Are you interested in reclining furniture but don’t know how to distinguish between the different types of recliners? Recliners, rockers, and chaise loungers for your living room may all provide stylish and reclinable seating, but they are significantly different from one another. Find out all you need to know about these pieces so you can make an educated decision as to which one is right for you and your home.
What is a Recliner?
A recliner is what the name suggests, an arm chair that reclines. Designers and furniture manufacturers continue to make great strides with motion furniture, which now comes in various upholsteries like leather and cloth. Recliners come with both manual and electric options, as well as a range of other features like massage and heat.
Different types of recliners also offer lumbar support and allow you to rest in a position that is almost as comfortable as lying down. With so many motion furniture options available in the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Before you make any purchases, it’s important to know the key differences between popular living room furniture like recliners.
Different Types of Recliners
1. Lay-Flat Recliner
Lay-flat recliners are what most people think of when they think of recliners. These chairs can create a full layout position for ultimate comfort or sleeping. Keep in mind that this category of motion furniture needs about 14 inches of wall clearance to fully recline.
2. Rocker Recliner
Rocker recliners are a favorite of nursing mothers and those who suffer from insomnia because they are the best recliners for sleeping. Appropriately named, rockers recline on arched tracks that allow them to rock back and forth. Because of the soothing rocking motion, this type of reclining furniture is helpful for those who have trouble falling asleep at night.
3. Glider Recliner
Glider recliners are similar to rockers, with the exception that instead of moving along an arched path, glider recliners move back and forth on a linear path. Gliders like Southern Motion’s Willow slide backward and forward in a smooth horizontal motion. If you prefer a more gentle movement, a glider may be the right choice for you.
4. Power Recliner
Power recliners are similar to traditional recliners, only instead of a manual lever or button, there’s a power button to electrically recline your chair. Southern Motion’s Safe Bet recliner includes a power option that allows for an infinite range of seating positions. Many recliners are also customizable with other power add-ons like an adjustable power headrest.
5. Lift Recliner
Lift recliners are great for those who struggle getting out of a recliner. These lift-assist recliners make it easier for people with certain disabilities to be more independent in their home. The lift mechanism pushes the chair from a flat-seated position to an upright-angled position that guides the occupant to stand up. Lift recliners are often recommended by physicians for people who have trouble with weak knees, legs, or hips.
6. Push-Back Recliner
Push-back recliners recline without a lever or button, requiring the person sitting in the chair to lean back and exert pressure on the back of the chair. You should consider your physical ability and comfort preferences when considering this piece of reclining furniture. If you don’t mind putting in a little effort to recline and stand up, this could be a good option for you.
7. Swivel Recliner
Swivel recliners such as Southern Motion’s Diva have a circular base that allows them to swivel left and right. These recliners offer a full range of motion that many prefer over the limited motion of other recliners.
8. Wall-Hugger Recliner
Wall-hugger recliners are great for those with limited space as they only require about four to six inches of wall clearance. They sit up straighter than other types of recliners and often have a limited range of motion. Additionally, wall-huggers have a resting position that is easier to get in and out of.
9. Zero Gravity Recliner
Southern Motion’s Zero Gravity collection redefines reclining furniture as you know it. Zero Gravity recliners have a mechanism that provides the capability of obtaining ideal weight distribution to help optimize blood circulation and reduce pressure on the neck, back, and legs.
Not only do these recliners offer the perfect angle for relaxation, they have been found to have medical benefits as well. Zero Gravity chairs help to:
- Ease the heart’s ability to send blood and oxygen through the body
- Improve lung capacity and function
- Reduce swelling in joints
- Relieve back pain and reduce spinal compression
10. Chaise Lounger
A chaise lounger is an upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair that is long enough to support the legs. In modern French, the term chaise lounge can refer to any long reclining chair such as a deckchair.
Now that you know the different types of recliners, you should be able to narrow down which options are ideal for you and your home. You can help your shopping process go even smoother by learning more about the best recliners for your lifestyle as well!
