8 Best Recliners for Small Spaces 2023 — Compact Reclining Chairs

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

"I may be little, but I am fierce." — These chairs, probably

Hear the word "recliner" and picture a big honkin' chair with a dad snoozing on top of it? Same. At least I used to. But that was before I started doing a little research on the multi-functional seats. Turns out there are actually a lot of recliners on the market that don't look like they belong in a stinky man cave—and even some that are (dare I say) dainty, and perfect for small spaces. Don't believe me? I understand your skepticism. But here's a little preview...

Cute, right?! And let's be real: recliners are pretty damn fabulous. A comfy chair that lets you *literally* kick your feet up and chill? What could be better than that? (I know you deserve it, you hard worker, you.) If you have a small space in your home/condo/studio apartment and could use a little more relaxation in your life, I wrote this story for you. Just scroll down to find the best recliners for small spaces—your sleek-ass throne awaits!

If the price tag on this bad boy doesn't get you going, the extra-padded seat, fluffy headrest, ergonomic design, and curved armrests definitely will. I've spent more on a night out at a bar than you'll have to spend on this chair, but the high-quality materials—and the glowing reviews—certainly don't reflect the cost. Should you buy several and make a movie theater room? Probably.

Interior design aficionados, listen up. I know you're *meticulous* when it comes to picking furniture that suits your space, and this square-armed seat comes with options, baby, options. In addition to two "quick-ship fabrics," Pottery Barn also offers 44 made-to-order upholsteries, in a variety of colors and textures. They take a little longer to ship—approximately 12 weeks, to be exact—but for a space as beautiful as yours, perfection is worth the wait.

It's okay to be a blob sometimes. Life can be rough. This recliner was made for the folks that come home at the end of the day with absolutely zero left in the tank—all you have to do is press a button and you'll go from a seated position to a napping position in a snap. That's right, it's a power recliner! And there is a 100-percent chance it will change your lazy life!

Massages can be expensive (unless you convince your S.O. to give you one for free...but that can be a challenge too). You can snag this massaging recliner—which also has a heat function!—for about the same price as two massages at a spa. The chair itself is also super supportive, holding up to 400 lbs, thanks to the kiln-dried-wood frame and durable, breathable fabric.

Let's be honest: some recliners can be tacky. Obviously none of the ones on this list, but, you know, people don't always think "high design" when they think "recliner." This mid-century modern chair from Article defies all expectations: it's incredibly stylish and can push back to recline at three different angles. The fabric is also sooooo soft your butt won't ever want to part with it.

The mamas in the room know that parenthood isn't always easy, and anything you can buy that gets your baby to relax (and gives you a second to breathe as a result) is a worthwhile investment. This chair right here is one of those must-have pieces, perfect for lulling your little one to sleep (the metal base is equipped with a smooth back-and-forth glider) while taking up next to no space in the nursery.

It's true that you often get what you pay for, and such is the case with this plush piece. First off...the upholstery. I can practically feel the soft, nubby sherpa, I've been staring at it for so long. It's safe to say this cutie is c-o-m-f-y, and will look oh-so-good in any mid-century modern-inspired space. It's also a power recliner, so you can hit dozens of different angles with the (hidden!) button on the side.

If you've got a leeeetle more space in your home and a roommate that also likes to lounge, consider getting a reclining sofa. This one here is fab for many reasons: it's upholstered in buttery velvet, the chairs recline independently of each other (in case you're down to snooze and your partner isn't), and there's a fold-down table in the middle with not one, but TWO cupholders.

Dimensions

If you're reading this article, chances are you've got a small space. That means it's essential you measure the area in which you're hoping to put your recliner—and check the dimensions of any chair you love—before you buy it. Even if a brand has free returns, it's never easy getting a whole chair in the mail. Trust. Lucky for you, I shared the dimensions for all my picks above, so you don't have to go searching for them. (Not all heroes wear capes!)

Upholstery

Think about your lifestyle when you're looking for a recliner, and shop accordingly. If you've got kids or pets (or you just happen to be hella clumsy), you're going to want to make sure that the material is easy to clean. You also might want to avoid white upholstery, but I'll leave that risk up to you.

Price

As you can see from the picks on this list, you'll find a recliner for you no matter your budget. If you recently started living on your own, you might want to pick a chair that's on the cheaper side just to get your home started. If you're more established and have a little more moolah to throw around, then you can consider a more $$ pick, like our Best Splurge Recliner.

As you probably know, Cosmo's lifestyle team spends all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we'd want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH).

It's also really important to us that each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn't buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won't recommend it to you—and we're always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.

Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.

Yep, You Need an Extra-Deep Sofa in Your Life

12 Chic Sectionals That Won't Destroy Your Wallet

Love 2-Day Shipping? Shop These Amazon Couches <3

The Best Modular Sofas Worth Your Hard-Earned Coin

Up Your Patio Game With These Outdoor Sectionals

Give Your Room an Upgrade With These Floor Lamps

Oh Look! Just the Comfiest Futons Out There Rn

Yes, Comfy and Affordable Mattresses *Do* Exist

Love a Plush Bed? You Need a Foam Mattress, Bb

10 Cloud Sofa Dupes That Look Like the Real Deal

So...You Should Be Buying Your Furniture on Amazon

Yep, a Platform Bed Frame Is Def the Way to Go