Are you seeking that ultimate ‘ahh’ moment when you get home after a long day? Is your current sofa not quite living up to its relaxation potential? Well, a recliner sofa could provide that kick-back cosy comfort!
What is the best recliner sofa?
Our range of recliner sofas offer the perfect balance between style and comfort, bringing cosy and chic elegance to your living room. But which type of recliner sofa is best suited to you? Maybe you’d like to create a snug reading nook in the corner with a recliner chair. Or perhaps you want to grant the right to recline to the whole family with a big 3 seater recliner sofa, taking film nights to a whole new level. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the perfect addition to your personal haven of relaxation. From recliner sofa variations to our customers’ most commonly asked questions, our recliner sofa buying guide, below, has got you covered.
Which type of recliner sofa should I buy?
From manual to power - and even power plus - there are several options when it comes to choosing a recliner sofa. Watch our video to discover the differences between each type, and help you pick the recliner that's right for your home.
Manual recliners
Strong, sturdy, and satisfyingly simple, manual recliners just need a pull of a lever to lull you into lounge mode. There are three positions to choose from, depending on your state of relaxation, including standard straight; legs up, back straight; and full-on recline.
Power recliners
Also known as electric recliner sofas, these recliners slowly ease you into the perfect position by holding down a button on a remote or on the furniture itself. Just remember that power recliner sofas should be plugged into the wall, so you’ll need to factor that in when considering placement.
Power plus recliners
No wires, no fuss; Power Plus models work the same way as electric recliner sofas, just without the need to find a plug socket. These recliner chairs are powered by rechargeable batteries, which can be left to charge overnight, or can be used manually, if required.
Memory recliners
If you enjoy getting into the perfect position of ultimate comfort (who doesn’t?) then a memory recliner could be just what you need. These handy recliners let you save up to two different headrest and recliner positions, ready to be called upon at the touch of a button.
Recliner sofa fabrics: leather or fabric?
Once you know the type of recliner you want, it’s time to start thinking about the look of your recliner sofa. Typically, you have two choices: a leather recliner sofa or a fabric recliner sofa.
Benefits of leather recliner sofas
Have you carefully curated a contemporary style over many years? If that’s you, then it makes sense to pick a modern recliner sofa in leather. Leather sofas are sleek, sophisticated and low maintenance. Another consideration when buying a recliner sofa is that leather is an extremely reliable, hard-wearing material. This is vital as the moving parts of a recliner require a tough material to stand the test of time.
Benefits of fabric recliner sofas
While leather recliners always make a statement, fabric recliner sofas effortlessly ease into the current set-up of your living room. For example, it’s much easier to mix and match with other pieces of furniture in the room, contrasting colours, textures, or patterns between a fabric chair and a new fabric recliner sofa. They can also be a more affordable option, while still offering the luxurious comfort of a recliner. As for practicality, the RESILIENCE range takes all the bumps and scuffs that a fabric recliner sofa can often take. These harder-wearing fabrics are more resistant to tearing, abrasion, and piling, while still offering that soft, sink-in comfort.
Recliner sofa features
We know the kick-back comfort of a recliner sofa already sounds blissful. But did you know you can take your lounging to the next level with even more features? Read on to discover the fantastic features you might be surprised to find in our recliner range:
Heated seats
Perfect for naps and bingeing boxsets, heated seats keep you nice and toasty all throughout the colder months.
Adjustable headrests
Everyone has their own ideas of a comfortable seating position. Adjustable headrests let you enjoy a truly tailored relaxing experience.
Integrated lighting
Adding to the ambience of a room, integrated lighting creates a cosy warmth that ‘sticking on the big light’ just cannot replicate.
Hidden storage
Overwhelmed with extra throw blankets, magazines, or children’s toys? Pick out a recliner sofa that keeps the clutter out of sight.
Reading lights
There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book. A recliner with reading lights lets you find the most comfortable position while you get acquainted with your new favourite fictional characters.
Drink holders
No coffee tables near your sofa? No problem! You can find recliners with built-in drink holders, keeping your glass safe and secure.
Centre console arm rest
Great for 2 seater recliner sofas, a centre console arm rest gives both loungers the throne-like feeling of their own armchair!
Memory button
Exclusive to memory recliners, this button allows users to programme their favourite recliner and headrest position, ready for when you need it most.
USB ports/wireless charging
Fed up with stretching awkwardly to check your phone while it’s charging up? Recliner sofas with USB ports or wireless charging let you keep scrolling in comfort.
Dual power
Adjust your headrest and footrest separately with a touch of a button to find the perfect position for you!
Measuring your space for a recliner sofa
Whether for a huge recliner corner sofa or a reclining armchair, it’s helpful to know how to measure your space to fit your new recliner. Read on for our step-by-step guide for measuring your home for a recliner sofa or chair.
start with entrances and hallways
Before you even start to think about squeezing a 3 seater recliner sofa into your living room, you need to ensure the rest of your house can accommodate such a big piece of furniture. Take measurements of entrances and hallways leading to the living room. You want to find out whether your new recliner can be moved through the house and installed easily – especially if the sofa is pre-assembled.
Pick out the perfect placement
Next, you need to decide where you’d actually like to place your recliner sofa. The potential size of the sofa is a big factor here. If you want a single recliner armchair, for example, then you’re going to have to fit it around your current set-up. Of course, if you’re starting from scratch, then you have free reign of the living room - just remember to pick a good spot for the telly!
Measure out the limits of your living room
With the perfect spot for your recliner picked out, it’s time to check what space you have. Take two length measurements, running along the front and the back of where you intend the sofa to sit - this determines the maximum length your recliner sofa can be. Next, measure the potential depth - remember, your recliner will need more space when it’s in the reclining position. If the back of your recliner will be against the wall, you’ll need to leave 10cm of space to prevent any wall scuffs from the headrest.
Eaziglides
Our Eaziglides are specially designed to make moving your sofa faster and easier, whether you're cleaning or simply rearranging your space. With Eaziglides attached to the feet, you can simply glide your sofa along the floor - ideal for carpets, wood floors, tiles and vinyl flooring. Add yours at checkout and our delivery experts will even fit them for you!
Recliner sofa FAQs
For over 50 years, DFS has been pairing customers with their perfect sofas. From recliner corner sofas to stationary leather armchairs, we’ve heard every question and query that people ask about their potential purchase.
Read on to find out the answers to our top recliner sofa queries.
Are recliner sofas good?
As far as we’re concerned, there’s nothing that cradles you in comfort quite like a recliner sofa. Whether it’s for a Sunday afternoon nap or a family film night, recliners offer unrivalled comfort – almost as enjoyable as snuggling up in a big bed! However, we understand that recliner sofas aren’t to everyone’s tastes. That’s why we stock a wide range of stationary fabric and leather sofas that keep you just as comfortable as when you kick back in a recliner.
Where can I buy a recliner?
Here at DFS, we stock a wide range of recliner chairs and sofas. Our vast selection also includes fabric, leather, and corner recliner sofas, ensuring you can always find the perfect addition to your living room set-up. All of our recliner sofas and chairs are available to buy online or in-store, whichever you prefer. Take a look at our recliner sofas page to browse our complete collection.
Do recliner sofas use a lot of electricity?
While the specifics vary from model to model, an electric recliner sofa typically consumes 14W per day on standby mode – or around 10p per day. In motion, a recliner uses 58W of power to actually recline, roughly working out to 8p for a couple hours of constant use. Of course, this is not a consideration for manual or power plus recliners that are not plugged into the mains.
Are recliners good for the elderly?
A recliner sofa might just be the perfect addition to an elderly person’s home. Not only do they make it easier to stand up and sit down, but it’s easier to find a more comfortable seating position – especially with a fully adjustable recliner. Just ensure that the recliner footrest is fully tucked back before trying to get up from the seat.
Is leather good for a recliner?
Due to the constant motion of a recliner, you need an upholstered fabric that can withstand the potential wear and tear of use – and leather does just that! Leather recliner sofas provide the ideal combo of hard-wearing material and stunning good looks. You just need to take special care around a leather recliner sofa with children and pets, as scuffs and scratches show up more easily than they would on fabric.
How long do recliner sofas last?
As long as the furniture is properly maintained, recliner sofas have a similar lifespan to normal sofas of up to 15 years in most households. Of course, the more a sofa is used, the faster it will start to show general wear and tear.. To help your recliner sofa last as long as possible, take a look at our in-depth sofa care guide.
How long do battery recliners last?
While the structural integrity of a battery power recliner sofa will last as long as a normal recliner, you’ll likely need to replace the battery itself every one or two years – or every 1,000 charges (if you’re keeping count!).
Want to find out more about recliner sofas? All you need to do is get in touch with our friendly customer service team. They can answer any and all questions or provide more information on anything in this recliner sofa buying guide. If you’re ready to start shopping, head over to our range of recliner sofas.
