When it comes to recliners, there’s a lot of variety in style, features, and price. Some come decked out with cup holders and electronic controls. Others are more traditional-looking, like Andover Mills’ Leonie Manual Recliner, a wingback-style chair that can fold down almost horizontally when you want to recline. We tested it out in our own home to see how its design and comfort stacked up to the competition. Read on for all the relaxing details.
Setup: Quick and easy
When we first received a heavy cardboard box with a picture of the chair on the side, we weren’t sure what to think. After all, most of us just see something like a recliner in its full glory, not in parts. Once out of the box, though, the chair wasn’t as intimidating as it comprised just four major pieces, four legs, and hardware. Don’t get too overwhelmed by the instruction manual, either. While you should read how to put it together before you start the process, you don’t really need two adults as it suggests, and if you just have carpeting to assemble it on, that’s okay, too. The setup process proved so easy, we were lounging in the Leonie Manual Recliner within 30 minutes of opening the box.
Design: Sleek and small
As far as recliners go, this version falls into the elegant category. Its lines are clean and we can see it looking stylish in any room. We like its slender frame (41 x 29.5 x 35 inches when not reclining) as it fits easily into most spaces. When it’s fully reclined, the Leonie has a depth of 63 inches and the footrest measures 15 inches from the edge of the seat. Keep in mind that wherever you place it, you’ll need a 19-inch back clearance for reclining. There are three different position locks available, and the chair fully reclines to 120 degrees. Because it’s controlled manually, it takes some notable force to get the back moving, which is a bit frustrating. Another design pitfall: The footrest will only extend when the chair is reclined. With diamond tufting, rolled arms, and a wingback design, we think the Leonie looks more expensive than it is. We put the chair in an already cramped living room and it still managed to make a statement, drawing everyone from the kids to the cat to the adults to curl up in it. It is a relatively small pushback, however, so you won’t find any fancy extras like a lever or cup holder that some more modern recliners have these days. That said, you do have your choice of color. The Leonie is available in light beige, dark blue, light gray, light sky, brown faux leather, and charcoal.
Materials: Durable but clingy
The Leonie Manual Recliner is finished with 100 percent polyester upholstery (unless you go with the faux leather version) and four pinewood legs. We really put the fabric to the test as our cats loved cuddling on the chair. The polyester held up really well, but the slightly rough texture of the fabric holds on to pet hair so you’ll want to stock up on lint rollers if you also have pets. It’s also a magnet for dust and food crumbs, so you’ll want to keep an eye on what collects between the seat cushion and frame. Once you get over the need to clean it constantly, the actual material is really nice. Its texture is slightly rough, but we found it was still soft and comfortable enough, and the weave is tight enough to ward off most snags and pills.
Comfort: Cozy for most
Though the Leonie Manual Recliner can handle up to 300 pounds, it’s not a large chair. It has a soft but firm seat cushion filled with polyurethane foam, a sturdy padded back, and tall armrests (24.75 inches high) that we thought were the perfect size for snuggling up into or hanging your feet off of when you want to get really curled up. You can lean the chair back 120 degrees, so it’s almost like a narrow bed, or let the footrest come out and recline the back partially. We found it was more comfortable if you add a pillow, but if you’re sitting askew the wings on the side act as a nice resting spot as well. No matter how you choose to lounge in this recliner, we found it pretty comfortable.
Price: Looks more expensive than it is
With a price around $350, this chair isn’t cheap, but you’ll find most recliners cost much more. The highlight of the Leonie Manual Recliner is its aesthetic—it truly looks like a high-end piece of furniture. That said, it’s worth noting that while we found the price right for the appearance, the actual pushback reclining mechanism isn’t nearly as functional as some of the more expensive competition.
Competition: No lack of recliners
The Leonie Manual Recliner checks a lot of boxes; it’s elegant, comfortable, affordable, and small enough to fit in most rooms. Where it lacks a little is in its ease of use. If you’re looking for a recliner that’s a cinch to, well… recline, you may want to look at a more modern chair with electronic controls.
