Glossary
The leather massage chair industry has diversified in designs and increased their sophistication of technology. There is a broad range of seating options with varied designs. Upholstery plays an important part in furniture and comes in many patterns, colors and textures. There are simple barrel chairs to sophisticated leather massage chairs. Whatever your taste, there is a leather recliner for you.
Leather Upholstery: Leather upholstery has been used for centuries as a durable workhorse for furniture. It continues to be used in many specialty applications. Leather requires more care than other types of upholstery but its beautiful textures and grains will win you over.
Faux Leather: Many new synthetic leather compositions have been developed. Many of these are ultra durable, easy to clean and feel great. They now come in almost every pattern and color imaginable. Many new properties are being developed including antibacterial and resistance to heat and friction.
Contemporary: Many recliners come in a contemporary style. You can find swivel base recliners or the traditional bench frame which can match many different room decoration schemes. Manufacturers are paying more attention to the design elements to appeal to a broader base of consumers.
Extendable Leg Rest: Extendable leg rest is a great way to add a few extra inches to the chair. This is particularly helpful for those who like direct support and targeted massage. The leg rest can be adjusted to better aim it at the areas you want relief.
Leather Massage Chairs: Leather massage chairs now range from traditional to contemporary to postmodern design. The fabric of choice for a sleek leather chair is grain leather. Many massaging recliners use traditional leather upholstery as well as faux leather.
Manual Recline: Recliners may come with a traditional recliner lever. This is a manual recline. Either a series of rods and springs are used or an air piston. Normally, upon activating the lever, the leg rest can be raised. The chair back may also have a manual recline where you must use the weight of your body to recline the chair back.
Post Modern: Some recliners are still in the postmodern design. Some of these can be quite extraordinary and distinct. Some massage chair manufacturers have very industrial looking designs. These mundane designs employ hard plastic side panels.
Power Recline: A motorized recline for a chair is a wonderful way to go. Activate the power recline button and the chair gently rolls back. Power recline may include the leg rest and the chair back. Sometimes one motor is used which moves both parts of the chair in unison. Other times two motors are used to move the chair back and the leg rest independently.
Swivel Base: A swivel base recliner consists of a chair top mounted onto a flat base. The advantage of this is that the chair can be rotated 360. This enables you to change the angle of viewing through time. Swivel bases are not as strong as bench frames but offer new design possibilities.
Traditional: Traditional recliners look more like a lazy boy. This is the oversized and plush recliner look. These recliners are built for comfort and relaxation. Most traditional recliners are built on bench frames which enable a number of exciting features.
Wheel Chair Accessible: Getting into and out of some leather massage chairs can be difficult. Some of the more visionary manufacturers have created designs that are wheelchair accessible. This enables virtually anyone to obtain the therapeutic benefits of massage recliners.
Leather massage chairs come in a variety of different styles and designs. Although leather has always had a strong hold on recliners, many applications are requiring faux leather. Material science will continue to develop better processing methods for natural leather and creating and formulating new synthetic leather like materials. Leather massage chairs will continue to evolve with the pace of technology and science.



