So you are a big guy with a need for a larger recliner. Making the decision for the best recliner can definitely be a hard one; considering there are so many different styles, materials, and features to look out for.
If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated comfort, you probably want an oversized recliner. These large, pillowy-soft relaxation stations boast luxuriously padded backs and arms, high backs, and long leg rests to give whoever sits in them an almost bed-like feeling of comfort and relaxation. This makes them a great comfort piece to put in living rooms, dens, or man caves.
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While shopping for an oversized recliner is relatively intuitive, there are still several important things to consider when making your selection.
Oversized recliners are also extremely versatile – they’re large and comfortable enough to be easily used as beds, whether for a nap in front of the game or for some casual guests who need a place to stay for a night. If you have a special someone in your life consider buying a double recliner and share your relaxation with your loved one.
Material
Material is probably one of the biggest considerations to bear in mind when shopping for a recliner. There are two primary styles of material on the market – leather and textiles.
Textiles are typically found on lower-priced recliners, though some high-end recliners incorporate a quality textile into their design.
The primary advantage of textiles over leather is the warm, fuzzy texture of textile fabrics, and the fact that even in cold or hot climates, textiles are relatively poor conductors of heat – they won’t feel too warm in the summer or feel cold to the touch in the winter.
In addition, textiles are less expensive, and can usually be covered more easily with slipcovers and recliner protectors, whereas leather is sometimes too slippery for slipcovers and elastic recliner protectors to be secured correctly.
Leather is found on higher-end oversized recliners, especially if it’s full-grain leather, which can be quite pricey. On lower-end models, leather is usually a bonded leather – a thin layer of leather blended with artificial textiles for a finish that, while boasting most of the great properties of leather – is much less expensive.
The main advantage that leather has over textiles is ease-of-maintenance – unlike textiles, leather is very easy to care for, with no vacuuming, washing of covers, or stain removal necessary. Spills and stains can be wiped up with just a clean rag or paper towel.
Leather can also usually last much longer than textiles, which is another reason it’s often found in more expensive recliners. With just a bit of leather oil, time, and care, a high-quality leather recliner can easily look great for a decade or more.
Mostly, the choice between the two materials depends on your personal preference and price range – there isn’t really a “best” material, just one that you might prefer over the other.
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Style
The style is less of a consideration among overstuffed/oversized recliners – most recliners out there put more of a premium on style over comfort, and oversized recliners are a great example of this.
Generally, they’re built out of extremely cushioned, padded materials, and aren’t exactly the most eye-catching piece of furniture out there. There are some exceptions, however – large, oversized recliners that still manage to be stylish – but if you’re looking for style, you might want a more normally-sized recliner, rather than a large, overstuffed model.
Rockers and Swivels
Rockers and swivels are both common on recliners, and both can be found on oversized recliners. If you are after a regular swivel style recliner, consider checking out our reviews.
Swivels allow the entire chair to rotate 360 degrees, giving you a great amount of control over the positioning and line-of-sight of your chair. While they are common on normally sized recliners, they’re much more rare on oversized recliners, for an obvious reason – Oversized recliners are quite heavy. Swivels consist of a sturdy metal ring upon which the entire recliner rests. Most swivels simply can’t handle the weight of an oversized recliner and a person sitting in it, so this feature is only found in expensive and specialized oversized recliners.
Rockers are much more common on oversized recliners, as they’re mechanically much more simple and easier to implement. As the name would suggest, these devices allow the chair to rock back and forth in a gentle motion, which can be quite relaxing when the recliner is lowered all the way. Even on lower-end recliners, you can expect to find rocking features.
Size
Can you guess how big oversized recliners usually are? If your guess was “oversized” – congratulations! You win a prize.
Seriously, though – a lot of these recliners are seriously large, and the amount of space that you have to dedicate to an oversized recliner should be a consideration.
This is especially true because most recliners can’t be put very close to the wall, unlike couches – the reclining mechanism requires the chair itself to lean back, which takes up a lot more space and means you have to keep the recliner farther away from the wall.
Still, there is a good amount of variation in the sizing of oversized recliners – some focus more on padding than sheer size and bulk, and others are less well padded, but nearly on par with some double/loveseat recliners when it comes to overall seating footprint.
So depending on your needs and limitations, size may be a factor for you when purchasing an oversized recliner.
Wrap-Up
Oversized recliners aren’t just for the man-cave anymore – today’s modern, updated versions of this comfortable classic are huge, comfortable, and durable, and offer fantastic value. Hopefully, our guide and product recommendations have been helpful to you as you continue to look for the oversized recliner that’s perfect for you.