Recliners

Recliners became a real icon of american furniture design. Created to provide its owner with maximum comfort, recliners became one of the most technically advanced furniture type. Special mechanism, that offers comfortable positioning of the body, providing necessary support makes recliner a perfect option for maximizing the level of comfort in your home interior. There are some specific characteristics you should rely on during the selection of the perfect recliner that will serve your needs at 100%.

What is the right size of the recliner?

We are sure, you already heard about how important the selecting of the right size of any furniture piece in the house. Recliner is not an exception. But there is one thing that separates the principle of selecting the size of the recliner from those used choosing other furniture. If when selecting a sofa you look only of dimensions of sofa from the perspective if it fits in your room, recliner should be chosen coming from consideration if it fits your body: height, weight and type.

From the point of view of proper size, recliners can be divided in three categories: standard, “big and tall” and kids.

Standard size Recliner chairs suit most body types and sizes. This is the most popular choice, and if you are not buying the recliner for a tall, big person or for a kid, stick to the standard size.

Big and tall recliners are designed to fit bigger people, providing them extra level of comfort. Such recliners are obviously bigger, but also have some differences in the equipement: base and frame of such recliners is enhanced to withstand excessive loads, cushion filling is filled with thicker layer of foam do avoid deformations. Additional difference consists in how reclining mechanism operates, it requires more physical effort to fold and unfold. This feature is added to provide extra durability of the construction and at the same time making such recliner operate smoothly.

Kids recliners is something new and not something very popular. Kids recliners are used mostly in the keds rooms, offering more or less good space for a day nap. Very often such recliners are represented in bright, vivid colors.

Reclining sofas. This can be considered a whole different furniture type. Such sofas are usually bigger that non-reclining alternatives, because of the frame and mechanism sizes. When selecting the reclining sofa it is advisable to have some free space behind the sofa, allowing the back to move.

Coming from the consideration of how the recliner will fit your room, general rule is to leave plenty of space around it. It should recline without touching other furniture items or blocking the pathways. “Wall-hugger” models allow placing the recliner 3” near the wall.

Manual or power recliners?

Recliners are originally appeared with manual reclining mechanisms, later received an option that allows the recliner to operate with help of electric drive. The distinctive characteristics of subtypes of both manual and power recliners are described in the list below.

2-position or 3-position manual recliner.
One of the first ever designs of recliners. Backrest of sich chair reclines against the back of the chair. Mechanism allows only 2 or 3 positions, which include fully reclined and ordinary positions.

Push-back recliners 
Push-back recliners are modernised version of 2-position manual recliner and take less space to recline. Such models are generally not equipped with footrest, so for the best experience such models should be complemented with ottoman.

Rocker Recliners
Such type of recliners offer the user two functions at once - to rock and to recline, obviously coming from the name of the furniture piece. 

Swivel Recliners
Swivel Recliners are designed to be able to rotate around its axis. Such models are commonly fixed to the floor to avoid slippery of furniture piece.

Glider recliner
Glider recliner has both reclining an rocker functions. In most cases such chairs are coming in set with ottoman that serves as footrest. Glider recliner is one of the most popular designs for moms, helping them in cuddling and rocking babies to sleep.

Power recliners
Power recliners can be electric drive powered version of each type of above, therefore complemented with additional electric furntirons like heating, massage, etc.

Reclining lift chairs
This type of power recliners is designed to help getting in and out from recliner. Best fit for older people, when complications appear during the use of furniture.

Recliners styles and designs

Unlike many other furniture items, recliners are mostly represented just in two styles - traditional and modern.

Modern recliners
Modern recliners have fresh design and offer a variety of upholstery options from the newest fabric types to genuine leather. Special trend in recliner design is use of principles of furniture of the middle of XX century, that consist in simplicity of lines, use of high quality and natural materials, absence of excessive decor.

Traditional recliners
Traditional or classic recliners represent the iconic image of recliner, how we know it. Such models are usually feature deep button-tufting, leather or leather-match upholstery, wide cushioned armrests.

Recliner upholstery types

As any other furniture type, recliners can be featured with any type of upholstery. From simple fabrics in cheaper models to highest grades of leather, it always depends on you which to choose: it should depend on conditions of use and care. 

Leather. Very popular upholstery material for recliners of both traditional and modern styles. Leather is one of the most durable materials, that creates special luxury look. If you choose leather upholstery for your recliner, follow thoughtfully instructions for care. 

Leather match. Good alternative to leather, since it allows to copy the original designs of recliners and to offer them at lower price. Some types of leather match (PU Eco-leather) supersede genuine leather in durability and visual properties. Leather match is a very good choice if the chair will be used by people used to spills and leaving stains on furniture. 

Fabrics. In most cases it is the cheaper option for the upholstery of the recliner. It is less durable, doesn’t look so stylish, but there always can be exceptions. For example chenille or microfiber upholsteries are pleasant to touch and show good durability properties.

Pro tip: If you want to add extra durability to your recliner fabric upholstery, apply Scotchgard on it to protect from accumulation of dirt and to repel water.
 

Additional features

Recliners as a furniture piece designed to offer special level of comfort, with evolution of technologies should also evolve in the same pace with time. That’s why recliners are often equipped with special additional features that make it a perfect place for relaxation.

Massage
Such models in most cases are power recliners already connected to power supply to run reclining mechanism, adding massage feature will greatly increase comfort of the recliner. There are several massage patterns: vertical, horizontal and combined options.

Usb charger and connectivity
Usb connectivity allows to charge your mobile phone seating in the recliner. No more need to stand-up from the recliner to charge your phone.

Extra features
Extra features may include built-in speakers allowing to listen music via AUX or bluetooth connections. Another popular feature is cupholders offering comfortable beverage consumption during tv watching.
 

Summary

Choosing a right recliner for your personal needs may be a very complicate task, you should take in consideration a lot of different factors from the body type and weight to the personal preferences in design and style of furniture. Recliner first of all should be a healthy piece of furniture, offering comfort to your body.

Glossary

• Cupholder - special device, that offers support and hold of drinks and beverages, preventing it from spill
• Sofa - seating furniture type offering place for two or more people
• Ottoman - small soft piece of furniture that can be used as small stool and as footrest
• Eco-leather - faux leather material made of high-grade PU, imitating the visual properties of leather