day, and a rocker recliner is a great option if you have a new baby or young children.

Whatever you choose, a good recliner can tie your room together and offer an inviting place for you or guests to put their feet up.

Read our Editorial Review on La-Z-Boy recliners

Cons: La-Z-Boy may be one of the biggest names in the world when it comes to recliners and sofas, but that doesn’t mean that every chair the company makes is perfect. Some models feature fabric that wears thin after a few years of use. This isn’t usually a major problem, but it can shorten the lifespan of your chair. Another issue several customers have complained about is that they feel the recliners shipped to them were not as comfortable as the ones they sampled on the showroom floor.

Overall: While the color and shape of La-Z-Boy recliners may change from model to model, there’s one thing doesn’t change: comfort. La-Z-Boy recliners are among the most relaxing chairs in the world. It’s a cliché, but they really are hard to get out of once you sit down.