Once upon a time, Barcalounger was the household name among recliner manufacturers. The proof? How about the countless pop culture references to the brand? For instance, how could anyone forget Chandler and Joey’s matching Barcaloungers on Friends?
How familiar are you with the Barcalounger brand? For many of us in the industry, Barcalounger is still among the most recognizable recliner brands. However, your own answer may vary depending on your age. Unfortunately, what many consumers don’t realize is that Barcalounger is still in the business of making high quality leather recliners to this day.
We are proud to carry Barcalounger here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. That’s why we want to share the Barcalounger story, answer some FAQs, and discuss the features of some of our new favorite leather recliners on the market. Let’s go!
The Barcalounger Story
Barcalounger was originally established in Buffalo, New York in 1896 by its founder Edward J. Barcalo. This technically makes Barcalounger the oldest manufacturer of recliners in America. Then known as the Barcalo Manufacturing Company, the small factory began its life as a manufacturer of tools and industrial machinery. From there, Barcalo Manufacturing Co. eventually expanded to making metal beds, bed frames, and bed springs.
After forging aircraft parts to help the WW1 war effort, Mr. Barcalo eventually made a decision that would give his company wings of its own and send them soaring to new heights. In partnership with Hungarian immigrant and inventor Anton Lorenz, the Barcalo Manufacturing Company acquired the rights to manufacture what was then called the scientifically-articulated reclining chair. However, after beginning production in 1940, they thought the name Barcalounger had a better ring to it.
In the years after WW2, Barcaloungers became so popular that they became the sole focus of the company — and eventually its namesake. Much like there’s always been Coca-Cola vs Pepsi, for decades there were only two behemoths within the recliner market – Barcalounger and La-Z-Boy. This went on well into the 1990s and early 2000s.
Unfortunately, after numerous acquisitions and changes in management over the years, Barcalounger filed for bankruptcy in 2010. But in less than a year, investors saw the value of the Barcalounger and its rich history, reorganized the company, and relaunched it in 2011. And we are so glad that they did, because the new Barcaloungers are some of our favorite leather recliners in our showroom!
Barcalounger FAQs
Whether in-store or online, the following are the 3 most-asked questions folks like you are asking about Barcalounger.
1) What Is a Barcalounger?
As we discussed above, Barcalounger is the brand name for recliners and other reclining upholstered seating made by Barcalounger (previously Barcalo Manufacturing Co.). However, much like their rivals at La-Z-Boy, these recliners became so popular after launching in 1940, that the term “Barcalounger” became synonymous with “recliner” in American popular culture. As a result of this runaway popularity, the company eventually changed its name to Barcalounger.
So, depending on the context, Barcalounger is the name of a furniture brand, the name of a furniture manufacturer, and also shorthand for recliner. Not unlike if someone asked you to describe to them what Kleenex is.
2) Is Barcalounger a Good Brand?
Over a century of furniture manufacturing, Barcalounger developed a reputation with consumers for luxury and comfort. The latest products from Barcalounger are no different. Barcalounger has described their brand, saying that “Today’s Barcalounger retains its deep-rooted history while successfully changing with the current”. We think that’s a pretty accurate assessment.
These days, Barcalounger manufactures a variety of reclining leather furniture products. These include recliners ranging from traditional to contemporary, to pedestal recliners, to lift chairs, to reclining sofas and loveseats. But the bulk of their business is still the recliner, i.e. the Barcalounger.
With a Barcalounger, you can expect high quality construction that includes furniture-grade plywood combined with solid hardwood spring rails and corner blocks, and tried-and-true mortise-and-tenon joints. All Barcalounger recliners also include standard 1.8 density seat cushion foam with additional premium pocketed coil springs for better durability and support. As for the upholstery itself, Barcalounger uses fine top-grain leathers, and in many cases, offers luxurious all-leather upholstery without leather match. Other luxury features vary by product, but can include power adjustable headrests and lumbar supports, models optimized for big-and-tall, USB charging ports, hidden storage, and more.
Lastly, Barcalounger offers customers a respectable manufacturer’s warranty package. This includes a 3-year warranty on springs and mechanisms, a 2-year warranty on the frame and cushion cores, and a 1-year warranty on leather upholstery, power and electrical components, and filling materials.
3) Who Sells Barcalounger Recliners Near Me?
Wondering where to buy Barcalounger recliners, or maybe looking for a place to try a leather Barcalounger for yourself? If you live in North Georgia or the metro Atlanta area, we’d love for you to swing by and check out our selection of leather Barcalounger recliners at our stores in Woodstock/Acworth, Dallas/Hiram and Rome, GA. With numerous different in-stock leather recliners to choose from (and multiple leather colors and finishes available for each via special order), we’re confident that we have the Barcalounger that’s right for you!
Our selection of Barcaloungers includes both power and push-back recliners, in classic, transitional, and modern design flavors. Included in our selection are recliners from Barcalounger’s Heads Up Collection with power adjustable headrests, Barcalounger’s Big & Tall Collection made specifically for larger folks, along with their sophisticated Woodlands Collection. These recliners are loaded with consumer-friendly features and upholstered with a high quality top-grain leather. Additionally, most styles feature premium, all-leather upholstery as well, without leather match.
In our opinion, each of these recliners live up to the quality, company history and brand reputation of America’s oldest recliner manufacturer – Barcalounger. Hope to see you soon at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet!
