1. I have a velveteen sofa (now 10 years old). I’ve been very pleasantly surprised at how it has worn (or more accurately, not worn).

2. I don’t think you have to stick with a rolled armed to match the sofa. But by the same token, I would not buy something that is 180 degrees different, such as a wide track arm that reads very contemporary to me.

Have you looked at a tilt-back chair and ottoman? You get the same comfort as a recliner without it being a space hog.

ETA: My neighbor has a swivel recliner in her home. I believe it might be this model

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/foster-swivel-recliner-chair/706449?searchTerm=SUGGESTION%20–%20Foster%20Swivel%20Recliner%20Chair

Maybe look at Room and Board? One of my friends bought some really great looking recliners there, but I don’t know if they have the features you want. They do have an extensive selection of custom fabrics and I’ve heard good things about their customer service.

bbstx, yes, I have looked at various configs with footstools/ottomans. I love the look but we already have an ottoman with the sofa and I just cant make it work. WIll look at the Ballard one -thanks.

I do not have a recliner recommendation but I would like to share what a Ballards salesperson shared with me. Please order your items through a local showroom. It probably will not save you any $$$ (although shouldn't cost you either) but it is how they justify their existence. You can even call them to do it.

If we do not, we may soon have no stores to shop in...

I strongly suggest sitting on several different chairs and brands. My husband is not a fussy man in any way, but when it came to replacing his recliner last year he sat in at least a dozen before finding the right one. We were surprised at the differences among chairs, things like how far back it reclined, how far up and how comfortable the foot rest was, whether the top pillow pushed his head too far forward.

He is very happy with his Lazy Boy. Its It’s not overstuffed, it lt reclines almost flat, the footrest height is fine and well-padded, and it isnt huge so it doesnt overwhelm the room. I really think you have to find the right combination of comfort and style, and that involves sitting in them. Good luck and have fun.

Oh! Ours was in stock in a local store and delivered, unboxed, and placed where we wanted it the next day.

Sheeshie comment is spot on! A close friend has been shopping for recliners for her husband but quickly realized that he had to go with her to actually sit in them. Granted he is taller than average at 6'5" but they went to 3 stores to find one that felt comfortable.

Do you have Raymour & Flanigan in your area? They have loads of them that you can try.

dedtired, no we don't have R&F. Sheeshie and Maire_cate - I agree, but that takes PB and WE completely off the table, and those are our favorites so far.

Everyone else, thanks for recs Arhaus, Room&Board, etc. Definitely worth a look. And yes, I hope to order through a local store for exactly the reason pointed out.

We replaced DH's recliner last year. He was dead set against a power recliner. We went to several local stores. There are really a lot of factors to consider. Some did not have backs tall enough, some foot rests were too short. We went to Living Spaces where they had a very large selection to choose from. The salesman told us that a few of their recliners had US made power mechanisms and they were noticeably faster than the Chinese made ones. He ended up with a power mechanism and fabric. It does definitely look like a recliner though.

My sister's Lazy Boy fell apart. I bought a LB sleeper sofa and love seat and I could feel the frame through the arm because of poor cushioning. The sofa fabric eventually separated at a seam, and it wasn't even used much. So I'd never buy LB.

In the 80s I worked at a furniture store and we sold Barcalounger. They were very good quality in those days. I see they're still in business.

I don’t know if the quality is still the same, but when DH insisted on one several years back, my Interior Designer friend suggested we look at Bassett and even recommended a couple of models for us to look at. We bought leather and we’re still using it. It got me through my recent recovery from my femur break & surgery as it was uncomfortable to sit on the sofa with the ottoman. DH also has a Stressless in the study and we’re considering replacing both chairs with a new Stressless. I just hate going out and shopping.

I agree with going to sit in whatever you buy.

We have leather Fjords and IMG at our homes. Friends love their Stressless. Most Scan-type stores sell all of these brands. Good luck. DH prefers the manual, vs powered, I can snooze in all of them.

Look at Hancock and Moore brand recliners, although not sure if they come in fabric. We have one now and used to have the club chair and ottoman. Loved it.

I can’t help with suggesting a brand, I can say its very important to test sit your recliner, in all positions, before purchase. Mine was an emergency purchase after surgery. Bought with love by my DH with help from a young granddaughter. It’s big, brown and comfortable in most positions. Quick delivery was their number 1 requirement, and this chair was delivered quickly.

I am 5’9”. When fully reclined my feet hang over the edge. To be comfortable I have to place an ottoman at the end to place my feet.

Also, be sure you have electric outlets nearby. Roomba has fights with the one electric cord on a regular basis.

Seconding the suggestion for Room and Board. They have styles that don't look like recliners, American made, lots of fabrics, excellent customer service and free returns if you don't like it. I looked at West Elm chairs and the quality is absolutely awful.

Look at Smith Brothers. They are made in Indiana with good mechanisms and hardwood frames and have many fabric and leather options to choose from. They limit the fabric options to ones with a high rub count so you don't have premature wear. We special ordered one several years ago after lots of shopping and checking constructioon. Husband loves it.

I came back to mention that if you get one with a power, please use a battery back-up of some kind. Do you know how difficult it is to get out of a reclined position when the power goes out?

Oof! i cant imagine!