Are you in the market for a new recliner? You’ve come to the right place because buying a recliner (especially the perfect one) requires planning and research. Rather than just picking the prettiest furniture piece in the store, the key to choosing the ideal recliner is combining style, comfort, and functionality. Follow our guide to become an expert on different types of recliners and learn what the best recliner is for your lifestyle!

• Key Benefits of Recliners
• Common Types of Recliners
• Recliners for Different Lifestyles
• How to Choose Upholstery Fabric for Recliners
• Why Buy from Local Manufacturers?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Key Benefits of Recliners

Besides the obvious perks like style and comfort, recliners have health benefits as well. Here are just a couple ways that quality recliner chairs can improve your physical and mental health. 

1. Lumbar Support

Sitting or standing for long periods of time can wreak havoc on your back, especially if you don’t have the proper chair to keep you comfortable. Luckily, recliner chairs have the potential to reduce back pain and improve the health of your spine with the help of lumbar support. Recliner chairs with lumbar support work by distributing pressure from your joints and muscles. This helps to relieve tension and pain.

2. Better Mobility

Many types of recliners also provide assistance for people suffering from mobility issues. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mobility issues impact 1 in 7 adults and about every 2 in 5 adults aged 65 and older. Suffering from these issues can be discouraging, but with a lift recliner, you can feel empowered again. With the touch of a button, your recliner can go from flat on the floor to a 35-degree angle to help lift you out of the chair and into a standing position. This provides a safer and more secure way to move without putting any undue stress on your back or joints.

Read more about the surprising benefits of a reclining chair in this blog post.

Common Types of Recliners

As you begin your search to find the perfect recliner chair, you need to learn about all the various types of recliners to narrow down your options. From swivel and rocker recliners to lay-flat recliner chairs, here are the main types of recliners you’ll come across on your furniture search.

Learn more about the most common types of recliners and their differences in this blog post.

Recliners for Different Lifestyles

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a recliner is how it aligns with your lifestyle. Because recliners differ in features, some are a better fit for you than others. Take a look at these recliners and see if they match your preferences.

Seniors and People with Physical Disabilities | Power Lift Recliner

Perfect for individuals who have injuries, disabilities, or for people who struggle standing up and sitting down on their own, the power lift recliner is a motorized reclining chair. These recliners lift upward, helping you get out of your chair with ease. 

Lift recliners come in all shapes and sizes. Southern Motion’s Shimmer lift recliner offers contour through the arm pads and seat cushions, which can help support any aches and pains. You can also choose from over 300 fabrics and leathers, because practicality and style should never be exclusive.

Families with Young Children | Swivel Gliders

Thanks to their sturdy steel frames, swivel gliders allow you to gently glide back and forth while sitting comfortably. This can be very relaxing for anyone using a recliner, but especially for parents with babies and young children. Southern Motion’s Take Note swivel glider is a great example of this kind of recliner. With its swept-back flair arms and sleek barrel back, it’s a practical piece of furniture that can lull anyone into a relaxing sleep. 

What’s more, with hundreds of special order fabrics and leathers to choose from, you can customize this recliner to match your interior design style or to be more child friendly.

Relaxation and Comfort | Zero Gravity & Next Level Recliners

Whether you suffer from back pain or just enjoy the opportunity to relax at the end of a long day, Southern Motion offers the perfect solutions. 

Need to crank up the therapy? A Zero Gravity recliner could be just what the doctor ordered. By mimicking the position of astronauts in space, these Southern Motion recliners allow you to achieve the ideal weight distribution and reduce the stress on your body. This can help improve blood circulation and lung capacity while reducing joint swelling and back pain.

Southern Motion’s Next Level Collection makes the reclining experience even more comfortable and therapeutic. The innovative mechanism allows you to recline with your feet above your heart, as with Zero Gravity, while the extended ottoman provides three inches of extra length in full recline. This optimizes your circulation and takes the pressure off your neck, back, and legs for an unparalleled furniture experience. 

Don’t see a lifestyle category that fits you? Read more about the best recliners for your lifestyle to help you make the right decision when it comes to buying a recliner.

How to Choose Upholstery Fabric for Recliners

With tons of options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which fabric is best for your brand new recliner. While there are pros and cons to every type of furniture fabric, there’s always a standout option when it comes to complementing your lifestyle and style preferences. Take a look at the most popular recliner fabrics and see which one is ideal for you!

Smart Solutions: A Southern Motion fabric that resists stains so your furniture can remain spick and span! With Smart Solutions, messes wipe right up, leaving no evidence that there ever was one.

Leather: A classy, timeless fabric that requires very little care. Leather recliners are durable and add style to your home for years.

Leather Look: A cheaper alternative to real leather fabric. Leather alternatives are great for families that want the leather look without the maintenance and large price tag.

Fabric: A soft, comfortable fabric that compliments any home’s interior design style. Fabric is ideal if you love unique upholstery patterns.

Why Buy from Local Manufacturers?

In today’s world, so many products are made overseas, including furniture. Rather than buy a recliner from a factory thousands of miles across the world, give Southern Motion a chance to blow you away with our top-of-the-line products. Besides the style and comfort of Southern Motion furniture, here’s why you should buy from local manufacturers like us.

1. Support for the Local Economy

By choosing American-made furniture, you are helping to create more jobs in the US. This can result in huge gains for the economy.

2. Reduced Impact on the Environment

Sourcing and manufacturing furniture domestically ensures a shorter supply chain, fewer carbon emissions, and less fuel consumption. Materials and finished products don’t need to be shipped from the other side of the world because they’re already here in your backyard!

3. Unique and Innovative Pieces

Mass-produced furniture is made quickly and cheaply, which prevents innovation. If you’re looking for a piece that combines unique style and functional comfort, local furniture is the best choice for you.

Along with these advantages, there are even more benefits to shopping locally for your newest furniture pieces. Discover 5 reasons to buy from local furniture manufacturers here. 

Which Chair is Right for You?

Want to learn more about your quiz results? Head to our blog to find your ideal chair and see why it works for you and your preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I purchase an item directly from Southern Motion?

Southern Motion does not currently sell directly to consumers. Our products may be purchased from Southern Motion authorized retailers and specific online retailers.

Where can I find a Southern Motion retailer near me?

You can find a retailer in your area by using our retail store locator here. You can also search for Southern Motion furniture online.

Are ALL Southern Motion products located on the website?

Yes. Southern Motion is constantly adding and removing products to keep the website as up to date as possible.

Can Southern Motion provide me with pricing information?

Southern Motion does not establish retail price points for our products. The Southern Motion authorized retailer determines their own advertised, quoted and printed pricing.

How Can I Contact Southern Motion?

Currently, we don’t have a customer service phone line, but you can reach Southern Motion by filling out our contact information form here. Once you turn in your form, a Southern Motion representative will get in touch with you.

Now that you’re on your way to becoming a recliner expert, it’s time to finish your search and bring home the most comfy, stylish, and innovative chair to complete your home. Take time to browse through our various collections and explore the hundreds of recliner chairs, sofas, and sectionals we have to offer!