Recliner Sofa vs Regular Sofa: What’s the Difference?

There are many reasons you might decide it’s time for a new sofa – you may have moved house, be redecorating, your old one may have worn out or perhaps you’ve simply got bored of it and want a change. Or it may be for health or lifestyle reasons – for example, if you have upcoming surgery, are recovering from an injury or just find yourself sitting down more and need better support.

While you’ll have to think about style, fabric, features and colour, the first decision to make is what kind of sofa you want. If you like to change things around a lot and therefore don’t need it to last very long, you can find a basic chair in the local homeware store or even order one online. However, if you want something high quality and long-lasting – particularly if you want it made-to-measure – you’re much better off trying it out in-store so you can be sure the product you’re investing in is a perfect match for you.

What is a sofa?

A sofa – also called a couch or settee – is an upholstered piece of furniture designed for sitting on. It will usually have a back and arms, or sometimes only one or the other, and while the term may refer to a comfortable chair designed for one it’s generally used to indicate a place to sit for two or more people.

There are several different kinds of sofa, with an infinite number of shapes and designs. Which one is right for you will probably come down to personal preference, but it may also be determined by the size of your living space, who will use it and what it will be used for.

Some popular styles include:

Chesterfield – the Chesterfield is a traditional design, characterised by its quilted back and exposed feet. The back and arm rests are usually level with each other and upholstered in leather. Chesterfield sofas are iconic of  libraries or big drawing rooms with lots of wooden furniture.

Lawson – this style is identifiable by its large back and seat cushions, which are separate from the frame of the chair. Often found in family living rooms, they are wonderful for lounging or snuggling in, as the pillows can be plumped and rearranged to suit the comfort of the user.

Divan – a divan is a sofa without a back, typically with rounded or scrolled arms at either end. They can be pushed up against a wall, so you can sit on them and lean back, or moved to a sunny spot – such as an outdoor patio – where they’re perfect for napping or relaxing with a book.

Sectional – sectional sofas are comprise individual, usually square parts, and are great for large living rooms or for use by several people all at once. Individual sections may come with one side, two sides (to make a corner) or no sides, and they can be rearranged easily, depending on the shape of the room or any immediate needs. For example, the sections can be placed in an ‘L’ shape to divide a large room, in a ‘U’ shape for gathering round a coffee table, or lined up for someone to sleep on.

Recliner – many commercially available sofas now come with a reclining feature, which is great for those who enjoy a nice sprawl at the end of the day. While they may not be the right choice for a formal sitting room, a recliner sofa is good for a living room, home cinema or even your favourite spot by the window. Some of them are operated by a lever, but many now come with electric motors and recline back as well as raising the feet.

Made-to-measure sofas – recliner chairs have been on the market for many years, but several companies now manufacture tailored sofas as well. This means that a couple can choose to share a sofa if they want to, instead of being confined to separate recliners, and still enjoy all the benefits of an individual recliner chair.

Sofa bed – in the past, sofa beds have most commonly been modelled on the Lawson style of sofa, with an incorporated bed that folds out when the back and seat cushions are removed. Fortunately, sofa bed technology has developed in recent years and so made-to-measure recliner sofas can also come with a sofa bed, operated by an electric motor that assembles and folds up the bed at the touch of a button. Perfect for anyone who has frequent guests or needs to sleep downstairs sometimes.

Benefits of Recliner Sofas

For anyone who needs extra support, spends a lot of time sitting or has trouble getting up and down, a rise and recline sofa will make a huge difference to their quality of life. To start with, the rise feature tilts the chair forward to make it easier to get in and out and the made-to-measure features ensure that the head, lower back, legs and feet are supported at all times. The recline option makes it easy to change position, which is essential for anyone who spends a lot of time in the chair, and in the case of high-care patients or extremely limited mobility, someone else can operate the chair to adjust their position if necessary.

Sitting or even napping in a reclined position can also be beneficial for anyone experiencing, or at risk of, a number of health conditions. Raising the legs helps improve circulation and blood pressure, and if you like a nap after a meal, sleeping with the head raised can prevent indigestion. The supporting features, such as memory foam cushions or extra lumbar support, reduce the risk of pressure sores and can ease any aches and pains associated with a bad back, arthritis or just a hard day’s work.

Recliner Sofa vs Regular Sofa

Regular sofas and recliner sofas share many features, and there are plenty of sofas on the market now that offer reasonable support – mainly in the form of high-quality cushions and back rests. But there are some differences, as well as some extra, customisable features available in recliner sofas, which anyone looking to purchase a new sofa should consider:

Dual motors – separate motor mechanisms on each side of the sofa mean that one side can recline independently of the other. Each user can choose how far they want to recline and whether or not to put their feet up – and they can do it whenever they want, without disturbing their companion.

Chair tilt – unlike a commercial recliner, a mobility recliner tilts the seat as well as the back of the chair, so the angle of the hips can stay the same. This ensures that the body’s weight is evenly distributed and doesn’t increase pressure on the hips, legs, and buttocks. It also keeps the user from slumping in the chair, making a recliner good for your back as well as your shoulders and neck.

Design options – there’s a wider range of styles and shapes to choose from when it comes to regular sofas, but that doesn’t mean a recliner has to be boring or can’t match your existing space. The Mobility Furniture Company, for example, has a range of 500 different upholstery options, including natural or synthetic leather and a whole host of different colours and patterns. You can also choose many of your own features, such as scrolled arms, head rests or a customised back style.

Made to measure – the primary difference between a regular and a recliner sofa is that a recliner sofa can be made-to-measure. This means that it will be the perfect height, width, and depth to support you and will be especially designed with your health and lifestyle requirements – such as extra supportive cushions, hinged arms or wheels – in mind.

Space – the extra support features of a tailored recliner sofa may give the appearance of being bigger, but it doesn’t need any more space than a regular sofa. However, clearance for the recline feature needs to be considered, so the chair will have to sit slightly away from the wall. If space in an issue, then you could always consider the wall hugger design, and don’t forget that the raised foot support saves you having to have a separate foot rest.

Budget – when it comes to chairs and sofas, there is a vast range of products available, from low-quality budget friendly versions all the way to designer, luxury items. A made-to-measure recliner may be on the higher end of the scale, but there are still plenty of options and features which can be customised to suit most budgets. If looked after, a good quality recliner sofa will last for many years and only uses a small amount of power, making it an excellent long-term investment.

The Bottom Line

The only thing better than relaxing on a comfy sofa is relaxing on a comfy sofa with your loved ones – whether that’s a partner, guests or even a pet. There are plenty of options when it comes to style and design, but when it comes to supporting your health and lifestyle there’s nothing like a recliner sofa that’s been made to your specific requirements and measurements.

A good-quality sofa will last for many years and as with any investment it’s worth taking the time – and considering expert advice – to make sure you get it right. Choosing the right sofa should be a fun process that helps you look forward to the future – and a comfortable future at that.