La-Z-Boy is the name of a reputable US-based furniture company that is synonymous with comfort and relaxation. It comes with a rich history that dates back to the late 1920s. Founded by cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker, the company initially focused on creating innovative reclining chairs. Over the decades, La-Z-Boy has expanded its product line and evolved its branding, particularly its logo. The article delves into the history and evolution of the La-Z-Boy logo over the years.
The Genesis of the La-Z-Boy Logo (1928 – 1929)
The original La-Z-Boy logo was simple yet effective and featured the brand name in bold, black uppercase within apostrophes. It had a straightforward sans-serif typeface that emphasised the brand’s focus on comfort. The style of lettering appeared to be handwritten. It was designed to be easily recognisable and aligned with the product’s identity as a reclining chair.
(1929 – 194?)
The first logo redesign of La-Z-Boy featured the brand name in a stylish typeface in black where the vertical ends of the letters “L” and “Y” had extended tails drawn towards each other. The letter “Z” in the middle looked like a musical note with both the upper and lower bars written in a stylish, arched way.
(194? – 1987)
This logo iteration appeared in a purple colour palette with the letters crafted in a modern, stylish, and legible typeface that appeared slightly slanted to the right. The tails of the letters “L” and “Y” were pointed towards each other but in a thick, straight line.
(1987 – 2003)
In 1987, the redesigned logo featured the brand name in uppercase and in a blue modern sans-serif typeface. Here, the middle bar of the letter “B” did not touch the vertical bar of the letter to the left.
(2003 – Present)
In 2003, the size of the letters in the logo was reduced, while the space between them was increased. All the letters appeared in black except the letter “Z” in the middle that appeared in white. The letter was placed within a diagonal blue oval to emphasise its importance.
(2024) (Tentative)
In 2024, the colour palette of the La-Z-Boy logo reverted to black. The letters are slanted to the right and written in a stylish and playful modern sans-serif typeface. In the redesigned logo, the letter “B” is mentioned in lowercase. Further, the tail of the letter “Z” is extended to the right up to the letter “B.”
The Elements of the La-Z-Boy Logo
Font
The original font used in the La-Z-Boy logo was a straightforward serif typeface that conveyed simplicity and comfort. However, the current La-Z-Boy logo employs a modern sans-serif font that emphasises clarity and readability. This shift towards a more contemporary font aligns with the company’s goal of appealing to a younger demographic while retaining its classic roots.
Colour
Initially, the logo featured a simple colour palette of black or dark that signified elegance and durability. In more recent iterations, La-Z-Boy has embraced brighter colours, particularly shades of blue. These colours evoke feelings of warmth and comfort and align with the brand’s message of relaxation. For instance, the colour blue often symbolises trust and reliability.
Finally
The La-Z-Boy logo and its variants show the company’s journey from its humble beginnings in Monroe, Michigan, to becoming a global leader in furniture design. Each iteration of the logo reflects changing consumer preferences and design trends. Today, La-Z-Boy continues to innovate in both product offerings and branding strategies to ensure it remains relevant in an ever-evolving market.