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 has been around for quite some time. According to Racha Pharaon, a sales consultant at La-Z-Boy Kanata, she tells us, “A lot of people love the James for its versatility.”

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

Key Takeaways

• Exceptional Comfort: The James Recliner is designed with a tall back and supportive seating.
• Versatility: The James has the most available frames out of any other furniture family at La-Z-Boy.
• Multiple Cover Options: Available in 5 select fabrics and 3 select faux leathers. There are also 2 select leathers available, but not on the lift recliner.
• Adjustable Features: Includes options for power reclining and adjustable headrests, as well as adding an optional swivel base, and changing the recliner handles. There is also a console upgrade for the reclining loveseat.
• Durable Build: Constructed with high-quality materials for long-lasting use.
• Low-Priced Recliner: The James Rocking Recliner, Wall Recliner, Loveseat, Sofa, Sectional and Lift Recliner have a starting cost of $1,359, $1,429, $2,789, $2,809, $7,889 and $2,689, respectively.

In This Article…

1. About the James Furniture Family
2. James Furniture Family Options & Upgrades
3. James Furniture Family Cost
4. James Furniture Family Warranty
5. James Furniture Family Customer Reviews
6. Is the James Furniture Family Right For You?

About 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 James' leg rest for a relaxing reclining experience.

Racha 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, centring your body in just the right spot.

Racha 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 into 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.

Regarding the size & dimensions of the James, Racha 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.

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

James Recliner Dimensions (Inches)

James Loveseat Dimensions (Inches)

James Sofa Dimensions (Inches)

James Sectional Dimensions (Inches)

James Furniture Family Options & Upgrades

When selecting the fabric or leather for your James Recliner, the cost will vary based on the grade you choose. 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 James 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 transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology.

Cushion Upgrade

At an additional cost, James cushions 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. 

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.

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 swivel 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 power swivel options, check out our review of our Swivel Power Recliners.

Power Upgrade with Adjustable Headrest & Lumbar Support

You can upgrade the James to power. 

Unlike manual furniture that uses a handle or latch, power recliners come with a control panel or a wireless remote for easy reclining at the touch of a button. You can also adjust the headrest support with this convenient feature.

The adjustable headrest allows you to move the head of the recliner from 0-55 degrees, giving you more range of motion with your reclining positions.

You can also control the lower lumbar area of your recliner with the wireless remote. In this case, the lumbar support can expand 3 inches out or deflate to perfectly match the unique curvature of your lumbar spine.

What’s more, the recliners have USB ports next to the control panels to charge your electronic devices and two memory settings that allow you to save any of your favourite relaxing positions. This way, you can easily recline back to the position you favour quickly and accurately. 

If you need help with learning about the controls, check out La-Z-Boy Power Furniture: How to Use the Control Panel & Remote. 

All power upgrades can be cordless, thanks to our rechargeable battery pack. With this, you can place your power recliners anywhere without worrying about plugging them into an electrical outlet.

To learn more about the headrest & lumbar upgrade, check out the Review of La-Z-Boy Power Recliners with the Headrest & Lumbar Feature.

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)

The James Loveseat has the option to include a console in the middle of the seat. This handy center console adds extra storage. 

Cup holders are also included, meaning you can sit back and relax without getting up to grab a drink. Further, the console offers an interior electronic charging input instead of the ports outside the loveseat, as well as a light-up function, so you can easily see your drinks in the dark.

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

James Furniture Family Cost

In terms of 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 January 22nd, 2025. 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 upgrade from La-Z-Boy, here are the ones relevant to the James…

James Furniture Family Warranty

The James 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, 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 cushions, 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, Gatineau & 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.

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

James Furniture Family Customer Reviews

The James Furniture Family is loved by many customers. In fact, it currently has a 4.8/5 star average according to online reviews. 

Star ratings can only tell you so much. Here are some of the many customer reviews you can find online.

To see more James Furniture Family reviews, click here.

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 functionality preferences and style.

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, Racha 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, Racha recommends the James due to their similarities. “They’re both larger in scale and have great leather designs on them.”

What's Next?

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

You can start shopping by visiting one of our local showrooms located 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 James 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
• Sectional Buyer’s Guide
• Lift Chair Buyer’s Guide

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