Styling Tips That Make a Difference When Decorating a Living Room With Recliners

While gathering my thoughts for this post on decorating a living room with recliners, I know it will get two types of responses – readers who love them or readers that truly dislike them. :-)

Whether your living room decorating tastes run from traditional to farmhouse to modern – comfy chairs like recliners are one of the best investments when it comes to making your house into a comfortable home.

I think when decorating, comfort can be forgotten when we get too wrapped up with how a room looks. It is for this reason that I am sharing a few styling tips on how to decorate a living room with recliners or comfortable upholstered chairs so that you love them – both for their comfort and also their style.

Two Different Types of Chairs

There are two kinds of chairs we have in our homes – the chairs you sit ON and chairs you sit IN.

The style of chairs placed around a dining table are the kind you sit on – these are appropriate when eating, but never right in terms of ease and coziness as the style of chair we retreat to when we are looking for relaxation and comfort.

Soft comfortable furniture in living room.

These types of chairs – the cushy kind with plenty of padding with a seat cushion to sink into for movie watching marathons, reading the latest best seller, taking an afternoon nap or to simply enjoy kicking your feet up after a long day. This is the kind of chair I think every home needs.

If you already own a recliner or two, then you know just how these chairs make your living room, family room or den truly comfortable.

Read on for ideas on how you can style them to make them look their best.

If you are on the disliking side of this comfy home seating option, then also read on to see what you are missing out on. :-)

A House Versus a Home

When I refer to my house, I speak about the walls, fixtures, flooring and the studs that make it stand. When I refer to my home, you will read words such as haven, comfy, cozy, and personal.

HOME outdoor doormat from Pottery Barn

Home for most of us is more than just a house. When you have a home, you know the feeling… it is the only place on earth that you feel true comfort. 

Comfort… you know it every time you walk through your front door. No fancy hotel or perfectly styled room we see on Pinterest or Instagram will ever offer us the same feeling, EVER!

1. Making Your Living Room Feel Human

It is time to get over thinking recliners are something to hide in a back room that no one sees. I used to think like this, but no more. Life is too short not to be truly comfortable in your own home.

A few years ago I wrote a post titled, How To Decorate So You Feel At Home.  I refer to this post as my decorating manifesto.

In the post, I wrote about how I enjoy my home from the perspective of all 5 of my senses and plan it first and foremost for function and comfort.

Autumn decorated living room using items from nature to create a white and woodsy look.

Having two recliners in my living room deliver on both function and comfort. The recliners are multi-purpose and are placed in front of the fireplace which is the focal point of the room. They rock when we need a little thinking time.

We can feel like we are at the theater when we watch movies when the chairs face forward in the reclined position, then they swivel 360 degrees when we want to read facing the fireplace or to simply gaze out to the lake.

A motionless chair just doesn’t come with these factors. We would forever be trying to shift non-motion chairs around in the room to accommodate our needs.  It is nice to have one chair do it all.

Soft comfortable furniture in living room.
My recliners are made by Southern Motion. Model name: Shimmer. Leather in the color Toast.

When I chose the two matching recliners for my living room, I made sure that they were a rocker recliner that also swiveled. It took a lot of research and trips to local furniture stores.

I didn’t want power recliners or models that have heat and massage controls or super oversized recliners. These are all fine if these features are what will make you feel cozy and comfortable.

Forget About Perfection When Decorating

When decorating my living room I also tried not to aim for perfection, as imperfection in decor adds more personality and interest to a room.

Some interior designer advice misses the notion that a home should be an oasis of comfort. Instead they focus only on looks, trends and style.

A comfortable home includes the way the room looks; whether it feels balanced, uses soothing colors, is convenient for entertaining, and contains special pieces that reflect your personality.

If you have uncomfortable seating – the best investment you can make to live comfortably in your own home is to remove uncomfortable seating and add new seating that will be perfect for every member of your family. I can guarantee you will love the room even more after doing this.

When I ordered my recliners, we had to wait 8 weeks to get them. In that time I had promised our sofa to my older daughter and gave it to her. I didn’t think it was a big deal not having comfortable seating in the room, but boy was I wrong.

Airstone Fireplace makeover with wicker chairs in front.

I brought in two outdoor wicker rockers to sit on for the 8 weeks, notice I wrote sit ON, not sit IN. I was never so uncomfortable in my own house. These outdoor chairs were pretty, but too stiff to sit in to read or watch TV for any length of time.

When the recliners finally arrived, along with a new deep seated Pottery Barn sofa, I was elated – the room immediately felt better with the addition of truly comfortable seating.

Have you ever tried sitting in every chair in your home for about a half hour? Are they comfortable? If not, ask yourself why you are keeping it? Is it for looks only?

2. Function vs. Style

When furnishing a room, don’t forget to consider the function and uses for each item in the room. Remove furnishings and accessories that are not needed for comfort or decorative appeal to make room for what is needed to live your best life.

  • For example, if you use your living room to watch movies with the family on a regular basis, you will want to have a comfy, “sink-in-to-it” seat for everyone, versus the straight upright seating that a more formal living room would dictate.
    • This could be a big sectional with a connected chaise or two. Or a pair or more of matching recliners.
  • Or do you play board games in front of the fireplace? If so, make sure you have a table, table lamp and chairs to do this activity without having to rearrange the room to enjoy the past time.

3. Designate a Space Just for You

A room feels comfortable when you add “YOU” into the decor. Depending on how you like to relax, create a cozy space just for you to relax in the way that feels right for you.

Wicker table by a recliner

Don’t worry about what other people are going to think. Just because your home doesn’t look like the cover of an interior design magazine doesn’t mean it isn’t fabulous. I want you to enjoy your home – every inch of it.

Even in small living rooms, set up this designated space to become your reading nook, a place to knit, listen to music, watch TV or to do what you enjoy.

In the photo above is my designated comfy corner in my living room. It is where watch TV, read and where I write and edit most of my blog posts every night.

The butter-soft leather recliner, a dimmable floor lamp, the basket table I made where I store throw blankets and candles on the top all add up to create a cozy feel that functions for my needs.

In my living room layout, Ed has a matching recliner along the short fireplace wall in the room. He is happy just to have the chair with a side table to place a drink.

Large basket made into a diy end table. It sits next to a brown leather recliner with a white throw and pillow. A floor lamp behind with a dimmable socket to adjust the light.

Make this personal space the best it can be by adding what you need to pursue your creature comforts:

  • For example, place a knitting basket next to the chair or add bookshelves to the wall behind the chair for all your favorite books so they are in arms reach.

4. What to Know Before Buying a Recliner

I wish more companies would make stylish recliners, but there are many custom styling options you can add to most recliners so don’t just look at one in a furniture showroom at face value, imagine it with a different fabric and trim.

When choosing a recliner for your home, don’t purchase any chair or sofa without sitting in it first.

brown leather recliner in furniture showroom.

When selecting a recliner for your home, you also can’t rely on the reviews of others since we all come in different body types and sizes.

I thought for sure we would find a recliner that both Ed and I liked at our local La-Z-Boy. After all that is what they are famous for and it is a great place to start looking. But after 2 trips to the store’s showroom and trying out all their recliners, we didn’t feel comfortable in any of them.

Where we did find a recliner style that we could both live with was at a local furniture store that has a wide range of manufacturer’s recliners.

We sat in literally dozens of them and whittled our choice down to a few. We went home and went back a few days later to try the few we liked the best to see if they still felt good, then we both agreed on the one in the photo above that was comfortable for both of us and had the features we wanted.

How to Choose a Comfortable Recliner

Seating can look beautiful when styled for a photo in a decorating magazine or catalog to entice you, but the bottom line (no pun intended) to ask yourself when buying a recliner is:

Diagram of measurements of a recliner and how a body should fit.
  • Does the seating fit your body so it is comfortable when sitting upright as well as when reclined?
  • Is it deep enough to put your feet up under you?
  • Does the fabric feel good against your bare skin?
Creating a Comfortable and Relaxing Home using motion furniture that reclines, swivel and rock.
  • Is it good quality? Since recliners have moving parts and it will become the most used chair in the house, you want to make sure it is well made. It is worth paying more.
  • If the head rest cushioning has too much padding, it can make your head angle forward – this is not comfortable. Seats and cushions should have evenly distributed stuffing to ensure comfort.
  • When in reclined position, does the open gap between the seat and the foot rest hit your legs in a comfortable way? 
  • When in an upright position, do your legs touch the floor or hang freely?
  • Are the arm rests at a comfortable height from the seat for your body size?
  • Is the length of the seat – back to front, fit the length of your upper thighs. You don’t want this to be too short or too long.
  • If thinking about purchasing a power recliner, there is the benefit of being able to adjust the chair’s seat and headrest separately. But do know that the chair will need to be near an electrical outlet and there will be a cord on the floor from the chair to the outlet.
    • Also know that the electronics may break down years before the actual chair needs replacing.
Fireplace decorated for the winter months.

If you find a recliner that you like, but don’t like the fabric or the chair doesn’t rock or swivel, most furniture manufacturers can add these functions easily, so don’t hesitate to ask.

5. Recliner Style: Leather or Fabric  

When thinking about buying a recliner, make sure the style of recliner coordinates with your existing furniture.

Creating a Comfortable and Relaxing Home using leather recliners
  • If you have a sofa with tufting or other types of decorative ornamentation, then selecting a recliner with cleaner lines would be a nice mix.
  • If you are looking to bring a sense of formality into your space, then a more traditional style with nail trim, button-back or a wingback would look just right.

6. Recliner Placement in a Room

When deciding on a recliner to buy for your home, you will need to consider if you have the space needed and seating arrangements so that everyone has a comfy place to sit.

A recliner needs more space around it then a regular upholstered chair so it has enough room around it when it is fully reclined. You don’t want the reclined headrest to hit a wall or the foot rest to hit a coffee table.

  • Most recliners need 10-14 inches of clearance from a wall or another piece of furniture to fully recline.
Fall leaves in basket placed in an unused fireplace flanked by 2 leather recliner chairs.

The placement of a recliner should also balance the furniture arrangement in the room.

  • Due to their larger size, a recliner can make a room feel lopsided, so placing the chair across from another larger visual element in the room like a large bookcase can counterbalance and make the room as a whole look it’s best.
  • Place a recliner on an area rug that is large enough to include a side or end table. This will create a more cozy appeal.

6. Tips for Accessorizing Recliners

When adding recliners to a room, don’t forget to add a luxurious throw over the back or armrest. This will add a touch of cozy interest, texture and color.

Leather recliner in living room with fall throw blanket and fur over the arm.

Recliner Styling TIPS:

Throw Blankets:

  • When adding a throw blanket to a recliner, consider the thickness of the fabric. If it’s too thin, it may look wimpy or not feel as comfortable as a thicker more lush fabric like fur or velvet for the colder months when you want to get super snuggly and comfy.

Decorative Toss Pillows:

Toss or throw pillows are usually not needed as recliner chairs usually have enough cushioning.

  • When the chair is not in use though, a decorative throw pillow placed in one corner of the seat will give the room a more styled feel.
  • You can keep a basket on the floor nearby to place the pillow in when you are using the chair.

Side Tables:

When setting up a seating area, recliners look better when placed next to a large side table. A small table will look out of scale. A coffee table will have to be placed too far away to give space for the pop-up foot rest.

When placing a side table next to a recliner, be sure to select one that is in scale with the table. A too small side table will look off.

Also make sure the side table has a heavy bottom so that if the chair has a swivel, you don’t knock the table over if the chair bumps it.

Still Don’t Like Recliners – Consider This Type of Seating

How to decorate a home with recliners and still have style.

If you still are not a fan of recliners, but would like to add more comfortable living room furniture to your space, look into a reclining loveseat or couches where there is a hidden lever inside the armrest that you pull to open the seat to a reclined position.

It may cost a bit more for this feature, but no one will know the seating is a recliner, except you and your family.

Reclining seating like this looks like regular upholstered furniture while giving you a reclined seat function.

I had a sofa and a loveseat like this in my previous home when I was on the dislike side of decorating with recliners.

Chair & Ottoman or Sectional

  • As an option, add a footrest or an ottoman in front of an existing upholstered chair or two in the room that can double as extra seating as well as serve as a comfy place for your feet when sitting in an upholstered chair.
  • A well-made sectional sofa or a sofa with a chaise are other comfy seating options.

Don’t Miss Out on Comfort

When it comes to decorating a home, my only regret over the years is that I wished I had added recliners to my living room sooner and wasn’t so caught up on them being non-design worthy.

What makes your home or living spaces comfy cozy? We all have items and rituals that we do to feel comfortable at home or relax after a busy day. What are yours?

Where to Buy Recliners

As I mentioned earlier, I would never purchase an upholstered armchair I haven’t sat in first, but I rounded up a few recliners that I found online to show you the variety of styles they come in.

All of these recliners can be made up in many colors of leather, trim like nailheads and also hundreds of fabric choices to coordinate with your room’s color scheme as well.

a selection of affordable recliner chairs that offer function and style.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9


More Home Decorating Ideas:

Would you like to save this post?

Enter your email below and I’ll send it to you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


51 Comments

  1. Hi Diane, I have been shopping for recliners for my new home, and I am afraid the only ones I want are yours! Your links to your local furniture store/brand don’t work. Can you post the name of the manufacturer for me? I appreciate it. Your living room is wonderful.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Theresa – I bought the recliners about 4 years ago so the manufacturer may not make the model anymore. I did a Google search using these words “southern motion recliners. model name: shimmer” and quite a few furniture stores came up. I added a link so you can see, but there were a few more stores in the search results that still seem to have the chairs in stock. Maybe one will be in your area.

      The Recliners are made by Southern Motion. The model is: Shimmer. The color leather I have is called Toast.

      Here is one link I found for them:
      https://themattressbarn.com/product/southern-motion-shimmer-recliner-1153/

      I hope you can find it. It is one very comfy chair.

      1. Diane,
        Thank you so much for spending the time to respond to me with such a thorough answer! Crossing fingers I find them in my neck of the woods!

  2. Bernice “Nae-Nay” says:

    Thank you. Helps me think about my next purchase. We have always had recliners. My husband has to have his. It’s leather and I don’t want to take it away it’s fairly new. But I’m in need of a new chair for myself. This helps me think. My thoughts are a everyday chair need to be leather for cleaning and we have “grands”. His is a dark brown we have just bought new sofa and chairs. I’m trying to decide if I should buy a brown to math his chair or maybe a lighter color be okay. I think I’ll know when I see the right one as long as it feels good. Great reading.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Bernice – I agree with you that you will know what chair to buy when you see it. :-). I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get them, they are just so comfy and make reading and watching TV feel luxurious.

  3. I love these chairs. They’re big, but not too big.

  4. cherrypick says:

    Thank you for sharing such an amazing article! Indeed worth spending time reading this blog

  5. Azria Azria says:

    Nice decoration.

  6. Darla Combs says:

    Those recliners look like the one i FINALLY picked out. I have back and neck problems, chronic, so a comfortable chair was essential. I went to soooo many stores and sat in soooo many chairs and was about to give up when I found mine. Some have asked me why I purchased one so big…comfort. I hope your chairs are as comfortable in the long run as mine has been! :)

  7. I’m reading Liz Marie’s book a little at a time with a cup of coffee. Me time! I agree with you, home should be what makes us comfortable-not what makes a pretty picture- Great if you have both but comfort first! For this reason, I have ceiling fans in several rooms. Always enjoy your blog.

  8. Airbnb Clean says:

    These are such good ideas. Thanks for putting this up. So helpful and relaxing.

  9. Varsha Reddy says:

    Such a wonderful post. Thanks Diane for letting us know a cozy house is a “Home”. The house is awesomely decorated and the furniture shapes the house extremely dreamy. Looking forward to more from you Diane.

  10. My home has popcorn ceilings and at least for now I’m stuck with them. LOL! I don’t have leather recliners but I have a double sofa recliner that is so comfy that I’ve been known to fall asleep.

    I moved in October and I’m having fun turning a house into a home with comfort being my priority. It will never be featured in Better Home and Garden. However, it is slowly becoming my happy place and a refuge from the world.

    Thank for sharing your comfort tips.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Beth – Love what you said.. a refuge from the world. You are so right. Creating a comfy relaxing home is #1 in my book. Enjoy creating your happy place.

    2. Hi Diane,

      I totally agree with having a comfortable recliner. I also have two recliners we purchased from Lazy Boy quite a number of years ago. I have also put one on each side of our fireplace (really looks great). The color we bought is a burgundy leather (great color for our living room). I often use a leather cream on it especially on the headrest to keep the leather supple.

      I just loved reading your blog.

  11. Diane I love your blog and this post was particularly inspiring. I have deleted quite a few blogs I had been following as they do not appear “real” to me. Being a senior, living in my parents basement (about 900 sq. ft.) taking care of them, the house and the yard (also a sucker for animals – 2 dogs, a foster failure cat and 2 foster kittens) I spent far too much time and money in the past trying to get “that look” only to realize that my look is quite alright and that is due largely in part to you and your wonderful blog. You definitely won’t be deleted! Thank you.

  12. Kelly S. Rowe says:

    Fantastic tips, friend! I can’t wait to sit in one those recliners and catch up over a glass of wine with you. Hugs.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Kelly – I am looking forward to that catch-up time and a few glasses of wine. XO

  13. PJ Fizzyknits says:

    What a wonderful, comfort-inducing post! I’m in line with a lot of other people commenting – I’m in MO and would never be without ceiling fans – even in winter. They just keep the air from sitting on top of you. Hoping to move, we were amazed at the number of newer homes that didn’t have ceiling fans. Can’t be without them! And I LOVE your new chairs! When my babies were little, the leather couch was so much easier to clean up. As they got older and we switched to fabric, that was a nightmare. I’m happy to say we’re back to leather, and I won’t have anything else, kids or no kids. I love how they feel warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. And who knew I was puttering when I didn’t know that’s what it meant! I tell my husband almost daily when he calls and asks what I’m doing, and it’s usually “oh, just puttering around.” Thanks for “warming” up my days!

  14. Concept Cubicles or John Beaumont says:

    Great post. I love the brown chairs. It looks very comfortable.

  15. Can I ask where you got your white slipcover from? Any I have found are always beige or off white…very frustrating!!!

  16. Hi Diane! I live in Texas, and wouldn’t make it through the summer with out my ceiling fans! Popcorn ceilings, meh . . .i can take’em or leave’em! I use to had recliners and consider them the bain of every decorators’ existences! But, hey I’m getting older and can appreciate being able to raise my feet up.. Thanks for being honest and living and.blogging about real life.

  17. Sheryll & Critters. says:

    Oh a big hint to your girls!

    Anyone in the South surely does not say no ceiling fans!!!! Unless they are totally inexperienced. And as far as popcorn ceilings….. if they are in good condition then no problem! The only problem I had with them was in the ceilings of bathrooms in one of the hotels I managed years ago. Hard to clean, y’all know? And very stupid in a bathroom shower!!!

    Recliners are great if you have the room. I have my daddy’s old recliner and the fabric is disintegrating, but I won’t throw it away. It is so sturdy and comfy, just needs to be recovered. I love the two you bought! They are more than perfect for your room! If I had the money, I would buy one like yours in a soft gray. You have such a beautiful living room. Thank you for sharing!

  18. Patricia Petrone says:

    Cannot thank you enough for these fabulous tips. Your blog is practical and style honest and approachable. Your take on design is refreshing and honest. (Could we have been related in a past life!? ?)
    Seriously, I appreciate your time, energy and style.

  19. I always enjoy your posts but this one is especially great. You are always an inspiration to me. I am a putterer and must remind myself that it’s not a waste of time! I used to read Alexandra Stoddard years ago, I will have to dig her books out and have a look at them again, I remember enjoying them the way I enjoy your blog. Popcorn ceilings! It sometimes feels like I’m the only person stuck with them – and as a senior citizen I don’t have the energy or money to deal with them. So I’m glad to think that you in your beautiful home have popcorn ceilings too!

  20. Vel Smith says:

    So many good comments that also express my views. We’re in our 70’s, and recliners are a necessary part of relaxing for us. …Comfy chair, soft throw…so I’m looking forward to your ideas that will now include these chairs. Always enjoy your blog. (Loved the puttering article!)

  21. Ricki Jill Treleaven says:

    You think the recliners aren’t Pinworthy? My husband brought home a creamy leather sectional with electric recliners at each end….I kid you not! But I must admit that they are soooooooo niiiiiiiiiceeee

    ;P

    I think your recliners are pretty, BTW…

  22. Finally. A blogger who gets it. I love looking at the pretty Pinterest worthy pictures and explanations, but at the end of the day, our family LIVES in our living room. We EAT in our dining room. I’m too busy to constantly fix throws, arrange pillows, move table arrangements, etc. No thanks. We try to keep it real and love having it look nice. Swivel recliners. I’m checking out the website now. Love the idea! (P.S. As for ceiling fans…I’d rather have an ugly fan than sit in a stuffy room, any day. If the designers find them so offensive, then they should design something pretty. Just saying.)

  23. Josephine C. says:

    Thank you for defining the very thing I’ve been feeling guilty about – puttering! Didn’t know there was a word for it. I will gladly use it more often now. Love the recliners! We have one in our living room not quite as nice looking as yours but neutral enough to blend in with a beautiful throw over it. Every guest we’ve had has enjoyed relaxing in it & often comment how they wish they could have one in their home. It’s unfortunate how we sometimes pick aesthetics over comfort. Thank you for giving us a different inspiring view and making things functional and beautiful. By the way, where did you get the jar filled with candy corn? What a pretty way to display while also ensuring they don’t go stale. My 8 yr old daughter would love it, please share.

  24. Hello. Not everything has to be “Pinterest pretty”! As long as those recliners are comfy… it’s true that recliners are not the best-looking seats, but the colour of the leather is very nice. Lots of good naps are awaiting you… :)

  25. It was comforting to hear that you too, have popcorn ceilings….lol! I love your room….those recliners look so comfortable. I’ve always maintained that comfort was more important…but, in all honesty it seems hard to get many bloggers to admit to that. Don’t get me wrong…I want my home to look good….but comfort reigns supreme! Love your living room…and your cozy tips are spot on! ;)

  26. Elaine Williams in Baltimore, Maryland says:

    I would be truly unhappy without my ceiling fans! I’d have one in the kitchen if it didn’t interfere with the gas flame. The one over our bed is NEVER off – unless I am cleaning it. But I am going to have to be honest with you – I am very anti recliners – love the function but not the shape. If I had a large home with a ‘TV room’ in a large finished basement they would be great. In my smallish living room that has a fireplace – not so much.

  27. Diane, I love your “comfort style”! I am so over the “perfect” rooms and trying to make my house “design worthy”. I am from SC and recently moved back home after living in Phoenix, AZ for many years. In the South and in the desert you NEED ceiling fans, even if they aren’t considered “design worthy”. Also, my husband and I just bought 2 rocker recliners. He is 6’3″ tall and he finally has a chair that fits him! The smile on his face when he realized there was a chair that fit him is worth giving up “design worthy” any day. My home is comfortable and that makes me happy. Thanks for always sharing your tips and ideas!

  28. Hi Diane love your home, comfy and inviting and really beautiful. Agree with all your points here especially unwinding with a glass of wine and listening to good music. Love your blog thank you for all the inspiring ideas. Julie x

  29. Norma Rolader says:

    Thank you for sharing this post!! I enjoyed it and it put a lot of things in perspective

  30. Diane, you are my favorite blogger! I follow you because you are true to yourself by not “staging” your home. After reading your post I have decided that my home may not be fashionable but it sure is comfortable. Thank you for helping me set my priorities.

  31. I completely agree. I am so over rooms that couldn’t handle a child or a dog because they are so pristine, white, and staged. I want true comfort. I want inviting rooms. I want my rooms to feel right far more than look right.

  32. Diane | An Extraordinary Day says:

    I love the way you think and live, Diane. Comfort always trumps looks in my book. The leather on your chairs is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never been a recliner gal, I’ve always thought they were for big people because I never sat in one anyway that was even close to comfortable… but that’s not you for sure.

    Alexander Stoddard is a favorite of mine, too. She inspired me a lot when I was first married and I’m so grateful to the woman who gave her very underlined book to me. You know, puttering is a wonderful thing, too. I’m pretty sure it’s one of my happy places. ;)

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Diane – Recliners come in all sizes, we saw one that was HUGE. I tried to fine one that was comfy, yet not too big. Back in the 80’s I bought and read every one of Alexandra’s books and still have them. I even met her and got to go to her house. She was truly inspiring.

    2. Linda Newman says:

      I Love the toast recliners you have. Could you please tell me the brand?

  33. Awesome post today. I agree with the post above….so many blog posts just dont look like comfortable rooms that say come in and have a seat.

    Thank you for the amazing tips.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi June – You are welcome. It makes me happy to share what I do and keep it real.

  34. Sue Bauman says:

    Too bad for those bloggers that put style above form and function. So many of the pictures I see show homes that are draped in items that are just for show. That is not a style I wish to emulate, at all. Recliners serve so many functions, as you accurately described, ceiling fans are very necessary and serve several functions as well; cottage cheese ceilings….I have no defense for those eyesores! Around here, there are companies that remove the cottage cheese and re-texture the ceiling for $99 per room. The home instantly looks 35 years newer!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Sue – $99 a room to remove the popcorn ceiling!! That is quite a deal. Where do you live?

      1. Sue Bauman says:

        I live in Orange County, California. The ads for popcorn removal are in all the local home improvement booklets that get mailed to all residents practically every week. The workers tape huge sheets of plastic up next to the ceiling at the tops of the walls, across the floor, right across to the opposite side of the room and up to that ceiling; they wet the popcorn, scrape it, retexture the ceiling’s surface. Then it needs to dry. Their job is done and soon it’s ready to be painted.

        1. Sue, That is a great deal! We priced our popcorn ceilings (SW Fl) seven years ago and it was $3000 for the whole house (garage included). Eventually, I will just learn to live with it!

          Diane, I really appreciate your comfort-first style. How nice to be comfortable in a beautifully-decorated home. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us as well as all of the inspiration… I’ve learned so much!

      2. I really enjoyed this post. Home to me represents a loving, comforting, safe place to surround yourself with meaningful objects that bring you joy. My house may not look like anyone else but it’s perfect for me and my family. I have three recliners, two with heat and massage and one that is leather. I love the heat and massage recliners but I also love my leather recliner. I like the option of a chair to suit my mood or the task at hand that I may be working on while sitting in a chair. Appreciated the detail that you went into on this post. I am considering new sofas. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks for being real.

    2. Sheryll & Critters. says:

      Where do you find this? I don’t have popcorn ceilings, but I would like my tiny bathroom that was painted with old gloss paint and has the stamps removed and repainted. They really messed it up and that gloss paint is a horror. I live in Jacksonville, FL on the westside.

  35. Christy Keyton says:

    I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVED this post. I follow lots of home decor bloggers and I love so many different styles. But often, I look at their homes and think “that would just not be comfortable”. Those recliners made me smile. Making memories with people you love in a comfortable home is the goal of homemaking in my opinion. Thanks for being real. Just so much goodness in this post.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Christy – I agree with you about making memories with people you love in a comfy home. It is my goal, too. I know when my daughter’s and their significant others come to visit, they are going to love the chairs. Hopefully in a few years I will even be able to rock a grandchild in one of the chairs. :-)