RECLINERS – FURNITURE WE (Designers) LOVE TO HATE! August 2, 2010

Why is it that so many recliners are sold that look like this? 

If you own one of these or something similar, my apologies along with my sympathies.  I can find no redeeming qualities to this piece of furniture.  I could go on the Designer’s war path and rant about this ubiquitous and every popular  piece of furniture but I’ll play it safe and just ask, “Why would anyone purchase this recliner when the options for well-designed reclining chairs are so varied and readily available?

I recently placed a pair of recliners in a client’s family room and, at first blush, you cannot tell that they are recliners.  They have a contemporary styling and fit a variety of body sizes and shapes comfortably.  The fabric is a contemporary Jacquard weave of stylized circles in colors I pulled into her home.  It is tough and durable and also very attractive.  (Photo doesn’t do it justice in this small size.)

My client loves them and they look great in her contemporary family room and nicely compliment her leather sectional sofa, which I also supplied to her.  The room is not yet complete, but it is coming together nicely!

The name most people associate with recliners, La Z Boy, makes quite a few well-designed motion chairs that I would not hesitate to place in a client’s home.  Indeed, a few years ago, I placed a pair of these recliners in another client’s family room:  I recommended that she purchase the recliners in leather, but she wanted a fabric – leather would have been better but since I design for my clients and they don’t always take 100% of my advice – she purchased her chairs in a fabric.   They were nice, but leather would have been better in her overall scheme.

This is a good looking recliner.  It has an English Regency styling – classic and timeless – and you can’t tell that it is a recliner unless it is in the reclining position.

I actually have a pair of navy blue leather wing back recliners in my own family room.  As you can tell, I like doing a pair of chairs when the design allows! 

My chairs have the straight Chippendale leg, not the Queen Anne Ball & Claw leg as shown here.  Many companies have this classic style of recliner available with either the cabriole or straight leg. 

History lesson insert:  The “ball and claw” dates to the period of China trade in the early to mid 18th century and represents a dragon clutching a pearl.

A word about leather.  It takes time to break in.  The more it is used, the softer and more comfortable it will become.  Use it and enjoy it.

A number of years ago, I designed a home theater and I stepped outside the box and recommended that my client use a sectional sofa on the first row of seating, rather than the standard theater seating.  My reasoning was that when it would only be the 2 of them watching a movie, they could cuddle or stretch out in comfort.  The 2nd and 3rd tiers were given the standard leather theater seats.  The sectional by Harden was done in a heavy duty but soft chenille fabric.  I designed it in a “U” shape with chaises on each end.

This worked really well and I’ve seen more designers and homeowners using non-standard theater seating since I created this room in 2007. 

La Z Boy has also developed two other recliners that I think would make great additions to a home theater. 

 As you can see, the “Matinee” recliner on the right is designed for a home theater with cup holders already in place.  I also like the recliner on the left for home theaters for its style, size and comfort.  Add a few small tables for food and drinks and you’ve got a truly comfortable seating arrangement.  Step outside the box and personalize your home theater.

If your tastes run to a transitional style, the Deco recliner with its retro look is also available.   This one is shown in a fabric reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s.                                                                                                                                                                        

So, take a page from this Designer’s notebook and join me in my moratorium on ugly furniture!  Everyone deserves a well-designed room with furniture that has some style and it’s readily available through your friendly neighborhood designer!