Recliner Buying Guide

Find Your Perfect Recliner

For a little under a century, the Reclining Chair has consistently become its owner's best friend, and for good reason; it delivers exquisite, relieving comfort while offering many functional and stylish features. With the advancement of trends and technology, the recliner has morphed and transformed.

From power features to space saving capabilities, this piece continues to be a favorite in many households. This guide will give you an understanding of the types of recliners and their available features, while shedding light on how to go about shopping for this important piece of furniture. Remember, your comfort is the most important part of the process! In the end, you should be able to relax and sink in to your newly chosen recliner and never want to get up.

Title

Joint Construction

The Size of Your Room
Measure both the size of your space and the recliner itself. Check out our measuring buying guide below for tips on worry free furniture delivery!

Make sure you measure the recliner while fully reclined

You'll need anywhere between 1 foot to 3 feet of space from the wall. It varies, so ask your salesperson.

The Construction
Things To Look For:

Heavy screws
Quiet motors
Easy-to-use levers or handles

Check out our sofa construction buying guide for more great tips on construction!

The Size of Your Body
Sit in the recliner for as long as you need

Make sure your feet touch the floor while in the sitting position and your head comfortably fits the headrest

Make sure the gap between the seat and leg rest is 5 inches or less. This can be a safety hazard for small children and pets

Your Overall Style
Are you trying to incorporate this into an existing style or is a casual look all you need?

Keep the overall room style that you are trying to achieve in mind when choosing a recliner

If you're stuck, a classic look in a netural tone will adapt to changing decor

Types of Recliners

Comfort

Standard Three Way or Two Position Recliner
If you're one who wants both the look and feel of casual comfort, than the Standard recliner is for you.

These chairs are typically affordable and extremely comfortable. These also can come with many of the features listed above.

Style

High Leg Recliner
If you're looking for a more stylish option, then a High Leg Recliner may be for you. They are typically more expensive, but you get a wide variety of styles, from transitional to contemporary.

Furthermore most high leg recliners have a push back mechanism, meaning no visible handle for a cleaner look.

Function

Lift Recliner
Not only do Lift Chairs recline, but they also gently raise you from a sitting to a standing position with a powered lift mechanism. Perfect for those that need a little help getting up.

Recliner Features

Once you decide on the type of recliner you're looking for, you can shop for any extra features you might want.
Many of these features are available across all types of recliners, so you can get exactly what you're looking for in one chair.

Rocker or Glider Base
A motion feature allowing you to rock. Great for those who have trouble sleeping or nursing mothers.

Swivel Base
A motion feature allowing you to pivot and face any direction you desire.

Massage
Have your recliner massage you while you relax with just the press of a button. Massage features can vary per recliner - some also include a heat option as well! Great for those with stress and muscle/joint aches.

Big and Tall
Big and Tall recliners are designed to be just that - extra large. These recliners are often designed to hold more weight than a standard recliner.

Wall Hugger
This feature allows you to place the recliner much closer to the wall, only a few inches, to save space. Great for apartment and small space dwellers.

Lay Flat
Exactly how it sounds, this feature allows you to recline all the way to a flat position. Great for those who love to sleep in their chair.

Built-In USB Charger
With this modern feature, you can charge your devices from the comfort of your chair without having to move closer to an outlet!

Power
Instead of a lever or handle, just press a button to recline your chair with the built-in motor.

Fabric Options

There are a myriad of choices when it comes to covering your recliner. You can get it in natural fabrics, like cotton, or synthetic, such as microfiber. Of course, there are leather options also! The best choice is a matter of personal preference and talking to your salesperson is a great way to start! For more information on fabric options, check out our other buying guides to learn more about the best upholstery option for your lifestyle:

Have a question? We're here to help.

We offer chat and email assistance to help you with online buying.
Feel free to give us a call to speak with one of your sales staff or better yet stop by to see us in person and we'll help you every step of the way.

Contact us