10 Comfortable Recliners That Will Fit in a Small Living Space

It takes a lot to be our top overall recliner, but with West Elm’s Malena you get the total package. While it may be on the slightly larger side for a compact recliner, this plushly cushioned recliner feels as if you are sinking into a cloud when you relax in its glory. With a deeper seat, you actually get to unwind when you recline, unlike some other compact recliners which do just the opposite. Then there’s the aesthetics: It comes in two materials, either a linen-blend cream-based color or a cognac-like top grain leather (just for an additional $1K).

The frame is made of sustainable eucalyptus wood, which is kiln-dried to increase stability and durability, high-gauge springs increase cushioning, while the polyurethane foam ensures that no matter how often you keep going back to your new favorite napping spot, it won’t get all frumpy and wear out over time. While it is on the slightly pricier side, especially if you upgrade to the leather finish, most feel this is well worth the investment. Oh, and this nice little recliner does all the work for you, right at the push of a button, thanks to its power reclining functionality.

Maybe you don’t need (or even want) a swanky, $1,000-plus recliner for your small space. For the most basic, most straightforward, and most affordable option, we like Amazon’s top pick. The Yaheetech PU Leather Recliner is an all-business model with a clean design constructed from PU leather over a composite wood frame. There are no fancy “bells and whistles” here—just a manual mechanism that reclines with stops at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees.

Given the absurdly low price, our editors were pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of this chair. We agreed that it certainly looks like a budget chair but feels like a model two or three times the price. It’s solid and reasonably well-built, and we found the PU/PVC leather extremely easy to clean. The seat cushion is medium firm and plenty comfy to relax in for a few hours. Just give the seatback a hard push, and you’re in business.

Sure, it won’t win any design awards in any of the roughly eight available colors. For the price, though, it’s impossible to complain about anything with this model. It delivers on its promise to be a sturdy, durable, basic recliner that’s probably best suited for a game room or basement lounge. Did we mention it’s just over $100 delivered?

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The biggest downside of most recliners is that they look like recliners, and that’s not an aesthetic most of us love. Article’s Ellow Ashford Gray Recliner looks more like an accent chair than a recliner, so it’ll blend seamlessly into almost any decor. The retro-modern good looks are handsome and timeless. When you’re ready to activate “Chillax Mode”, just give the back a gentle push. The mechanism glides into one of three comfortable recline angles.

Every tester on our panel is a sucker for good-looking mid-century modern furniture, and we all love the classic look of this chair. The solid walnut legs and ashford gray upholstered seat are guaranteed to look great in any room of the house. Unlike most typical recliners, this is one you won’t feel obligated to hide away. Plus, with a compact footprint of less than three feet by three feet, it’s designed to fit nicely in most small spaces, from apartments to game rooms.

This was an easy pick for our team as this the best-looking recliner for small spaces. Our only minor gripe is that the seat only reclines in three predefined positions (full, partial, or upright). It’s also a little pricey at around $1,000, although we still think it’s an excellent value overall given Article’s quality.

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No, this isn’t the chunky leather recliner you might envision from basements of years past. All Modern takes the leather recliner and infuses life into it, giving it that perfectly modern aesthetic and craftsmanship. The Bosse Genuine Leather Recliner comes in three finishes: black, caramel, and midnight blue (all excellent options). One of the main reasons we selected this recliner for our leather pick comes down to its distinctive design combination.

While the main body, seat, and backrest look like a traditional recliner with a contemporary feel, this model showcases its wooden frame on the outside. Its slim lines and signature tapered legs make this recliner perfect for a mid-century throwback. So, whatever vibe you’re going for, this pick can live in both worlds.

When you want an uber-stealth power recliner that looks nothing like what most of us picture when we hear the word “recliner,” Crate & Barrel has you covered. The Leisure Power Recliner Accent Chair features a simple, streamlined aesthetic that no one will ever guess hides a power reclining footrest. It’s a little boxy, a little overstuffed, and so good-looking. The best part though is the controls are completely hidden, with simple buttons integrated into the side.

This small-space-minded recliner was unlike anything else we tested this year. We found the nubby Sherpa upholstery to be soft, cozy, and insanely comfortable, even in the fully upright position. Via the control buttons on the inner side of the seat, the back and footrest can be moved independently, allowing you to dial in your own personal level of recline. With a footprint of roughly three feet by two-and-a-half feet, it’s compact enough to fit in almost any small space, too.

It’s hard not to love everything about this under-the-radar recliner. With good looks, a smooth-gliding mechanism, and hidden buttons, what’s not to love? Our only real gripe? Price. It’s almost $1,800 plus delivery, making it one of the most expensive small-space recliners in this guide. (It’s available as a power recliner sofa, too!)

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Most of the best small-space recliners we recommend this year are available in a variety of handsome, off-the-floor colors. But if you’re looking for something more, Pottery Barn has you covered. Like many of its best-selling furniture pieces, the Ayden Square Arm Upholstered Swivel Recliner can be custom-ordered in one of roughly 50 fabric options. It’s the most customizable recliner for small spaces in our guide.

Our interior design enthusiasts fell in love with the clean lines, simple aesthetic, and beautiful fabrics of the Ayden. Unlike some of the “stealthier” options on this list, we think Pottery Barn did an excellent job of making this recliner feel less like a traditional, clunky “dad chair” and more like a high-quality seat we wouldn’t feel obligated to hide away in the basement. The back is extremely plush and soft, and one pull of the side lever quickly puts this baby into “nap mode.” We especially loved the swivel base that adds versatility and small-space usability to this recliner, too.

Despite the long lead times (more than 12 weeks, in some cases) of the best-looking fabric options, we think the Ayden is easily one of this year’s best recliners for small spaces. It’s a little on the pricey side, but you can still score one of the Quick-Ship Fabric options for around $900 plus delivery costs.

There’s something so regal and elegant about a classic wing chair. The aptly named Alta Wing Chair Recliner features a timeless design with button-tufted stitching, tonal piping, and a semi-hidden reclining footrest built in. It’s available in more than a handful of colors, including charcoal and royal blue—all of which look great in a bedroom or reading room. When you’re ready to recline, the manual-push mechanism glides easily into the relaxed position.

Our testers ooo‘d and ahh‘d over the dark blue version of this handsome wing recliner that looks fit for royalty. With an aesthetic similar to that of a smoking lounge, it’s arguably the classiest small-space recliner we tested this year. Despite the photos, it’s surprisingly compact, so it’ll work well in even the smallest spaces with a footprint that measures less than three feet by three feet. Our team also found it incredibly easy to assemble, even for just one person.

Among the best recliners for small spaces that we tested for this roundup, this is yet another model that balances good looks, compact size, functionality, and price. It’s surprisingly affordable, at less than $300 delivered.

If you value comfort and over-the-top features over sheer aesthetics, we get it. Some people want a recliner for pure relaxation. Red Barrel Studio’s Myria Upholstered Manual Recliner Chair features a chunky, overstuffed design that prioritizes comfort and midday nap time above all else. The plush, fluffy cushions are comfy in any position, but especially when fully reclined. Plus, this model boasts built-in massage heating and a cupholder.

While this recliner looks more like the traditional “dad chair” models from the last century, it’s a look that our team agreed we could live with. “It’s definitely not the best-looking but, after sitting (and sleeping) in it for an afternoon, I kind of don’t even care!” We all agreed this thing was crazy comfortable. The massage and heat settings feel more like an afterthought (especially compared to those of some of the best massage chairs we’ve previously tested), but they’re still nice to have features. Our team all agreed that these would be best suited for buying more than one and setting up in a home theater.

It’s not the most handsome recliner for small spaces in our roundup. But if we have to pick one recliner that looks almost like the La-Z-Boys of yesteryear, we’re happy to take this one any day.

Perfectly compact, yet loaded with features, the Babyletto Kiwi Glider is the perfect chair for those who love a little swivel movement—and by a little movement, we mean 360-degree spinning range of motion. It also has the ability to rock back and forth thanks to its glider. So whether you need a recliner for a nursery or you want to attempt to rock yourself to sleep, this swivel choice is an excellent pick.

USB charging allows you to rock out without getting up to plug in electronics, while the electric push-button power reclines you as quietly as the best of them, ensuring no one is disturbed by a whining electric whir. It comes in several upholstery options, all in different colors, while the eco-friendly and performance weave is water and stain-resistant, too.

Yes, technically this is listed under Birch Lane’s kids recliner, but it can function as the perfect compact recliner for small spaces. And with a max weight capacity of 250 lbs. it can hold most adults, too (some of our other models have the same maxed out capacity). Now that we got that out of the way, this recliner is perfectly comfy for those all weekend-long binge streaming sessions we all love to do, as we catch up on our favorite shows.

To really lean into the comfort of this recliner, Birch Lane built-in everything you could need to spend all day in it. For starters, this gliding recliner features a 360-degree swivel capability, and it’s also a rocking recliner too—perfect for lulling off to sleep. The two-port USB chargers are perfect to plug in your electronics while you recline, too.