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| The move to recliners, comfy, cozy, but no cup holders. |
I've come to dark side of home furnishings. Well, if not specifically "dark", it's on the side of big, bulky and the often-maligned aesthetic of the living room recliner. And, as I sit back, in my chair's programmed preferred setting, feet propped up and head resting comfortably on an overstuffed cushion, I say to you, I have no regrets.
This week, we replaced our handsome pair of burgundy-colored leather wingback chairs with beige, micro-fiber La-Z-Boys. The former were attractive, well-proportioned and paired nicely with our traditional decor. But what they offered in style was not matched in comfort. After a decade of accommodating chairs that, like Billy Crystal's Fernando on SNL, felt it was better to look good than to feel good, we'd had enough.
My husband, Chris, had the replacement wish list: overstuffed, mechanized, USB ports and cushy, cushy comfort. I supported the extra support, fully behind the "easy chair" transition, but, I also wanted to read the room - not just my living room, but current opinions of the home fashion industry.
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| The recliner debate: unique flair or old fashioned? |
According to an article last month in The Spruce, bulky recliners are outdated. (Given the heading was "6 Styles That Are So Outdated, According to Designers", I wasn't hopeful). Per the experts, it's "perfectly possible to strike a balance between style and comfort", but bulky recliners "don't quite align with the modern look many people like today".
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| Recliners: better to feel good! |
The Big Man Chair blog, March, 2023, asked the question, "Are Recliners Ugly or Out of Style?" and presented both the case for and against. Included in the "cons" are recliner styles that many view as old fashioned, heavy or even dull.
It boils down to the image issue. Cultural perception of recliners have not always been flattering. Often viewed as a "symbol of laziness, sloppiness or a lack of sophistication", it's seen as ideal for couch potatoes or avid sports fans.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
But, there's "pro's", too, including one of our new recliner's attractive attributes: hidden mechanisms (aka, "the surprise element"). As noted in the BMC blog, "with a simple push of a button. . .[they] transform into multi-position recliners."
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| Hidden mechanism (surprise element) make recliners multi-purpose |
The BMC blog ends on a philosophical note:
"Recliners offer more than just a place to sit; they bring comfort, functionality, health benefits, and versatility. These chairs can also infuse your room with a unique flair and personality, transforming a mundane space into a cozy corner."
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| Sophisticated couch potato, tea cups on the side. |
And, that is where I'm at today, at my preferred setting, in a cozy corner. sipping tea and soaking in all the comfort and versatility my new recliner brings to my life. I feel it's important to disclose, however, that along with all the amazing attributes of my La-Z-boy, I did draw the line at cupholders. As a sophisticated couch potato, my tea cups will continue to rest on chairside end tables.
