These Cozy, Compact Recliners Might Fit in Even the Tiniest Apartments

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Recliners have long been the red-headed stepchildren (can we still say that?) of the furniture world. Everyone loves to hate them. It’s not that surprising. The OG, circa-1980 models were chunky, heavy, expensive eyesores reserved for Sunday-football-watching dads and your Uncle Hank’s post-Thanksgiving turkey-and-Pabst coma when it was best to just let him sleep. But that was a lifetime ago. Today’s best recliners are all grown-up and what your pops might even call “hip.”

The problem is most recliners still take up a ton of space. That’s not cool if you live in the city, in an apartment, or anywhere with space at a premium. The good news is that furniture makers finally caught on to the need for compact options. Today’s best recliners for small spaces are not only built with “cozy living” in mind, but many are surprisingly stylish, too. Even better is most compact recliners are available in an almost unlimited selection of colors, fabrics, and aesthetics—and at price points almost anyone can afford.

Recliners aren’t especially complicated, but shopping for a new one can feel a little like shopping for a new memory foam mattress or a used Camry. That’s why we’re here to help. We researched and personally tested dozens of top-selling small-space-friendly recliners, so you don’t have to. We compared sizes, fabrics, reclining mechanisms, and other built-in features—all to find our top picks for the best recliners for small spaces in 2023.

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Kejon Upholstered Power Recliner

If you need something more than the cheapest possible recliner option, but a $1,500-plus premium chair is too rich for your budget, the Kejon Upholstered Power Recliner is the perfect "just right" solution. The design is clean, simple, and elegant, with a comfy cushioned seat that goes from upright to napping position at the press of a button.

Our team of self-appointed relaxation professionals agreed that this chair strikes a near-perfect balance of style, quality, ease of use, and price. We liked the Euro-inspired silhouette that combines a deep bucket seat with slightly curved arms. The design is well-suited for almost any decor, from traditional to contemporary to downright modern. It's extremely comfortable even in the upright position, and triply so once fully reclined into its nap-ready form.

This isn't the cheapest or the most premium recliner in this year's roundup. Rather, it's the Goldilocks option for anyone looking to spend a bit more on a stylish, comfy, midrange solution. This small-space-friendly recliner lists for over $1,000, but we've routinely found it on sale for closer to $700 with free shipping (and White Glove Delivery is available for a fee).

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Laflamme Vegan Leather Recliner

If you're down with the leather recliner look, but not so much with actual leather, vegan leather is a solid alternative. The Laflamme Vegan Leather Recliner from All Modern features a retro, Midcentury Modern vibe that would feel right at home in Don Draper's office. The recline mechanism is a sleek, dead-simple affair. Just push back, and the footrest extends automatically.

Our panelists unanimously loved the all-over chestnut look of this small-space-friendly recliner in the Caramel colorway. We'd honestly recommend it as a standalone occasional chair, even if it didn't recline. But the mechanism works flawlessly with minimal effort, and this model looks great even when reclined (not always the case with full-size leather recliners). Plus, we especially loved the straightforward assembly that took less than ten minutes to unbox and set up exactly how and where we wanted.

Unlike most traditional leather recliners that are chunky, overstuffed, and feel like something from an 80s sitcom, this streamlined retro-modern seat is a handsome alternative that's guaranteed to elevate the look of any room in your house. What's more: It's regularly on sale for less than $500 delivered.

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PU Leather Recliner

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 panelists 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 twice 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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Ellow Ashford Gray Recliner

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 occasional chair than an ordinary recliners, 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 Midcentury Modern furniture, and we all loved 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 year's 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.

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Leisure Power Recliner Accent Chair

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 that 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 completely stealth design, 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 year's roundup. (It's available as a power recliner sofa, too!)

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Alta Wing Chair Recliner

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.

Ayden Square Arm Upholstered Swivel Recliner

Most of the best small-space recliners we recommend this year are available in a variety of handsome, off-the-rack 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 2023 roundup.

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.

Macedonia Mid Century Modern Tufted Back Fabric Recliner

If you're looking for a slight upgrade from the cheapest, most budget-friendly recliner options this year, GDFStudio has your back. Its Macedonia Mid Century Modern Tufted Back Fabric Recliner features a classy, versatile aesthetic designed to work with almost any space. The thin arms, tufted back, and pencil legs feel delicate yet substantial. Hidden beneath the bottom panel is a narrow footrest that slides out with a quick push on the seatback.

"It's a little... cute, but I feel like the aesthetic is the perfect compromise for mine and my boyfriend's individual styles," said one of our writers. Overall, our test panelists liked the timeless, retro-modern good looks of this pint-sized recliner. With a 34-inch-by-27-inch footprint, it's well-sized for apartment dwellers and anyone without a huge living space. What set this model apart for us, though, was the price. At less than $300 with free shipping, it's one of the best value recliners for small spaces in 2023.

We can't deny that it feels like a budget chair. Still, for the price, it's hard to find much of anything to complain about with this compact recliner. It's small enough and affordable enough that we'd recommend buying two to make a matching set. With six available colors, it's easy to color-match with your decor.

Myria Upholstered Manual Recliner Chair

If you value comfort and over-the-top features over transparent 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 not 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.

What to Look for When Shopping for Small-Space Recliners

Finding a recliner you like is pretty easy. But, finding a recliner you like that fits a small space can be a whole other experience entirely. After testing dozens of models this year, these are the most important considerations for finding your personal best recliner for small spaces.

Dimensions

It’s obvious to say, but a recliner’s overall dimensions are the single most important consideration when shopping for a small space. If a potential chair is too big to fit in your space, nothing else matters. We recommend accurately measuring your space before you start shopping. Consider the maximum available “footprint” you have in your home to dedicate to your new recliner. When measuring, be sure to add at least three feet in all four directions to allow for proper reclining and to be sure it won’t obstruct the general flow of your room.

Fabrics & Upholstery

Many of today’s best recliners (for small spaces and otherwise) are available in a long list of fabrics and colorways. The ideal fabric will be the one that works for your household and lifestyle. If you have kids, pets, or both, for example, consider more durable fabrics that are dirt-, stain-, and water-resistant to make general maintenance and cleaning easier.

Budget

These days, recliners are available at a wide variety of price points. The most budget-friendly models start at less than $200, while midrange options typically run between $600-$1,000. The very best recliners for small spaces can easily top $1,500 or more, especially for custom options with hand-selected fabrics and premium features.

FAQs About Small-Space Recliners

What is a “wall hugger” recliner?

A wall-hugger recliner is uniquely designed to be placed less than a foot (sometimes even just a few inches) away from a wall and still able to recline fully. They’re especially good options for small-space living where square footage is at a premium.

What is a “zero clearance” recliner?

“Zero-clearance” is another term for “wall-hugger” or “wallaway” recliners. They feature the same clever design that’s purpose-built for small spaces where you need maximum usability and versatility from your furniture in the smallest space possible.

How much should I spend for a good recliner?

Recliner prices vary widely from less than $200 to more than $2,000. While you can find extremely affordable models for just a couple hundred dollars, we recommend spending a little more on the best small-space recliner you can reasonably afford. There are plenty of great midrange models available today, including those mentioned above, for less than $1,000 delivered.

How We Chose the Best Recliners for Small Spaces in 2023

Our editorial staff is a little “relaxation-obsessed,” so we’re not ashamed to admit that we’re experts when it comes to comfy living room furniture (and the best mattresses and the best bean bag chairs and—well, you get the picture). We researched dozens of recliner models, from the most affordable options from Amazon and Wayfair to fully custom premium alternatives from Article, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel. In the end, we agreed on the list above of the best recliners for small spaces.

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