Search for a recliner in Hyderabad and you meet three problems at once: a dozen mechanisms with confusing names, a footprint far bigger than the photograph suggests, and leather and fabric choices that look the same on a screen. This guide explains the main types of recliner, how much room each one needs, how to choose between leather and fabric, and how to test a recliner before you commit to one, including a custom made one.
How a recliner works
A recliner is an upholstered chair or sofa with a backrest that tilts back and a footrest that rises at the same moment. A metal mechanism inside the frame does the work, and you operate it with a push, a lever or a button. The mechanism decides how the recliner feels, how much room it needs and what it costs, so it is the part to ask about first.
The types of recliner
Recliners are grouped by how they move. These are the types you will meet.
- Manual, by push-back or lever: no power is needed. You lean back, pull a lever or use a cable to recline. This is the simplest build.
- Console: a console sits between two seats, with room for cups and remotes. Console recliners can be drawn as a pair or as a row facing the screen.
- Power: a motor moves the backrest and footrest at the touch of a button and can stop at almost any angle. It needs a power point nearby.
- Wall-hugger: the seat slides forward as it reclines, so it can sit close to a wall and still open fully.
- Rocker, glider and swivel: the chair also rocks, glides or turns while you sit upright.
- Lift: a powered recliner that tips forward to help a person stand up.
- Zero-gravity: reclines far enough to raise your knees to the level of your heart, which spreads your weight and eases pressure on the back.
We make manual and console recliners, as single recliners, as two and three seater recliner sofas where each seat reclines on its own, and as home theatre rows. If you want a different mechanism, ask what is possible before you order.
Manual or power?
| Manual | Power | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Push-back, lever or cable | Motor and button |
| Recline positions | Fixed positions, usually a partial and a deeper recline | Almost any angle |
| Power point needed | No | Yes, an outlet nearby |
| Placement | Anywhere in the room | Within reach of a power point |
| Extras | None | Often USB charging ports |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Neither is better in every home. Manual is simpler, and you can place it anywhere, because it does not depend on an outlet. Power gives you more positions and effortless control, but it needs a power point nearby and usually costs more.
How much room does a recliner need?
A recliner takes far more room open than closed, so measure four things before you choose: the width from arm to arm, the depth when fully reclined from the back of the chair to the end of the footrest, the distance from the wall to the back of the chair, and the space you need to walk round it.
- A traditional recliner needs up to about 36 to 46 cm (14 to 18 inches) between its back and the wall to open fully.
- A wall-hugger needs only about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches), because the seat moves forward as it reclines.
- In front, leave room for the footrest to rise and for your legs. For a home theatre row, measure the depth of the room, so that every seat can open without touching the seat or table in front.
These are typical figures. Every design is different, so always ask for the fully reclined depth of the exact recliner, and mark it out on your floor with tape before you decide.
Leather or fabric?
Leather wipes clean and suits a home theatre or a family room used every day. Fabric is softer and cooler in a Hyderabad summer. Both come in a wide range of colours and textures, so choose from physical samples rather than a screen.
How to test a recliner
- Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor. Your head should rest against the headrest without straining your neck.
- Recline fully. Your neck, lower back and legs should all feel supported, and your legs should rest comfortably on the footrest.
- Work the mechanism several times. It should move smoothly, without jerks or loud noises, and return upright without a struggle.
- Check that the seat depth and height suit your body, because the best recliner feels made for your height and leg length.
- Stay seated for several minutes, not several seconds.
What custom made means for a recliner
A custom made recliner is drawn to your room, your seat count and your wall, instead of the nearest stock size. We choose the cover from leather and fabric samples with you, matched to the recline mechanism you need. Every recliner is made in our own factory in Cherlapally, east Hyderabad, and sold factory direct. Visit our Gachibowli studio to sit on samples and talk through the room. Our recliners page shows the single, sofa and home theatre options, and our price guide gives a guide price.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a manual and a power recliner?
A manual recliner works by a push-back, a lever or a cable and needs no power. A power recliner uses a motor and a button, offers more positions and needs a power point nearby. We make manual and console recliners.
How much space does a recliner need behind it?
A traditional recliner needs up to about 36 to 46 cm (14 to 18 inches) between its back and the wall to open fully, and a wall-hugger about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches). Always check the fully reclined depth of the exact recliner.
What is a wall-hugger recliner?
A recliner whose seat slides forward as it reclines, so it can sit close to a wall and still open fully. It suits smaller rooms.
What is a console recliner?
A recliner sofa with a console between the seats, for cups and remotes. Console recliners can be drawn as a straight or curved row facing the screen.
Is a leather or fabric recliner better?
Leather wipes clean and suits rooms used every day. Fabric is softer and cooler in summer. We help you choose with samples.
Do you make recliners to order in Hyderabad?
Yes. We draw every recliner to your room and seat count and make it in our own Hyderabad factory.
Book a design session at our Gachibowli studio with your room measurements and the number of seats, and we will draw a recliner that fits.