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.
The History of La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy is an iconic American furniture manufacturer that is best known for its recliners. The brand has since become a symbol of comfort and relaxation. The company was founded in 1927 in Monroe, Michigan, by cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker. They initially started their business as a furniture design and manufacturing company and solely focused on creating comfortable and innovative furniture.
The breakthrough for La-Z-Boy came with the invention of the first reclining wood-slat chair in 1928. The design was intended to provide ergonomic support and comfort and resembled a reclining lawn chair for indoor use. Recognising its potential, the cousins upholstered the chair and officially launched what would become the first modern recliner. They named their company “La-Z-Boy” to highlight the chair’s laid-back appeal.
By the 1930s, the La-Z-Boy recliner had gained widespread popularity. It led to the expansion of its product line to include upholstered chairs, sofas, and home furnishings. The brand grew steadily through the 1940s and 1950s by adapting its designs to meet the demands of a changing American lifestyle.
In the 1960s and 1970s, La-Z-Boy capitalised on television advertising to market its products. This made it a household name in the USA. The brand became synonymous with comfort and quality, and its recliners appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. This way, the furniture brand was further embedded into American culture.
La-Z-Boy continued to innovate throughout the 20th century by introducing features such as rocking recliners, swivel bases, and built-in footrests. By the 1990s, the company embraced modular furniture designs and expanded its reach internationally. It also focused on ergonomic designs and customisation options to cater to modern consumer preferences.
Today, La-Z-Boy operates as a global furniture company and offers a wide range of home furnishings. These include sofas, sectionals, and bedroom furniture, in addition to its signature recliners. It has over 300 retail locations and partners with distributors worldwide. The company has also committed to following sustainable practices. In this pursuit, it has integrated eco-friendly materials and production methods.
La-Z-Boy remains a symbol of comfort and quality craftsmanship, with its recliners continuing to be a staple in homes across the globe. The brand’s legacy is built on its founders’ vision of creating furniture that combines style, function, and relaxation. This has ensured its place as one of the most recognised names in home furnishings.
Interesting Facts About La-Z-Boy
- La-Z-Boy was founded in Monroe, Michigan, by cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker.
- The first La-Z-Boy recliner was designed to mimic the comfort of outdoor chaise lounges.
- The company held a contest to name its new reclining chair, and “La-Z-Boy” was selected to emphasise its relaxing and laid-back nature.
- The company introduced the first upholstered reclining chair in 1929 and created a whole new category of furniture.
- La-Z-Boy obtained a patent for its recliner mechanism in the early 1930s, which helped secure its position as an innovator in the industry.
- La-Z-Boy recliners have appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. These include the popular sitcom Friends, where Joey and Chandler’s recliners became famous.
- Legendary actor and comedian Bob Hope was an early promoter of La-Z-Boy recliners.
- In addition to single recliners, La-Z-Boy introduced the concept of reclining sofas and sectionals, which allowed multiple seating options with reclining features.
- La-Z-Boy products are now sold in more than 60 countries. This makes it one of the most recognisable furniture brands in the world.
- The company has focused on eco-friendly manufacturing by using recycled materials and sustainable practices in its production process.
- Modern La-Z-Boy recliners include power-lift options, massagers, and even USB ports, which blend comfort with cutting-edge technology.
- Customers can personalise their recliners by choosing from 900 different fabric and leather options to ensure style along with comfort.
- La-Z-Boy operates one of the largest furniture manufacturing plants in the world, which is located in Dayton, Tennessee.
- The company is involved in philanthropy and partners with organisations like Ronald McDonald House Charities to furnish homes for families in need.
- Despite being a global company, La-Z-Boy continues to manufacture many of its products in the United States to maintain its legacy of American craftsmanship.
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.