Review of the La-Z-Boy Joel Furniture Family: Recliner, Loveseat & Sofa

Est. Reading Time: 10 Mins

Some reclining furniture families are designed around oversized comfort, while others focus more on supportive seating and a cleaner overall silhouette.

The La-Z-Boy Joel Furniture Family leans toward that more balanced approach.

With its padded arms, supportive back and streamlined proportions, the Joel is designed for homeowners who want dependable reclining comfort without the bulky appearance of larger recliners.

To better understand how the Joel performs in real homes, we spoke with Lina Najia, Sales Consultant at La-Z-Boy Kanata. “The Joel has a nice balance to it,” Lina explains. “It feels comfortable and supportive, but it doesn’t take over the room.”

But beyond its appearance, how does the Joel compare in terms of comfort, sizing, and everyday use?

In this review, we will walk through what makes the Joel unique, the options available, and whether it is the right fit for your home.

Key Takeaways

• The Joel Furniture Family features a casual, transitional design with padded arms and supportive cushioning, creating a comfortable, approachable reclining experience.
• Available as a rocking recliner, wall recliner, reclining loveseat and reclining sofa, allowing homeowners to build a coordinated reclining seating arrangement.
• Designed with balanced proportions and moderate seat depth, it typically works well for users of average height who prefer supportive seating without excessive depth.
• Offers customization through power reclining, adjustable headrest upgrades, console options for the loveseat and customizable handle styles.
• Available in 8 select fabrics. There are also leather options available at a higher cost.
• Starting at approximately $1,199 for the Recliner, $2,299 for the Loveseat, and $2,379 for the Sofa, the Joel sits in the lower- to mid-price range within the La-Z-Boy lineup.

In This Article...

1. Unique Features of the Joel Furniture Family
2. Joel Furniture Family Options and Upgrades
3. Joel Furniture Family Cost
4. Joel Furniture Family Warranty
5. Customer Reviews
6. Should You Buy the Joel Furniture Family?

About the Joel Furniture Family

The Joel Furniture Family is designed for homeowners who want comfortable reclining furniture with a more streamlined, practical look.

One of its most noticeable features is its supportive seating and balanced proportions. Compared to larger, deeper recliners, the Joel offers a more moderate seat depth, making it easier for many users to sit upright comfortably while still enjoying its reclining functionality.

The frame also features padded arms and supportive cushioning, creating a softer, more inviting appearance without feeling overly bulky.

Lina notes that Joel is often chosen by customers who want a recliner that feels comfortable but manageable in size. “It gives you that recliner comfort without feeling oversized,” she says.

Another defining feature of the Joel is its streamlined silhouette. While still casual and approachable, the Joel has a cleaner overall shape than some traditional overstuffed recliners, allowing it to blend more easily into different room styles.

The Joel also includes a chaise-style seat, creating continuous support from the seat to the footrest when reclined.

In terms of height, the Joel Furniture Family generally works best for average-height users, especially those who prefer a supportive and balanced seating position. Customers who prefer very deep lounging or oversized seating may find larger recliners better suited to their needs.

While your height can be a considerable factor, height guidelines are not set in stone. The way you sit on a piece of furniture can drastically affect how comfortable you find a seat.

Ultimately, we recommend always coming in for a sit test to see whether the Joel 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.

The Joel is available as a Rocking Recliner, a Wall Recliner, a Reclining Loveseat, and a Reclining Sofa.

Joel Recliner Dimensions (inches)

Joel Loveseat Dimensions (inches)

Joel Sofa Dimensions (inches)

Joel Furniture Family Options & Upgrades

Compared with other La-Z-Boy furniture families, Joel offers plenty of customization options. Keep in mind that the cost of the Joel furniture will increase as you select options and upgrades.

Upholstery Cover Options

When selecting the fabric or leather for your Joel Furniture, the cost will vary by grade. Select fabrics will not affect the starting price of your furniture, but anything beyond that will.

This includes select leather and anything inside our leather selections at La-Z-Boy.

For a comprehensive understanding of La-Z-Boy's upholstery grades, check out this article.

*Please note that this article's leather or fabric options may be discontinued or unavailable without prior notice. We recommend contacting your local Ottawa, Gatineau 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.

Alongside our extensive range of covers, the Joel is also available in specialty fabrics and leathers that offer unique features and benefits…

• Stain Resistant: Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fabric fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before turning into stains.
• Pet Friendly: 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 harnesses natural body heat to generate energy via infrared technology.
• Bleach Cleanable: These comfortable and resilient fabrics can withstand diluted bleach products for the toughest stains.

Additional Upgrades

• Contour Cushion: This cushion upgrade offers a more relaxing seat, made from a durable, temperature-resistant foam that contours to your body and your comfort needs. Made for more support and long-term seating.
• Custom Recliner Handles: Manual recliners are available in wood, brushed nickel, matte black, or chrome finishes. The handle can be elongated for easier reach, and left-handed users can request a left-side configuration.
• Swivel Base: The rocking recliner can be upgraded with a swivel base that allows full 360-degree rotation, making it easy to turn and face different areas of your room.
• Power Swivel: A powered swivel option is also available, rotating up to 165 degrees to prevent cord tangling while maintaining smooth functionality.
• Power Reclining: Upgrade to power reclining with push-button control via a control panel or optional wireless remote for added convenience.
• Adjustable Headrest & Lumbar Support: The headrest tilts up to 55 degrees, providing better positioning for reading or watching television, while the lumbar feature extends up to 3 inches to better support your lower back's natural curve.
• USB Charging Ports: Built-in USB charging ports let you charge electronic devices while you relax.
• Memory Settings: Save up to 2 preferred reclining positions so you can quickly return to your ideal comfort setting.
• Rechargeable Battery Pack: A battery pack option allows cordless operation, giving you more flexibility in furniture placement without needing to be near an outlet.
• Loveseat Console Upgrade: Adds storage, cup holders, interior charging input and lighting functionality. Can also be upgraded to power with headrest & lumbar support.

Joel Furniture Family Cost

Regarding cost, Joel Furniture products fall within La-Z-Boy's mid-price range.

While Joel Furniture is considered standard at La-Z-Boy, La-Z-Boy furniture is generally more expensive than other furniture on the market. This cost is reflected in the quality of materials and craftsmanship of our products. With this, the investment is likely 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 6th, 2026. Contact your local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

If you’re wondering about the prices for each potential La-Z-Boy upgrade, here are the ones relevant to Joel…

Joel Furniture Family Warranty & Financing

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

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

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

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

La-Z-Boy also offers furniture financing for those who may not have the full amount available right away. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Furniture Financing, take a look at this article.

Joel Furniture Family Customer Reviews

The Joel Furniture Family is loved by many customers. In fact, it currently has a 4.9/5-star average rating according to online reviews.

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

To see more Joel Furniture Family reviews, click here.

Should You Buy the Joel Furniture Family?

The Joel Furniture Family is a strong option for homeowners seeking a supportive recliner with a cleaner, more manageable design. Its balanced proportions make it especially useful for living rooms where comfort matters, but oversized furniture may feel overwhelming.

Lina explains that Joel stands out because it feels practical. “It’s comfortable, supportive and easy to fit into different spaces,” she says.

Because of its moderate seat depth and supportive cushioning, the Joel works well for everyday activities such as watching TV, reading or relaxing without creating an overly laid-back seating position.

However, customers who prefer deeper lounging or a more oversized reclining experience may find larger recliners better suited to their needs.

For shoppers looking for a dependable reclining furniture family with balanced comfort and a cleaner silhouette, the Joel offers a well-rounded option that fits naturally into many homes.

What sets the Joel apart is its ability to deliver comfortable reclining support in a streamlined and approachable design, making it a practical choice for everyday living.

What’s Next?

Now that you have a better understanding of the Joel furniture family, why not discover it in person?

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

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

To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s reclining furniture in general, take a look at the following furniture buyer guides:

• Recliner Buyer’s Guide
• Loveseat Buyer’s Guide
• Sofa Buyer’s Guide

Related Articles:

Best-Selling La-Z-Boy Power Recliners

Are La-Z-Boy Recliners Guaranteed for Life?

What’s That Clunking Noise In My Recliner?