Furniture guides, in the order you'll need them
208 guides from our four Vancouver Island stores. Start with the room you're furnishing, check the buying guides before you commit, see who makes it, then how it gets to your door.
Step 1
Pick the room
Each guide opens with the three reads that answer most questions, then every article on that topic.
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24 guides
Sofas and sectionals
- How to choose a sectional sofa for an Island home: the room, the door, the side it faces and the 61 listings on our site
- Left-facing vs right-facing sectionals: how to tell, and how each maker names the side
- How to measure for a sectional: the room, each piece, and the door
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17 guides
Recliners
- How to choose a recliner chair: size, type, power or manual, and what we carry on the Island
- A chair that reclines: what it's called, the types of reclining chairs, and the room each one needs
- Power recliner vs manual: what the motor costs, what it adds, and who should skip it
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4 guides
Lift chairs
- How does a lift chair work? The lift, the positions, the fit and the prices on Vancouver Island
- How to choose a lift chair for an elderly parent: what to measure at home, the controls, delivery and tax
- Are lift chairs tax exempt in BC? The PST rule, the GST written order, and what to bring
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18 guides
Massage chairs
- What to look for in a massage chair: the seven Cozzia chairs at Merit, compared
- Are massage chairs worth it? The cost per session, set against a massage appointment on the Island
- Will a massage chair fit through your door? Doors, hallways, stairs and the ferry, measured
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40 guides
Mattresses
- Mattress quiz, written out: choose a mattress by sleep position, body weight and firmness
- Firm vs plush mattress: what firm, medium, plush and pillow top mean, and who each suits
- Memory foam vs hybrid mattress: how foam, latex, pocket coil and hybrid beds are built, and who each suits
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20 guides
Bedroom furniture
- Ideal humidity for wood furniture on Vancouver Island, and what woodstoves and empty cabins do to it
- Nightstand height: measure the bed first, then match the mattress top within two inches
- Bed frame sizes in Canada: what each frame measures outside, and what fits a queen
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57 guides
Appliances
- Wine cooler vs beverage centre: temperatures, one zone or two, built-in or freestanding, and where each can live
- Air fry in oven: how range and wall oven air fry modes work
- Kitchen appliances list: the major, optional and small appliances, their standard widths and what each costs on the Island
Step 2
Check before you buy
Measure the doorway, compare the warranty, and know what delivery day looks like.
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113 guides
Buying guides
- Will the sofa fit through the door? Measuring the route before delivery day, with BC door sizes
- Furniture warranties explained: what each maker covers, what voids it, and who fixes it
- Furniture delivery prep: what to measure, what it costs from Duncan, and what happens if it arrives damaged
Step 3
Know who makes it
Where each brand builds, what its warranty says, and which of our stores carries it.
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21 guides
Brands we carry
- Is Cozzia a good massage chair? Where it is made, who backs it in Canada, and who repairs it on the Island
- Sealy mattresses at Merit: Posturepedic, the warranty and the beds at Campbell River
- Where is Mako furniture made? What Mako says, what the wood is, and what it costs on the Island
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9 guides
Canadian made
- Canadian made furniture on Vancouver Island: which makers build it, where, and what the label means
- Canadian made sofa brands: who builds in Canada, and how Decor-Rest and our Island Living Collection compare
- Where is Mako furniture made? What Mako says, what the wood is, and what it costs on the Island
Step 4
Get it home
Delivery across the Island and the Gulf Islands, and the four showrooms to see it first.
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12 guides
Our four stores
- Furniture stores in Victoria: we have none, so here is how delivery from Duncan works
- Furniture in the Comox Valley after our Courtenay store closed: where to find us now
- Furniture delivery to the Gulf Islands: the ferry, the fares and how we book it
- How to get rid of old furniture on Vancouver Island: take-away, donation, resale and depot feesdelivery and service
- Furniture return policy at Merit: returns, deposits and special ordersbuying guides
- Furniture warranties explained: what each maker covers, what voids it, and who fixes itbuying guides
- Furniture lead times by brand: how long each order takes on the Island, and what we do when one runs latebuying guides
- Furniture delivery prep: what to measure, what it costs from Duncan, and what happens if it arrives damagedbuying guides
Just added
Newest guides
Types of sofas: 14 sofa styles and names, the arm shapes, and what we list in Duncan
Air fry in oven: how range and wall oven air fry modes work
Kitchen appliances list: the major, optional and small appliances, their standard widths and what each costs on the Island
How to use a meat temperature probe: where it goes, how oven probes work and Health Canada's safe temperatures
Kid friendly living room: anchoring, recliner safety, washable fabrics and storage we list in Duncan
How to clean wood furniture, from weekly dusting to mould
Archive
Every guide
Or pick a topic:
- Types of sofas: 14 sofa styles and names, the arm shapes, and what we list in Duncanbuying guides
- Air fry in oven: how range and wall oven air fry modes workappliances
- Kitchen appliances list: the major, optional and small appliances, their standard widths and what each costs on the Islandappliances
- How to use a meat temperature probe: where it goes, how oven probes work and Health Canada's safe temperaturesappliances
- Kid friendly living room: anchoring, recliner safety, washable fabrics and storage we list in Duncanbuying guides
- How to clean wood furniture, from weekly dusting to mouldbedroom furniture
- Are smart appliances worth it? What the apps do, what they cost and who they suitappliances
- First apartment checklist: the furniture to buy first, what can wait, and what fitsbedroom furniture
- EnerGuide label: how to read it, what the kWh costs in BC, and where ENERGY STAR fitsappliances
- Panel ready appliances: what they are, what they cost and how they fitappliances
- How long do appliances last? Lifespans by appliance, the 50/50 repair rule and a maintenance checklistappliances
- Stove burner not working: coil, glass top, induction and gas checksappliances
- Kitchen cleaning checklist: daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal jobs, with Health Canada's food-safety rulesappliances
- Furniture styles explained: traditional to Shaker, how to spot each one, and pieces listed in Duncanbuying guides
- Black stainless steel vs stainless steel: the coating, scratches, matching brands and the price gapappliances
- How to remove dog hair from clothes: before the wash, in the washer and in the dryerappliances
- Best refrigerator brand in Canada: what the reliability data shows, and the warranty behind each nameappliances
- How much sleep do kids need? Hours by age, bedtimes, night fears and safe kids' bedsbedroom furniture
- What to eat before bed: light snacks, caffeine, alcohol and heartburn, from Canadian health sourcessleep
- Does blue light affect sleep? Melatonin, screen time in bed, night mode and kids' bedroomsbedroom furniture
- Motion isolation mattress for couples: what keeps a partner's movement on their side, and the beds we list on the Islandmattresses
- New mattress back pain: the break-in period, the base, the pillow and when to see a doctormattresses
- Exercise before bed: is it bad for sleep, and how late is too late?sleep
- How to adjust to daylight saving time now that BC has stopped changing its clocksisland living
- How to get rid of dust mites in a damp Island homemattresses
- Types of mattresses explained: coil, foam, latex, hybrid and air, plus the terms on a spec sheetbuying guides
- Should dogs sleep in your bed? What the sleep studies, HealthLink BC and vets say, and how to protect the mattressmattresses
- How to take care of a mattress, by each maker's own rulesmattresses
- Leather sofa living room ideas: wall colours, pillows, wood and light for brown, black, tan and grey leathersofas and sectionals
- Plastic vs stainless steel dishwasher tub: drying, noise, stains and the price gapappliances
- Washing machine shaking: why it happens and how to stop it, from shipping bolts to the floorappliances
- Quietest dishwasher: what dBA means, and Merit's dishwashers ranked from 38 dBA upappliances
- How long does a dishwasher run? Normal, heavy, quick and eco cycle times from five makers' manualsappliances
- Dishwasher not draining? Causes and fixes from the filter to the drain pumpappliances
- Can you wash shoes in the washing machine? What Nike, adidas, New Balance and Allbirds sayappliances
- Dining table centerpiece ideas: how tall, how long, and a safe Christmas tabledining
- How to blanch vegetables for freezing: times by vegetable, ice bath, packing and storageappliances
- Mixing wood tones: undertones, a dominant wood, contrast and the finishes we list in Duncanbuying guides
- Black bedroom furniture decorating ideas: walls, bedding, wood and winter lightbedroom furniture
- Hygge decorating: what the Danish word means, candlelight done safely, and the wood, wool and seats that make a room feel warmbuying guides
- Gas vs electric stove: how each cooks, what it costs to run on the Island, and what it needs installedappliances
- Downdraft range or range hood: how downdraft venting works, and where it falls shortappliances
- Can you put aluminum foil in the microwave? What four makers say, and what else stays outappliances
- Types of microwaves: countertop, over the range, built-in and drawer, with what each costsappliances
- Wall oven vs range: price, bending, cabinets and BC permits, with our Island listingsappliances
- Bedside table decor ideas: what goes on top, what goes in the drawer, and how big the lamp should bebedroom furniture
- Types of refrigerators: top freezer, bottom freezer, side-by-side, French door and more, with real kWh and Island pricesappliances
- Induction vs electric stove: speed, pans, safety, wiring and what each costs on the Islandappliances
- What is a steam oven? Full steam, combi-steam and steam-assist ovens, what they cook and what they costappliances
- Dishwasher pods vs powder: what makers say, soft Island water and homes on septicappliances
- How to get pee stains out of a mattress, fresh or dried, plus blood and pet accidentsmattresses
- How often should you flip your mattress? Rotating, warranties and what Restwell and Restonic askmattresses
- Best time to buy appliances in Canada: Black Friday, long weekends, promotion end dates and when not to waitappliances
- How much sleep do you need? Hours by age, deep and REM sleep, and sleep debtmattresses
- Does lack of sleep cause weight gain? What the trials found, why a link isn't proof, and when to see a doctormattresses
- Best tea before bed: caffeine by tea type, the herbal teas with some evidence, and who should be carefulsleep
- How to get rid of old furniture on Vancouver Island: take-away, donation, resale and depot feesdelivery and service
- Mix and match dining chairs: seat heights, arm chairs, benches and the style rulesbuying guides
- Built-in refrigerators: what built-in means, KitchenAid side-by-sides, installation and pricesappliances
- How to clean a dishwasher: the filter, spray arms, vinegar and what KitchenAid saysappliances
- Living room furniture layout: seat spacing, walkways, TV distance and room shapes, measured with Duncan piecesbuying guides
- How to clean a glass top stove: scraper angles, burnt sugar, cleaners and cracks, from the makers' own pagesappliances
- How to organize a fridge: shelf by shelf, crisper settings, cheese and small fridgesappliances
- Why does my dishwasher smell? Sour food, sewage, wet dog, burning plastic and the new-machine smellappliances
- Best essential oils for sleep: what the reviews found, how to use them, and the safety rulessleep
- Freezer organization for chest, upright and fridge freezers, with storage timesappliances
- Minimalist living room ideas: fewer, better pieces, closed storage and the Duncan furniture that fits the lookbuying guides
- How to clean washing machine filters: the drain pump, the inlet screens and the lint trapappliances
- Chest freezer vs upright freezer: real kWh, prices, outages and garage ratingsappliances
- How to fall asleep faster: the 15 to 20 minute rule, a set wake time, CBT-I and a bed kept for sleepbedroom furniture
- What is a dual fuel range? Gas burners, an electric oven, and what it takes to install oneappliances
- Why is my food freezing in my refrigerator? The causes in order, the fixes, and fridges for a cold garageappliances
- Kids bedroom ideas: safe bunks, anchored dressers and beds that grow with thembedroom furniture
- How to wake up early: small steps, morning light on the Island, and where the alarm goesbedroom furniture
- How to whiten clothes: chlorine or oxygen bleach, bluing, water temperature and washer cyclesappliances
- Cozy living room ideas for a wet Island winter: deep seats, warm light and the room around the stovebuying guides
- Over the range microwave dimensions: width, height, depth and the space it needs above the stoveappliances
- Convection oven vs regular oven: how the fan cooks, when to switch it off, and turkey timesappliances
- Coffee table size: length, height and spacing for your sofa, measured against our Duncan tablesbuying guides
- Slide-in vs freestanding range: controls, countertops, cutouts and priceappliances
- Guest bedroom ideas for an Island home: the bed, the floor it needs and a guest-ready checklistbedroom furniture
- Do I need a box spring? Foundations, slats, platform beds and what Restwell and Restonic warranties requirebedroom furniture
- Best temperature for sleep: the range in Celsius, babies and older adults, and Island summers and winterssleep
- How to clean a refrigerator inside and out: shelves, mould, coils, water filters and the ice makerappliances
- How long should a nap be? 10 to 20 minutes, 90 minutes, children's naps by age, and where to take onerecliners
- How to make a bed, step by step: sheets, pocket depth and the headboardbedroom furniture
- Kitchen layout ideas: galley, L, U, island and peninsula plans, with the spacing each one needsappliances
- Spring cleaning checklist, room by room: mattresses, upholstery, appliances and the depot runbuying guides
- How to load a dishwasher: each rack, the cutlery basket and what stays outappliances
- Cozy bedroom ideas for an Island home: the bed, the bedding layers, warm light and paintbedroom furniture
- How to remove stains from clothes: a stain by stain guide with water temperaturesappliances
- Top load vs front load washer: water, spin speed, mould, height and price, with the washers we list on the Islandappliances
- Small entryway ideas for an Island home: consoles, benches, hooks and a place for wet bootsbuying guides
- Home bar ideas: counter or bar height, stools, cabinets and a coffee barbuying guides
- How to set a table: basic, casual and formal place settings, and the table a holiday dinner needsdining
- Stages of sleep explained: the 90-minute cycle and a BC sleep studymattresses
- How to clean an oven: self-clean, AquaLift, steam, baking soda and oven cleaner, by the makers' rulesappliances
- Small living room ideas: walkways, sofa sizes and furniture that does two jobs in an Island homebuying guides
- Double oven vs single oven: capacity, cost and fit on the Islandappliances
- Best sleeping position: side, back or stomach, and what HealthLink BC and the research saymattresses
- What temperature should a fridge be? 4 °C, the freezer at -18 °C, and how to check yoursappliances
- Laundry room ideas for Island homes: layouts, clearances, venting and the machines that fitappliances
- Feng shui bedroom: where the bed goes, the headboard, nightstands and mirrorsbedroom furniture
- How to clean a mattress, including after an illnessmattresses
- How to check for bed bugs: the signs, a mattress inspection, hotel rooms and what to do nextmattresses
- Dining table size: how many it seats, how much room it needs, and when a leaf helpsbuying guides
- How to stop snoring: side sleeping, alcohol, weight, raising the head of the bed, and when it may be sleep apneasleep
- How to clean a microwave inside and outappliances
- How to clean stainless steel appliances without streaks, finish by finishappliances
- How to wash pillows: the washer, feather and down, memory foam and latex, and dryingsleep
- Do I need a range hood? Gas, electric, ducted or ductless, and how many CFMappliances
- Pocket coil vs innerspring: how the springs differ, and what coil counts and gauge tell youbuying guides
- Ashley furniture near me on Vancouver Island: where to buy it, what it costs and how ordering worksbrands
- Furniture stores on Vancouver Island: Merit's four showrooms and the towns each one servesisland living
- Why some Merit furniture says Call for Best Price, and how our online prices workbuying guides
- Who makes Silhouette wine coolers? Danby, its five lines, our 16 models and Island serviceappliances
- Wine cooler vs beverage centre: temperatures, one zone or two, built-in or freestanding, and where each can liveappliances
- Shop local on Vancouver Island: what an Island furniture store does after the saleisland living
- Cabinet beds: how a bed in a chest opens, the room it needs, and how it compares with a Murphy bed or sofa bedbedroom furniture
- Leather furniture care on Vancouver Island: woodstove heat, summer sun, spills, and what each maker allowsisland living
- Ideal humidity for wood furniture on Vancouver Island, and what woodstoves and empty cabins do to itbedroom furniture
- How to choose a pillow: height by sleep position, fill, and when to replace onebuying guides
- Beautyrest mattress lines on the Island: core, World Class and Centennial at our Campbell River store, with basesbrands
- Tempur-Pedic mattresses: the Align beds, the warranty, and the disadvantagesbrands
- Sealy mattresses at Merit: Posturepedic, the warranty and the beds at Campbell Riverbrands
- Mattress in a box vs regular mattress: what the box trades away, and where our boxed beds are carriedbuying guides
- The best mattress for back pain in Canada: what four studies support, and the medium beds to try on the Islandmattresses
- Best mattress for hot sleepers: coils, cooling covers, and the Island's damp nightsbuying guides
- Best mattress for back sleepers: medium to firm, what the research says, and the beds to try on the Islandbuying guides
- Best mattress for side sleepers: firmness by weight, pillow height, and what we list on the Islandbuying guides
- Memory foam vs hybrid mattress: how foam, latex, pocket coil and hybrid beds are built, and who each suitsbuying guides
- Firm vs plush mattress: what firm, medium, plush and pillow top mean, and who each suitsbuying guides
- Mattress quiz, written out: choose a mattress by sleep position, body weight and firmnessbuying guides
- Furniture return policy at Merit: returns, deposits and special ordersbuying guides
- How long does a mattress last? What the sources say, and the signs yours is donemattresses
- Do you need a mattress protector? What the warranties say, which type does which job, and what ours costbuying guides
- Adjustable bed bases: what they do, which mattresses and frames work, and what ours costbuying guides
- Twin vs twin XL: five inches longer, same width, and why the fitted sheet is the catchbuying guides
- Double vs queen mattress: 6 or 7 inches wider, 5 longer, and what the queen costs morebuying guides
- Queen vs king mattress: 16 inches of width, what it costs and which one fits twobuying guides
- King mattress dimensions: king vs California king, split kings, frames and room sizebuying guides
- Queen mattress dimensions: 60 by 80 inches, in feet and centimetres, with the frame, room and stairs it needsbuying guides
- Mattress sizes in Canada: every size in inches, feet and centimetres, the room it needs, and what we carrybuying guides
- Bed frame sizes in Canada: what each frame measures outside, and what fits a queenbedroom furniture
- Sofa dimensions: standard sizes, seat height and depth, measured from our own listingsbuying guides
- Nightstand height: measure the bed first, then match the mattress top within two inchesbedroom furniture
- How to choose a dresser: height, drawer count, solid wood or not, and what one costs herebedroom furniture
- Fabric vs leather sofa: pets, spills, a wood stove, sun, and what leather costs on the same framebuying guides
- Why furniture looks different at home: light, leather and fabric variation, and the display sofa you sat inbuying guides
- Furniture warranties explained: what each maker covers, what voids it, and who fixes itbuying guides
- Furniture lead times by brand: how long each order takes on the Island, and what we do when one runs latebuying guides
- Furniture delivery prep: what to measure, what it costs from Duncan, and what happens if it arrives damagedbuying guides
- Will the sofa fit through the door? Measuring the route before delivery day, with BC door sizesbuying guides
- How to measure for a sectional: the room, each piece, and the doorbuying guides
- What size sectional fits a small living room? The walkway rule, the door and the compact sets we listbuying guides
- Left-facing vs right-facing sectionals: how to tell, and how each maker names the sidebuying guides
- How to choose a sectional sofa for an Island home: the room, the door, the side it faces and the 61 listings on our sitebuying guides
- Is La-Z-Boy Made in Canada? Recliners Made in Canada, Maker by Makercanadian made
- Custom order furniture: how made-to-order works at Merit, from the cover you choose to the order you signbuying guides
- How to tell if furniture is made in Canada: the rules, the tags, and what our makers say in their own wordscanadian made
- Where is Ashley furniture made? Ashley's own plant list, and what it means on the Islandbrands
- Restwell mattresses at Merit: every model, its build and its pricebrands
- Island Living Collection, exclusive to Merit Furniture Duncan: Canadian-made custom-order sofas, and the ready-made rangebrands
- Decor-Rest furniture: is it good quality, where it is made, and what it costs on the Islandbrands
- Where is Mako furniture made? What Mako says, what the wood is, and what it costs on the Islandbrands
- Canadian made bedroom furniture brands: which makers say they build in Canada, and what Merit can confirmbedroom furniture
- Canadian-made sectionals, piece by piece: what the pieces are called and which ones are built in Canadacanadian made
- Canadian made sofa brands: who builds in Canada, and how Decor-Rest and our Island Living Collection comparecanadian made
- Canadian made furniture on Vancouver Island: which makers build it, where, and what the label meansbuying guides
- Are lift chairs tax exempt in BC? The PST rule, the GST written order, and what to bringdelivery and service
- How to choose a lift chair for an elderly parent: what to measure at home, the controls, delivery and taxbuying guides
- How does a lift chair work? The lift, the positions, the fit and the prices on Vancouver Islandbuying guides
- Are La-Z-Boy recliners worth it? Prices, warranty and limitsbrands
- Best recliner for elderly people: seat height, a steady base, and when to choose a lift chairlift chairs
- Recliners for small spaces: width, wall gap and open length for 25 narrow chairsbuying guides
- Recliners for tall people: seat depth, back height and legrest length on the chairs we carrybuying guides
- The best recliner for back pain: what a chair can and can't do, and how to fit onebuying guides
- The most comfortable couch: what makes a sofa comfortable, measuredbuying guides
- What is leather match? Leather recliners in the makers' own words, with pricesbuying guides
- Are swivel recliners good? Swivel and glider recliners, the room they take and the downsidesbuying guides
- What is a wall hugger recliner? The wall gap, the open length and ten La-Z-Boy and Ashley figuresbuying guides
- Rocker recliner pros and cons: what rocks, what does not, and the Duncan display modelsbuying guides
- Reclining loveseat with a console or without: widths, prices and spacerecliners
- Reclining sofa vs regular sofa: what the recliners cost, the room they take and who they suitrecliners
- Power recliner vs manual: what the motor costs, what it adds, and who should skip itbuying guides
- A chair that reclines: what it's called, the types of reclining chairs, and the room each one needsbuying guides
- How to choose a recliner chair: size, type, power or manual, and what we carry on the Islandbuying guides
- Furniture delivery to the Gulf Islands: the ferry, the fares and how we book itdelivery and service
- Furniture in the Comox Valley after our Courtenay store closed: where to find us nowdelivery and service
- Furniture stores in Victoria: we have none, so here is how delivery from Duncan worksdelivery and service
- Trying a massage chair before buying: where to sit in one on Vancouver Island, and how to test itmassage chairs
- Are massage chairs good for you? Who should ask a doctor first, when it's 9-1-1 instead, and Cozzia's time limitsbuying guides
- Massage chairs for tall, short and heavier people: the fit numbers for each Cozzia chairbuying guides
- Massage chair financing on Vancouver Island: how a store plan works and what to askdelivery and service
- Is Cozzia a good massage chair? Where it is made, who backs it in Canada, and who repairs it on the Islandbrands
- 2D vs 3D vs 4D massage chairs, plus zero gravity, explained with the seven we sellbuying guides
- How much does a good massage chair cost? Seven Cozzia prices, delivered on the Islandbuying guides
- Will a massage chair fit through your door? Doors, hallways, stairs and the ferry, measureddelivery and service
- Massage chair vs massage therapy: what each one is for, and when a therapist or doctor comes firstbuying guides
- Are massage chairs worth it? The cost per session, set against a massage appointment on the Islandbuying guides
- Cozzia Quantum massage chair review: what $16,549 buys, and whether it fits your roombrands
- Cozzia Qi XE Pro Duo review: what two 4D mechanisms add, and who the chair suitsbrands
- Cozzia Zen Duo massage chair: two 3D mechanisms, measured and pricedbrands
- Cozzia Zen 2 massage chair: the 3D roller, the room it needs and who it suitsbrands
- Cozzia Fusion Pro massage chair: price, floor space and who it suitsbrands
- Cozzia Bliss ProFlex review: is the narrowest Cozzia the best massage chair for small spaces?brands
- Cozzia Radiance review: what the $4,199 massage chair does, who it fits and the room it needsbrands
- What to look for in a massage chair: the seven Cozzia chairs at Merit, comparedbrands