TV Recliner Buying Guide

Recliners, also called TV recliners and recliner chairs, are one of the most comfortable furniture options on the market. They allow you to recline with your feet up and are ideal for watching television or movies while relaxing after a long day. Recliners can be helpful in managing stress, as they provide a comfortable, supportive environment for true relaxation. 

Health benefits of recliners include full support of legs and feet, pressure relief of the spine and improved circulation. Zero-gravity recliners help to evenly distribute weight across the body and elevate feet above the heart, providing better circulation. If you have health issues such as edema, varicose veins or back issues, a recliner can be incredibly helpful.

When shopping for a recliner, comfort is key. But today’s recliners combine comfort and style, so you don’t have to compromise. If you don’t like the recliner-chair look, there are plenty of options that truly don’t look like recliners. This faux leather recliner (pictured) offers mid-century modern styling with a sturdy hardwood frame and high-density foam filling.

There’s a recliner style to complement every home, from contemporary/modern to rustic, traditional and transitional. Love the look and feel of leather furniture? Faux and real leather recliners are popular but there are also plenty of other fabrics to choose from including polyester, microfiber (which is easy to clean) and velvet.

Colors range from neutrals like off-white, gray and brown to more daring shades of green, red and blue. For added style, look for design features like tufting, decorative chair legs, rolled arms and nailhead trim.

Some recliner chairs have all the bells and whistles while others simply offer the option to recline. To customize your reclining experience, check out these popular special features and their benefits.

• Massage: Although features vary by brand and style of the chair, some massage recliners offer as many as 10 unique modes of massage types and reach several key areas of the body including lumbar, shoulders, shins and thighs. Most massage recliners come with remotes that fit in a side pocket while others have built-in remotes on arm rests. For even more comfort, look for models that feature heating capability along with massage.
• Built-in cup holders: If you don’t want to worry about where to put your drink, consider a recliner with a built-in cup holder. Some chairs even feature cup holders on both arm rests. If you want to dine or snack in your recliner, look for a chair with a built-in tray. Usually, these trays swivel open and can be stowed away when not in use.
• Lift assistance: This important safety features makes it easier to get in and out of a recliner. Designed with a lift mechanism, these chairs can transform from a flat position to a more upright position, ideal for those with mobility issues.
• Powered reclining: If you don’t want to manually move your recliner up and down, opt for a power recliner designed with a motor to lay back or tilt forward.
• Swivel: 360-degree swivel lets you move your recliner in any direction you please. Some other styles only swivel to 275 degrees but still allow you to move around without getting out of the chair.
• Gliding: Gliding recliners allow you to move back and forth and are a great choice for new mothers.

Some recliners include an ottoman, a separate piece of furniture that completes the set. Whether you choose a recliner with a separate ottoman or an all-in-one style is largely up to preference. Some homeowners prefer the look of a recliner-ottoman set as it offers a more contemporary look. 

When recliners first came on the market, only large sizes were available but today, more modern, smaller options exist for apartments, small living rooms and other tight spaces. When choosing a recliner, make sure to check the wall clearance needed for the chair to operate properly.