Review of La-Z-Boy’s James Furniture Family: Recliner, Loveseat & Sofa

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At La-Z-Boy, there is a lot of reclining furniture to choose from. Since we are the inventors of the modern recliner, it would be a shame if we didn’t have such a vast selection.

As much as our reclining selection is big, some of our products might not get as much light as others. Nonetheless, these furniture pieces still matter!

The James Furniture Family is one of those La-Z-Boy furniture products that isn't talked about as much anymore. According to Sandi Gauthier, a design consultant at La-Z-Boy Kanata, she tells us, “Not that many people know about the James because it’s not in our showrooms in Ottawa or Kingston.”

Although it may not be on the floor anymore, there is still potential for these La-Z-Boy products to turn your living room into a stylish and comfortable space!

This article will highlight the unique features of the James furniture family, as well as its cost, customer reviews, and if this furniture family is right for you.

In This Article…

1. James Furniture Family (Available Frame Options)
2. Unique Features
3. Sizes & Dimensions
4. Options & Upgrades
5. Cost
6. Warranty
7. Customer Reviews
8. Is the James Furniture Family Right For You?

James Furniture Family (Available Frame Options)

Before we get into the bigger details, let’s familiarize ourselves with James’ furniture options…

James Recliner

The James is offered as both a Rocking Recliner and a Wall Recliner. Both recliners can recline by simply using the handle on the outside arm of the chair.

With the Rocking Recliner, you can rock in a smooth and graceful motion when not in a reclining position. With the Wall Recliner, you can place this recliner mere inches from any wall while still being able to recline effortlessly.

To learn more about the difference between a Rocking Recliner vs. a Wall Recliner, take a look at this article. 

James Reclining Loveseat

The James Reclining Loveseat allows you to recline with either a friend, family member or that special someone in your life. Simply use the latches on either side of the Loveseat to recline.

James Reclining Sofa

Lastly, the James also comes as a Sofa. Instead of two cushions to sit on, like the loveseat, the sofa offers three cushions for a more family-friendly relaxation experience. 

There are also two convenient latches on each side of the sofa that allows you to recline. The middle seat does not recline.

James Sectional

Lastly, the James Sectional is a comfortably casual furniture item, making it ideal for entertaining guests or relaxing on your own. James' sectional has an array of modules to choose from, which lets you customize the perfect configuration for any size room.

Unique Features

Getting into the nitty-gritty of things, let’s discuss the unique features of the James furniture family. The James furniture family offers a perfect blend of comfort and function with a casual, family-friendly style.

This furniture family features a tall, stitched pillow back and pillow top arms that cradle you in comfort. As mentioned before, there are also convenient handles on each furniture frame that you can use to lift up James' legrest for a relaxing reclining experience.

Sandi also takes note of the bucket seats, calling them “stylish and long-lasting.” Bucket seats are designed to let the user sink right into the furniture seats, centering your body in just the right spot.

Sandi recounts a time when she sold a James bucket seat to a friend. “I sold the loveseat and the sofa to a friend. Then another one of my friends came in the store and said she visited my friend’s house and wanted a James as well, just because it looked so stylish and it fit her like a glove.”

So, even though it may not be in-store now, it certainly makes a statement in a room.

Sizes & Dimensions

When comparing your space to any new furniture item, it is always important to Measure Your Room.

Regarding the size & dimensions of the James, Sandi mentions that that size is “fairly average.” This means that it is neither too big nor too small for an average-sized room. 

Looking at who would sit comfortably in the James, anyone between the heights of 5’10” and 6’2” would be best complemented in these furniture items. This means that the James has a taller back that compliments slightly taller individuals. 

If you want to learn more about Recliners for Tall People, check out this article. 

While your height can be a considerable factor, it is important to note that height guidelines are NOT set in stone. The way you sit in a furniture item can drastically affect how someone might find a seat comfortable.

Ultimately, we recommend always coming in for a sit test to see if you think the James is comfortable for your body type. To learn more, take a look at How to Find a Recliner That is The Best Fit For You.

Below is a breakdown of each James furniture frame and its size & dimensions.

James Recliner Dimensions (Inches)

James Loveseat Dimensions (Inches)

James Sofa Dimensions (Inches)

James Sectional Dimensions (Inches)

Options & Upgrades

When compared to other La-Z-Boy furniture families, James has plenty to choose from. Keep in mind that your selection of options and upgrades can increase the final price of your furniture. 

Fabric & Leather Options

La-Z-Boy has over 800 fabrics and leathers to choose from, making the experience of personalizing your furniture seemingly endless.

When it comes to choosing select fabrics, the James comes in 5 select fabric covers. These all range from oyster-toned white to midnight blue. Additionally, there are also 4 select faux leather choices. These fabric covers do not increase the price of your James furniture.

When it comes to leather options, there are 2 select cover options. These leather options include two shades of charcoal colours.

Along with the leather selection, the aforementioned leather stitching is also available. All leather options, including the select leather selection, will always increase the overall cost.

Ultimately, the choice of choosing fabric or leather is up to you if you’re willing to spend extra cash on leather products.

Please note that this article's leather or fabric options may be discontinued or unavailable without prior notice. We recommend contacting your local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store by phone or in-person to confirm availability. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by any changes to our upholstery selection.

In addition to the cover options mentioned above, the James is offered in specialty fabrics with unique features and benefits …

Stain Resistant Fabric

Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fabric fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before turning into stains.

Pet-Friendly Fabric

Tested and formulated to withstand the scratches and wear that a pet can cause to ensure a durable and easily washable fabric.

Antimicrobial Fabric

Antimicrobial properties surround each fibre to protect against mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria.

Performance

Superior stain and fade resistance properties make fabrics easy to clean and incredibly durable.

Eco-Friendly

Conserve Sustainable Fabrics are soft, durable and made from recycled water bottles.

Energy Restoration

Restore by Nanobionic® features a mineral-based fabric coating that transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology.

Cushion Upgrade

At an additional cost, the cushions of the James furniture can also be upgraded to include firmer cushioning, meaning over time, your furniture will remember your unique figure and enhance the comfort of your furniture. This could be a great option for people with mobility issues, allowing you to get in and out of your furniture more comfortably.

​For more information, view our Motion Furniture Collection catalogue.

Optional Swivel Base

If you're interested, the James rocking recliner is available with a swivel base for an extra cost. La-Z-Boy's swivel bases provide a 360-degree rotation, allowing you to easily turn and face any direction.

You can also upgrade your swivel base into a power swivel recliner, which can recline at the touch of a button. The power swivel base, however, only rotates 165 degrees to prevent the power cord from getting tangled within the furniture frame.

To learn more about our Swivel Chair options, check out our list of Swivel Accent Chairs.

Handle Options

To add more style to your La-Z-Boy manual recliner, you have the option to customize the length and material of the convenient reclining handle.

At an extra cost, you can opt to elongate the handle if you find it too short for your comfort. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of materials for the handle, including wooden, brushed nickel, or matte black. The chrome handle can also be elongated, matching the wooden one in size.

What’s more, for all left-handed users, you can change your handle from the standard right side to the left. This also comes at an additional cost.

Heat & Massage Upgrade

Additionally, the James Power Rocking Recliner has an extra option to upgrade your power recliner with Heat & Massage. This is not offered with the James Wall Recliner, Loveseat, or Sofa. 

Customers can enjoy this incredibly comfortable chair with two heat settings and three massage speeds. PowerReclineXR® is also included in this upgrade, which lets the user experience full reclining comfort in any position, thanks to an independently operating back and legrest.

To learn more, check out a Review of the Heat & Massage Upgrade at La-Z-Boy. 

Power Lift Recliner Upgrade

One upgrade that sets the James apart from other furniture families is the ability to upgrade your recliner to a power lift recliner.

The James Silver Power Lift Recliner features a handheld remote that allows you to sit, stand, or fully recline at the touch of a button.

The seat and back move together in one smooth motion, eliminating gaps and providing full body support in all reclining positions. The power lift recliner also features a power tilt and independent back and legrest motion.

Even though this recliner is larger than the other James Recliners, it is designed to conserve space in your room and fully recline when placed inches away from your wall, like the James Wall Recliner.

It is important to note that the James lift recliner only comes in 8 select faux fabrics and not leather. To learn more about lift recliners, check out the article What to Expect When Shopping at La-Z-Boy for Elderly People or People with Mobility Issues.

Optional Console (Loveseat)

Specifically to the James Loveseat is the option to include a console in the middle of the seat. This handy centre console adds extra storage to put anything you wish inside of the loveseat. 

Cup holders are also included, meaning you can sit back and relax without having to get up to grab a drink. Further, the console offers an interior electronic charging input instead of the ports being on the outside of the loveseat.

If the console is something that interests you, you can also add the Power and Headrest upgrade to enhance your James Loveseat into a truly comfortable experience.

Sectional Furniture Options & Configurations

James’ sectional consists of 22 module pieces that can be used to design a unique configuration that suits your comfort preferences and space. 

With these available module pieces, your James sectional can be made as big or as small as you wish.

End piece includes a left or right sitting recliner, loveseat or chaise. You can also place a corner section to create the famous L-shape for which sectionals are known. What's more, there is also choose to add armless chairs or recliners for extra length, as well as a storage console.

There are 7 different basic sectional configurations below to show what your sectional can look like. You can also choose to go with your own unique design if you don’t prefer any of these choices.

As you select your sectional configuration, take a look at our article on How to Arrange a Sectional Sofa: Top Considerations.

Cost

Regarding cost, the James furniture products fall within the mid-price range at La-Z-Boy.

While the cost of the James furniture is considered quite standard at La-Z-Boy, it is important to note that La-Z-Boy furniture is considered more expensive on the market. This cost is reflected in the quality of materials and craftsmanship of our products. With this, the investment tends to be worthwhile if you are looking for long-lasting furniture.

*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated on June 15th, 2023. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

Warranty

The James is covered by La-Z-Boy’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. This warranty covers the repair or replacement of the frame, spring systems, and mechanism, given that they are quality-crafted and built for long-lasting comfort.

For full details of the Limited Lifetime Warranty, check out this full La-Z-Boy warranty breakdown.

While still quality-crafted, other aspects of the product, such as fabrics, leather, and cushion, are not meant to last a lifetime. However, these parts are still covered by the La-Z-Boy Manufacturer’s Warranty for a given period of time.

To further protect your purchase, La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingston offers an extended warranty plan at an additional cost. To learn more about the Extended Warranty Plan and if it’s right for you, take a look at this article.

Customer Reviews

Many La-Z-Boy customers enjoy the James Furniture Family. This table shows how our customers have rated each piece of furniture out of five.

Star ratings can only tell you so much. Here are some reviews from satisfied customers …

Is the James Furniture Family Right For You?

Now that you’ve heard everything you need to know about the James Furniture Family, there is still one more question that might need answering. Is this the right furniture family for you? To answer this question, let’s examine your budget, functionality preferences, and style.

Firstly, regarding the cost of these products, they are considered mid-price and more expensive than other furniture stores on the market. This is due to the quality of materials and the longevity of the furniture.  

Should you be looking for furniture that will last a long time, purchasing, this furniture family might be worth the investment. In contrast, if you are looking for a more temporary furniture purchase on a budget, the James furniture may not be the right choice for you.

In terms of functionality, the James furniture seats those who are taller and have an average-sized room. Because of this, James’ furniture items may not be suitable for those who are shorter than 5’10” or who own a smaller space.

If you are looking for Sofas or Recliners for Smaller Spaces, check out these articles. Further, if you are looking for Recliners for Short People, check out this article. 

Lastly, looking at style, Sandi says that most people tend to go for the James in leather because of the topstitching. “People are just drawn to it,” she says. It is important to remember that leather is more expensive than fabric, however.

She also says that because this furniture family is no longer on our floors, it does not see the light of day anymore. If people are looking to sit in these products, they would have to wait until they are delivered to your home. 

For a similar option to try out and sit in-store, Sandi recommends the James due to their similarities. “They’re both larger in scale and have great leather designs on them.” 

If you’re interested in learning more about the James furniture family, check out reviews on the James Recliner, the James Sofa, or the James Sectional.

What's Next?

Now that you have a more knowledgeable understanding of the James furniture family, why not discover this furniture family in person?

You can start shopping by visiting one of our local showrooms located in Ottawa or Kingston. You can also schedule a visit online before coming in.

Our design consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of our interior design services to see how the James furniture could fit in your home. 

If the James wasn't what you were looking for, take a look at some of our other furniture family reviews:

• Review of the Talladega Furniture Family
• Review of the Liam Furniture Family
• Review of the Lennon Furniture Family

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