You must have tired of the constant thuds and scratches caused by your reclining sofa colliding with the wall. We feel your pain! Reclining sofas offer unparalleled comfort and relaxation, but dealing with the hassle of constantly readjusting their position can be a real headache.
Fret not, because we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will delve into the world of reclining sofa maneuvering and share some simple yet effective tips on how to keep reclining sofa away from wall. Bid farewell to those annoying collisions; let’s dive in and reclaim your living space!
Key Takeaways
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- Use a rug or carpet to create friction and prevent the reclining sofa from sliding on the floor and hitting the wall.
- Opt for furniture grippers, such as self-adhesive pads, to secure the legs of the recliner and prevent it from slipping or sliding.
- Utilize stop blocks or create your own DIY stop blocks made of wood or metal to place between the furniture and the wall, ensuring stability and preventing the sofa from shifting or sliding.[/su_note]
Why Keep Reclining Sofa Away from Wall?
You might wonder why it’s necessary to keep your reclining sofa away from the wall. After all, it’s just furniture, right? Well, there are several reasons why maintaining proper distance between your reclining sofa and the wall is essential. Let’s explore the reasons:
To Properly Recline the Sofa.
Reclining sofas are designed to provide maximum comfort by allowing you to recline fully. However, to achieve this, they require adequate space behind them.
If the sofa is too close to the wall, it may hinder the reclining mechanism, preventing you from enjoying the full range of motion. By keeping your sofa away from the wall, you can fully utilize its reclining capabilities and experience the ultimate relaxation.
For your information, the required clearance between a reclining sofa and the wall varies depending on the specific type of recliner sofa. In general, you will typically need a minimum of 4 inches up to 1 foot of space between the wall and the reclining sofa.
Smaller-sized sofas or wall-hugging sofas usually necessitate a distance closer to the four-inch mark. However, it’s worth noting that there are reclining sofas available that require no clearance and can be placed directly against the wall in certain instances.
To Enhance the Air Circulation.
When you choose to recline a sofa, it inadvertently obstructs the smooth flow of air behind it. As a consequence, stagnant air pockets form, leading to the accumulation of heat and moisture.
This unfavorable environment not only poses a risk to the structural integrity of the sofa but also creates an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can cause extensive damage and compromise the health of the occupants.
To safeguard your sofa and maintain a healthy living space, it is crucial to ensure unrestricted airflow behind the reclined position.
To Expand the Living Space.
Opting to position your reclining sofa at a distance from the wall offers a multitude of advantages, including the creation of additional space within the room.
By providing ample clearance, you open up the area and bestow a sense of spaciousness and openness to the environment. This newfound space allows for enhanced mobility, facilitating easy movement around the room and ensuring a comfortable and uncluttered atmosphere.
Moreover, the perception of a more inviting and expansive room can positively influence the overall ambiance, making it a more appealing and enjoyable space for relaxation, socializing, and various activities.
How to Keep Reclining Sofa Away from Wall?
Note: When we talk about keeping the sofa away from the wall, it means, taking some measures to save it from sliding on the floor and hitting the wall. If you haven’t checked out our guides for preventing the recliner from sliding on the sofa and sliding on the carpet, check the following tactics.
Use a Rug or Carpet.
While rugs can sometimes come with a higher price tag, the benefits they provide outweigh the cost. When it comes to recliners, a thick rug can work wonders.
Not only does it add a plush feel underfoot, but it can also help to keep the sofa from sliding. The rug or carpet will create friction between the sofa and the floor, which will help to prevent the sofa from moving.
Especially, when it comes to metal-based recliners, a thick rug becomes even more valuable and is highly recommended. Thin rugs tend to roll up at the edges, causing inconvenience and posing a potential tripping hazard.
Opt for Furniture Grippers.
Conveniently available at furniture stores nearby, self-adhesive pads, commonly referred to as furniture grippers, offer a simple solution for securing your furniture to the floor. These pads possess enhanced grip, effectively preventing furniture items from slipping or sliding.
Furniture grippers come in various materials, such as silicone, cork, softwood, and plastic. To ensure the optimal selection of gripping pads for furniture on carpeted surfaces, it is important to consider the type of material used for the legs of your recliner.
Typically, furniture grippers are sold in pairs of two or four where each pad features two distinct sides. One side is sticky, equipped with adhesive for easy attachment, while the other side boasts a textured surface designed to provide a firm grip on the floor or carpet.
Once applied to the legs of your recliner, they effectively anchor the recliner, ensuring it remains securely in place. With the assistance of these self-adhesive furniture pads, you can bid farewell to the frustration of furniture slipping or sliding across your floors.
Try Corks from Wine Bottles.
In the event that adhesive pads, mats, or rugs are not readily available or in short supply, there is still a clever DIY solution for ensuring your recliner stays securely in its resting position. Wine bottle corks can serve as an excellent material for creating your own skid pads.
To get started, follow these steps carefully.
- Acquire a cork sheet from a local hardware store. This sheet can be customized to fit the legs of your recliner by cutting it to the desired size.
- Once you have your cork pieces, proceed to cut them according to the dimensions of your recliner’s legs.
- Apply a strong adhesive to one side of the cork and affix it to the recliner, ensuring that the other side comes into contact with the carpet or floor.
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]Note: This method offers an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic or rubber, making it a sustainable option for your DIY skid pads.[/su_note]
By utilizing cork sheets in this manner, you can effectively prevent your recliner from sliding or shifting, even in the absence of traditional adhesive pads or mats. Embrace this creative solution and enjoy the added stability and peace of mind it provides.
Apply Chair Rails.
Chair rails serve as an effective solution for preventing recliners from colliding with walls, creating a protective barrier between the two. However, they can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home when implemented thoughtfully.
When incorporating chair rails into your interior design, it’s crucial to consider a few aspects to not only enjoy their utility but also the attractive aesthetic appeal.
- Consider the color scheme of your space. By carefully selecting complementary colors, you can achieve a harmonious balance in your home’s overall visual composition.
- Moreover, to maintain a visually pleasing equilibrium, position the chair rails at approximately one-third of the room’s total height. For example, if your room measures 10 feet in height, the chair rails should be placed around 40 inches from the floor.
- To achieve a professional and cohesive color scheme, it is advisable to match the color of the chair rails with that of your doors and windows.
- Also, applying high-gloss wood paint to the chair rails can ensure their long-lasting durability, preventing the paint from chipping or fading over time. This attention to detail will contribute to the overall refined appearance of your interior.
For your information, contrary to popular belief, chair rails are not limited to foyers, dining rooms, and living rooms alone. They can also be effectively utilized in your home office, providing both practical and aesthetic benefits to this space as well.
Use a Stop Block.
A stop block serves as a practical solution to prevent a sofa from sliding into the wall. It is typically a small piece made of wood or metal that can be securely attached to the wall behind the sofa.
Stop blocks are particularly effective for larger furniture pieces like recliners. While they may be slightly pricier compared to rubber pads or grippers, it is also possible to create your own stop blocks right at home.
To make your DIY stop blocks, here are the steps.
- Start by tracing the shape of the furniture legs onto a piece of cardboard.
- Then, use these patterns as a guide to cut out corresponding wooden blocks.
- Once you have the wooden blocks prepared, position them between the furniture and the wall.
This simple yet effective placement will effectively prevent your recliner or couch from shifting or sliding out of its intended position and ensure the stability and proper positioning of your furniture as well as matching furniture in the bedroom.
Tips for Protecting Your Recliner & Not Hitting the Wall
When it comes to enjoying the comfort of your recliner, it’s important to ensure it remains protected and doesn’t accidentally hit the walls or be damaged by the walls. Here are some additional suggestions to safeguard your recliner and keep it away from the walls.
Educate Proper Usage
Teach your family members and guests the correct way to use the recliner. Make sure they understand how to recline it without causing any damage to the walls. By raising awareness about proper usage, you can prevent accidents and potential wall scratches.
Secure the Footrest
If your recliner has a footrest, always retract it when not in use. Extended footrests can exert significant force and cause the recliner to slide, potentially damaging both the furniture and the walls. Keep the footrest securely closed when it’s not actively being utilized.
Wall Anchors for Added Stability
If you have children or pets who enjoy jumping on the recliner, considering the use of a wall anchor can be a wise choice. Wall anchors are sturdy metal brackets that can be securely screwed into the wall.
Attach a strap or chain from the recliner to the wall anchor, ensuring it stays in place even during energetic movements. This extra level of stability prevents any potential damage caused by excessive force.
Regular Maintenance
Routine maintenance is crucial to prolonging the life expectancy of your recliner and minimizing the risk of wall damage. Regularly inspect and tighten any loose screws or components to keep the recliner structurally sound.
Additionally, clean and care for the upholstery according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain its quality and prevent any slipping issues.
Furniture Sliders
Consider using furniture sliders underneath the legs of your recliner. These sliders make it easier to move the recliner without scratching or damaging the floor or walls. By reducing friction, furniture sliders allow for smoother and safer repositioning of your recliner when necessary.
How Do I Keep My Couch from Touching the Wall?
To keep your couch from touching the wall, you can use some of the same methods mentioned for recliners. A few of them include the following:
- Placing furniture grippers or self-adhesive pads under the legs of the couch can provide a better grip and prevent it from sliding toward the wall.
- You can also opt for the properly designed furniture sliders that can help in repositioning the couch without causing damage to the floor or walls.
Read more about couches:
- How Long Do La-Z-Boy Couches Last?
- Are Reclining Couches Tacky?
- How To Reupholster A Couch with Attached Cushions?
FAQs
How Do I Stop My Recliner from Hitting the Wall?
To prevent your recliner from hitting the wall, there are several measures you can take.
One effective method is using furniture grippers or self-adhesive pads, which provide a better grip between the recliner’s legs and the floor.
Another option is to use stop blocks, small pieces of wood or metal that can be attached to the wall behind the recliner to create a barrier.
Do Reclining Sofas Have to Be Away from the Wall?
Reclining sofas may or may not have to be placed away from the wall. If a recliner needs some space to fully recline, it’s essential to provide adequate space, which can be typically 4 inches to 14 inches, to use the reclining functionality properly.
On the other hand, if you are using a wall-hugger recliner or some other type, there may be no need to keep the space or if it is, it may be less than what is mentioned. Therefore, ensure to check your recliner when deciding on the space.
Can Recliners Go Against a Wall?
Yes, you can place a recliner against a wall, but it’s important to consider a few factors. If the recliner is designed for wall-hugging or wall-saver functionality, it can be positioned closer to the wall because it has mechanisms that allow it to recline without hitting the wall.
But it’s still advisable to leave some space between the recliner and the wall to ensure proper airflow and prevent any accidental damage to the wall. It’s always best to check the manufacturer’s instructions specific to the recommended placement against a wall.
