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Is La-Z-Boy Furniture Expensive? - La-Z-Boy of Ottawa / Kingston

Written by Jennifer Dalcin | Dec 20, 2019 5:00:00 AM

Est. Reading Time: 5 Mins

 

Are you looking to buy comfortable and stylish high-quality furniture in Canada? Have you been surprised by some prices and questioned why furniture is so expensive?

 

Maybe you’ve been searching for months for a sofa and haven’t found the right fit (or price range). But you need a new sofa, because the cushions are so loose you’re losing everything to your furniture, and the leather is peeling so much you’re hiding it with a throw pillow that doesn’t match the rest of your room.

 

Whatever will you do? Look at inspiration at houses online, knowing very well you can’t afford a good majority of what you’re seeing, even though you’re adding these inspirations to your Pinterest wall?

 

Well, you could do that, or you can figure out what suits you best when furnishing a space. One of the most important questions you should be asking yourself is…

 

Are you seeking affordable furniture with a shorter lifespan or investing in high-quality, long-lasting pieces?

 

Knowing what to expect before you walk into a store or start researching furniture online can make your purchasing decision easier. How long you intend to keep your piece of furniture and how it will be used will determine what type of investment you are willing to make.

 

When referring to our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston, La-Z-Boy is up there when it comes to expensive furniture stores.

 

So, to answer the question, yes, La-Z-Boy furniture can be expensive, but what are the reasons that make it unaffordable to some consumers?

 

Well, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why, which will hopefully make you decide if a La-Z-Boy sofa is right for you.

 

In This Article…

  1. Why is Furniture So Expensive?
  2. Innovation and Quality
  3. North American Made
  4. Product Testing
  5. Options and Upgrades

 

 

Why Is Furniture So Expensive?


Furniture prices vary due to materials, craftsmanship, brand reputation, and design complexity. High-quality furniture in Canada often costs more upfront but offers durability and longevity, making them a worthwhile investment. However, budget-friendly options exist to accommodate various financial constraints.

 

While budget-friendly options may not offer the longevity of higher-priced furniture, they are typically considered inexpensive pieces, making them accessible to a wider range of people.

 

Varying degrees of materials used and time spent to construct an item will affect the price of a furniture piece.

 

Is La-Z-Boy Furniture Expensive? 

 

In La-Z-Boy’s case, our typical La-Z-Boy sofa isn’t the most expensive product on the market, nor is it the cheapest. However, the furniture costs are primarily in the mid to high-end price range. 

 

Consequently, along with other high-quality furniture in Canada at this price point, there are several customization and upgrade options, including over 800 fabric and leather covers. 

 

You’ll also discover La-Z-Boy has competitive prices and select models that are less expensive than other frames, and this is because they’re purchased in bulk at a lower cost and possibly discounted for the consumer.



La-Z-Boy Starting Prices

La-Z-Boy Recliners

$899

Stationary Sofas

$1,999

Reclining Sofas

$2,199

La-Z-Boy Sofa Beds

$2,999


 

*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 May 2nd, 2024. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.
 

4 Reasons Behind Expensive Furniture

1. Innovation Designs and High-Quality Materials

 

Since inventing the reclining wood-slat chair back in 1927, La-Z-Boy was founded on the principle of innovation. They strive to strike a balance between design creativity and consumer acceptance.  It is important to make sure designs are fresh and reflective of today’s marketplace.   

 

The iconic brand stays innovative by continuously looking at new things so that their furniture has features that others in the market do not.  From the latest comfort solutions and power options to advances in fabrics and cushioning, the team of designers, engineers and craftsmen are committed to creating what’s next.

 

To learn more about new Smart Furniture Features from La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.

 

Some of these unique features are highlighted below.

La-Z-Boy Recliner Unibody Frame Construction

 

La-Z-Boy’s patented Unibody construction is the industry’s only four-sided frame, providing the strongest design and longest useful life. Unlike other recliners, where the arms, seat and back are simply bolted to the mechanism. 

 

Most people will push on the arms of their recliner when it’s time to get up. This can cause the frame to expand apart on recliners with only two or three sides. 

 

Unibody frames also feature solid side panels. Frames are constructed of kiln-dried hardwoods, high-quality furniture grade laminates and oriented strand board (OSB). It comes with La-Z-Boy® Limited Lifetime Warranty, which covers all-wood frame parts and springs.

 

To learn more about the Quality of Wood at La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.

 

Independent Reclining Back 

 

A patented mechanism that allows you to recline your back without having to put your feet up (can recline and still rock). Other recliners require you to raise your footrest to release and recline your back cushion.

Hinged Seat and Back for Full Body Support

 

La-Z-Boy invented and patented a reclining system that gives you complete lower back and body support in every position.

 

When you recline, the back and seat move in unison to support the lower back.  Additionally, it provides lumbar support and eliminates the gap. Other chairs will develop a gap between the back and seat when you recline. This leaves your lower back unsupported and strained.

3-Position Footrest

 

A patented locking footrest allows you to angle your feet in three different positions to customize your reclining comfort. It eliminates the footrest from drooping for tall or heavy-legged users and is a built-in safety feature if children or pets climb up.

Contour Cut Foam

 

La-Z-Boy uses a solid block of contour-cut foam in all of its recliners. Other recliners are often constructed with fibre stuffing.

 

Furthermore, some select sofas come standard with ComfortCore seat cushions. This proprietary design boasts seven layers and four different foam densities to provide the best comfort and support level for various areas of the seat. ComfortCore carries a three-year warranty.

Self Healing Zippers

 

These zippers can be fixed effortlessly by zipping and unzipping past the point of misaligned teeth or where it has popped open with usage.

2. North American Made

 

Although a global company with plants all over the world, much of our high-quality furniture in Canada is assembled right here in North America.  

 

During the economic downturn in 2008, many manufacturers outsourced all of their furniture-making overseas to take advantage of lower-cost labour. La-Z-Boy did not follow suit and maintained many of its plants in North America. Here in Ottawa and Kingston, we continue to have the majority of our La-Z-Boy recliners, chairs, sofas and sectionals manufactured in Dayton, Tennessee. They are shipped to Ottawa directly by tractor-trailer every week. 

 

At our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston, we continue to have the majority of our La-Z-Boy recliners, chairs, sofas and sectionals manufactured in Dayton, Tennessee. They are shipped to Ottawa directly by tractor-trailer every week.

 

It is worth mentioning that the final assembly process for furniture continues to be fairly labour-intensive. Craftsmanship remains an integral part of the assembly. Furniture at the plant is built within a cell.

 

This is especially true with custom furniture, which goes through a lot of steps throughout construction:

1. Lumber is received and cut to size and hand-assembled by the framer.  It forms the main structure of the chair or sofa.
2. Metalworks department plays a crucial role in making the reclining mechanism
3. Fabric kits created by the cut and sew centre.
4. Sub-upholster places cut foam inside the fabric casing.
5. Upholsterer attaches the fabric to the frame.
6. The final inspection is done by the cell member called the validator. They will test the mechanism/motors and check for the correct colour.

 

With hundreds of employees across Canada and over 80 in our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston alone, La-Z-Boy retail also plays an integral part in this process. 


It is our local warehouse location that receives the product and inspects and prepares it for final delivery. Each item gets uncrated, tested, powered (if applicable) and checked as part of the final preparation process. 

 

In-sourcing service technicians and delivery teams are also key components for continued process quality and providing exceptional customer service.

3. Thorough and Rigorous Product Testing

 

La-Z-Boy furniture is designed for lasting durability and exceptional comfort. In the early stages of design, furniture goes through rigorous testing. The mechanism, frame and even fabric go through years of abuse in a matter of hours. For example, the reclining mechanism is tested for 100,000 recline cycles using a 300-pound user.

 

All fabrics are tested in La-Z-Boy’s accredited testing facility in Monroe, MI.  The abrasion test involves rubbing the fabric. Passing 20,000 double rubs is widely considered the minimum for residential wear in our industry.

 

The majority of La-Z-Boy fabrics available today surpass the standard rating or are rejected.  Recliner and motion furniture only incorporate fabric with a rating of 30,000 double rubs or higher.

 

La-Z-Boy is also a participating member of the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA).  The organization was tasked with developing standards and guidelines for upholstery fabrics and leathers. Fabric and leather sourced and purchased by La-Z-Boy must meet all of the guidelines set forth by the committees. Plus, due to La-Z-Boy’s stringent quality expectations, several additional quality standards are unique to their fabric testing.

 

The goal of testing is to gain a more intimate understanding of how the consumer uses the product. This will help ascertain that the product has the durability to last through the duration that the end consumer is going to own it.


4. Wide Range of Options and Upgrades

 

By handcrafting our high quality furniture in Canada, we’re able to deliver custom pieces in a few short weeks. Create a look all your own with over 900 fabrics and leather cover options. Choose from multiple wood finish options and designer details like nailhead trim and contrasting welt. Then select a custom cushion option to suit your body for your utmost comfort.

 

At La-Z-Boy, we offer a wide selection of options & upgrades for our La-Z-Boy recliners, sofas, and more:

 

  • Swivel Base
    • Power or Manual Recline
    • Heat & Massage
    • AirForm Cushions
    • Handle on Left or Right
  • Extended Handle
    • Silver Arc Handle
    • Glide Instead of Rock
    • Recline Away from the Wall
    • Upgrade to Down Fill Feathers

Take some time to investigate your options so that your La-Z-Boy sofa doesn’t just suit your home; it suits your way of living.


What's Next?

 

It is not unusual to hear stories of people using their father or mother’s La-Z-Boy recliner because it is still in good shape and the mechanism still works. At our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston, we’re proud to provide comfortable and high-quality furniture in Canada that will span generations. 

 

A lot of the processes and components described above influence product cost, and hence why La-Z-Boy furniture tends to have prices in the mid-range and upwards. 

 

If you feel the information we shared on La-Z-Boy’s 90 years of innovation and quality is a product you would like to invest in, we are here to help. We’re happy to guide you through the process of furnishing your home at any of our Ottawa and Kingston La-Z-Boy locations. Choose from dozens of La-Z-Boy sofa and chair styles to create a custom look you’ll cherish for years to come.

 

Here are some additional resources you may want to check out:

7 Best Furniture Stores in Ottawa
5 Best Selling La-Z-Boy Recliners
5 Best Selling La-Z-Boy Sofas