According to tradition, old furniture that has lost its presentable appearance and functionality is taken to the country house. However, there are examples of "return travel". Thus, created in 1928 in an American garage in the state of Michigan, a simple wooden chair with a reclining back was transformed over time into a recliner chair - furniture ideal for relaxation. Having undergone a number of design and functional changes, the design moved to urban homes and offices, every year winning more and more fans around the world. Today, the former “country chair” is furniture that provides increased comfort and a sign of the high status of its owner.
What is
The peculiarity of this chair is the ability to adjust the backrest and footrest in different planes. If necessary, the footrest can be completely retracted. Recliners differ in materials of manufacture, transformation mechanisms, types of control and a number of other features, but the main functions - to ensure maximum relaxation, reduce tension in the musculoskeletal system and muscle corset - are preserved in each model. This is also ensured by the fact that the seat and backrest are made taking into account the anatomical features of the body. The latter can be adjusted by changing the angle of inclination.
The advantages include the stability of the structure - despite the moving and adjustable parts, the chairs are reliable, there is no risk that they will tip over. The recliner mechanism and its other parts rarely break down, serve for a long time, and allow you to comfortably spend time at home or relax at work - often such models of upholstered furniture are installed in staff rest rooms. The filler is so soft that some people even fall asleep while sitting without experiencing any muscle discomfort after sleep.
The word “recliner” refers to both the mechanism for transforming the chair and a type of upholstered furniture.
Where is the advertiser used?
Recliner furniture is widely used and is considered an exquisite piece of furniture. It is designed to enhance comfort from an orthopedic point of view. For whom is it simply necessary?
* For people who lead an active lifestyle at home or at work. An armchair/sofa will help you relax 100%.
* For athletes who need to relax their muscles and calm down after a grueling workout.
* In places of rest, recreation or rehabilitation. We are talking not only about swimming pools, saunas, resorts, but also recovery centers.
* For people who work constantly on their feet. In this case, it is mandatory to place your feet on footrests or a stand to allow venous blood to drain out and restore blood circulation.
Design and materials
Another distinctive feature of advertisers is their luxurious appearance. The base and frame are usually made of durable types of natural wood (alder, birch) or reinforced steel, the upholstery is made of leather (eco-leather - for those who care about the environment). In addition to their external, presentable characteristics, leather recliner chairs are hypoallergenic and easy to care for. Sometimes Arpatek is used as upholstery material, but not all users who purchase an advertiser know what it is. Meanwhile, a mixture of synthetics and cotton feels very similar to natural leather, and even surpasses it in strength.
Characteristic differences of loft style chairs, main types of products
According to many people, leather upholstery is more appropriate for office space, so certain types of textiles are used to reupholster “home” advertisers:
- jacquard - valued for its increased density, double-sided pattern, large selection of colors;
- microfiber - absorbs moisture, is practically resistant to wear, looks like suede;
- flock and velor - velvety, pleasant to the touch, wear-resistant.
The main requirements for fabrics are strength, stylish and expensive appearance. Advertisers always look very status-worthy; they can be placed in an office, bedroom or living room. With the exception of velor, all materials are durable and easy to care for.
Manufacturers produce recliners with upholstery made of “smart” fabrics, with maximum resistance to moisture, dirt, and protection from animal claws.
Leather
Arpatek
Jacquard
Microfiber
Flock
Velor
Among advertisers, classic models with clear geometry or smooth shapes are mostly common. However, there are options made in the spirit of the country style, and even chairs that will easily fit into a high-tech interior. A variety of colors allows you to choose an advertiser to suit any design. The only disadvantage of the design is often the size - large chairs are not always easy to place in the cramped spaces of small apartments.
The best models and designs of living room chairs, their main characteristics
Classic
High tech
Country
Varieties
There are quite a lot of glider models on the domestic market.
Among the most popular designs of glider chairs are the following:
- Model 68;
- Hoff;
- Leeds;
- Model 78;
- Rydberg;
- Balance;
- Comfort;
- Elton, etc.
But the names won't tell you much.
Therefore, it would be more logical to look at all the main types of gliders.
Here are the options:
- Standard glider with kickstand. The footrest is usually made in the form of a pouf that extends from under the chair structure. It is made on the basis of a wooden frame;
- Folding beds. Also a type of glider. Here the footrest acts as a constructive extension of the seat. This is the same Model 68. Designed for a user weighing up to 100 kg. Suitable for strict and sophisticated interiors;
- Advertiser. We talked about the recliner chair separately. This is a type of glider. Read about these chairs at the link. It will be interesting;
- Massage gliders. Usually they have a program for 3 types of massages. This is a massage of the legs, body and cervical region. Moreover, many subprograms can be provided for each massage zone.
There are gliders purely for home use, relaxation, and reading books. And office models are also distinguished. Their advantage is that on such chairs you can rest and relax, as well as conduct active office activities, working with documents or a computer at the desk.
Adjustment mechanisms and basic provisions
According to the transformation mechanism, recliner chairs come in three types:
- frameless (without base);
- with a supporting structure (base);
- modular.
In the first version, the system is built into the frame and installed on support beams. This is the simplest option; such chairs can usually take three positions. Adjustment is carried out by extending the pouf or two dolphin benches.
The recliner mechanism of supporting structures has its own base - a rotating column. In such models, each element can be rotated - individually or synchronously with the rest. Modular systems mainly come with lever control; they are built into the frame of individual parts of the chair - seat, backrest, footrests.
Frameless
With support structure
Modular
To familiarize yourself with the advertiser's capabilities, you should use the general recommendations for setting the angle of inclination.
Activity/position | Standard tilt angle (degrees) |
Sedentary rest | 100 |
Watching TV | 110 |
Complete relaxation | 140 |
In complete relaxation mode, it is recommended to raise the footrest above body level.
Sedentary rest
Watching TV
Complete relaxation
Operating principle
When thinking through the interior of an office or room, it is important to find the optimal balance between classic design options and innovative technological achievements. Such an organic combination was achieved by chairs with a recliner mechanism. Based on the name of this piece of furniture, translated into Russian “recline” means recline, leaning on your elbows.
Depending on the degree of deflection of the backrest, footrest, or chair, recliners support several basic positions:
- raised position - the backrest is tilted approximately one hundred degrees. The stand is hidden. There is a body position. Implies a slight deflection of no more than 115 degrees with the footrest raised. This position provides maximum comfort while watching TV programs and movies;
- relax position - the chair is fully reclined, the back is tilted 130-146 degrees. The stand is fully raised. This option is suitable for relaxation, sleep, reading your favorite book.
The recliner chairs rotate 360 degrees, which is ideal for quickly adjusting important work processes in the office. Chairs with a recliner mechanism can be equipped with special mechanisms - gliders. By pulling a small lever on the side panel, the model turns into a rocking chair. The footrest assumes a horizontal position, the backrest and seat lean back slightly. A rocking chair is suitable for relaxation, a comfortable, pleasant stay. Regular swinging in the dim light of a lamp will allow you to escape from everyday problems.
Types of control
The simplest advertisers are controlled manually (mechanically) - mainly using a special lever. In other models, you just need to press the backrest or footrest to give them the desired position - sometimes you don't even have to stand up to do this. More modern chairs are controlled electrically - via a push-button remote control (stationary or remote). Stationary, or wired, must be connected to a power source, and remote works from a distance. In the most convenient models, the push-button touch control post is built into the armrest.
Models with electric drive are often chosen for pregnant women, people with spinal diseases or the elderly, since operating the chair will not require additional effort from them.
The number of positions of advertiser elements varies, reaching hundreds of options (in the most expensive models). This allows you to choose furniture that is suitable for a specific task, be it relaxation or the need to provide comfort to people with diseases of the neck and spine. At the same time, it is important to pay attention not only to the positions, but also to the dimensions of the furniture: the chair should suit the person according to his height, weight, and other body features.
Popular Ikea chair-beds - design and design features
Manual control
Electrically driven
Additional features of elite models
In order for recliner chairs to cope even better with the task of providing comfort, manufacturers equip elite models with additional options:
- built-in heating;
- headrest adjustment up to full rotation;
- torque (for rotation around an axis or pendulum swing);
- massage function (in some models - up to forty types);
- seat lift;
- own audio system;
- mini bar;
- memory that stores the selected position.
These functions allow you to significantly expand the scope of use of the chairs. For example, thanks to the built-in heating, they can be used in cold rooms. Pendulum swinging is very convenient for young mothers feeding their baby, and rotation around an axis is often used by those who place this furniture in their office. The seat lift is suitable for older people or those who have difficulty standing up due to health reasons.
Following the chair, a recliner sofa appeared. Outwardly, it is similar to a regular model, but it can transform and change position by tilting the back, foot, or seat.
Usually, if you need to explain what recliners are, they use the phrase “orthopedic chair.” Such a comparison is quite appropriate: furniture not only fills the house with comfort, but also allows muscles to relax, get rid of pressure and tension. Among the range of textile and leather recliner chairs, everyone will find a product that matches their individual wishes. Some people prefer simpler models with mechanical adjustment and a minimum number of positions, while others will choose the electric version with many additional functions.
Seat lift
Massage function
Mini bar
How I made a computer chair from a car
This story began with the fact that my old chair began to actively crumble. The air support died and was replaced, then the wheels, the upholstery was worn out (covers were made). But patience ran out when the chair began to creak disgustingly with any movement.
In the stores everything was the same and this discouraged any desire to exchange an awl for soap. And when I was already desperate to solve this super task, the idea of converting a car seat came to mind. Fortunately, I don’t need to look for anything, since I still have a couple of front seats from the car. At one time, I took them to the village with the idea of somehow adapting them to the general benefit.
So, there are the following items:
1. chair from Granta (2 pieces)
2. square profile 40x40cm (30 meters)
3. base from an antique (Soviet) chair (1 piece)
4. tools including welder available.
Task: make a supercomputer chair.
The presence of the third point determined the procedure. Therefore, I made the first version (without wheels) based on Soviet hardware. Everything is elementary: an “H”-shaped frame with holes for fastening a car seat was welded to the rack. Instead of the lost legs, furniture ones came up, fortunately the thread was standard M8. I sat on this version of the chair for a week and realized that the only thing missing for complete happiness was the wheels.
Let me clarify that I did not plan to make the chair swivel and lift, because... the office mechanism quickly wears out and begins to play. I already knew the height that was comfortable for me and planned to set it strictly. As for rotation, if there are swivel wheels, this is purely a marketing excess. Of course, if you set such a goal, you can use, for example, a rear hub with a double-row bearing, but I decided not to bother and, looking ahead, I will say that I was right.
Article on the topic: How to reupholster an office chair with your own hands
In addition, for this option it is advisable to find a metal star from the old office. chairs, since they are now completely made of plastic.
Therefore, I settled on the simplest option: a plastic star, an external pipe from a pneumatic support and a cross from a profile for attaching a grant chair. Based on the results of use, I abandoned the “N” - figurative option, because the profile sticking out from the side gets in the way.
Here's what we ended up with:
After a couple of months of use, I will say that a car seat outperforms an office seat in all respects:
1. true ergonomics - real joy for the back and the whole body.
2. adjustable back - this is what was missing in the office, where the back is always reclined and if you sit upright, then consider it on a stool.
3. a seat with a slight tilt back, from which you do not slide if you sit with the back reclined.
4.soft and dense pillows, sitting on which is a real pleasure compared to thin and “liquid” office foam.
5. no backlashes or creaks - which is understandable, consider the structure monolithic.