Costco Connection - January 2008

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All in the

family

The venerable recliner takes on a modern look

By Christianna McCausland

WHEN IT COMES to home décor, recliners get a bad rap. They are the overstuffed monoliths that most men love and many women—and interior designers—love to hate. But a new generation of recliners is bringing a new sense of style, proportion and comfort to this old standby.

“If you look in media, historically recliners as an archetype are associated with the Archie Bunkers of the world,” says interior designer James Swan of James Swan & Co., in Beverly Hills, California. “They are important to the home and the home-owner for their comfort, but they’re the thorn in the side of design and designers because they traditionally are not pretty to look at.”

Although interior designers may frown on recliners due to their bulk, Swan cannot deny that their unfaltering popularity is because they are incredibly comfortable. He laughs that even his mother has a recliner that she’ll probably take to her grave. When working with a client, Swan underscores that selecting a recliner is less about the fabric on the outside—which can always be replaced—and more about the quality of the materials on the inside. Historically, a recliner has a steel frame wrapped in foam. If not of the highest quality, the foam can break down over time, giving the chair a slumped look.

“My first question would be, ‘What is under the fabric?’ ” says Swan. “As soon as you can introduce other upholstery materials, typically you’re going to have a better-quality product that isn’t going to have a sagging appearance.” He continues that to get the best value for price, “know what’s inside and buy the best-quality product from the inside out.”

Barcalounger Corporation, which has manufactured recliners since 1940, builds its recliners with kiln-dried wood frames, pads them with high-resil-iency foam and adds polyester fiberfill in areas such as the headrest. This creates a durable and comfortable product. “Recliners aren’t your grandfather’s chair anymore,” says Philip Cooper, vice president of imports for Barcalounger. “They are a piece of furniture that can enhance and add to any décor.”

According to Cooper, research indicates that most recliner buyers are women purchasing the chair for a man. These sophisticated buyers have

COURTES Y OF LANE

driven the recliner market to design chairs in both traditional and contemporary styles. “Taking the lead from the fashion industry, the fabrics have become more comfortable, too; the leathers are more supple,” Cooper explains.

The recliner industry generates nearly $1 billion a year, which means thousands of chairs are searching for the perfect location in many homes. It is important to look at how the chair is to be used, and where. Recliners can recline, swivel and tilt in various ways. A potential buyer should measure the space where the recliner is meant to go to make sure it has enough room to open, close or turn without bumping into walls or other pieces of furniture. Some rooms may be more suited to recliners than others. “The point of recliners is for relaxation, so if you have two spaces in your home where you entertain, one that’s more relaxed and one that’s dressier, I think it’s a no-brainer that the recliner goes in the more relaxed space,” explains Swan, a Costco member.

A recliner (or several) can pair with an overstuffed sofa and perhaps a big-screen television in a family room to make a perfectly cozy place for all members of a family. “Bedrooms are great, particularly if people are readers,” Swan continues. “A recliner of some sort next to a fireplace with a beautiful reading lamp and a great table next to it would also be a no-brainer.”

Recliners aren’t just for dads or families. The wide range of styles and sizes has broadened the appeal of recliners to include young people and women. “They aren’t the item the woman of the house dreads buying anymore,” quips Cooper, “and you no longer need to make excuses for ‘my husband’s chair.’ ” C

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The Costco Connection

You’ll find comfortable seating options, including name-brand recliners featuring leather and fabric upholstery, at Costco warehouses this month.

Today’s recliners, such as the Lane model (above), combine comfort with style. A glider rocker, pictured below, provides a slimmed-down alternative. Measure your space and consider your décor when purchasing.