La-Z-Boy: A Century of Comfort Innovation
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Founded in 1927 in Monroe, Michigan, La-Z-Boy began as a small furniture workshop established by cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker. Originally producing wooden porch furniture, the company transformed the industry when it introduced a reclining wooden chair in 1928. That simple mechanical innovation laid the foundation for what would become the modern recliner. It is a category La-Z-Boy did not enter, but created.
As the design evolved into a fully upholstered reclining chair, we quickly gained popularity across the United States. Following World War II, as middle-class households expanded and living rooms became central to family life, La-Z-Boy became synonymous with relaxation and personal comfort. The recliner was no longer just a functional chair, it became a cultural symbol of leisure and quality living.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the company strengthened the leadership through engineering innovation and manufacturing control. We developed improved reclining mechanisms, introduced reclining sofas, and expanded the retail presence through dedicated La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries. This vertical integration allowed the company to maintain consistent quality, protect our proprietary systems, and reinforce our authority as the original recliner brand.
Entering the 21st century, La-Z-Boy broadened a product portfolio beyond recliners to include stationary sofas, sectionals, accent chairs, and customizable upholstery options. We adapted to evolving consumer preferences by blending comfort technology with contemporary design, while also investing in digital retail and global expansion strategies.
Today, approaching our centennial milestone, La-Z-Boy stands as one of the most recognized names in the furniture industry. Our longevity is rooted in originality, craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of how comfort shapes everyday life. Nearly a century after inventing the recliner, La-Z-Boy continues to define what modern comfort means. It is not as a trend, but as a lasting standard.