Recliner chairs: comfort and relaxation for your home
A recliner combines seating comfort with sophisticated mechanisms, transforming a classic piece of furniture into a reliable companion for relaxing in the living room. Whether it’s a reclining function, a stand-up aid or electric adjustment – today’s wide range of options can be tailored to almost any living situation and every comfort requirement. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of recliner chairs in our showroom, featuring a range of styles, materials and price points, ensuring there’s a model to suit every interior design style.
What is a recliner and what is it suitable for?
A recliner is more than just an ordinary armchair – it features additional adjustment mechanisms that allow the backrest, seat and, often, a footrest to be set to different positions. While a classic armchair remains static, an adjustable armchair can be adapted to suit your mood and needs throughout the day: upright for reading, half-reclined for an evening in front of the telly, or almost horizontal for a quick nap. This flexibility makes it particularly appealing to anyone who uses their armchair daily and values ergonomic comfort.
Depending on the model, the chair is operated manually via a lever on the side, by shifting your body weight, or electrically at the touch of a button. The strengths of this type of armchair are particularly evident in multi-generational households, as the functions can be used individually by different people. We’d be happy to advise you in detail on all the adjustment options at our showroom and work with you to find the right model.
The difference between a recliner and a multifunctional armchair
The terms ‘recliner’ and ‘multi-functional armchair’ are often used interchangeably in the furniture trade, but they describe different key features. A recliner is primarily designed for relaxation and typically features an adjustment mechanism for the backrest and footrest. The multifunctional armchair often goes a step further and can offer additional comfort features such as a stand-up aid, integrated seat heating, a massage function or a particularly reclined position.
In practice, this means: every recliner is a functional armchair, but not every functional armchair is designed exclusively for relaxation. Anyone looking for a fully reclined position to unwind after work would be well advised to choose a classic recliner. Those who value additional comfort features or support when getting up should take a closer look at the more versatile variants of functional armchairs.
What features does a recliner have?
The range of available functions has grown significantly over the years and extends from simple mechanical solutions to high-quality electric multi-motor systems. The following features are most commonly found in our selection:
- Reclining function: The backrest and footrest extend either synchronously or independently of one another to allow for an almost horizontal reclining position.
- Stand-up aid: The armchair tilts gently forwards to assist you in standing up, which can be a real help, particularly for those with limited mobility.
- Multi-motor technology: The seat, backrest and leg rest can be adjusted separately, allowing for finely tuned seating positions.
- Massage and heat functions: Built-in modules provide additional relaxation in the lumbar and back areas.
- Memory programmes: Favourite seating positions are saved and can be recalled at the touch of a button.
Which of these features are right for you depends largely on your personal preferences and how you intend to use the chair. Our interior design consultants will demonstrate the differences to you in the showroom using the actual models, so that you can experience features such as the comfort of lounge furniture or the difference between manual and electric adjustment for yourself.
Armchairs with a stand-up aid: combining comfort and safety
A TV armchair with a stand-up aid is designed for people who find it difficult to stand up from a low seat. At the touch of a button, the seat slowly lifts forwards and gently helps the user move from an upright sitting position into a standing position. This feature can be a valuable aid in everyday life – both for older family members and for people with temporary mobility limitations following an operation or injury.
When making your choice, it’s important to look for a sturdy construction with sufficient load-bearing capacity, a quiet motor and an intuitive remote control. You should also ensure the backrest is high enough to allow you to maintain a relaxed sitting position even over long periods. If you mainly read or watch television, you should opt for a high-back chair that provides reliable support for your neck and head.
Electric recliner chairs: relaxation at the touch of a button
An electric recliner combines the benefits of a classic recliner with the convenience of motorised operation. Using a remote control or a side-mounted control panel, the backrest, footrest and, in some cases, the seat angle can be adjusted continuously to any desired position – without any physical effort whatsoever. Particularly in the highest comfort class, many models also feature integrated USB ports for charging smartphones, LED ambient lighting or a battery solution that enables cordless operation of the chair.
When choosing an electric model, it’s worth taking a look at the motor configuration: single-motor systems move the backrest and footrest in unison, whilst two- or three-motor systems allow for significantly more precise adjustment. Our range of matching upholstered furniture also includes many sofas and armchairs, which you can choose based on similar comfort criteria. Please feel free to visit our showroom to experience how the different motor variants feel in practice.
Material selection: functional armchairs in leather or fabric
Choosing the right upholstery material not only shapes the visual character of a recliner, but also its feel and care requirements. A leather recliner has an elegant look, becomes pleasantly supple over time and develops a unique patina that many customers greatly appreciate. Leather is also easy to wipe clean, which is practical for everyday use.
Fabric upholstery, on the other hand, is ideal if you prefer a softer and warmer seating experience. Modern microfibre fabrics and flat-woven fabrics are surprisingly hard-wearing these days and available in a wide range of colours, allowing the armchair to blend harmoniously into your existing interior design scheme. Anyone seeking a comfortable armchair for reading would be well advised to choose one with a cosy fabric cover and comfortable upholstery. Among the premium models in our brand portfolio, you’ll find both high-quality leathers and selected fabric collections from renowned manufacturers.
Care instructions for your armchair materials
To ensure you can enjoy your recliner for many years to come, the material should be looked after regularly. Leather upholstery benefits from occasional cleaning with a slightly damp, soft cloth, ideally followed by a conditioning lotion every six to twelve months. This keeps the leather supple and prevents cracks or dry patches. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can cause the material to fade over time.
Fabric covers are best cleaned with an upholstery brush or a vacuum cleaner set to a low setting. Stains should be dealt with quickly but carefully: dab rather than rub, and use lukewarm water rather than harsh cleaning products. For removable covers, it’s worth checking the care label, as many modern fabrics are now machine-washable. The mechanism of the armchair is largely maintenance-free; only the moving parts need to be dusted occasionally with a cloth.
Find recliners with personalised advice
A recliner is a purchase that, ideally, should bring you pleasure for many years to come – so it’s all the more important to choose the right model for you carefully. Seat height, seat depth, backrest height and upholstery firmness should be perfectly suited to your height and viewing habits. At our showrooms in the Palatinate, Baden and Trier, you can try out a wide selection of chairs for yourself and test the adjustment mechanisms at your leisure.
As a family-run business with strong regional roots and over 30 years’ experience in the furniture trade, we’ll support you every step of the way, from your initial consultation right through to delivery. Our in-house fitting teams will deliver the armchair directly to your home, set it up and help you get all its features up and running. For larger purchases, we also offer affordable finance options. Do pop in and be inspired – we look forward to working with you to find the perfect recliner for your home. You can find an overview of all our branches on our branches page.