Shopping for furniture is not exactly routine. Aside from a home, there are few things you buy with less frequency. When you add in the factor of moving parts, shopping for reclining furniture can be that much more intimidating. Your best bet is to know a little bit about reclining furniture going into the process. To help you go onto that furniture show-floor properly prepared, here are some tips for shopping for a quality recliner.
1) Look for a Quality Frame
Whether you are buying a recliner, a reclining sofa, or a simple loveseat with no reclining mechanism, the quality of the piece of furniture starts with a quality frame. In furniture, the frame is the skeleton, and you want one that is strong and supportive.
Start by talking to the sales person. Ask what the frame is made of. What you should be looking, or listening for in this case, is a hardwood. Alder is a common hardwood frame, but Oak or even any of several Asian hardwoods (parawood or rubberwood for example) will work.
Next, ask to make sure that the wood is kiln dried. This is especially important with imported pieces of furniture. Many a retailer can tell stories of Brazilian or Asian furniture pieces cracking in the warehouse because the wood dries after coming from humid weather.
Also, ask about the frame warranty. Many manufacturers will offer lifetime warranty on the frame and most will offer at least 10 years.
Finally, reach under the front of the recliner you are looking at. Grab the front piece of the frame to get an idea of how thick it is. Anything over an inch is fantastic, but just remember that the thicker it is the stronger it is.
2) Test the Mechanism
If you are looking at recliners or any other type of reclining furniture, the mechanism is of the highest importance. As the part of the furniture that is going to move, it will also get the most wear. Test it out. Recline it and close it several times. Additionally, ask to see what it looks like. The sales person should be able to tilt the piece back and let you see the way it is fastened to the frame of the recliner.
Next, find out about the warranty. A reputable maker of recliners will warranty the mechanism. For example, Lane warranties their reclining mechanism for as long as you, the original owner, have the piece. La-Z-Boy also offers a long term warranty on the mechanism.
Finally, listen to it. Mechanisms can be quiet, ratchety sounding, or even creaky. If you don’t like the way the recliner sounds on the show-floor, don’t get it. The show-floor often gives you a clue as to what your recliner will be like after wear and tear. Even if the salesperson tries to convince you otherwise, what comes from the warehouse will likely do whatever the one on the floor does.
3) Know Your Materials
Recliners come covered in a variety of materials. It is important to know what to look for in that as well.
Traditional fabrics: There are, of course, traditional upholstery coverings. When it comes to these, it is important to remember a couple of specifics: cotton looks nice because it takes dye really well. Of course, it also takes stains really well. Nylon and rayon both resist stains better than most fabrics. In the end, it is a good idea to look for fabrics that are a mixture.
Leather: Leather is durable and looks nice if you take care of it. When it comes to motion furniture, though, you have to know what you are getting. Recliners with 100% leather are hard to find for a couple of reasons. For one, putting leather all over the furniture, as opposed on just the places you sit on or touch, doubles the price in many cases. Additionally, leather stretches and so if you put it around the parts that move, you may end up with sagging wrinkles.
More often you will end up with what is called a leather match. In that case, you will have leather on the seat, arms, and foot rest. The rest (the sides and back) will usually be vinyl died in a matching color to the leather. A leather match is still good quality, but be aware of those sides and backs when you.
Microfiber: When it comes to bang for your buck, microfiber may be your best bet. With a nice suede feel to it, it feels nice to sit on. Additionally, it is nearly impossible to permanently stain microfiber. It is more durable than anything other than leather, is easy to take care of, and costs more than traditional fabrics but less than leather.
4) Take the Move Into Account
Before ever setting foot onto a show-floor, you should have thoroughly measured the entire route that the piece or pieces of reclining furniture will take into your home. Once you know what size you can accommodate, there are practical features you can look for and consider to get larger furniture in through smaller entrances and around turns.
Check to see if the back comes off of the furniture. The back of many recliners is removable. The best way to find out if the piece you are considering does come apart, besides asking your sales representative, is to first check and see if the back panel of fabric or leather unsnaps from the frame. If it is nailed or stapled, and thus not removable, then the back definitely is not made to come off.
Additionally, you can ask if larger reclining pieces like sofas and loveseats come apart completely. There is little you can do to tell without training. The best way to be sure is to ask the sales associate.
Buying recliners and reclining furniture can be intimidating when you feel like you don’t know what you are doing. However, with a little knowledge under your belt, you can find a quality recliner with confidence.
