Allow me to confess that after many years of swearing off ever buying a recliner sofa, I’m now ready and raring to go. Given that we purchase so many for our design clients (and now having sat on so many myself), I’ve officially been swayed.
Recliners have gotten modern, that’s why I’ve finally warmed to them. The big, bulky recliners of the nineties are thankfully being replaced with options that feel sleek and contemporary. No more ugly levers, puffy arms or worn-out leathers. Thank you design gods, for hearing my prayers!
Scroll on as I introduce you to a number of recliner sofa lounges, many of which I’ve sat on myself in showrooms, and many of which have found their way to client homes. From two-seaters to chaises, all the way up to sectionals, I have the best of the best recliner sofas to show you…
Related: Our 15 Best Leather Sofa Picks | Top 15 Recliner Armchair Finds
1. Reo Recliner Sofa
It’s no secret that King Living is one of the first places we take clients looking for two or three-seater recliner sofas. The quality is there, and the options are gorgeous. They really are the leader in best recliner sofas.
The Reo Recliner is a fave of mine because the profile is so minimal. It’s raised on thin legs and the lines are kept clean, so it won’t dominate your living room the way the old-school recliners did.
The great thing about this recliner sofa is that the headrest folds up and down with the press of a button, so you can have the sofa sitting across the middle of the room with the back down most of the time. That way it doesn’t feel too imposing, but you can easily flip it up for neck support when you’re watching TV.
It comes in so many fabric options too, from leather to soft and sumptuous linens.
2. Sorrento Modular Recliner Sofa
I don’t know about you, but user reviews are a godsend for me when it comes to choosing the right piece of furniture. Freedom’s Sorrento Modular Recliner Sofa has over 50 five-star reviews, so you know you’re onto a good thing from the jump.
With 20 leather finishes and nine fabric options to choose from, you’re not at all boxed in when it comes to the colour and materials available.
The foam and feather-filled cushions give you the support you’re craving, plus the narrow arms deliver a perfect sense of balance; you get comfort without the chunkiness.
And of course, you get to enjoy the chaise section at one end (weekend afternoon snoozes are on the agenda).
3. Odin Leather Recliner Sofa with Chaise
The Odin Leather Recliner Sofa comes in a few different configurations. Get it as seen above with the right-side chaise, or opt for a left-side chaise, a 2.5-seater or 3.75-seater.
The recliner operating panel features the ability to move the leg and head rest components independently, but it also has a ‘home reset’ button so you can get both parts folded down in seconds.
Upholstered in one hundred per cent vintage leather (in a variety of shades), Odin strikes the perfect balance between form and function. He’s super comfortable but he also looks sleek and stylish too.
4. Mirow Recliner Sofa
I should say right off the bat that the Mirow Recliner Sofa comes in a variety of sizes. You can purchase this beauty from Plush in a two-seat configuration, right through to a full section sofa (with so many options in-between). You’re by no means restricted by size.
This is another sofa I’ve personally sat on and purchased for one of our design clients, and boy is the lumbar support for your lower back a godsend. The cushion hits your lower spine just in the right spot.
The low-set, tapered arms on this recliner sofa keep the feeling open and airy, not boxed in, while the fabric options are almost endless. Soft plush linens to moody leathers are all there for you to choose from.
5. King Cloud Recliner Sofa
King refers to its King Cloud Recliner Sofa as the world’s most advance home cinema seating. And guys, they’re not lying. I’ve had the pleasure of sitting on this one myself and it’s so comfortable, so supportive, and the best part – so customisable.
This is a recliner that comes in three different seat widths, with the option to change up the thickness of the arms too, so you can fit it within your living room or media room’s unique dimensions.
You can add a console between seats that can hold your TV snacks, complete with USB port so you can charge your devices. Clip in speakers, side tables, and a reading lamp too if you wish. This really is a recliner sofa lounge you can tweak to suit your individual needs. A tech-lovers dream!
6. Javi 3-Seat Electric Recliner Sofa
I do love me a block-profile sofa. I’ve got one in my own living room that has square-style arms with the pipe detail along the edge. I’ve not seen that arm on a recliner sofa before until I met the Javi 3-Seat Electric Recliner Sofa from Focus on Furniture. I’ve gotta say, I’m impressed.
The two ends on this three-seat recliner sofa are the ones that recline, with the middle seat left stationery. The headrest on the middle one can be manually adjusted though if you need.
Finished in a premium basket wheat fabric, this recliner sofa features a pocket spring, foam, fibre and feather seat. That’s a comfort combination if I ever saw one.
7. Loki Zero Gravity Recliner Sofa
From a looks perspective, I’m sold. The colour, profile and the piping on the Loki Zero Gravity Recliner Sofa makes it ripe for inclusion in an eclectic apartment. It feels a little retro to me; a mid-Century moment, perhaps.
Let’s discuss the zero gravity part though because that’s where the interesting technological aspect comes into play.
This recliner sofa achieves a sense of weightlessness by elevating your legs above the heart. This makes if the best recliner sofa for those of you with poor circulation, joint or back pain. When compared to a regular recliner sofa, the zero-gravity design delivers additional lumbar support for unparalleled comfort.
8. Ridley Fabric Recliner Sofa
One of the big blunders I see in homes is small spaces with chunky sofas. They completely engulf the zone and make it feel claustrophobic. The answer: a sofa with thin arms. This Ridley Fabric Recliner Sofa ticks all the boxes in that respect – it’s the best recliner sofa for a small living room.
It has more than thin arms going for it though. The space saving benefits get better: you only need less than 30cm from the wall for the sofa to fully recline.
The high back cushion gives you shoulder and neck support, too, while the two sizes and four fabric options allow you to make it your own.
9. Oakden Sectional Recliner Sofa
The newest option in our roundup of the best recliner sofas is the impressive Oakden Sectional Recliner Sofa. It’s a great option for those of you needing to squeeze in a number of people and it has one massive standout feature.
This recliner is equipped with a memory function button, which allows you to save and recall up to two of your favourite seating positions. That means you can lock in your fave recline, and your partner can do the same.
I also love the ash timber legs that extend up the arm of the sofa; it gives the piece a point of interest. It comes in six different configs (seven if you include the standalone armchair) and there are a tonne of fabric and leather options to choose from.
10. Archer Recliner Sofa
We’re closing off our best recliner sofas roundup with another I’ve sat in a number of times – Nick Scali’s Archer Recliner Sofa. Friends of mine have it and it is both impressive to look at and supremely comfortable.
Coming in four recliner sofa configurations and available in your choice of almost 50 fabrics, it’s pretty customisable. It’s also yours in electric or battery-powered, and features no-sag springs so you can enjoy its plush base cushion for years to come.
Best Recliner Sofas: Frequently Asked Questions
How to Choose a Recliner Sofa?
The best recliner sofas balance comfort with looks; choose one that’s less bulky. This will keep your living room feeling open and airy. Think about where the sofa will go and if a power point is nearby (you may need to purchase a battery-operated option). Also consider if you want a usb port to charge devices, plus ensure you can easily reach and operate the recline function buttons.
What are the Advantages of Recliner Sofas?
Recliner sofas are great for people who want a more relaxing sofa experience. The ability to have neck support is something a lot of standard sofas don’t offer. Recliners allow for help with circulation too given that you can put your feet up, plus modern options come with additional perks like clip in lamps and side tables, as well as usb ports to charge phones and ipads.
What are the Disadvantages of Recliner Sofas?
The main disadvantage from a design perspective is that recliner sofas can look more dominant in a room than a standard sofa. This is why it’s recommended you get one with headrests that can fold down. That way when you’re not using the sofa they don’t look as imposing.
What’s the Most Common Problem with Recliner Sofas?
Less of a problem and more something to keep in mind: Many sofa suppliers recommend you do not lay across the recliners. This is because the weight distribution can mess with the internal mechanics, leaving the recline function encountering problems as the years go on.
Are Recliner Sofas Good for Your Back?
Many doctors give recliner chairs the thumbs up. A lot of recliner sofa designs offer great lumbar support, which is ideal for people with back problems because they hit the lower back just where they need to. They can help keep the spine aligned.
Which of these best recliner sofas are you going to road test for purchase? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. As always, don’t hesitate to ask any design questions on recliner sofas if you need.
