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A Guide to Choosing Your Stressless® Chair

Are you ready to find your new comfort zone? Since 1971, Ekornes of Norway has designed and crafted the most comfortable seating in the world with its Stressless® recliners and sofas. Using advanced comfort technology, Stressless creates ergonomic furniture that provides comprehensive support for the spine. Stressless recliners are endorsed by the American Chiropractor’s Association and come in a wide variety of models and designs so that you can find the one that’s right for you.

The range of Stressless® options can sometimes seem overwhelming if it’s your first-time shopping Stressless or if you’re not sure exactly what features you need. Here are some tips on choosing the right model for your body and on customizing the features and color to your comfort and style needs.

1. Choose a model.

With 13 models in the Stressless® recliner family, ranging from the classic Mayfair chairs to the sleek, ultra-modern Magic series, there are many options to explore. To narrow down which model may best suit you, here are a few things to consider:

First, what does your body need to feel comfortable? We all have different conceptions of comfort – some bodies may feel most relaxed on a firmer surface, while others like to sink a little bit into the cushions. Each Stressless® model has a different firmness and feel in the seat and back cushions. For a firmer sit, try the Wing or Consul families; for more of a cushy feel, try out the Mayfair, View, or Reno chairs, which have more padding underneath the upholstery. Another consideration is the positioning of your head and neck – do you have a longer neck that may feel better with an adjustable neck support? The Stressless Reno and Admiral chairs have an up-and-down adjustable headrest, while the View has an ergonomic neck pillow that can be moved vertically to find just the right support.

Second, what is most important to you when choosing your recliner? For classic full-body comfort, consider a recliner with a free-standing footstool, which is engineered to follow the movement of your legs as you recline, allowing you to move freely while remaining supported. To save space and maximize comfort, a Classic Power base may fit the bill. At the touch of a button, the footrest folds out neatly from underneath the recliner. If you’re intrigued by power motion and would like the newest in comfort technology, the new Max and Mike recliners are Stressless’ first motorized recliners with sophisticated, compact style. Mike and Max are the only recliners that adjust back, leg, lumbar, and head support at the touch of one master-control button.

Third, which recliner style best suits your aesthetic? Some Stressless® recliners are designed with more of a classic, cushioned look with supple, thick padding, while others present a more streamlined, tailored design. The Mayfair chair has a more transitional design, with full rounded cushions and a classic style seat and back. The Magic, on the other hand, has a broad, shapely headrest with sleek lines.

2. Find your fit.

To accommodate different heights and bodies, most Stressless® models come in three different sizes – Small, Medium, and Large. When considering size, it may help to think about who will be using the chair. Do you need a recliner that will fit you individually, or will your partner or family also be using the recliner? If you’re shopping solo, finding the best fit for the length of your spine and the width of your body will result in a chair that is “just right” and would easily earn Goldilocks’ approval. If the chair will be shared by you and your partner, consider shopping together and finding the option that feels best for both. Even better, if you want to “Stress less” together, you can each find your own Stressless® recliner and position them side-by-side.

3. Select your comfort technology.

All Stressless® recliners are equipped with patented Glide™ and Plus™ systems, which allow the chair to provide continuous support for the head and lower back, while also adjusting the reclining angle based on shifts of the body. The Plus™ system coordinates the support of the lower back with the headrest so that, upright or reclined, your neck, spine, and legs are fully supported. With one simple movement, you can bring the recliner into “sleep position” and lower the headrest for a much-needed meditation or rest.

With the choice of a Signature base, layer on additional features like BalanceAdapt™, which equips the chair with a light rocking motion based on changing positions of your body. If you’d like to save space, select a Power™ motion base that will smoothly unfold a hidden leg rest underneath the chair.

Regardless of the technology you choose, you will be guaranteed the following benefits: proper skeletal and spinal alignment; equalization of bodyweight across pressure points; better circulation; and overall more healthy, supported relaxation.

4. Tie it all together with color and finish options.

Now comes the fun part – choosing your favorite upholstery and base colors. Choose from five grades of luxurious leather, ranging from protected to natural leathers in a wide variety of pebbling and colors. The most popular choice is Paloma leather, which in addition to feeling smooth with light pebbling, is easy-care and only needs to be conditioned several times per year. Whether you’re looking for a bright mustard yellow or a neutral beige tone, you’ll find the right color in Stressless’ wide color palette.

Customize your recliner further with wood base accents ranging from light oak to warm walnut and golden teak. As a natural and renewable resource, wood frames feature subtle variations in pattern and color that make each piece more unique. The classic base offers unmatched stability and clean, simple design with one wood finish. The Signature base brings contemporary style to your living space and mixes a metal accent with any of Stressless’ wood finishes. The Max recliners, in addition to having a Moon base, feature a wrap-around wood frame that brings further warmth and design to your space.

We look forward to welcoming you into our showroom so that you can explore and experiment with which Stressless chair is right for you. Copenhagen’s experienced sales and design associates will help you select the right Stressless® piece for your needs, either from stock or by special order. With more questions, contact your nearest Copenhagen location.