Have you taken a good look at recliners lately? They're not your grandfathers' easy chairs! Gone are the days of velvet-covered seating pieces with protruding mechanisms. Today, more sophisticated designs feature hidden mechanics that make it hard to tell it's even a recliner at all.
Today's recliners offer more than put-your-feet-up comfort. Stylistically speaking, they're just as likely to take on the appearance of delicate wing chairs, as they are sumptuous, overstuffed loungers. And, with all their amenities, recliners are perfect for watching Monday night football or settling in for a little "R&R". Not only are there hidden compartments for your favorite beverages and computer modems, but heat and massage functions are readily available as well.
Modern-day recliners all have one thing in common. Thanks to their unmatched comfort, they're some of the best seats in the house. Manufacturers make recliners with lumbar support that can be adjusted to various positions. Just like a good diet and plenty of exercise, furniture that supports your body will pay dividends tomorrow as well as today.
Here are a few tips to assist you in shopping for a recliner.
The American Home Furnishings Alliance, a major trade association, makes the following recommendations when shopping for a recliner:
- Reclining chairs not only provide the ultimate in comfort and relaxation, they also can be fabulously fashionable and are available in nearly limitless styles, colors and sizes. Here are five tips to consider when shopping for recliners:
- Consider who will be using the chair most frequently. Recliners are offered in a wide range of sizes, from petite to grand. For both your enjoyment and safety, it's important to find a chair that fits just right, regardless of your height or weight. In addition to being scaled for larger people, big man's chairs are engineered to withstand extra weight. Petite chairs are scaled so that shorter legs can rest on the floor with ease. Medium-sized chairs will be comfortable for most average-sized people.
- Assess the room where your chair will be placed. What style would be most appropriate? What color would work best? Do you prefer leather or fabric cover? Recliners are available in all styles, from traditional to the contemporary. Legs vary from shapely Queen Anne to straight-legged Mission to tailored skirts. Many styles feature the more typical recliner look, with solid bases that are flush to the floor.
- Measure the space where the chair will be located and make sure you have ample space to open the chair. Some models are engineered so they can be placed within an inch or so of the wall and still recline.
- Determine what features are important to you and your family. Recliners are offered with an astonishing array of options, including swivels, gliders, rockers, massage, heat, lifters, built-in phones, and even refrigerator units. Ask your retail sales associate to demonstrate the various features for you, and make sure to try them out.
- Test the mechanisms. Recliners are activated in a variety of ways, with handles, buttons, knobs, simple push backs, and levers. See what feels best to you. For those who object to seeing a handle or lever, hidden mechanisms are available, but they sometimes require more effort to move the chair into a reclining position. Be sure everyone who will be using the chair tries out the mechanism. What works easily for one person may be difficult for another. You may want to consider the new power mechanisms that feature motors similar to those found in many of today's automobile seats. With the touch of a button, the user can effortlessly recline the back or extend the footrest and stop at any position.
Fabrics On Recliners: There Are No Rules!
As with most home décor guidelines, the ultimate decision regarding choice of fabrics really rests with your own tastes. Recliners can be covered in a variety of different fabrics. Materials that cover recliners come in many different colors, textures and weights. The fabric you choose to cover your recliner largely depends on the purpose of your new recliner. Do you need a fabric that is extremely durable for high traffic areas? What is best for you may not be the best choice for another. Although there are many fabrics to choose from, these listed below are the most common:
Traditional Upholstery
This material would make up most of the fabrics available. Upholstery gives you a great deal to choose from as far as color and design. The price might vary depending on the type of material that you choose. Different types of fabrics might include, corduroy, floral, stripes, solids, velvet, plaids, and suede.
Micro fiber
Micro fiber is much like ultra suede, only better. Micro fiber is made with tiny filaments that are tightly packed together. This creates a fabric that is moisture resistant, durable, breathable, and easy to maintain. It has become extremely popular because of its soft feel and durability. Recliners covered with micro fiber are very reasonable in price, which is one of the reasons this up and coming fabric is so popular.
Leather
Not only are leather recliners pleasing to the eye, they are also extremely durable. Pure leather is a natural product, as opposed to a man-made material. This material is conditioned to ward off stains and is wonderful for day-to-day use of families. Because leather recliners are such a great product, they are more expensive. However, there are lower grades of leather that will help drop the price of a leather recliner. The downside to lower grade leather is that, unfortunately, it might not be quite as pure and plush as a higher grade counterpart.
