Let’s be honest, a recliner harbors images of bulky furniture with a handle that looks like it can jettison you out of the chair like a cartoon. Well, these new reclining sofas are about to change your mind and erase all those La-Z-Boy stereotypes.
Some of our favorite brands—from Arhaus to Sundays—offer sleek sofa silhouettes that happen to open up to give you extra legroom and just the neck support you need during a Netflix marathon. At first glance, these designs look like ordinary sofas, even if they are modular, but all are equipped with seamless technology that eases you into comfort with a touch of a button. This is the kind of grandpa-chic style we can stand behind.
Featured in this article
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Best Leather Reclining Sofa
Specs
- Dimensions: 90.6"W x 45.3"D x 30.3"H
- Materials: Top grain leather; pine and plywood frame; PU Foam, polyester fiber and feathers filling
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Standard service by default, but room of choice or white-glove is available for an additional service fee. Flat-rate shipping per shipment. Shipping fees are charged per shipment, not per order. If your order includes multiple items with different delivery times, we may split it into multiple shipments. Each shipment fee is calculated based on your location and the order subtotal.
- Return Policy: 30-day return, but there is a 20% restocking fee per returned item, which is deducted from your refund. Save the original packaging. An additional $50 repackaging fee per item will be charged for returned items in alternate packaging.
“Quiet and seamless” is how Zoë Sessums, senior digital design editor, describes her Castlery Jaron leather recliner sofa. All it takes is the touch of a button on the side of the seat cushion to send her into couch nirvana. “When you recline, it’s tempting to stay on the sofa all day,” Sessums says in her review. “You can really get flat but also have a little more head support, depending on if you’re napping, reading, or watching a movie. The mechanism feels smooth and sturdy—no awkward jerks or wobbles.” And unlike some other reclining sofas, you can place it against the wall and still get the maximum recline and headrest, thanks to the innovative engineering.
Visually, Jaron’s clean lines and subtle stitching give it a timeless look that is anything but fussy.
Sessum refers to it as generous but not overwhelming. “The depth makes it more of a statement piece than a slim-line sofa—it’s one of those couches you notice when you walk into the room,” she explains. “It works well in a medium-to-large space where you want the seating to feel like the focal point. In a smaller apartment, it could dominate the room a bit, but if your priority is comfort, it’s worth the footprint.”
Best Recliner for WFH
Specs
- Dimensions: 116”W x 43”D x 34”H
- Materials: LiveLife performance fabric, plywood
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Free delivery and assembly. Delivery in four to six weeks
- Return Policy: Return regular price items for refund or exchange within 30 days of delivery in original condition. For in-home delivery items, apply a $150 flat-rate return shipping fee to your refund or exchange.
For contributor Emily Hein, who is also a therapist working from home, sitting still and remaining engaged for long periods of time is part of the job. That’s why she has no regrets about her Sundays Lift Off Power recliner modular sofa that lets you sink in (not sag) into the seats. Each couch arm hosts both USB and USB-C charging ports—a must for anyone for whom a desk is not part of their WFH office.
Hein describes the Lift Off as “extremely comfortable,” noting that its size is “fantastically practical,” as it allows her to lounge, but still have room to walk around her one-bedroom NYC apartment. “Recline buttons are conveniently placed on each arm and function, much like a reclining seat found in a movie theater,” Hein says in her review. “There’s an option to recline in a seated position, or a near complete recline that’s closer to lying down.”
Best Luxury Recliner
Specs
- Dimensions: 121"W x 44"D x 31"H; extended depth is 63”
- Materials: FSC- and SFI-certified hardwood frame; dense foam and blend of down and feather seat cushions; polyester and polyester-linen upholstery.
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: White-glove delivery starts at $299 for local service, $399 to $599 for extended delivery service, and $1,699 for Alaska and Hawaii.
- Return Policy: 14 days. A 10% restocking fee is applied, unless the return is due to a manufacturer’s defect or damage.
Quiet luxury is what the Arhaus Coburn motion sofa is all about. “The low-profile silhouette of the sofa makes it a welcome addition to any modern minimalist home,” contributor Blake Bakkila says in her review. “I live in Southern California, and the Nomad Snow upholstery coordinated with other warm white pieces in our contemporary coastal-inspired home.” A two-button motion control allows you to activate the headrest and to elevate the footrests for a spa-like moment.
When fully reclined, the extended depth is 63 inches. “This worked nicely in my open living room and now serves as the focal point of the space,” Bakkila adds, but notes that the larger size of the couch could make it problematic in a smaller living area or flush against a wall, since you need about three or four inches of clearance behind to recline. You also need to hook it up to a power source, so positioning it close to an outlet is a smart move. Alternatively, add on two Enouvation E6 Motion Battery Packs ($279 each) for cordless reclining.
Best for Small Spaces
Specs
- Dimensions: 37.5"H x 87.5”W x 39.5”D, extended seat depth is 63.5"
- Materials: Hyperallergic down-alternative back cushions; Oeko-Tex Standard 100 performance fabrics
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Free curbside delivery; $200 in-home room delivery, but upgraded to free if you have six or more pieces; $400 white-glove delivery and assembly in the room of your choice.
- Return Policy: 60 days—delivery and route shipping insurance fees are nonrefundable; $500–$700 flat-rate shipping fee is applied to returns within 14 days; returns made 15 to 60 days incur a 20% restocking fee, with a minimum fee of $500.
You don’t have to float in space to feel as if you’re floating. All you need to do is recline to 155 degrees in Zero Gravity Wellness Mode on the Homebody Luxe Collection sofa—it’s designed to get your body into a natural position that suspends your body and signals that relaxation is in order. “It kind of feels like the luxurious version of a couch found in the suburban basements of my youth,” contributor Elaheh Nozari says in her review. “You can’t tell the couch has a recliner when it’s in the upright position, nor can you really see the headrest [the back cushion mostly conceals it], but it’s definitely a couch for anyone whose style emphasizes comfort.”
The plush feel is a result of dual-sided cushions that contain three types of foam and a cushy duvet. Though if you prefer a firmer seat, just flip it. “This is definitely a napping couch!” Nozari adds. “I like that I can move the back cushions around and use them as a pillow by the armrest. It’s a 10 out of 10 for nap-ability.”
Okay, back to the reclining features. These are operated by seat buttons and a wireless remote. The headrest comes up three inches, and you need zero clearance to fully recline, so the Homebody is great for tighter spaces that don’t allow for floating furniture. Anyone tethered to technology will also appreciate the discreet USB and USB-C chargers.
