Recliner Vs. Bean Bag

The main difference between a recliner and a bean bag is durability. Even though a bean bag is long-lasting, a recliner is more durable. The two seats are a huge investment, and you want a piece of furniture whose longevity matches the cost.

So, recliner vs. bean bag?

Besides the durability difference, a bean bag differs from a recliner in design and cost, among other distinguishing factors. A recliner is an armchair-like seat with reclining features, while a bean bag takes your body shape. On the price factor, a recliner is more expensive than a bean bag. 

This write-up provides all you need to know about the two comfy seats allowing you to decide which of them best suits your need. 

Let’s get started.

Recliner Vs. Bean Bag: What Differentiates The Two Pieces Of Furniture?

The difference between a recliner and a bean bag goes beyond their longevity variance. We’ll dig deeper into each of these to understand these differences.

What’s A Recliner Chair?

A recliner is an armchair with an adjustable back and footrest. It functions by leaning the backrest backward while the footrest raises. This chair offers you comfort in your preferred position and enhances relaxation after a hard day’s work. As a result, you stand lower chances of experiencing back pains.

Recliners allow you to sit upright, watch TV, read a book, and you can turn it into a bed where you spend some of your nights. However, sleeping in a recliner shouldn’t be an everyday thing as it could cause health problems such as back pains.

What Are The Components Of  Recliner Chairs?

There are seven major components of a recliner chair, including the following:

• Back and seat support. These are large pieces of cushion forming the backrest and the sitting area respectively. The two sections are made of steel springs or rubber webbing.
• Footrest. The area of your recliner chair on which your legs rest while seated. It raises when your chair reclines.
• Pull handle/ Lever. This part of a recliner is located on its side and is responsible for the footrest extension.
• Metal frame. Recliner’s support structure holding the mechanism in place. It’s made of chipboard or solid wood, attaches upholstery, and supports your body. 
• Springs. They sit beneath the cushion, providing comfort in the back support and armchair.
• Upholstery padding. Works with the spring to offer maximum support while sitting or lying on the recliner.
• Cables. Rest along the inner structure edges and facilitate the recliner’s back movement.

What Are The Different  Recliner Chairs Designs?

There are four different recliner chairs designs including:

• Rocker recliner. Ideal when you have sleeping difficulties. Spending a few hours before sleep time allows your body to relax and can easily catch sleep once you retire to bed.
• Dual-position recliner. It’s upright and reclining positions and can recline to any position in between the two. 
• Lift recliner. Its mechanism raises the chair allowing you to get out of it with ease.
• Swivel recliner. Allows you to turn in any direction around its circular base.

The variance in these types of recliners is due to the different reclining mechanisms and the extra features in each chair.

A recliner chair is either manually operated or electric powered. Manually recliners rely on your physical strength where your weight pushes the backrest backward while the footrest moves upwards. The electric-powered recliners use a motor to function, and you’ve to connect it to the main power supply.

The extra features you may find in a recliner include:

•  Massage  function
•  USB port
• Cupholder
• Heat function
• Glider base
• Swivel base
• phone/ remote holder
• Lumbar support
• Adjustable headrest

These additional features of a recliner boost the comfort the chair provides. However, it’s worth noting that they also contribute to the high cost of your chair. Hence, it’s wise to go for the features you need and not all of them.    

Pros And Cons Of Recliners

Using a recliner comes with advantages and disadvantages. It’s crucial to weigh both sides before making a buying decision. After all, it’s such a huge investment!

Pros:

• Maximum comfort. Recliners provide a comfortable seating experience allowing your body to relax after a strenuous task. The additional features of your chair also enhance its extra coziness. 
• Back pain eradication. The chair supports your head and neck, reducing tension on your spine. Consequently, it prevents or reduces lower back pain.
• Flexibility. A good recliner adjusts to various seating positions. These options include book reading, TV watching, sitting, or sleeping positions. 
• Proper blood circulation. By elevating your feet, you allow your veins to relax, allowing a smooth blood flow in your body.
• Pregnancy aid. The various sitting positions of a recliner are helpful during pregnancy. They reduce back pain in pregnant women by providing the necessary support and comfort they need.
• Convenience. You can use your recliner in any room. All you need is to have the right chair for your need and connect to the main power supply for motor-powered recliners.

Cons: 

• More expensive. Recliners cost more than other chairs. Their advanced features contribute to the escalating prices.
• Few sizes and colors. Although recliners have various options and technologies, they’ve fewer choices when it comes to size and color than other furniture like a bean bag. 
• Occupies more space. Recliners need extra space behind them to allow their opening or leaning back. They also need more space in front to accommodate footrest movement.
• Extra maintenance and cleaning. Since this chair is a considerable investment, it requires extra care to serve you for an extended period.

What’s A Bean Bag Chair?

A bean bag chair is a sizeable polystyrene-filled pillow used as a seat. The chair is cozy, and you set its shape by sitting or lying on it. This chair provides you with postural support allowing you to relax and thus, eradicating shoulder and neck tension. As a result, you experience minimal or no pain in your lower back.

Unlike the regular, which is firm and solid, a bean bag chair is flexible and provides comfy shifting. At first, you may not view it as a chair, but it forms a seat that takes after your body shape once you sit on it. You can place it at any specific spot on the floor and it continuously supports your body in the different positions you take.

Other names of the bean bag chair include Sacco or simply bean bag. 

What Are The Components Of  Bean Bag Chairs?

There are two significant components of bean bag chairs, including:

• Designer Cover
• Bean bag stuffing/Beans

Designers Cover

Bean bag chairs have a variety of covers allowing you to pick your taste and one that blends perfectly with your room’s decor. Linen and natural fiber are ideal for your indoor chairs as they’re skin-friendly. Nonetheless, this material is prone to stains and spills. For the outdoor bean bags, you need a long-lasting fabric like vinyl.

Hereunder, are the bean bag cover types. Keep reading as we go through the list.

• Cotton. It’s a popular natural fiber that breathes well. Your cotton weave should be tight and have a backing on your fabric to prevent the fraying of your fabric and loosening of your weave. Also, keep it away from direct sunlight and chlorine water to prevent fading.
• Vinyl. Has a backing, an excellent feel, and a thin foam layer that enhances density. Additionally, this material is stain resistant, waterproof, and colorfast.
• Corduroy. A durable and flexible cover derived from fustian fabric. You can pull it in all directions without damaging it. This fabric requires no backing because it has extra weaving on its base.
• Faux fur. Synthetic-made covers that resemble the animal far. The hair sits on a base fabric that binds the bean bag fabric pieces. The base fabric should weigh 400g/ sqm and above.  The more the weight, the thicker the material, and consequently, the stronger your bean bag is.  
• Flux suede. These are natural (from animals) or artificial (plastic) fabrics. The artificial ones have become increasingly popular and more robust than their natural counterparts. Nonetheless, the man-made suede is prone to stains, dust, and animal fur can easily be caught up between the fibers.   
• Velvet. It’s a woven-backed fabric that can withstand the bean bag pressure. The top side is skin-friendly and blends well with your room’s decor. However, it requires extra care and upkeep to maintain its great-looking appearance.
• Leather. It’s a standard fabric that has passed the test of time. Its strength is enough backing for the cover and comes in different colors. Nevertheless, leather fabrics can warn and crease easily. This material can crack if exposed to direct sunlight and shows water stains after a spilled liquid dries.

Patterned fabrics?

Patterns enhance beauty on your bean bag. These fabrics need backing to prevent their pulling apart when exposed to more pressure. That can lead to the spilling of the beans. Also, make sure that the patterns are embedded and not coated onto the fiber because the coating can peel off and mess up your chair’s great look. 

It’s crucial to note that bean bag chairs exert more pressure on their seams due to the lack of solid foam backing behind the cover. For this reason, you should always have a solid backing on your chair.

Bean Bag Stuffing/Beans

Generally, there are five types of stuffing which as outlined below.

• Natural fillers. Initially, bean bags stuffing were dry crops and grains such as beans. They’re later replaced with synthetic fillers discussed below. Even so, the natural “beans” are gradually making a comeback due to the embracement of the organic way of life.  

• Polypropylene. Tiny beads that can contract, expand, or collapse when you sit on your chair. Once you get off the bean bag, the seat raises due to reducing pressure. It’s the highest quality and most comfortable type of bean bag stuffing.
• Polystyrene. Tiny, shifting beads providing maximum support and comfort by enclosing your body once you sit on the bean bag. This stuffing is ideal for round bean bags.
• Compressed foam. The commonly used foam is shredded polyurethane. It works well for chair-like bean bags and is the firmest type of filling.
• Micro beads. Polyethylene microscopic pellets of different sizes ranging between ten micrometers to one millimeter. These fillers are ideal for small bean bags such as neck pillows and not suitable for huge chairs.

Since the “beans” comprise small, lightweight objects, they are life-threatening to kids when inhaled or swallowed. So, ensure your bean bag is properly stitched to prevent beans from spilling out. Your chair’s zipper should have a removable zip handle or a parental locking mechanism.

What Are The Different  Bean Bag Chair Designs?

There are six different bean bag chair designs. The variance comes from the different bean-type fillers of the specific chairs. Here are the most probable bean bag chairs categories you’ll find in the market.

1. Round Bean Bag Chair

This seat is the most common of all bean bag chairs with a circular shape and a hollow sitting place. You can use it anywhere, and it takes the form of your body once you sit on it. While seated, the high back and sides provide some lumbar and arm support. As a result, this chair reduces back pains. 

The shape of these seats allows you to play video games or watch a movie.  Nonetheless, you shouldn’t try round bean bag chairs if you’ve spinal problems or you’re at an advanced age.

2. Gaming Bean Bag Chair

This bean bag chair is the most loved by most users. It also takes after your body shape when seated, providing excellent support. How? It’s a smooth head and backrests while its base is full-size to hold your bottom and legs comfortably while gaming. 

It resembles the teardrop as it’s wide from the top and downwards towards the edge. It’s a hollow sitting area like its round counterpart. Some bean bag chairs have built-in speakers that can connect to your computer or TV and enjoy the high-definition sound from your chair. 

3. Square Bean Bag Chair

It’s a square-shaped bean bag chair with a backrest and armrest like a recliner or a regular sitting chair. Therefore, this chair offers you a great reading posture. However, the square bean bag is the least flexible and adjustable of all its counterpart chairs. Why? Because it’s designed to maintain the shape of a regular chair. Hence, it can’t take after your body shape, size, or sitting position.    

4. Novelty Bean Bag Chair

This type of bean bag has various shapes and styles. It’s all about being creative and coming up with something unique. Your chair may resemble your preferred emoji, animal head, or your favorite ball. This chair type is best for kids. 

5. Multipurpose Bean Bag Chair

This chair is the biggest of all bean bag types because it’s elongated. It’s oval-shaped and has a long hollow like a sofa. Therefore, the seat is ideal for heavyweight guys or sitting together with your family or friends.

6. Pyramid Bean Bag Chair

This bean bag is a lounge-like chair made from simple rectangles. Its shape provides a high backrest and prolonged base preventing you from sliding off onto the floor. 

What Are The Different Sizes Of Bean Bag Chairs?

There are several sizes of bean bag chairs in the market, including:

• Adult bean bag
• Couples bean
• Kids bean bag
• Teens bean bag
• Giant bean bag

What Should You Consider When Selecting A Bean Bag Chair?

You should consider each element that makes up a seat when selecting a bean bag chair. For that reason, be keen on the following factors.

• Bean bag covering
• Bean bag filling
• Openings and zippers 
• Ergonomic support
• Size
• Shape
• Functionality

 Keep reading as we expound on each of these factors.

1. Bean Bag Covering

As various covers vary in quality, color, and price, go for the chair whose cover is durable, blends well with your decor, and is budget-friendly. From leather to suede, corduroy, and faux fur, all are ideal choices. 

If you need outdoor bean bags, vinyl-covered chairs are best. Why? Because of their strong exterior and are easy to clean. However, they can become sticky and rough if used for a long time.

The good thing about bean bag covers is that most of them are easily removable and machine washable. Also, you can give your living room a new look by changing your chairs’ covers.

2. Bean Bag Filling

What the bean bag chair contains is a crucial consideration. Examine the various bean types and choose one that offers you the comfort you desire and aligns with your budget. Bean bag fillings are firm but squishy and mold around your body as you sink into the chair.

As earlier outlined, these stuffings may include Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Natural Fillers, Compressed Foam, and Microbeads.

3. Openings And Zippers

Besides the look of your bean bag of choice, ensure that the chair has a proper opening or zipper. That is key because you’ll want to top up or replace the filling or wash the cover. The “beans” should be so secure that you can change the cover without their spilling all over the place. Additionally, outer zippers should be well-hidden or can be locked to keep the stuffing out of children’s reach.

4. Ergonomic Support 

Most bean bag chair styles offer ergonomic support. Even so, you should have in mind the purpose for which you’re buying the chair. For instance, if you need additional support on areas such as the neck, hip, shoulders, and back, select a cushion that firmly molds against those areas.

5. Size

You should consider the area size where you’ll be placing your bean bag chair. That helps to determine the size of the seat you’ll purchase. Generally, the size of bean bags ranges from small single-seat cushions to oversized 8ft lounger bean bag chairs. Luckily, these chairs are light and you can quickly relocate them to any part of your house. 

6. Shape 

There is no one particular shape for bean bag chairs. Initially, these chairs took after an elongated sack’s shape but have evolved to various selections. The common thing about any shape is the excellent comfy they provide. While some are used for gaming, others are outsized to accommodate up to an entire family.

7. Functionality

Your pressing need for a bean bag chair is a crucial part of your purchasing decision. For instance, a home-use bean bag chair design is different from an office setup seat. The chair you pick should offer maximum comfort in the area of your need. 

Pros And Cons Of Bean Bag Chairs

Like any other piece of furniture, bean bag chairs come with benefits as well as drawbacks. In this section, we look at the two faces of this cozy chair. Keep reading! 

Pros

Here are reasons you’ll want to buy a bean bag chair or two as part of your furniture.

• Flexibility and styles. Bean bags are rich in styles, color, shape, and size. That allows you to select a chair that matches your decor. You may also want to buy an extra set so you can change your interior decor from time to time. Moreover, you may have waterproof bean bag fabrics for outdoor or pool use. 
• Coziness. The chairs are soft and spongy, molding around your body as you sit or sleep on them. This piece of furniture is so versatile that you can have as many sitting styles as you wish and still support your body.
• Ease of cleaning. Unlike the recliners’ upholstery, bean bag covers are easy to remove by unzipping and washing by hand or using a machine. That makes the chair ideal for kids because they are highly likely to spill foods and drinks on the chairs. 
• Portability. Bean bag chairs are light and compact, and you can move them anywhere. Thus, bean bags are ideal outdoor furniture on which you enjoy the sun or shade. They’re also suitable for kids because they can carry them around without damaging your flooring.
• Affordability. Bean bag chairs are more cost-efficient than recliners or other furniture types. They’re an excellent choice to increase your seating while under a tight budget.

Cons

Consider the disadvantages below before moving towards buying a bean bag chair.

• Standing difficulties. Since these chairs ly on the ground, it might be challenging for some people to get up especially expectant women and people with mobility issues.
• Shorter lifespan. The “beans” flatten over time while the covers may wear out more quickly than the recliner upholstery. In short, bean bags’ longevity is lower than most furniture types.
• Disposal difficulties. Most bean bags have polystyrene balls (EPS) for their stuffing which is a biodegradable material. If not properly disposed off, this material can be hazardous to our environment.

FAQ

Is It Good To Sit On A Bean Bag?

Yes, it’s good to sit on a bean bag. Bean bags improve your posture and offer support to your joints and muscles so that they can realign themselves. As a result, the tension on your spine is lower leading to minimal or no back pain. These chairs are flexible enough to adapt to your body shape, weight, and size, providing the comfort and support you need.

Is It Safe To Sleep On A Bean Bag?

No, it isn’t safe to sleep on a bean bag. Why? New or unpacked memory foam produces harmful emissions that can cause respiratory problems. Nonetheless, the smell disappears after a few days of use of your chair. If you want to fasten the freshening up process, air out the odor.

Do Bean Bags Get Softer?

Yes, bean bags do get softer. When that happens, open it and allow the opening to face up, and shake it for up to 5 minutes. The exercise makes the bean bag firm again. Close your chair and sit on it to test its ability to provide enough support.

Is Bean bag Worth Buying?

Yes, a bean bag is worth buying. When you’ve visitors around, these chairs can provide extra seating. You can have them stored and bring them over when needed. Due to their lightweight nature, they’re ideal for kids because they can move the chair with no harm on your floor.

Are Bean Bags Outdated?

No, bean bags aren’t outdated. Bean bags are safe for use as any other furniture. The chairs have gained tremendous popularity and are available in numerous sizes, shapes, and designs. The different types of bean bag chairs resemble the traditional chairs, loungers, and sofas and are suitable for outdoors and indoors.

Recliner Vs. Bean Bag: Which Chair Is Ideal For You?

The key difference between a recliner and a bean bag is longevity. While both chairs serve you for an extended period, a recliner is more durable. Besides that variance, the two pieces of furniture differ in other areas, making them unique in their own way.

Recliners are mostly living room furniture, not easily portable, and offer few upholstery options. Bean bags, on the other hand, can suit any room, are highly portable, and come in a variety of covers to choose from. 

With the sufficient information provided here, you can make an informed buying decision that you’ll never regret!

Recommended Reading

How To Add Padding To A Recliner

Discover how to add padding to a recliner chair. This guide will help you breathe new life into your old recliner and extend its lifespan.

How To Fix A Recliner That Won’t Recline

10 actionable tips on how to fix a recliner that won’t recline! Welcome! Explore our ideal step-by-step guide to help you get your recliner chair back to business.

How To Keep Recliner From Hitting Wall

A recliner is a great piece of furniture, but it can be a problem if it hits the wall behind it. Here are some tips to help you keep your recliner from hitting the wall.

What Is A High Leg Recliner?

What is a high leg recliner? What sets it apart from a regular recliner chair? Find the answers to these questions and much more in this article.

Leave a Comment

Subscribe

Notify of

new follow-up comments new replies to my comments

Label

{} [+]

Name*

Email*

Website

Label

{} [+]

Name*

Email*

Website

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments