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I've seen the Brooke Shields ads in magazines for Lazyboy and have really been drawn to some. I thought I'd go to their website and check out what they had. I've been wanting leather furniture because it's would be easier to clean with us having litle ones but thought I was limited to black, brown, white. Lazyboy has leather in almost every color imaginable!!! So does anyone have an opinion on Lazyboy? Durability of their leather? Overall durability? Should I steer clear? Something I may want to look into? TIA

Tho I can't attest to the quality of Lazy Boy, I DO own leather recliners, a sofa and a chair (different manufacturers). I can stress this much...go to the store and try out and inspect the furniture first hand. That includes all members of your family particularly the adults. This will give you a better sense of if it will suit your families' needs and body types. Also have an idea of it's scale and whether it will get thru doorways and fit into it's intended space. Keep in mind that UV rays and heat are damaging to leather. Do a google and lots of tip sites will advise you on how to inspect and ask questions of the manufacturer so you don't go in blindsided and simply swayed by the aesthetics of the piece. Learn the inner workings, the warranty coverages, the method of dying the leather and the grade of leather used. Then, you can way your options once you compare different brands. Do know that Lazy Boy isn't the only brand that carries colors in leather furniture.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

We've had several pieces of La-Z-Boy furniture altho have never bought leather as I'm concerned what my cats might do to it. About 5 years ago we bought 2 loveseats, previous to that had had 2 recliners, and many years ago another recliner. IMO their quality is good compared to the price. My loveseats were $1000. each at their half-price sale after Christmas which I think is mid-price these days. I believe the construction is very good and the microfiber upholstery we chose seems to be very good, is easy to clean, and still looks new. They are very comfortable. I don't expect this grade furniture to last forever and I won't have them reupholstered. When we bought them I gave them 10 years and I think they'll make it if I don't sell them sooner to buy something different. None of the recliners lasted as long but they were from LB's less expensive line and had heavy use, so when the upholstery began to look shabby I gave them away. They were very comfortable tho and I'd buy another if I wanted another recliner, which I don't.

At the time we bought we were told our furniture was manufactured in the US however the company was planning to move some factories to Mexico. I have wondered if construction standards will be the same. Might be something to inquire about.

If you plan to buy leather upholstered furniture please do your research so you know the various names of leathers and their properties.

I have never had their leather furniture, but have owned several Lazyboy recliners and loveseats and have been very pleased with the quality. Each product lasted for over 10 years and was sold only because the upholstery color was no longer working for my decor.

As I said, I never had leather, but their mechanical components lasted quite well. The upholstery fabric lasted also, but eventually went out of style.

JMHO,
Candy

We had a LazyBoy recliner in our Virginia house. there it is on the right in dark brown leather.
It came with a leather care kit and I used it like they suggested once a year. We sold that chair to a friend when we sold the house. It was 6 yrs old and still looked brand new and the mechanism was still working smoothly. That was my husband's chair. I snuck in it when he was not around and it was so soft and comfy we almost always fell asleep in it! Had just enough padding not to be too soft, nor too hard.

We picked it out at the store and I had DH sit in every recliner until we noticed he was not walking around anymore, he had settled into that chair and had almost fallen asleep! It was in the showroom, so it was marked down, so double plus!

Also I bought a sofa bed from them. I went into the store picked out what I wanted and waited for a sale. There was a coupon in the mail for free bed insert (to make it a sofa bed and the mattress, blow up one on top of the frame) then in the same time they had that $1,200 sofa I wanted get marked down through a store wide sale. I went to the store and the sofa I wanted was marked down, and PLUS the store sale... I got the free bed and the sofa in the fabric I chose for $750! I was very happy with my purchase there and the quality of the furniture! I also got the fabric protection and spills cleaned up nicely. They would have also come out to spot clean any stains we couldn't get out of the fabric.

I miss that sofa, but at our age, DH couldn't move it or lift it (with pull out bed, it is very heavy to move around). So, we sold it to the same friend who bought the chair.

I got two ottomans from them in Bomber jacket leather, and I use the leather cleaner/conditioner on them once a year while I inspect the leather and check it out. Still like brand new and sturdy. They do not cave in at the edges, so that makes for a sturdy seat.
Picture of a portion of them in the Virginia house. I still have these with me in Florida.

I don't know why I thought leather furniture only came in brown or black, they have leather shoes in all colors, why not furniture? Anyhow, I thought leather would be better because of the kids. I have fabric furniture now and it's looking really rough, it flexsteel, and it's about 11yrs old. Not sure if that good or bad for flexsteel. If the once popular plastic covers would come back in style, I'd probably be the first to get some I don't let the kids eat or drink outside the kitchen so maybe fabric furniture would be ok. We also have a 55# dog that gets on the furniture so that adds to the wear and tear. Already told hubby the dog is not allowed on the new furniture, we're just going to have to break her of it. I guess the next thing to drive me crazy will be choosing furniture.

When our grandpup comes to visit, I routinely cover the leather chairs and sofa with slipcovers or a throw to protect against scratches. Some leather is made in a distressed finish and therefore camouflages these tiny scratches. If you go with a dyed leather, look for one that's done in a process whereby the dye goes deeper then superficial so that tiny scratches aren't visible as much.

Remember, it's good to get feedback from consumers who've lived with a brand, but also doing footwork and seeing/trying chairs in store is a must. The Web is full of tip sites to educate buyers of furniture so do your homework too. Being an informed consumer is your best assurance that you'll buy a sound product.

BTW, we still use two wing recliner chairs from Ethen Allen and have had them for over 25 yrs.. They were upholstered in a cotton or cotton blend fabric initially so you know that's worn, but we have since used slipcovers on them and the mechanism, frame and padding is still in great shape. Yes, EA is expensive, but when you factor in it's longevity record, it's really a sound investment. Also, their customer service is top notch and they aim to please the customer. FYI, a fairly recent order I made revealed that a grade 2 leather was less expensive than a micro fiber at EA so again..weigh your options.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

quote:

So does anyone have an opinion on Lazyboy?

I thought I did reply to this question, but got no acknowledgment you saw what I posted.

As far as Flexsteel, I used to work for a company that sold the line. Not in same category as Lazy Boy or Ethan Allen. The upholstery shop connected with this company said it was not worth reupholstering. Just an opinion he had.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
[QUOTE]So does anyone have an opinion on Lazyboy?

I thought I did reply to this question, but got no acknowledgment you saw what I posted.

Sorry MaryRuth, I did see your previous post. I was in a hurry this morning to get to the grocery store (a dreaded task for me with the kids) so I just skimmed through the replies. Seems like your Lazyboy has held up. Our flexsteel frame has held up, but the wood legs, cushions, and fabric have seen better days. We have a Lazyboy dealer close by so I may go look soon. As of right now, I just got slip covers in the mail from Surefit for our 2 chairs and futon. I thought I'd switch the couch (in the LR) with the futon (in the den) and that would give us a little more time until I have to purchase new furniture. Thanks everyone so far for the replies.

mountainbeach,
OK thanks! Sometimes it can be like the Twilight Zone on this board when no one sees a post! LOL
Thanks for your reply!

Good luck with your search!

I'm one of those who doesn't change things unless they are so horrible they are ready for the dump!
I bought my couch & loveseat about 30 yrs. ago and they are still just fine and I've not even had to have the cusion foam replaced. I bought good stuff to begin with. They have been recovered a couple of times.
I have a fabric Lazy-boy recliner that is around 20 yrs. old. It still looks fairly decent (some wear in the fabric on the arms) and still works even though it is getting harder for the foot thingy to come out or close properly. It will be headed to the dump in a couple of years. It has had some major wear too. It was my first hubby's chair & he weighed over 250 lbs. part of the time he used it. I have slept all night in it many times when he was sick (I couldn't get into bed due to his condition). My present DH used it in our cottage for 3 yrs. while we were getting ready to & building our house. And he is no light weight either but not THAT heavy. And I spent many more nights in it after I had some surgery since it was more comfortable than the bed. It's now in my office and seldom gets used. Once in awhile I'll sit there to read a book. I have gotten my money's worth out of it!
Don't have any idea if they make them as well as they used to but I would buy their brand again without hesitation.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
As far as Flexsteel, I used to work for a company that sold the line. Not in same category as Lazy Boy or Ethan Allen. The upholstery shop connected with this company said it was not worth reupholstering. Just an opinion he had.

I'm amazed to read negative opinions about Flexsteel as that was the first sofa we bought and it's still in good solid condition after 46 years. I've had it recovered several times and the upholsterers always commented what an excellent quality sofa it is. I've always considered the brand superior to La-Z-Boy and Ethan Allen which has many poor reviews in recent years. Perhaps it's changed over the years.

Joyluck,
That is GOOD to know! My only experience was with that company and their opinion! Glad to hear a balanced view!

In the long run, it is how careful something is 'gently' used so it lasts!

When my mother sold her console TV many many moons ago, it gave out, so she called the 'used furniture' guy to come take a look to buy the cabinet. He was shocked that she had 3 kids all under 14 and not a scratch on that cabinet! He commented how it looked brand new! My mother told him, the kids play outside not on the cabinet! LOL.... ! He gave her a good price for the cabinet (Silvertone brand) looked similar to this 1962 model but wider. I remember brushing that cloth where the speaker is to keep it clean of dust! She polished that cabinet every week. And nothing was placed on the top except for the bunny-ears antenna!

I remember the Flexsteel sectional we had when I was a child in the 50's. My parents still had it well into the 70's and the chocolate brown fabric was just as dark as when they purchased it. Because my memories of Flexsteel were so positive, I was happy to buy their barrel chair. I've had it for several years and it still looks great. I also have a Lazyboy ottoman (not leather) which has held up quite well over the last ten years or so.

My DD and DSIL bought a log cabin four or five years ago and got a Flexsteel sofa and then a chair later. These were on sale in a business near their home that was closing.

The log cabin is a vacation home and so of course gets mostly weekend use. However knowing DD she will be using the furniture forever! Certainly is holding up alright (although the cats never get to visit here!)

We have owned several Lazy Boy recliners over the years. We have them in our living room and on our inclosed patio (dh's man cave). We also have a sofa and chair from Lazy Boy in the living room. I love Lazy Boy furniture although we have never had any leather. The recliners hold up very well to heavy use and the sofa and chair are about 8 years old and still look almost new. This furniture gets heavy use since we are not skinny little people and we have 5 grandkids that are here frequently. So all in all we are very satisfied with the quality of the furniture and their prices are pretty decent too. I will buy Lazy Boy again when I need something new. And yes, the recliners are great to sleep in...!

I should have mentioned (thought I did, hummm lost the post)
that my mother didn't purchase Lazyboy back in the late 70's. But, she bought the best furniture she could afford (it was a good brand at the time similar to Ethan Allen). She had that sofa recovered a couple of times, last time with all new padding (the old rubber stuff didn't hold up over time). And the furniture was still good enough for us to pass on to a friend who needed furniture in the 80's, and she recovered it eventually for a different decorating scheme. We used to joke that the sofa would outlive us all!

I think purchasing a good frame and good design (meaning basic arms and does not take up too much room with fancy arms that eat up inches in the space) and having a durable fabric can literally last for generations!)