One of the best things about a lazy weekend is the opportunity to lie back, relax, and slip into dreamland via an afternoon nap. Though we may have fought hard to avoid napping as kids, there are few things as luxurious for an adult as the humble afternoon nap. From the fifteen-minute refresher to the two-hour total reset, a nap is a great way to prepare yourself for the busy week ahead. Though it may be tempting to lie down in your wood bed frame or fabric bed frame to take that nap, the ever-present risk of a nap that’s just a bit too long is higher in a bed than on your living room sofa.
This is where the ideal nap furniture comes in. Like a mattress that needs to be the right firmness for a good night’s sleep, a sofa or recliner chair for a nap also needs to be just right. Whether you prefer to sink back and put your feet up or lie horizontal across a sofa, there is sure to be a sofa, accent chair, or recliner chair that can give you the best nap of your life.
Horizontal Haven: Use Your Armrests or Bring Pillows
When you are looking for a classic napping location, nothing beats just lying down on your couch. The two most important considerations for a good old-fashioned sofa nap are the shape of your sofa’s armrests and how tall you are. While many types of armrests look good and are great for sitting, they may not be the most comfortable if you are trying to use one as a pillow for your nap. An ideal armrest for your nap should be relatively short, and it earns extra bonus points if the armrest on your accent sofa is rounded with extra padding. Even if your modular leather sofa has short, stylish more square arms, the judicious addition of a pillow can make it an ideal napping spot.
If your accent sofa has taller armrests, not all hope is lost. If you are on the shorter side, the armrests don’t even matter; just grab a pillow and prepare to descend into dreamland while avoiding the armrest altogether. But when you are pushing 6 feet tall, you will need a larger couch for napping. In this case, a sectional sofa or a wider 3-seat sofa can ensure that you don’t have to fold up like an accordion to enjoy your nap.
Prop up Your Feet in a Recliner Chair for an Ergonomic Nap
If you have neck or back problems, your ideal nap might take place in a reclining accent chair, a reclining couch, or perhaps a reclining sectional sofa. Propping your feet up when you indulge in a nap will help to ensure that you don’t twist or aggravate your spine. Many reclining couches feature built-in power recliner chairs, which allow you to carefully adjust your level of recline with just the touch of a button. If you have a leather recliner sofa that also has adjustable headrests, you can personalize your comfort while still taking it easy on your back.
A Chaise Lounge Sofa Delivers the Best of Both Worlds
While you can’t customize the angle of your feet when lounging on a leather or fabric chaise sofa, the chaise itself is actually quite versatile. You can use the chaise in its intended function—a nap that can be enhanced if your leather chaise sofa has an adjustable headrest. The chaise can also offer more of a sense of space and security when you are taking a traditional couch nap. When you have a fabric chaise sofa, and you nap with your head on (or next to) the same armrest as the chaise, there is plenty of room on the chaise cushion. Whether you have your phone plugged into your sofa’s built-in USB port and resting on the chaise for easy access, or you just need a place for your arms to go while you are resting, a regular sofa nap combined with a chaise lounge sofa is not to be missed.
Bask in the Superior Lazy Weekend Afternoon Nap
Whether you prefer a good old-fashioned sofa nap, a recliner chair nap, a cheeky chaise nap, or something in between, having the correct furniture for the job makes every nap even better. So, when the afternoon slump comes, you will be prepared to prop up your feet and welcome some rest.