We looked at the Lazy Boy recliners - the looks of some would work for us, but they weren't very comfortable for us. We got Ekornes Stressless sofas. They recline and are very comfortable. They don't have an integrated foot rest, there are separate ottomans to use with them. We got the theater seating grouping because we like having at least one arm rest per seat, but you can get them in a normal couch configuration. Ours are large (wider seat) but they also have a medium size if you need more compact. In depth (front to back) they are pretty compact because they use a metal frame which allows for a thin back. There is a high back if you prefer that. We got the low back because it makes the room feel molre open and it's high enough for us and we got a couple of their recliners for when we want a higher back. They are pretty expensive but I expect them to be a very long term purchase.

I can suggest what we did -- we went with a moderately priced leather (leather match -- the back and sides are actually a matching vinyl but 12 years later they still look like the seats -- just less worn) when my youngest was probably in 1st grade -- he's in college now. We have two boys and they grew up with the sectional, DH came and took breaks from working in the yard, and two dogs acquired along the way sometimes came in and hopped up before we noticed they'd been in the pool or dirt. I can't think of anything else that would have lived with us so well, been so comfortable that I fell asleep on it the first day we had it and it's still comfortable. Our sectional is a Lane and I've been surprised to see people calling them junk, but we bought it 12-13 years ago and things may have changed since then. It wasn't top of the line -- the leather match takes it out of that category, but the leather and the vinyl have not given us any problems, Everything other than the Sharpie mark left when my youngest fell asleep while working on homework cleaned up easily, and I even got out the Sharpie. I will stop short of recommending Lane because the reviews now seem universally poor, but I do think it makes sense to go with a modest (not cheap) to mid-range sectional. I wouldn't look at top dollar or maybe even your top budget unless you know you aren't going to be moving for a number of years (the size of configuration might be all wrong for the next house). We are looking at Omnia at a local dealer. If you don't have a local dealer, there are some locations you can purchase online (including limited models from Wayfair. They are full leather -- not match and made in USA. They have non-reclining sectionals in your price range. All the ones we've sat on have been very comfortable. We have ruled a few out because the backs are shorter. Your DH may like the split cushion back -- they sit 2" taller. My 6'4" sons liked them. Macy's also has some leather sectionals that are sofas and loveseats with a corner wedge. That means have two arms on both sides and can separate them -- even use them separately or in the reverse configuration if you move. I prefer not to have the arms inside the sectional and they don't fit our space anyway, so they aren't an option for us, but I've sat on them and they are very comfortable too. Hope that helps.

My sister and I just bought the Best home Furnishings hattie reclining sofa for our newly purchased beach condo: http://www.besthf.com/best/Furniture/Sofas/Reclining/HATTIE-COLL Wish the seat depth was a little more. Other than that, we like it very much. I love that it has the little buttons on the side that make it move rather than a remote, Some stores only wanted to offer it in four fabrics, but we found a store that offered the entire fabric collection to choose from. We chose Dune 20969.

We had a Lane one for 13 years and loved it. Comfortable, easy to clean and neither boys in growong and eating year nor dogs -- nor either still damp out of the pool, damaged the upholstery (one scratch on the end from a frightened cat). The family wasn't going to agree on anything different for a repalcement. The cons would be price if you get a good one and leather issues (spotting, fading, peeling, color transfer or other problems) if you don't get a quality one. The other most likely issue is the recliner mechanism. Whether manual or power, you want quality so it will functions smoothy over the years. Power allows you to stop at any point while manual tend to have only two stopping points -- fett up and "full" recline. We ordered ourcurrent sectioanl through Arhaus. It is the Hadley in a custom leather and with power recliners on the ends. They are not cheap, but you can get a good sale during which custom fabrics or leathers may be the same price or only $100 more than the stock choices (dark brown or possibly grey). You will wait 8-10 weeks for delivery, but that's not bad for custom. The Lane did need additional room to clear the back movement, but the Arhaus does not. I have read a lot about Lane not being what they used to be -- son't know. That and the cedar chest I got while in high school are the only Lane furniture we have had. The Arhaus is so solidly built -- you can tell the frame is solid and it has 8 way tied foundation, down wraped cushions and a premium leather. I wasn't prepared to spend what we did when I started looking, but we needed an unusual size and were going to pay for any of our limited options. I do feel like we got what we paid for on this one. Oh -- if you are going to make a major puchase with Arhaus, you might want to consider their rewards program. You get $100 for every $1500 you spend (they had at least one sale with double rewards points while we were shopping) and you could use that towards another purchase. We got our TV stand with a reward. We also looked at Omnia -- they have nice leathers, but I have no doubt that we got a better made sectional -- and the Omnia also required wall clearance for the recliners. ETA: Coffee tables -- we didn't use one with the last sectional. It had a chaise on one end and it just wouldn't work. I would like to have one, but DH and the boys don't. We have end tables and I have two small ottomans or a small table I can move into the center. We have talked about a C-table to use at the corner -- actually brought one home and then realized it was turned the wrong way for what we wanted. That is still a possibility. Some sectionals can have 3 recliners and that pretty much elimiates a coffee table. With 2 placed on either end, it really depends on the length of your sectional.