How to Choose the Right Recliner
A recliner is a chair that leans back into a stretched out reclining position. A well designed recliner can allow the user to fully stretch out and even serve as an extra bed. When looking for the right recliner, it is important to keep several factors in mind, including your budget and the kind of chair that fits your needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Decide how far you would like the recliner to lean back. Some recliners only lean back halfway. Others have a mechanism that allows them to fully recline. A semi-reclining recliner can allow you to be comfortable and relaxed yet not too casual. A recliner that leans back completely can be ideal for a less formal space, such as a basement or game room. An entirely reclining recliner can also serve as an extra bed if needed.
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Pick out a recliner that is freestanding or one that is attached to a sofa or loveseat. A freestanding recliner can be used in smaller spaces but may be more expensive. A recliner attached to another piece of furniture can incorporate the reclining feature with other items and thus be cheaper. Choose a freestanding recliner if you want a recliner with two arms. Most recliners that are attached to another piece of furniture do not have more than one armrest.
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Choose the kind of fabric you want. Recliners come in a wide variety of fabrics. Leather can look elegant and add a masculine feel to any space. Leather is also fairly easy to clean and can be very cool during the summer. Softer fabrics, such as chenille or cotton, come in many different colors and can bring a more feminine touch to a living room or basement. If you are using the piece as a bed, look for fabrics that are yielding and easy to sleep on.
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Try the recliner before you buy it. Sit down in the chair. See how much effort it takes to put the reclining mechanism in place. Any mechanism should be easy to use and not subject to mechanical failure. Look underneath the chair to see if you understand how it operates, so you can fix it easily if necessary. Have a sales clerk demonstrate how it works if you are unclear. See how far the mechanism leans back. Look at how far the recliner juts out. Bring a tape measure so you can measure this distance. If you have a small living room, you may not want the recliner to jut out too far and take up too much space.
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