You finally did it. You dropped a significant chunk of change on a genuine La-Z-Boy. Maybe it’s the classic Pinnacle or that massive, overstuffed Trooper model that feels like sitting in a giant marshmallow. But then reality hits. Life happens. Specifically, dogs happen, toddlers with juice boxes happen, and that Sunday afternoon pizza happens. Suddenly, your investment looks vulnerable. You start looking for covers for La-Z-Boy recliners, and that’s where things usually go south.
Most people think a cover is just a big sheet of stretchy polyester you chuck over the top. It’s not. If you buy a generic "one-size-fits-all" cover from a big-box site, you’re probably going to hate it within forty-eight hours. It slips. It slides. It bunches up in the crevices and makes your expensive chair look like a lumpy potato.
Genuine La-Z-Boy chairs have unique mechanics. The way the back moves independently from the footrest is patented. If you use a cover that isn't designed to accommodate that specific independent motion, you’re basically fighting your furniture every time you lean back. It's frustrating. Honestly, it's kinda heartbreaking to see a $1,200 chair looking like a bargain-bin find because of a $20 slipcover that doesn't fit the handle cutout.
Why Your Recliner Mechanics Dictate Your Cover Choice
Let’s talk about the handle. Or the buttons. Or the hidden toggle. Whatever moves your chair is the first thing a cheap cover ruins. Most generic covers for La-Z-Boy recliners ignore the fact that the manual lever needs a specific clearance to pull forward and back. If the fabric is too tight, the lever won't engage. If it's too loose, the fabric gets caught in the ratchet mechanism. I've seen people literally strip the gears on their rocker-recliners because a bunch of loose spandex got sucked into the metal frame.
🔗 Read more: Clean Cake by the Ocean: What Most People Get Wrong About Beachside Picnics
You have to look for the "four-piece" design. This is the gold standard for anyone who actually uses their chair. Instead of one giant bag, you get a piece for the back, a piece for the seat/footrest, and two individual arm covers. Why does this matter? Because when you kick that footrest up, the seat-piece moves with the mechanism. It doesn't pull the back-piece down with it. It stays tucked.
There's also the "friction factor." If you have a leather or faux-leather (Renew or iClean) La-Z-Boy, a standard polyester cover will slide off like butter on a hot pan. You need something with a non-slip backing, often a silicone dot pattern or a textured felt. Without that, you'll spend more time re-tucking the cover than actually reclining.
The Fabric Wars: Microfiber vs. Cotton vs. Velvet
Choosing a material isn't just about what feels soft. It’s about "rub counts" and breathability.
Cotton is great because it breathes. If you live in a place like Florida or Arizona, you know the "leather sweat" struggle. Cotton fixes that. But cotton also wrinkles like crazy and shrinks in the wash. If you buy a 100% cotton cover and dry it on high heat, it’s game over. It’ll never fit that recliner again.
Then there’s microfiber. It’s the workhorse. Most covers for La-Z-Boy recliners found on Amazon or Wayfair are microfiber because it’s cheap and durable. It handles pet claws reasonably well. However, it’s a magnet for static. Walk across a carpet in socks, sit down, and zap.
What about Velvet?
Don't sleep on velvet—specifically "stretch velvet." It sounds fancy, but it's actually one of the most practical options for high-use chairs. The pile of the fabric naturally "grips" the upholstery underneath, which prevents the sliding issues I mentioned earlier. Plus, it hides the outlines of the original chair better than thin spandex. If your La-Z-Boy has a loud floral pattern from 1994 that you're trying to hide, a heavy-weight velvet cover is your best friend.
🔗 Read more: Is Using Dish Soap for Dogs Actually Safe or Just a Bad Idea?
Protecting the "iClean" and Specialty Fabrics
La-Z-Boy makes a big deal about their iClean technology. It's a high-performance fabric where liquids bead up and roll off. So, why would you cover it?
Often, it’s about body oils and hair products. Over five or ten years, the spot where your head rests will start to darken. It's inevitable. Even the best factory-treated fabrics succumb to skin oils. This is where a "protector" differs from a "cover."
A protector is often just a draped piece of quilted fabric. It doesn't try to look like part of the chair. It acknowledges it's there for a job. These are arguably better for people who love the look of their chair but want to protect the "strike zones"—the headrest, the armrests, and the footrest.
The Installation Nightmare Nobody Admits
If the instructions for your new cover look like a 3D geometry proof, you aren't alone. Putting a tight-fitting cover on a La-Z-Boy is a workout. You will sweat. You might curse.
The secret? Turn the chair upside down.
No, seriously. To get the elastic loops around the frame properly, you need to see the "skeleton" of the chair. Most covers for La-Z-Boy recliners use elastic straps that are supposed to hook onto the metal springs or the wooden frame. If you just try to shove your hand down the side of the cushion while the chair is upright, you’re going to get scratched by the staples or the metal reclining hardware.
- Clear the Area: Give yourself five feet of space.
- The Tuck-In: Use "tucking foam" or even small sections of pool noodles. Shove them into the gaps between the seat and the arms. This is the only way to get those clean, professional-looking lines.
- The Lever Hole: If your cover doesn't have a pre-cut hole for the handle, don't just hack at it with scissors. Use a seam ripper or a very sharp utility knife, and reinforce the edges with a bit of iron-on hem tape so it doesn't fray.
Addressing the "Lazy Boy" vs. "La-Z-Boy" Confusion
It's a small thing, but it affects what you buy. "Lazy Boy" is the common misspelling, but "La-Z-Boy" is the brand. Why does this matter for covers? Because a lot of "Lazy Boy" covers are actually generic "Recliner" covers meant for brands like Lane or Ashley.
La-Z-Boy chairs tend to have a slightly smaller footprint but a deeper recline than their competitors. A generic cover meant for a massive Lane rocker-recliner will have way too much excess fabric for a standard La-Z-Boy Maverick or Joshua. Always check the "unstretched" dimensions. If the cover is 40 inches wide but your chair is only 32, you're going to have a bad time.
Real Talk on Longevity
How long do these things actually last?
If you spend $30, expect one year. Maybe two if you don't have kids. The elastic is usually the first thing to go. Once the elastic loses its "snap," the cover starts to sag, and it looks like a messy bedsheet.
Higher-end custom covers, like those from companies that specialize in specific furniture brands, can last five years or more. They use heavy-weight twill or canvas. These don't stretch, though. They have to be tailored perfectly. It's the difference between a t-shirt and a suit.
Protecting Your Warranty
Here is something most people forget: La-Z-Boy has a pretty famous limited lifetime warranty on their parts and frames. Using an ill-fitting cover can occasionally cause issues.
If a cover gets tangled in the reclining mechanism and bends a linkage or burns out a motor (on the power models), that might not be covered. Always ensure that the "moving parts" of the chair are completely clear of fabric. If you hear a grinding sound or a click-click-click when you recline, stop immediately. Your cover is being "eaten" by the chair.
Practical Steps to Find Your Perfect Match
Stop guessing. Before you hit "buy," do these three things:
Measure the "Back Height" Corrected: Measure from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the backrest. Do not measure from the floor. Most covers fail here; they assume every chair is 40 inches tall, but many modern La-Z-Boys are "tall-man" versions or "low-profile" styles.
Check the Handle Position: Is it a right-hand lever? A left-hand lever? A recessed trigger on the inside of the arm? If your cover doesn't explicitly mention a cutout or have a high-stretch side panel, you'll be digging under the fabric every time you want to put your feet up.
Choose Your "Wash Strategy": If you have pets, you’ll be washing this cover once a month. Look for "machine washable" but pay attention to "tumble dry low." If you can't put it in the dryer, you'll have a wet, heavy mess hanging over your bathtub for two days. Synthetic blends (polyester/spandex) are usually the easiest for quick turnarounds.
Instead of looking for the cheapest option, look for a cover that weighs more. Weight equals density. Density equals a cover that stays in place while you’re watching the game or taking a nap. Your chair was built for comfort; don't let a bad piece of fabric ruin the experience.
Go for the multi-piece sets. They take longer to install, but you won't be fixing the tuck every time you stand up. It’s worth the extra ten minutes of "furniture wrestling" to have a recliner that looks decent in your living room.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Identify your specific La-Z-Boy model (check the tag under the footrest) to find its exact dimensions.
- Decide between a four-piece cover for better movement or a one-piece protector for easy removal.
- Prioritize fabrics with at least 5% Spandex or Elastane for the best "rebound" fit.
- Measure your chair's "widest point" (usually the arms) and compare it to the "maximum stretch" rating of the product.
- If your chair is leather, strictly avoid covers without a non-slip backing or "tucking grips."