How Can I Tell Whether a Pottery Barn Recliner is Good Quality?

How Can I Tell Whether a Pottery Barn Recliner is Good Quality?

Customer Question

I am looking at the Lansing Wingback manual recliner from Pottery Barn. There is no information about the brand or how well made it is. I am 6'2" and need to make sure to get a recliner that is comfortable. I prefer to buy from a reputable source, rather than online. Are you familiar with this recliner brand?

The Pottery Barn Lansing recliner is imported, which makes the brand mostly irrelevant.
 
  • A lot of reclining furniture is currently made in huge Asian factories that sell their products under dozens of different brand names.
  • Usually, each major retailer gets its own brand so that it can't be easily compared to similar products in other stores.
The good news is that  this recliner appears to be well made.
 
  • This is a manual recliner, which should last longer than most of the available power mechanisms.
  • The frame and foundation are inexpensive but should hold up for 10 - 20 years.
 
The seat cushion is removable. That is the single most important factor separating better quality reclining furniture from the mass produced garbage that wears out and needs to be replaced within  3 - 5 years. 
 
  • The #1 complaint about reclining furniture (other than bonded leather) has been about non-removable seat cushions. When the foam breaks down (in about 3 - 5 years)  the cushions lose their resiliency and comfort. 
  • The cost of replacing worn-out non-removable seat cushions is close to the cost of a new recliner. 
  • A removable (loose) seat cushion, like the one on the Lansing Wingback chair, can have the worn out cushion core replaced, with a longer lasting, more comfortable core, for about $200.
Since you are above average in size, you can expect the Lansing's down blend cushion to become noticeably less comfortable, and need replacement, in about 3 years.
  • At that time, I suggest you replace the 1.8 density foam core (wrapped in feathers and fiber) with a 2.5 density foam, or preferably a Spring down cushion core.  
  • A 2.5 density foam cushion core should hold up for another 10 years. Spring down cushions will last even longer and will be more comfortable.
  • Any custom upholsterer or reupholsterer will be able to replace and upgrade your cushion cores.

The photo shown above is the Lansing Recliner from Pottery Barn.

 

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