A Guide to Designing the Perfect Reclining Sofa

When was the last time you bought a sofa that you truly loved? If you never have or if it’s been a few years, you may want to design your furniture yourself. Imagine having complete control over every single aspect of your sofa and tweaking it until it’s just right for you.

You don’t need to be an expert woodworker or a whiz with a sewing machine to customize your home. There are many manufacturers that specialize in creating your perfect furniture.

If you’re dreaming of the perfect reclining sofa for your space, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep reading to find everything you need to know before designing your own custom reclining sofa. 

Select the Material

Your furniture’s material is arguably its most essential feature. No one wants to sit on something scratchy or sticky. We have all had the misfortune of peeling our skin off of certain fabrics and don’t want to experience that again.

Silk leather is a great material option as it’s not only soft but breathable as well.  If you have small children or are spill-happy with your beverages, this is the material for you. It features spill-resistant qualities like true leather but is a synthetic material.

True leather is a durable material that can last four times longer than its synthetic counterparts. Leather doesn’t require as much upkeep as you might think. Take a mild soap and water solution and wipe down every so often.

Leather is a great choice for folks with kids or pets as it doesn’t absorb odors as other materials do. You will want to invest in a leather cream to keep it looking its best and to ensure its longevity.

The downside of leather is that you should expect to pay a much higher price than you would for other fabrics. 

If you prefer softer materials for your furniture, why not chenille? It’s a common upholstery fabric that’s very soft and durable. Chenille is easy to clean and provides an ample amount of comfort.

Chenille is a nightmare for pet owners, however. Dust, debris, and pet hair get stuck in its long fibers easily which means you’ll need to clean it often.

Choose Your Recline Options

There are several things to consider when looking at reclining furniture.

First, how do you want to enter the recline zone?

Manual custom reclining sofas feature latches or levers on the side that you must pull to kickback. They’re more durable than their electric counterparts. Since they have fewer moving parts, they are less likely to break and easier to fix if they do. 

The downside of manual options is that the recline is less adjustable than other types.

Power reclining sofas use an electric motor to get you nice and cozy. They feature a button on the sofa or on a remote control that you press to elevate the footrest. 

Some power options allow you to choose between different reclining angles and settings.

The downfall is that they come with a higher price tag and are often very pricy to repair. 

Hand Pick Your Features

Modern sofas offer more than just a place to rest your keester at the end of a long day. They can come with a host of unique features that you can have complete control over if you design your own.

Cupholders are a great feature to consider if you don’t have other places to rest your beverages. The cupholders can be on display at all times or secured in a fold-down portion of the sofa. 

Tech-savvy folks might consider adding USB charging stations or Bluetooth speakers. Add in LED lighting if you plan to spend a lot of time reading on your sofa. 

Power headrests are another great feature. They allow you to choose just the right angle for your head whether you’re sitting or reclining

If you have lower back issues, a power lumbar support is a must-have for your custom sofa. Adjust the amount of lumbar tension to find the most comfortable and supporting position. 

If you want to treat yourself, treat yourself to a massaging reclining sofa. Get real fancy with it and invest in one that offers heat therapy to reduce pain and boost blood flow. 

Determine the Size and Style

The final thing to consider before you design a reclining sofa is the size you need and which style you like. 

The features and materials you choose may determine the overall look of your new sofa. You have seemingly infinite options when it comes to stylizing it, though.

Do you want contrast stitching? Will your cupholders have a black or silver finish? Do you want piping trim in a different color than the sofa? 

What shape do you want the arms to take? Will the backrest be rounded or square? Do you want a wood trim and will the sofa’s legs match said trim?

Before choosing the size of your new piece of furniture, measure the room it’s going in. You wouldn’t want your custom order to come in and not fit in the room. A good rule of thumb is to have the sofa fill about two-thirds of the room. 

You will also need to consider how many people your sofa will be seating on any given day. If you have a large family, you might consider a sectional reclining sofa. If you’re twosome, a smaller one will do just fine. 

When you choose to customize your own sofa the sky is the limit!

Build Your Dream Reclining Sofa Today

You don’t need to resign yourself to a lifetime of just “meh” furniture. Take the reigns and start designing your own furniture today. Your space will look so snazzy with the reclining sofa you designed yourself.

Don’t stop there, though! Keep reading our blogs for more home design tips. Who knows what you’ll create next?