Furniture Tutor™

Quite often a Reclining Sofa Set is very large and bulky in size and scale.  In order to add all of the required reinforcement into the unit it tends to make them heavier looking than most stationary sofas.  The good news is that many manufacturers make reclining units in up-to-date styles so they don’t always appear as if they came out of your grandmother’s living room.  The seat pan height on many reclining units tends to be a little higher than normal so when a user of 5’-5” or less sits down, their feet will not make contact with the floor.  This is no problem when you sit back to relax at home and read a book or watch some TV but it is an odd sensation when you have guests over and they can’t put their feet flat on the floor.  Often the pan will be tilted back to make the user more comfortable for when you recline but  you may have the feeling that you are leaning way back into your seat.  There are definitely units that have a flatter seat pan so it doesn’t create the leaning back sensation however the unit sometimes won’t offer you the same comfort because of the angle created when you are reclined.  Be sure that the headrest can support your head properly.  You don’t want to end up with a unit that makes you feel like you are at the dentist’s office getting a checkup.  Take your time to check all the angles and positions of the unit, while you are still in the showroom, so you that you’re certain of the fit for your lifestyle once you get it home.

You need to confirm that the construction on the unit(s) is strong enough to last.  Most manufacturers will make the reclining portion of the unit out of steel.  Not all steel is equal.  Some units will use a heavier gauge steel so that the unit can take years of opening and closing without any possibility of failing.  They will use stronger nuts and bolts, springs and coils, or higher quality foams to provide a longer life for the unit.  Many units use a combination of metal for the seat box and wood for the balance of the unit for the overall frame.  Check to see how the units are constructed by tipping the unit forward and take a look on the underside of the unit to see how they have put it together.  Most manufacturers use a solid metal chassis or frame so that whether you have a one, two, or three seat unit they are all locked together using nuts and bolts in metal-to-metal fitments.  In addition the arms are also attached using metal-to-metal fitments which adds to the strength and durability of the units.  Now, the arms are made of wood, that is easy to shape into all different arm styles, and easy to cover with foam padding in a variety of thickness for comfort.  Ultimately you want to end up with a unit that feels rigid and strong; no wiggly arms or seats once you have it in your home.

Recliners are typically made in two ways. One version allows you to recline but you have to be away from the wall or any obstacles, so it won’t bump into it once you have pulled the release lever.  I find that with the standard mechanism you need to have about 4” to 6” away from the wall to alleviate bumping or crashing into other obstructions in the home.  The other mechanism is referred to as a zero clearance or wall saver type.  The mechanism in these units reclines in a slightly different way because the seat pan of the unit actually slides forward away from the frame of the unit thus taking up less space behind it.  They look the same from the outside but the insides perform differently.  The bonus to a zero clearance is that you can place these units anywhere in a room with no fear of hitting the wall.

Some manufacturers sell a single chair for $3,000.  The reason I mention this detail is that there are some stores that will sell an entire set (sofa, loveseat, chair) for well under that price.  This comes back to consumer awareness.  Check and compare the look and the feel of a lesser priced set against the look and feel of a higher priced set and you decide if you think they are of the same quality and workmanship.  Many companies make products in a lower price range so that they have something to offer in a furniture category, but it doesn’t mean they are well-built and made to last.  Generally when you are looking to spend $8,000 plus dollars on a reclining set you will be getting a higher quality in all aspects of the furniture.  The metal they use; the fitments, and the wood, will all be of a higher quality which equates to the consumer getting a set that will stand up to everyday wear and tear.

When the user pulls the release lever (or toggle), the footrest automatically lifts into a 90 degree angle.  You have no choice.  That is the way they are made.  Unfortunately you need to close them with your legs.  I have been in furniture stores countless times watching a person with diminished capacities and they just cannot do it.  The mechanisms are too strong and too rigid for them to be successful with this required action.  Some manufacturers have kept the handle on the side of the chair that you can push against to close the unit.  This handle assists the user in closing the recliner to a an upright position.  Make sure that if you are going to purchase reclining sets for your home to have the entire family try them out, each piece, to make sure they can perform this task.  If they can’t then you should consider other sets.

A way to overcome this difficulty is by using powered recliners.  Press a button to open or close.  It’s that easy.  The other positive with the powered recliner sets is that the user now has infinite control over the seat position.  If you wish to have a slight angle for your legs it’s no problem, unlike manual recliners that always put your legs at a 90 degree angle.  Power does give the user the option to recline at any angle they wish.  The question always comes up, “Will the motors burn out over time”?  The answer is yes, however, most manufacturers sell the motors separately and they are easy to replace in your home.  Tip the unit forward to expose the electric motor, unscrew, unplug, and pop back in new motor.  It’s really is an easy fix.  “How long will the motors last”?  I have seen some electric motors last for five years and I have seen some that last for one year.  This comes back to warranties from the manufacturer and from the store from which you are buying them from.  I have said before that I am a big believer in purchasing any and all service and warranty packages available in case this happens one month or one year after I bring it home from the store.

As to be expected when you have several electric motors you require electric cords that need to be plugged into a wall receptacle.  When you have a sofa, loveseat and chair you’ll have at least three electric cords that need a power supply.  Be sure to check how many receptacles you have in your room and their positions.  When powered recliners are placed in the middle of a room the user will have to contend with all the power cords laying on the floor.  Where to put them and how to hide them?  Often I have seen customers buy an area rug to cover all the cords or strategically place coffee and end tables so that people don’t trip on them.

The other question I love is, “What if the power goes out while I’m reclining in the chair”?  And I always tell them, “You’re stuck there forever”.  (LOL).  The units will NOT close without power.  If you force the leg support down when the power is turned off you will break the mechanism.  It’s that simple. Some units have a backup battery with enough power to allow you to close it or otherwise climb out of the unit and wait for the power to be turned back on before closing.

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Buying a sofa can be one of the most challenging choices a homeowner has to make, however, it can be made easier if you just keep in mind what the sofa is going to be used for in the home.

There are three major factors in purchasing any piece of furniture.

1. Comfort – Does it feel good? Do you want to sit on it?
2. Style – Does it meet your fashion and taste?
3. Price – Even if it meets the above two criteria if it is too expensive you will not buy.

• Who is going to be using the sofa?
• What is the sofa being used for?
• Where will the sofa be used?
• How often will the sofa be used?
• How is the sofa being used?
• How fast do you need the sofa?

These criteria will all be factors in your sofa selection.  By knowing exactly how you will use your sofa, will help you when you are at a furniture store trying to make your selection.  Do you require the flexibility of having a modular sofa so you can easily reconfigure the unit for when guests come over?  Is it just for watching movies?  Is it just for socializing?  Is it just to look fabulous in a room that you seldom use . . . a show piece?  Once you have truly determined what the actual function of the sofa is going to be, it will aid your decision-making process.

The style of the sofa will also play a part in this.  If you are buying a sofa just to watch TV then it would be wise to buy a high back sofa that gives excellent head support to sit back and lounge on the unit to achieve maximum comfort.  Purchasing a low back Rococo style sofa will not be a suitable fit for your requirements.  A light weight frame would most likely not be able to stand up to the day-to-day usage that a family would need for long-term use.  The same principles still apply, in that if the frame seems the least bit fragile in the store, you are looking at the wrong sofa.  Always remember, if it is wiggly in the store it will not get tougher as time goes by in your home.  Pass on furniture that doesn’t feel strong and rigid in the store.

This also applies to cushions on a sofa.  If the cushions are wonderfully soft and feel comfy in the showroom, then you have to ask yourself, “how long will these cushions last in your home”?  Will the seams or piping start to twist out of position after a short time?  Will the foam start to break down and then your sofa will have big dents where you guests are sitting?  Will your sofa look like a used sofa after a couple of years?

What are the materials used to cover the sofa?  Countless customers come into showrooms convinced that they want leather.  It is a fantastic product that has proven over the years to be tough and durable and look good for many years.  There are many grades of leather that allow you to achieve different feels, from the buttery soft, to the solid and rigid feel that can be created depending on the tanning process.  The softer the leather, the more it will stretch over time and then it makes all of those wrinkles on the seats, backs, and arms known as seat pooling.  Once this happens it cannot be fixed unless you are prepared to have someone pull out the stitching and tighten everything back up to the original look.  This would be time-consuming and expensive.  Leather can be treated to have different feels, however, most of the time leather is cold in the winter and warm in the summer against human skin.  This is definitely something a consumer has to consider is how you want the sofa to feel when you are using it.  And of course, it is very difficult to clean lighter coloured leather.  Once you have a big old stain on it they can be real trouble to remove.

The benefit with fabric sofas is that it offers countless patterns, different feels, and thousands of colours to choose from.  Many fabrics today are exceptionally durable and can stand up to daily usage and will be able to maintain the needed durability.   Many fabrics can easily be cleaned using a wide variety of cleaning products, so it is not impossible to try and remove a spot or stain that has appeared.  Many manufacturers will allow the user to buy your own fabric and supply it to them, COM (Customers own material) to cover your sofa. Sometimes this will take a little longer and cost a little more money but I have found over the years that it is always worth the investment.  When you have the opportunity to select your own fabric it personalizes the product more than buying it pre-made off the showroom floor.  The big question most of the time is how soon do you need the sofa?  Many manufacturers will take up to four months to complete a COM sofa so be sure of your timeline before you order.  Many people buy a piece of furniture thinking that they will be fine with a four month wait but so often two months have gone by and you just can’t help yourself so you phone the store and ask, “How is my sofa coming along”?  And of course, the answer you didn’t want to hear, “It should be about two more months”.  This is where many customers fly out of control into a fit of rage pondering why is this sofa taking so long?  You have to remain calm and remember that you ordered a custom-made sofa and it will be ready when it’s ready.  Please don’t plan a big party or event around custom-made furniture because more often than not it will let you down.  “We couldn’t get enough fabric to do the job.  The fabric was backordered and won’t be here for another month”.  This happens so often to the people who have big plans for when the furniture is required so KNOW YOUR TIMELINE.  How soon do you really need it?  Can you wait until the new product arrives?

Often customers will ask, “What is inside this sofa”?  It is an excellent question.  Do you mean what type of foam?  What type of springs?  What kind of coils?  What type of wood for the frame?  What kind of re-enforcement has been added to strengthen up the connections and joints? What kind of screws?  What kind of glue?  Is there a metal frame inside?  Is it welded or mechanically connected?  The list goes on and on.  I like to keep the simple approach during this process by asking myself, “Does it feel sturdy.  When I pick one end of the sofa does it feel like it going to fall apart in my hands?  Can I jump on it?  Can I flop around on it?”  While in the showroom does it give me the feeling that it’s going NOT stand up to the task I have chosen for it?  When a customer asks the question what’s inside of the sofa I have often wondered if they really want to know.  The manufacturer uses 3” Robertson screws in the arms and back and 2” on the chassis.  They use white wood glue on all connections on inside gussets.  This company provides ¾” steel braid connections for their springs.  My point is that while most of the time this information may be good to know, it usually won’t change your mind about a sofa.  Once a customer has seen and sat in a sofa that they really like, it’s very hard to change their minds by telling them that the screws were 2 ½” Philips head instead of Robertson’s type.  Go back to basics.  Jump on it.  Walk on it.  Flop around on it.  Get comfortable on it.

The most important part of buying a new sofa is to know what it will be used for every day.  This is when the customer must ask themselves all the important questions before they go out seeking a new sofa.  If you require a living room sofa that will be used just for when company comes over to sit and chat, then you need to be sure that it can fit your criteria.  How high is the seat pan on the sofa?  How deep is the seat pan?  How high is the back?  How high are the arms?  Does it have arms?  Because so many people are differently proportioned in their bodies it makes this a very tough decision.  Two people for example are both 5’-8” tall.  One person has very long legs and the other has a very long torso.  The problem comes into play when you have a seat pan that is 16” high and 24” deep.  For the user with the longer legs this sofa may fit them beautifully however, the person with the longer torso would sit down and their feet would not touch the floor.  For a family room sofa this might work because you can pick your feet up and find a comfortable position.  If this is a living room sofa to be used for chatting it will not work as well.  It is very uncomfortable to sit with your feet dangling in the air for a few minutes, let alone for a few hours while hanging out with guests.  Knowing what the sofa will be used for will answer all these questions ahead of time and will make your sofa selection far easier to make.  Which room will it be in and what are you trying to achieve?  If the plan is to have a sofa for the media room to watch TV then it just makes good sense that the back of the sofa would be high enough to provide head support to the users.  Otherwise when you lean your head back to relax, you find yourself looking at the ceiling, which is not the ideal condition.

Once you have clearly defined the use of the sofa you will find that it will assist you in making a great choice.  Seat height, seat depth and back height are critical to making the right selection.
Another thing to remember when in the stores is do you want to be able to lie down, flat out, on your sofa?  Sofas come in hundreds of sizes, but the simplest way to confirm this calculation is to kick off your shoes in the store and lay down.  Is it deep enough?  Is it long enough?  Is it soft/hard enough?  Could you fall asleep on it?  This is an easy onsite action to confirm its usability.

Another point to consider when buying a sofa is the size, shape and volume; the amount of negative space it uses in the room.  If you have a 7’-0” long x 3’-0” deep x 3’-0” high sofa this is approximately 60 cubic feet of product sitting in your space.  If you wish to lighten up the heavy effect of a large sofa then consider buying a sofa with legs.  Once you can see underneath the unit to the back wall or from front to back in an open environment, it will make the sofa appear less bulky and not so large and heavy.  This of course works on tables and chairs in the same way.  The more open the product is, the lighter in visual weight it appears.

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