and honed in on two indispensable qualities: comfort and durability. Any big-ticket item of furniture should invite you to sit on it for hours without the urge to move to a comfier seat.

‘Two fifths of UK consumers who purchased a new sofa or lounge chair in the last 12 months, chose a recliner,’ says Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery at DFS. ‘And with options that range from ...