Modern housing societies have left us with limited design possibilities and square footage, forcing us to be creative with furniture placement.
And as much as investing in a new recliner seems like a luxury, it goes without saying that dealing with unconventional layouts in your home is not everyone’s cup of tea.
In fact, recliner enthusiasts and minimalist lifestyle lovers always complain and have their queries up on internet forums that demand tips on where to put a recliner in a room without disturbing the ambience or the focal point of the room, allowing the recliner to complement rather than compete with other elements.
Considering these common concerns, I’m committed to providing clear, concise answers that prioritize both comfort and style, offering actionable solutions for your recliner placement dilemmas.
General Room Assessment & Evaluation
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty details, let’s discuss your overall design vision for the space because whether it’s minimalist or traditional, the recliner’s placement should enhance the overall vibe.
Room Size & Dimensions
This is the most important aspect to avoid a cramped feeling, as a recliner that’s too large can make a room feel smaller, you also need to take the comfort factor into consideration as a recliner that’s too small might not provide adequate support or relaxation.
Henceforth, it is highly important that the dimensions should align to achieve the best of both worlds so that it maintains balance and proportion, as a recliner should not dominate the room or get lost in it.
Speaking of which, if you are planning to decorate your living room layout, ensure ample space for the recliner to fully recline without obstructing walkways or other furniture.
As for the bedroom or family room, consider a smaller recliner that won’t overwhelm the space or impede access to other areas. On the flip side, for the home office, you would want to be mindful to keep your recliner in such a way that it doesnt disrupt the ergonomic features to promote comfort and productivity.
Moreover, for a media room, make sure you choose a recliner with a high back and headrest for optimal viewing comfort. Speaking of which, for a sunroom or conservatory, prioritize a recliner with breathable fabric to stay cool and feel comfortable in warm temperatures.
You also need to take the guest room into consideration ensuring it has enough versatility that can double as a comfortable sleeping option.
Obstruction & Mobility Factor
Once you have determined where you are going to keep your recliner and the variant you are going along, you need to consider the traffic flow in the room, ensuring that the recliner doesn’t create obstacles or block pathways.
In addition to that, you also need to address the patterns of household members, considering how they move through the space and interact with the furniture and to raise the bar for safety and precautions, you need to ensure the doorways and exits are clear, ensuring easy access and egress without having to maneuver around the recliner.
Ambiance Blending
Even if disturbing the ambiance doesnt seem to be your pet peeve, you need to take into account that the recliner’s style and color should complement the existing decor, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.
Moreover, the recliner’s placement should consider the natural light sources, ensuring it doesn’t block windows or cast harsh shadows.
Even though it is trivial for this article, the recliner’s accessories, such as pillows or throws, can be used to tie it into the existing color scheme and add personality because it adds a bonus touch for being exquisite and thoughtful.
Where To Put A Recliner In A Room: Choosing The Right Spot
Once you are familiar with the dimensions of your room and the traffic flow and patterns, you need to choose the spot that compliments well with the type of your room.
Adding a Recliner to Your Bedroom Or Family Room
Rooms like family rooms and bedrooms are versatile enough to accommodate different layouts, allowing for creative placement options.
If you are living alone all by yourself or simply like to indulge in solitary relaxation, relocating the recliner in a corner facing a window or fireplace can create a cozy personal retreat.
Moreover, if you love reading books and don’t want to be disturbed positioning the recliner near a bookshelf or desk can provide a comfortable and functional workspace. Additionally, you can also move the recliner near a window with a small dining table and lamp that can encourage reading and relaxation.
This way not only maximizes privacy and tranquility but also allows the recliner away from high-traffic areas can create a peaceful haven.
However, if you are living with family or roommates, consider moving the recliner in a central location where everyone can enjoy it or you could simply arrange the recliner to face other seating areas for easy conversation and interaction.
Speaking of living with others, new parents or those who are handling newborn babies should consider proximity to the nursery, allowing for easy access during nighttime feedings or soothing sessions.
Putting A Recliner In The Living Room
As the name suggests, the living room has to look “lively”, in that case, the placement is no doubt tricky but it can also be the most rewarding, as a well-placed recliner can become the heart of the living room.
In order to add a touch of luxury and comfort all while elevating the overall aesthetic of your living space, you need to place a recliner in a corner with a floor lamp, creating a cozy reading nook or personal retreat.
To prevent a leather recliner from slipping on a wooden floor, while also complementing its style, consider placing it on an area rug.
This not only adds warmth and texture to your space, but also helps define the seating area.
Living rooms also tend to have plenty of traffic because that’s where people gather for conversation and entertainment, so ensure the recliner doesn’t obstruct pathways or impede movement.
It is also a spot where guests are usually entertained, so consider placing the recliner in a way that promotes interaction and conversation.
Placing Recliners in Home Office Spaces
Offices are where things get done, in order to improve productivity and reduce distraction avoid placing the recliner facing a window or other distractions, to minimize visual interruptions.
Unlike bedrooms and living rooms, placing it near the window is never an option because the last thing you would want is to strain your eyes unnecessarily when working during the long hours spent staring at a computer screen, as glare can cause headaches and fatigue.
It is also counterproductive for instances when you are on video calls or meetings, as a bright background can be unprofessional.
Henceforth, in order to preserve the workflow, placing a recliner within reach of a small table or desk can provide a convenient surface for your laptop, notes, or a cup of coffee.
If that’s not feasible, you could also place it near a power outlet can ensure you have easy access to charge your devices or use a lamp for additional lighting.
To keep your privacy and to ensure your confidential work remains secure, consider positioning the recliner away from doorways or areas with high foot traffic.
In this way not only do you prevent prying eyes away from your monitor screen or your work is not interrupted by unexpected visitors but it also ensures conversations are not overheard, choose a location that offers some acoustic isolation, such as a corner or alcove.
Bonus Tip – Styling a Room with Two Recliners
Sometimes you want to take things a little over and beyond with style and comfort especially if you are planning to live with your loved ones or simply to fill in your home decor if you already have plenty of space in the room, here is how you could decorate the layout with two recliners placed in a room without it giving off vibes of redundancy.
Follow Symmetry
As mentioned above, a room with dual recliners would always look redundant unless and until you follow symmetry and keep them in such a configuration that mirrors each other, with matching side tables and lamps, enhancing the sense of order and harmony.
You also need to make sure they are placed in an arrangement that allows for equal access and functionality, ensuring both recliners are comfortable and accessible if two recliners face each other.
Another ideal way to follow a symmetrical design in which they flank a central element that is fixed in a room in such instances, it could be a fireplace, a large window, a television or a theater screen, or even a large plant or floral arrangement.
As long as you abide by the aesthetics and overall theme of the decor, you can choose recliners and accessories that complement each other and the surrounding furnishings.
Coffee Tables
In order to eliminate the awkwardness, you need to integrate a low-profile coffee table between the two recliners, creating a central focal point and providing a surface for drinks, snacks, or books.
If you want to raise the bar, you can also compliment the setting with additional large ottomans in front of the recliners, serving as both a footrest and a casual seating option for guests.
This arrangement showcases the recliners’ dual purpose, providing both comfort and aesthetic balance to create an inviting atmosphere.
Rugs Or Mini Carpets
Rugs, mats, or carpets eliminate the visual awkwardness of decor kept in spaces that lack color or pattern usually adding a pop of personality and visual interest and it also helps connect different pieces of furniture and would look unified.
Recliners often suffer from skidding or sliding issues, especially on polished or wooden floors, using mats or any other fabric material underneath could easily eliminate the issue without you dealing with the constant need for readjustment, as the mat helps to anchor the recliner in place.
Nevertheless, it allows you to create a natural pattern even if you aren’t really good at the placement of decors or setting up eye-catching ambiance settings.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, even though spicing up rooms like bedrooms, family rooms or living rooms might feel like a piece of cake with a recliner placement it is a whole different story, while it is natural to find yourself overwhelmed by the numerous placement options available, my guide on “where to put a recliner in a room” would help you overcome these obstacles in no time.
Feel free to ask for feedback in the comment section below, to get a fresh perspective on your interior design choices.
I am a furniture expert with a passion for recliners. With years of experience in the industry, I offer invaluable insights and creative ideas for selecting the perfect recliner to suit any space and your needs.