How to Choose the Perfect Recliner: Comfort, Ergonomics, Size & Style Guide

A great recliner is more than just a chair — it’s a retreat, a place to unwind, a personal sanctuary where comfort and style come together. For many homeowners, a recliner becomes the most-used seat in the home, whether it’s in the living room, bedroom, nursery, or part of a home theater setup. But choosing the right recliner isn’t always straightforward. With endless options — fabric and leather, power recliners, swivel recliners, and rocker recliners — the process can feel overwhelming.

This guide is designed to simplify that journey. Whether you’re furnishing a new home or upgrading your favourite corner, this article will help you understand what truly matters when selecting a recliner: comfort, ergonomics, materials, proportions, lifestyle fit, and long-term durability.

At Melandas, we work with clients every day to help them find seating that enhances their home and fits seamlessly into their lifestyle. Here’s everything you need to know before choosing your perfect recliner.

 

1. Start With Comfort: The Heart of Every Recliner

Comfort is deeply personal, and a recliner must match your body, your habits, and the way you relax. Before clients even look at styles or colours, we encourage them to simply sit — to feel the cushioning, the support, and the overall experience.

 

Seat Depth and Cushioning

One of the most overlooked aspects of comfort is seat depth. A recliner that’s too deep will push your body forward; too shallow and you won’t feel fully supported. Your feet should rest firmly on the floor when sitting upright, and your back should feel naturally aligned.

Cushioning also varies across models:

• Some clients prefer firmer support for posture and back health.
• Others gravitate towards plush, sink-in softness.

The goal is to find the perfect balance — luxurious cushioning with underlying support.

 

Back Support & Lumbar Alignment

A high-quality recliner should support the natural S-curve of your spine. This is especially important for clients who spend long hours sitting, reading, or watching movies.

Look for:

• A tall backrest if you’re above average height
• Built-in lumbar support (a must for lower-back comfort)
• A headrest that supports your neck without pushing your head forward

Our La-Z-Boy recliners are engineered with patented lumbar support systems that remain active even while fully reclined — a feature not common in most standard recliners.

 

2. Understand the Recline Mechanism: Manual vs Power

The next important decision is mechanism. This is where lifestyle, convenience, and technology come into play.

 

Manual Recliners

Manual recliners offer classic functionality and reliability. They typically use a lever or push-back mechanism. They’re ideal for clients who:

• Prefer minimal technology
• Want a timeless, straightforward experience
• Don’t need a personalized reclining position
• Want a lighter, simpler chair

Manual recliners tend to be more affordable, but they offer fewer precision-adjustable angles.

 

Power Recliners

The top choice for comfort-focused clients. Power recliners offer:

• Effortless reclining at the push of a button
• Multiple and customizable reclining positions
• Independent footrest & backrest movement
• Sometimes include USB charging ports

For clients who value convenience, ergonomics, and customisation, power recliners provide an unmatched experience.

There are also dual-power models, where the headrest and lumbar can be adjusted separately. These are perfect for reading, watching TV, or working on a laptop without straining your neck.

 

3. Choose the Right Size: Scale Matters in Interior Design

One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a recliner that either dominates a room or gets swallowed by it. Recliners need space — not just for the chair itself, but also for its reclining motion.

 

Measure Your Room Before Choosing

At Melandas, we always advise clients to bring:

• Their room dimensions
• Photos of the space
• Existing furniture layout (if any)
• Hallway / doorway measurements

These ensure the recliner fits both visually and physically.

Key measurements to consider:

• Wall clearance (some recliners require space to open fully)
• Distance from TV if used for media viewing
• Width and depth of the recliner when fully extended
• Walkway clearance

 

Petite, Standard, or Oversized Recliners

Recliners come in three broad size categories:

●      Petite: For clients under 160 cm tall or for smaller rooms.
Provides proper fit without overwhelming the space.

●      Standard: The universal size for most living rooms and condos.

●      Oversized / Grand Recliners: Perfect for tall users and large spaces such as home theaters, media rooms, and master bedrooms.

 

4. Prioritise Ergonomics: How Your Body Feels Matters More Than How It Looks

Ergonomics is the science behind long-term comfort. A recliner may feel great for 10 minutes in a showroom — but the real goal is comfort that lasts hours.

 

Essential ergonomic features include:

• Supportive headrest
• Tailored lumbar support
• Natural recline angle
• Full body weight distribution
• Correct knee elevation when reclined

La-Z-Boy designs are built around medical-grade ergonomic principles, ensuring proper alignment to minimise joint pressure.

Clients who work from home often use their recliners as “secondary workstations,” making ergonomics even more important.

 

5. Pick Your Upholstery: Leather vs Fabric

Upholstery defines both appearance and long-term maintenance.

Leather

Leather recliners evoke luxury, sophistication, and timeless beauty.

●      Advantages:

• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to clean
• Ages beautifully
• Ideal for clients who want a premium statement piece

Best for:

Home theaters, bachelor pads, modern contemporary homes, and clients who prefer low-maintenance materials.

 

Fabric

Fabric recliners offer warmth, softness, and a wider range of textures.

●      Advantages:

• More breathable
• Softer to the touch
• Available in more colours and patterns
• Creates a cozy, relaxed feel

Fabric trends in 2026:

• Bouclé
• Chenille
• Textured linen blends
• High-performance woven fabrics

Fabric works beautifully in quiet luxury, Japandi, and coastal-inspired interiors.

 

6. Understand Your Lifestyle: How Will You Actually Use the Recliner?

Your recliner should suit your daily habits, not just your room.

 

For Clients Who Watch Movies or TV

Opt for:

• Power recline
• Adjustable headrest
• Deep cushioning
• Leather or stain-resistant fabric

This setup works especially well in home theaters.

 

For Clients Who Read or Work

Look for:

• Excellent neck support
• Upright supportive posture
• Smooth footrest control
• Swivel functionality (optional)

A fabric finish often feels more comforting for long sittings.

 

For Families

If kids or pets will use the recliner:

• Choose durable and pet friendly fabrics
• Darker tones or textured materials
• Easy-clean finishes

For Compact Spaces

Wall-hugger recliners are excellent — they slide forward instead of backward, saving valuable space.

 

7. Style & Aesthetics: Your Recliner Should Elevate the Room, Not Disrupt It

A modern recliner should blend seamlessly into your overall design aesthetic. Gone are the days when recliners were bulky, masculine, and awkward.

Today’s recliners are:

• Slimmer
• More contemporary and sculptural
• More stylish and European-inspired
• Perfect for modern luxury interiors

At Melandas, clients often choose recliners that match:

• Their existing sofa
• Their colour palette
• Architectural details of their home

 

Recliners in 2026 embrace:

• Soft curves
• Minimalist silhouettes
• Warm neutral tones
• Brushed metal accents
• Earthy, textured fabrics

Quiet luxury influences the styling, focusing on understated elegance rather than loud statements.

 

8. Test the Recliner Before You Buy It

This cannot be overstated: a recliner is like a tailor-made piece of furniture. Your body will tell you instantly whether it’s right.

When clients visit our showrooms, we guide them through different models and encourage them to:

• Sit upright
• Recline fully
• Test all angles
• Check foot and knee alignment
• Evaluate neck support when reading or looking at a screen
• Feel the cushioning and texture

A good recliner should support you, not the other way around.

 

9. Consider Longevity & After-Sales Support

Furniture is an investment. A high-quality recliner should last many years — even with daily use. Melandas’ La-Z-Boy recliners come with:

• Patented reclining technology with warranty
• High-grade mechanisms
• Durable frames
• Strong after-sales service
• Genuine parts and servicing

With proper maintenance, our clients often keep their recliners in excellent condition for more than a decade.