Recliner chairs are underestimated really. Let’s be honest, there are times when we just want to sit back, raise our legs and be in our zone.
Most of the times the traditional sitting chairs just don’t do it for us; this would be because traditional sitting chairs were built for upright sitting positions and not laying back in a completely relaxed position.
This is where reclining chairs are important and beneficial.
Reclining chairs or recliners as they are also called are built with neck and lumbar supportability in mind. This also makes recliners the ideal chair for people with medical conditions and injuries.
Most reclining chairs come with the ability to recline, rock, massage, swivel, and lift – also provide the perfect aesthetic. So why wouldn’t you want to own a recliner you can sit back and relax on after a long day at work?
The History Of Recliner Chairs
The history of recliner chairs does not date as far back as ordinary chairs but given the prominence since its inception, you have a right to think it does.
Whether it’s the classic recliner with a fat lever you pull to kick your feet out or it’s the newer models with controls at the click of a button, your living room is not complete without them.
Reclining chairs have been in existent for about 150 years. They have evolved from the classic and contemporary styles to more aesthetically pleasing designs of the modern era.
We are going to take you on a journey through the development of these chairs that are quickly becoming an important part of our living rooms and office.
No history of the reclining chairs is however complete without the riser reclining chairs.
The Birth Of Recliner Chairs
Ordinary chairs itself dates as far back as Ancient Egypt, an era many still consider to be one of the birthplaces of civilization.
Ornate chairs found in tombs, chaise lounges and daybeds are some of the chairs being used in ancient Egypt. History buffs would, in fact, be familiar with various depictions of Greek gods and goddesses sprawled out on decadent daybeds called Klines.
Chairs would later go on to become a common feature in the 16th century. The birth of recliners was however still decades away.
The French Connection
The French can be credited for the first ever recliner chair as they designed a reclining camp cot in 1850. The camp cot was birthed from the idea of having a multipurpose chair that could function as a bed, chair, and even as a chaise lounge.
Reclining chairs were noticeably more portable, comfortable, and durable with padded cushions, steel frame, and armrests.
Napoleon III would later become the first person to own a recliner chair. The British were a competition around the time of Napoleon III owning the first ever reclining chair. They were also flirting with living room ideas of their own.
The Morris chair was born in the 1860s albeit with a unique feature. The Morris chair featured a hinged back that allowed the reclining chair to be adjusted.
The Progression Of Rise and Recliner Chairs
The American Job
The advancement of recliner chairs can really be credited to Americans as they took it to a whole different level.
In 1928, a grant for a patent on a wooden recliner chair was given to Edward M. Knabush and his cousin Edwin J. Shoemaker. Their design resembles the reclining chairs used today.
They originally used orange crates to design a chair which they believed would help people relax more. Their prototype was a folding chair that could be used to recline backwards or sit up. The reclining chair also reclined automatically whenever users lean backwards.
The cousins would then go on to hire a skilled upholster to do the upholstery of the chair. They ended up naming the chair ‘La-Z-Boy’. In the years that followed, Barcaloungers would be the pioneer of reclining chairs with footrests in the 1940s.
The Military Influence
In the 1960s, Daniel F. Caldemeyer, a furniture maker with some experience in the U.S Air Force further develop the recliner chair.
He was the pioneer of the classic foot-lift rest which was considered an upgrade on the footrests available at the time. He also designed the ‘rocket incliner’ which ended up gaining so much popularity across America.
In fact, the success of his rocker chair and his past military experience caught the eye of NASA. They would later use his design as seats for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects.
It was also reported that the secret service purchased 50 chairs from him for President Lyndon Baines Johnson for Christmas.
Modern recliner chairs have become remarkably more luxurious and offer more features than the classics. Recliners have been a support system for people with mobility difficulties.
The major features of recliner chairs today are battery packs which can be used to power in cases of a power outage. Another feature is the dual motors which make the headrest and footrest operable independently. This brings relatively more comfort to the modern reclining chairs when compared with the original French camp cot.
Some other cool features in the modern recliners are swivel, heat and massage functions, gel seating, wooden arm knuckles, and various arrays of back styles.
While you may not be convinced to place the previous models of recliner chairs in your living room because it might look odd, the aesthetic designs of the modern models eliminates such concern.
Types Of Recliner Chairs
There are various types of recliners and what you need depends mostly on purpose, individual preference and aesthetics.
The extent of recline is another important factor you have to consider when purchasing a reclining chair or sofa. The degree of recline can offer different values from comfort to convenience and even medical values.
Two of the health benefits of reclining chairs are improvements in limited mobility and back problems.
There are numerous types of reclining chairs out there and we have taken our time to sort out some of the best from the old to more modern types.
The Classic Recliners
The popularity of the classic reclining chairs increased just as more women were starting to show more interest in purchasing recliners.
Women demanded they come in better aesthetics and the manufacturers perhaps sensing a market opportunity obliged.
Today, there is a spoil of choices for classic and contemporary reclining chairs as they now come in an impressive array of colours, textures and fabrics.
Classic reclining chairs are also popularly known as Wing-back chairs or Wing-back recliners.
The Rocker Recliners
The rocker recliners function just as the name implies; they give the user several angle options to rock and recline. You can recline all the way to the back or lift the footrest, either way; both positions enhance your comfort.
Rocker recliners have been proven to be handy in individuals with insomnia as the rocking motion is known to induce dozing off.
It is also a favourite among nursing mothers as it promotes a win-win situation for both mother and child. The reclining ability provides the mother with comfort while the rocking motion relaxes the baby.
An additional advantage of rocker recliners is that they are highly adaptable. This is especially true in cases where the room is small or has been stuffed and there is little room.
When this is the case, it can be reclined to get both comfort and convenience. Rocker recliners also have a swivel feature which can be purchased at an additional cost.
Two-Position Recliner
The function of this reclining chair is well described in its name.
Two-position recliners give users the benefit of two positions: you can either sit upright comfortably or recline fully.
An advantage it has over the other types is that it is usually the cheapest type of recliners.
However, a disadvantage of this type of recliner is that it cannot be used in small rooms. This is because it takes up a lot of room when fully reclined.
Another disadvantage is that they are usually limited in function.
The cheaper options make the movement of the footrest dependent on the lever while the more expensive option allows for the footrest to operate independently without adjusting the recline.
Wall-Hugger Recliners
Yet again, the function of this reclining chair is in its name.
This chair can fit perfectly in smaller rooms as it can be kept close to the wall.
Compared to the other types of recliners, people who use it tend to sit up straight and that makes it relatively easier to get up from.
The involvement of less movement and ability to adjust to sitting higher makes it an ideal choice for people with bad knees and limited mobility.
The Push-Back Recliner
This is one of the more modern variants of recliners. It can be pushed back just like the seat of an aeroplane albeit with more comfort and convenience.
A disadvantage of the push-back recliner is that it only features a mobile back and no built-in footrest.
If you are very particular about a footrest, you can always pair it up with an ottoman. This gives you a similar degree of comfort as the footrest and you are still not spending more than your budget.
The push-back recliner is another ideal reclining chair for smaller houses and limited spaces.
The Massage Chairs or Recliners
Every once in a while, we all leave our place of work wishing someone would treat us to a good body massage to ease the stress of a hard days grind.
What most of us don’t have is the luxury of hitting up a spa to make this dream a reality. Some of the lucky ones can get a spouse or someone to give them a massage.
But imagine the expenses if you have to pay for a spa visit every week to get a massage?
In comes the massage recliners or chairs. Imagine the joy you will feel from coming back from work, sinking into your chair while also getting your much-needed massage from it?
Your tired muscles will thank you. The massaging functionality isn’t, however, the only feature. Some of them also come with heating features which are especially useful in colder regions and among older people.
Riser Recliners or Lift Chairs
Riser chairs are most common with and recommended for individuals with a disability or limited mobility problem.
The most important feature of the lift chair is the motorized mechanism responsible for pushing the chair up from its base with just a click. This makes it easy to get up from the seat and very little energy is spent when standing up.
Rise recliner comes in different shapes and sizes, and so is built for various body types.
The disadvantage here is that you need a lot of space to accommodate the lift chairs. It is also quite expensive.
Health Benefits Of Recliner Chairs
There are several questions regarding the health benefits of a reclining chair or recliner, for example;
“Are recliner chairs good for your back?”
“Why do I sleep better in recliner chairs?”
“Is it healthy to sleep in a recliner?”
“Can your body benefit from sleeping in a recliner?”
“What is the best recliner for sleeping?”
There are several questions and I hope the following benefits answers these questions.
Reducing Back Pain
It doesn’t matter what your everyday hustle is or the type of work you do, your activities must involve standing or sitting down and at times both.
All these daily activities put a lot of pressure on the spine and aches can develop as a result.
Back pain can be very uncomfortable and can potentially keep us up all night.
However, when you sleep in a recliner your core muscles are relaxed and there is no pressure on your back. This can help relieve the symptoms of such back pains.
Boosts Respiratory Function
Have you ever seen an individual suffering from sleep apnoea?
Apnoea is a condition that relaxes the oesophagus airway and makes breathing difficult. Patients with apnoea usually have their breaths stop then start again during sleep.
Sleeping in a recliner can help alleviate this condition. This is because it makes the diaphragm and the muscle used for breathing contract easily.
Enhances Circulation
As we go about our everyday lives, gravity causes blood to build up in our ankles and feet. This can cause swelling and pain in the long run.
This restricted blood flow can also increase the risk of developing medical conditions like heart attack and other circulation-related problems.
A reclining chair can, however, relieve and prevent most of these conditions. When you lay back and kick your feet up in a reclining chair, it aids the circulation of excess blood and oxygen.
Symptoms Alleviation
Ever slept in your bed after eating and all of a sudden you are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux?
Acid reflux causes a burning sensation in your chest known as heartburn and it happens as a result of stomach acid entering the oesophagus.
The symptoms of common ailments like acid reflux are greatly relieved by sleeping in a recliner chair. The sleeping position in a recliner makes it difficult for the acid to make its way to your throat.
This is yet another reason why sleeping in a recliner is beneficial.
Reduce Stress
It is not surprising if one of the main reasons why people buy a recliner is to reduce stress.
A reclining chair is probably the best stress relief piece of furniture you need in your office and homes.
The utmost support and comfort it offers can’t be underestimated. When you rest in a reclining chair, your spine is rested, your back is supported, and your back is also elevated.
This position is the perfect state of relaxation, relieving stress and aiding the rejuvenation of the body and mind.
The adjustable nature of the recliner chair also beats the traditional tossing and turning struggle of sleeping in a bed.
A Blessing To The Elderly
Recliner chairs are a blessing to the elderly and as such has earned a reputation for providing assistance with sitting and standing at ease.
The elderly often have problems with mobility and are not as agile as they used to. This simple observation can affect their quality of life.
With the help of lift chairs, the elderly can ascend to a standing position and descend to a resting position at the click of a button.
This is also beneficial among individuals with challenges of getting up from their chair. Those at a higher risk of falling in the standing position can also benefit.
Great For Pregnant Women
Pregnant women have to carry an extra life form and that can be really stressful.
The extra weight of the baby can cause pain in the lower back region. It can then be quite uncomfortable sitting on ordinary chairs.
A reclining chair, however, is the perfect way to sit down, lie back and relax. It also distributes the weight evenly throughout the body.
This also promotes good health for both the mother and baby as the pregnant mom can simply throw her feet up and conveniently rest.
Best Recliner Chairs of 2019 – Product Review
A recliner chair is a must-have for every working class citizen. It doesn’t matter what type of job you do, you need a relaxation option like the recliner.
The fact that recliners provide support for the whole body also makes it very beneficial.
When the body muscles become tight due to the stress and strain of our everyday lives, it makes the body susceptible to niggling injuries, pain, and sometimes more severe cases like heart attack.
What the reclining chair does is limit the occurrence of such conditions or symptoms. This is done by facilitating the relaxation or rejuvenation of your body muscles.
The advantage of this can’t be understated as it can significantly boost your creativity and productivity.
Ever gotten uncomfortable with your sitting position and it makes you keep changing position while working for long duration?
Say bye to such inconvenience with the employment of a recliner chair.
Just like every profitable and beneficial business idea, there are several brands of recliner chairs out there in the market.
This makes choosing a good recliner chair for your back pain or comfort kind of difficult in a congested market. This is because you have to browse through various brands and designs.
But don’t you worry a thing; we have done that work for you. The following are the best recliner chairs for back pain, sleeping, reading, and more.
This is however not necessarily the best recliner chair review but an opinion on the tested brands and types you have to look out for.
The Mandalay Swivel Recliner Chair
The Mandalay Swivel Recliner Chair is fitted with sumptuous upholstery and built for comfort.
Its compact design should make it an aesthetic match for most rooms.
It features a 360 degree swivel and tension adjustable recline action which allows you to easily control the recline. On facing sides, the Mandalay recliner features an high-grade bonded leather with a matching PVC on the non-facing sides.
The Mandalay Recliner Chair is one of the best recliner chairs available in the UK at the moment.
Key Features
- Bond Grade Bonded Leather Upholstery
- Comfortable Design
- 360 Degree Swivel
- Manual Recline Mechanism
- Sturdy Steel Frame
Madison Manual Recliner Armchair
No doubt More4Homes are known for their stylish and tasteful designs. It is also safe to say that they have some of the best products when it comes to recliner chairs.
The Madison doesn’t also disappoint this standard. The Madison recliner screams taste in an understated way.
Its upholstery is made in bond grade leather.
The Madison Recliner by More4Homes features a manual latch reclining mechanism.
It also comes with a high back which provides excellent neck support. The footrest fold out effortlessly when in full recline mode. This chair also offers excellent lumbar support and full chaise seating.
The Madison Recliner by More4Homes is undoubtedly one of the best brands of recliner for sleeping.
Key Features
- Manual latch reclining mechanism
- Bond grade leather upholstery
- Comfortable Design
- Sturdy Frame
Oscar Manual Recliner Armchair by Life Carver
Life Carver has been crafting recliner armchairs for over 15 years so they are no amateur in quality and customer satisfaction.
They have been renowned for the comfort, strength and durability their recliner chairs give. The stunning Oscar Manual Recliner has been designed with this lofty standard in mind.
The Oscar Manual Recliner by Life Carver is built with high quality tested steel frame. This provides excellent stability and can take a maximum user’s weight of 150kg despite the chair weighing just 37kg.
Another key feature is the ergonomic design. It is fully-upholstered in waterproof and durable PU Leather with extra thick padding.
The fact that it can easily be assembled in just two minutes upon purchase is another cool factor.
The Oscar Manual Recliner Armchair by Life Carver features latch mechanism functionality.
The latch mechanism functions by simply pulling the latch located on the side of the chair. This releases the footrest and also reclines the chair.
You can also return to the upright position by gently pushing the footrest down with your legs to lock it back in place.
This will automatically return the recliner chair to its original position.
The Oscar Manual Recliner Chair with ergonomic support by Life Carver will definitely become your favourite reading and relaxation place.
It is one of the most comfortable recliners.
Key Features
- Ergonomic Support
- Easy recline system
- Sturdy build
- Available in a variety of colours
- Waterproof and High-quality PU Leather
Eaton Herringbone Recliner Armchair
More4Homes has carved a niche for themselves as being one of the best manufacturers of recliner armchairs. In fact the Eaton recliner is an Amazon bestseller.
There are really just two words to fully describe the Easy Recliner Chair – classic and heritage.
This recliner chair can fit in almost anywhere from the living room to the library. This is all thanks to its stylish and classic look.
The Eaton Pushback Recliner Chair however still looks modern, thanks to its wingback design, stud detailing and dark wooden legs.
This model is comfortably padded to improve support and comfort.
The soft padding, remarkable lumbar support and full chaise seating ensures that you stay relaxed and comfortable.
It also features a pushback recliner mechanism which brings out the footrest and reclines the chair when pulled. The chair returns to its original upright position when the footrest is gently pushed back to lock it in place.
It also comes in a different range of fabrics.
The chair works purely off people’s weight. You can simply sit and push back to extend the footrest and you can even recline up to an almost sleeping position.
You can then just sit up to return back to the sitting position.
As is the norm with most More4homes products, the Eaton Pushback Recliner Chair is fully fire retardant and meets or even exceeds the UK safety regulations.
Key Features
- Easy Recline System
- Stud detailing
- Soft Padding
- Available in a variety of colours
- Fire Proof
Caesar 10 in 1 Winged Recliner Chair
The Caesar 10 in 1 Recliner Chair is probably one of the most complete recliner chairs out there.
It is in line with the tradition of More4Homes which prioritises style, comfort, durability, and aesthetics.
It is the perfect multipurpose chair you need for a variety of options like watching movies, reading, gaming, and more.
Built with beautiful upholstery in soft Bonded Leather. It features foam arms and pillows back support which makes it so comfortable you can just sink in for hours.
The supportive seat it features ensures the chair stays comfortable and supportive. The padded winged backrest ensures your head is also supported should you decide to snooze off.
The soft padding, excellent lumbar support and full chaise seating makes it a good option to relieve or prevent the symptoms of back pain.
Some of the features of the Caesar 10 in 1 Recliner Armchair are the 360o swivel, rocker, heated seat, 8 point massage, drink holders, as well as the front and side storage pockets.
All these features make this chair a highly versatile option.
The heated seat makes it ideal for the cold regions and during winter.
The rocker option also makes it perfect for nursing mums as the gentle to and fro movement can do wonders for both mother and child.
Key Features
- Rocker Recliner
- Massage
- Side Storage Pockets
- 360degree Swivel
- Heated Seat
- Right-Hand Drink Holder
- Left-Hand Drink Holder
- Winged Backrest For Head and Neck Support
- Front Storage Pockets
Burlington Dual Motor Electric Riser and Recliner Chair
The big win for the Burlington recliner is that the manufacturers kept it really simple. And this was achieved while taking nothing away from the quality.
This chair follow high standards principle of providing durability, strength and supreme comfort.
This Armchair was definitely built with quality in mind.
The chair is upholstered with super soft sponge features with very high-quality fabric. Some other features include drink holders and side pockets.
Its fabric material is quite easy to spot clean. The chair features a heavy-dual motor mechanism which is powered by the easy-use 4 button remote.
The four button remote allows you to use the automated rise or recline functions at the click of a button.
Its rise function can raise the chair to an almost sitting position. This makes it especially ideal for individuals with restricted movement.
This chairs recline function, of course, gives you the ability to adjust to a comfortable relax or snooze function.
The recline and lift function can be done at any customized angle. This also makes it ideal for the elderly or disabled to transfer from their chair without really needing any assistance.
Key Features
- Dual Motor Recline Mechanism
- High-Quality Fabric
- Water Resistant High-Grade Microfiber Fabric
- Sturdy Build
- Electric Recline and riser mechanism
- drink holders and pockets
When it comes to quality recliner chair for back pain in the UK, More4Homes will always come to mind, such is the reliability of their products.
With the Tuscany Swivel Recliner Chair, they have however outdone themselves. This is indeed high-quality workmanship.
The stunning and comfortable Tuscany features quite a number of interesting features that is well complemented by its Real Leather (Bond Grade) body.
The chair is well padded with comfortable seating, high back support.
It also features a wood base design on the chair and complimenting footstool. The wood design provides excellent contrast against the leather.
The Tuscany will surely not only add functionality but also the perfect aesthetic in many room settings.
The Tuscany Swivel Recliner Chair has other cool features like the built-in 8 point massage unit that makes the body feel relaxed, 360-degree swivel, and recline function.
With the built-in 8 point massage unit, you can massage your upper back, lower back, thighs, and legs. It also has 2 Intensity settings and 5 different massage modes.
The recliner also offers the ability to recline with your own body weight by simply leaning back.
There is a ball tensioner fitted under the front of the seat cushion. This ball tensioner can be tightened or loosened to adjust the strength needed to push the chair back. The choice is ultimately yours.
And you may already know that all More4homes products meet or exceed UK safety regulations and are fully fire retardant.
Key Features
- Bond Grade Leather
- Complimentary footstool
- 360-degree swivel
- Pushback Recline function
- 8 Point Massage Unit
- Fire Retardant
Chester Automatic Electric Recliner
The Chester Automatic Electric Recliner truly packs some heat. Forged by More4Homes, this recliner was to provide the highest standards of strength, durability, and comfort.
The Chester Automatic Electric Recliner is the perfect reclining chair for relieving symptoms of back pain and boosting relaxation.
The chair is kitted with comfortable bonded leather and soft foam padding in the backrest and headrest. This provides the right balance between support and comfort.
The Chester Automatic Electric Recliner is perfectly suited to individuals in need of back support. The base of the backrest can be heated with the aid of the controller to warm the lower back muscles.
There is also a soothing massage feature for the lower and upper back, thighs and calves.
The vibration massaging of the various body parts are made possible by the 8 inbuilt pads installed in strategic points in the recliner.
It is a perfect feature for relieving tired and aching muscles.
The backrest and footrest can be reclined electrically to desired position with the help of the electric motor through simply pressing a button.
There is also the option of a cost-effective manual latch mechanism model.
Key Features
- Bonded Leather
- 8 Point Massage Unit
- Heater Functionality
- Electric Recline Mechanism
- Available In A Variety Of Colours
Recliner chairs are beneficial in many ways and if you have ever owned one, you will know how great it feels to sink your tired body into one.
With the recliner chair, you have the perfect way to relax and ease the stress on your muscles and even maybe doze off or fall asleep.
