Buying new furniture is a significant investment. Before you make a purchase, it’s important to consider your needs carefully to ensure your decision is one you’ll be satisfied with for years to come.

If you are considering reclining furniture for your home, we invite you to read about the types of reclining furniture and the pros AND cons of its characteristics so you can make an informed decision. If you’ve ever visited our showroom, you’ve probably seen the seven-foot sign in our reclining furniture area detailing examples of the cons associated with it.

What we hope you take away from this information is: when it comes to comfort, reclining furniture is second to none. However, if you want furniture that will look better and feel better longer, stationary furniture is the way to go. It’s not a matter of if a mechanism, motor, or part will fail on reclining furniture… it’s when. And, regardless of brand or price point, warranties typically only cover parts (not labor) for a limited time. After the first year, there will likely be out-of-pocket expenses for labor and/or transportation for mechanical repairs.

Ultimately, our #1 goal is to help you make an educated decision so you know what to expect once the furniture is in your home, and so you’re satisfied with your purchase. Below, we will provide an overview of recliners and reclining sofas, including benefits and possible drawbacks, to help you select the right piece(s) for your home.

Manual recliners rely on your center of gravity to operate properly and come one of two ways: pressback or pull handle/lever. When using a manual recliner, it is important to be seated all the way back in the chair with your feet touching the ground. You should be able to use only two fingers to pull the lever and easily move into a reclining position. To go from the reclined position to the upright position, you should be able to just sit forward in the chair, put your legs down using your weight, and stand up without using your hands or pushing on the chair with your arms.

The same is true for pressback recliners. You should be able to recline the chair without much force and use only your center of gravity and core strength. To get out of the reclined position, you should be able to close it using your leg and core strength, and get out of the chair with little to no help from the arms of the chair.

Some signs that a manual recliner may be too big for you:

Power recliners offer more flexibility when it comes to sizing because the motors do the operating for you. In fact, you should never use any manual pulling, pushing, or force to operate a power recliner as it will damage the chair.

There are a few different distinctions or terms you should understand with power reclining furniture:

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of reclining furniture, it’s important to determine if it’s truly the most suitable choice for your needs. Reclining furniture can be a great way to kick back and relax, but it’s not ideal for every home and situation. Let's dive into the pros and cons of the category to give you more insight into deciding whether reclining furniture is right for you.

Most reclining furniture is designed with your comfort in mind. Recliners and reclining sofas typically feature high backs, wide arms, soft upholstery, and plush, overstuffed cushioning – all to create the most relaxing experience. If you’re looking for a seat you can sink into after a long day at work, you can’t go wrong with a recliner.

Reclining furniture’s adjustable design also lends itself to a variety of applications. In the same chair, you might stretch out your legs with a book and morning coffee or lay all the way back for a nap. There’s something comfortable for everyone.

As with any furniture style, recliners aren’t for everybody. Their many benefits are met with a handful of disadvantages that should be considered before you purchase. One main disadvantage of reclining furniture is that it’s not as durable or long-lasting as stationary items.

These are all natural characteristics of reclining furniture and are NOT considered warranted “defects”. If you feel these natural characteristics or wear and tear will bother you, we recommend you do NOT purchase reclining furniture.

Recliners and reclining sofas or loveseats are also highly adaptable in style. Many customers imagine reclining chairs as the classic leather-wrapped La-Z-Boy. While these styles are certainly available, so are dozens of other looks and designs to suit nearly any room or configuration. Many factories we carry offer both fabric and leather options to suit the look and feel you want. Some also offer choices that vary from manual reclining mechanisms to triple-power. By nature, reclining furniture is modular, so it’s also relatively easy to build a sectional to accommodate as many seats as you’d like! Whether you’re looking for cozy casual or sleek contemporary, you can find a recliner or reclining set to match your vision.

Reclining sofas, loveseats, and sectionals are created by adjoining multiple pieces together (modular). With this, it is not uncommon—nor uncharacteristic—for there to be visible gaps between the seats and/or backs. Shims or washers and occasional adjustments may help, but this is not something that is warranted. If you’re concerned about visible gaps or misalignment taking away from the look of your sofa, consider premium stationary furniture that doesn’t recline.

Manufacturers of reclining furniture also have different construction standards compared to non-reclining furniture. For example, the padding may be thinner or uneven or the cushion seams may be inconsistent/may not align. As a rule of thumb, tailoring is almost always held to a lower standard on reclining furniture than it is on stationary furniture because the fabric must allow room for the chair to move and stretch with use. Cushions on recliners will also show more body impressions, wrinkles, puckering, or puddling, so these are important things to consider if you feel this will bother you.

Reclining furniture may be recommended for those seeking pain relief. The position where your legs are up and your upper body is reclined back often takes the weight or pressure off of aching muscles and bones, and many brands offer models with integrated back or neck support via adjustable headrests. Power recliners controlled by the touch of a button also offer flexibility which lets you adjust the chair to find that “just-right” position that accommodates your pain points.

In addition, reclining furniture is useful for patients recovering from injury. If you’ve ever twisted, sprained, or broken an ankle, you know doctors recommend keeping the limb elevated to control blood flow. Recliners help you hold injured limbs aloft to aid in the healing process.

As with any product, the more that it moves, the higher the likelihood of something breaking or malfunctioning. While manual recliners use joints and mechanisms (also prone to breaking), power recliners use joints and mechanisms as well as motors, buttons, cords, and other parts. These electrical and mechanical components are used to operate the seats, but they can (and will) break down over time and create points of failure. Even with high-quality pieces, breakdowns can happen and will need to be fixed. Warranties may not cover mechanical malfunctions, so you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Reclining furniture in general requires far more maintenance and repairs than stationary furniture.

Since reclining furniture lets you elevate your legs above your heart, it can also help with circulation. Blood flow is enhanced when legs are elevated, and posture is reclined because it helps the heart pump blood more easily. This can be ideal for people with poor circulation, swelling in the legs and feet, pain from standing for long periods, and more. Some recliners even have pre-set options for “Zero Gravity”, which optimizes pressure relief, or the “Trendelenburg position”, which means the legs are higher than the heart, and the heart is higher for the head, which is optimal for those experiencing poor circulation.

Many reclining furniture pieces have weight limits to operate safely and without jeopardizing the condition of the chair. The standard factory limit is typically 250 pounds, although there are a select few that will make products that may go up to 350-600 pounds—but oftentimes at a higher price point. However, just because a weight limit is higher on a recliner does not mean the product is exempt from all the cons of reclining furniture listed in this blog, nor is it built to withstand improper use. Check out this video on how to operate a recliner properly. If you are concerned about the longevity of your furniture due to the weight limits, you may get more life from stationary furniture which—at least—doesn’t need to move body weight in order to be enjoyed.

If you have mobility issues, you may find traditional sofas and chairs difficult to use. Stiff joints don’t always bend the way you want them to, and aches and pains make it hard to settle in. It can be challenging to get comfortable when sitting down and standing up can feel like a chore.

Motorized, power reclining furniture or lift chairs can help you reclaim your sense of power. These seats can be adjusted at the touch of a button, tilting upward into an ideal position for standing. You’ll feel cozy and secure, and you’ll also place less strain on your back and joints, making recliners the safer option.

Reclining furniture often comes at a higher starting price point since it offers more functionality than just a place to sit. Add-ons and other special features especially can increase the cost, so it’s important to prioritize what features are most important to you. Plus, maintenance for your recliner—such as servicing or replacing foam cushions, remotes, motors, or mechanisms to extend the life of the piece—will also add up over time.

Though some classic recliners are mechanically operated, many are now operated using an electrical or battery power source. This creates ease of use and opens the door to a wide variety of special features. Plus, due to its modular nature, there are many options for customization in configuration, shape, and features. Reclining furniture is a great option for customers looking for unique functionality, including:

If you’re looking for ultimate comfort, adaptability, and relief, you can’t go wrong with reclining furniture. You can start shopping today at Wayside Furniture & Mattress. Proudly serving customers throughout northeast Ohio, including Akron, Cleveland, Canton, Medina, and Youngstown since 1937, we boast over 200,000 square feet of inventory, including recliners ranging from entry-level to premium products. We offer a free furniture loaner program while you make your decision or wait for a custom furniture order. You can also check out our recliner buying guide for more information on the styles and features available. We promise transparency and an everyday low-price philosophy to help every customer find what they need without the hassle. Contact us to learn more or visit our showroom in Akron, Ohio, today.