What Is a Theater Recliner Chair?

Substantial Size

• Theater recliner chairs are usually large and well padded. This allows someone who is seated in one for an entire movie to shift position and still feel comfortable, not cramped. The furniture is also built to be sturdy; it may hold a large adult who jumps during a horror film, or kids who squirm on the furniture while waiting for their favorite movie to start.

Power or Manual Reclining

• All recliner chairs, theater recliners included, allow the back support of the chair to tilt back to an angle that's meant to be relaxing. Often, recliner chairs also have a foot rest that moves out from the bottom to support the occupant's legs. Theater recliner chairs have traditionally used a hand lever or the user's body weight to recline the chair. However, some theater recliners are now offered with a quiet motor that moves the chair into the reclining position. This type of chair is often quieter to recline than the conventional type of recliner and can be stopped at various angles for the most relaxing position.

Food Trays or Cup Holders

• Theater recliner chairs can have cup holders in their arm rests, as well as food trays attached to them. Sometimes these cup holders and food trays are lighted to make it less likely that someone using them in the dark will spill her food or drink. These additions make snacking during a movie more convenient and lessen the need for tables in the seating area, which people might bump into or trip over in the dark.

Sofas and Grouped Seats

• Some individual theater recliner chairs are built to fit together into a curved grouping that faces the theater screen. Some sofas incorporate reclining seats. Both of these options make efficient use of space and allow the theater viewers to sit close together while enjoying the movie.

Decor Styles

• Theater recliners chairs don't have to be covered in black leather and be overstuffed. There are many options to fit the decor style chosen. Some recliner chairs are sleek and modern; others are tufted and incorporate polished wood.