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Home decór: Rocking in the Yucatán

Recliners are a comfortable option for your sala. Photo: Courtesy

Unlike the image of rocking on the front porch, if you live here in the Yucatan, you have chosen to rock on a terrazza in paradise. That old wood rocker is passé. The new, modern recliner is in.

When you think of a recliner, don’t limit yourself to memories of your grandfather’s favorite chair. This traditional style is bulky and puffy with the wood lever on the side. It has two positions — open and closed. Although that still available, today’s look is sleek and slim. New recliners no longer have the lever on the exterior of the chair. Instead, it is cleverly concealed on the inside. The width of the chair is also slimmer and the back higher. For smaller spaces, wall hugger recliners are a new option.

One of my favorite styles is the pushback recliner because it is sleek and modern. To relax in the open position, just push on the arms, and press down with your back. With the chair in the upright position, it looks just like a standard chair – no lever.

You can also add rock and glide motion option to the chair. If you have difficulty relaxing and falling asleep, a rocker recliner should have you off to la-la land in no time. Whereas the rocker mechanism is an arched track, the glider mechanism is a linear track. The motion of a glider is smoother.

Many styles also have a swivel option — perfect for open area living spaces. This gives the convenience of turning the chair to the kitchen/dining or to the living/TV area depending on where the activity is happening.

A well-made recliner should last about 25 years. Remember to buy for the future as well as for today. In ten years, what will be the shape of your knees, shoulders, hips, and back? Pulling on a lever or kicking in a footrest will put extra stress on your body. If you have a little more room in your budget, a power recliner is a great solution.

Batteries recommended

Unlike the traditional model, you can adjust a power recliner to the incline it feels the most comfortable. This gives so much more versatility to the chair. If the visibility of the cord is a problem, get a recliner with a battery pack. In my opinion, the battery pack is the way to go here in the Yucatán. With power surges in our electrical grids, the battery pack eliminates risk. You only need to charge the battery over night, and it will last for over 500 openings.

As with any furniture, buying from a manufacturer who uses the right materials and manufacturing processes is critical. Check for proper frame construction and quality cover material. Fabric should have a minimum 10,000-rub durability, and leather should be genuine leather, not vinyl. It’s essential to buy a brand name you know or from a company that you trust. Always ask to see a written warranty.

You worked hard to relax in the Yucatán — take full advantage with a new, modern recliner.

Looking for furniture in Mexico and have questions? Email me at furniture@solutionsmexico.com

Sheryl Novak is an expat Canadian who has owned a home in Mexico for over 10 years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico — the online furniture store for your home in Mexico. She is considered the expert on sourcing all styles of furniture, for all sizes of budgets, in Mexico.

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