Modern Recliner Chairs

You’ll be glad to hear that recliner chairs are no longer the old-fashioned, bulk eye-sore they used to be. Over time the ugly duckling turns into a graceful swan and a similar story could be told with the recliner chair! Sleek, elegant and (dare we say) beautiful, modern recliner chairs are not just comfortable and functional, but super stylish too!

But, it’s not all about looks! When choosing your recliner, you should consider both the space you have available and the function it will serve. If you’re suffering from aches and pains, then you might consider an ergonomic or massaging recliner. Or, if you’re nursing a newborn, you might look for a recliner with a gliding feature. Get inspired with our carefully curated selection!

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert Updated 23/09/2021

Modern Faux Leather Ergonomic Recliner

Infusing ergonomic design with modern flair, you can rest assured you’re living in maximum style and comfort with this recliner chair. The firm foam and sponge padding provide ample support for your legs, back and head, and a 2-position manual recline enables your body to further relax and your blood to circulate freely. Upholstered in an easy-to-clean light gray faux-leather, it is a perfect option for families with young kids where sticky fingers and spills are commonplace. The leather-covered bases are a distinguishable feature.

What we like:

● Easy to assemble

● Very comfortable

● Good quality and value for money

What we don’t like:

● A bit rocky when in recline position

Patterned Club Chair Recliner

Not all recliners have to be upholstered in a classic leather or plain fabric. Why not take it up a notch with a bold pattern? Just one of the many fabrics available, this brown cow print makes a fun accent to a modern living room decor. The classic club chair has a sturdy construction and ergonomic design, providing comfort and support for long-term reading or TV viewing. And, as an added bonus, it even comes with a massage feature!

What we like:

● Easy to assemble

● Sturdy and comfortable

● Compact design doesn’t take up a lot of room

● Manual push-back recline up to 160-degrees

What we don’t like:

● There’s nothing we don’t like about this modern recliner chair!

$260 ~~$998~~

Genuine Leather Rocker Standard Recliner

Effortlessly combining comfort, function and style, this modern recliner is unparalleled in its design. Featuring genuine leather upholstery neatly wrapped around plush foam padding and sinuous springs, the recliner provides maximum durability and comfort. The slightly angled tall back and adjustable headrest give ample support for your back and neck and promote the perfect posture. A recliner in disguise, the lever and leg rest are cleverly concealed in a compact design, making it the perfect functional modern accent for a smaller space.

What we like:

● Very comfortable

● Good quality durable leather upholstery

● Infinite reclining positions

● No assembly required

What we don’t like:

● There’s nothing we don’t like about this modern recliner chair!

Chic Loveseat Recliner Chair

Get snuggled up with your loved one or furry friend in this loveseat recliner chair. Featuring slim armrests and a streamlined silhouette, this two-seater has a distinct contemporary feel. The plush seat cushion provides ample support and comfort, whilst the back support is punctuated with button-tufting for added appeal and elegance. This extra wide recliner is a great space-saving alternative for anyone in need of something bigger than an armchair, but smaller than a sofa!

What we like:

● Well-made chair with high-quality fabric

● Very comfortable

● Easy to recline

● Plenty of space for two people

What we don’t like:

● Foot rest and armrests are not very padded

Ergonomic Swivel Recliner with Ottoman

Take a break from work and give your aching back a moment of relief. Taking inspiration from the retro lounge chair, this modern recliner provides proper support to relieve the pressure on your spine and lower back. The ergonomic design features a striking silhouette with button-tufted upholstery in faux leather and complete with a matching padded ottoman. The chrome swivel base adds to the chair’s versatility and modern urban appeal.

What we like:

● Easy to assemble

● Very comfortable and sturdy

● 360-degree rotation

● Push-back recline offers infinite positions

What we don’t like:

● There’s nothing we don’t like about this modern recliner chair!

Zero Gravity Contemporary Recliner Chair

Get ready to launch into relaxation mode with a contemporary zero gravity recliner chair. Equipped with a remote control, you can independently adjust the headrest, backrest, and seat for ultimate comfort, at the flick of a switch. The triple-bustle back and padded armrests take your comfort to a whole new level and provide optimum support. Whilst the versatile gray leather upholstery will easily complement both bold and neutral color schemes and guarantee long-lasting use.

What we like:

● High quality materials

● Sturdy structure

● Very comfortable

What we don’t like:

● There’s nothing we don’t like about this modern recliner chair!

Sleek Swivel Glider Recliner Chair

This modern swivel glider recliner chair has been made with new parents' and nursing mothers’ needs in mind. In addition to the plush pop-up leg rest, this recliner also features a 360-degree swivel motion and forward and backward gliding function so you can sit comfortably as you feed or rock your baby to sleep. Its reclining mechanisms are out of sight yet thoughtfully placed within easy reach. Upholstered with soft and durable heathered polyester fabric, the recliner has a sleek contemporary design and can be used well beyond the nursery years.

What we like:

● Not too bulky, fits nicely in a small room

● Greenguard Gold Certified

● Quiet and smooth recline

● Upholstery is free of chemical flame retardants

What we don’t like:

● Difficult to lock the reclining position

● Foot rest hard to push back

● Squeaky noises when rocking

Luxury Heated Massage Recliner Chair

Make pampering yourself part of your daily evening rituals with a heated massage recliner. Without a doubt one of the most comfortable modern recliner chairs on the market, this design features overstuffed high-resiliency foam cushions that provide all-round support and luxurious comfort. Lie back effortlessly with a one-pull reclining motion and use the remote control to pick from four custom zone settings, five massage modes, ten intensity levels and optional lumbar heating.

What we like:

● Very comfortable

● Easy to assemble

● Soft microfiber upholstery

What we don’t like:

The small size is not fit for tall or large people

$427.94

Mid Century Modern Recliner Chair

Looking for a recliner to suit your mid-century scheme? Look no further! Enveloped in soft polyester-blend upholstery, this modern recliner features a high back, padded arms, and an exposed wood outer frame with angular legs. The cushions are neatly padded with high-density foam providing comfort and support and a push-back recline mechanism allows you to easily slip into any of the three comfortable positions available.

What we like:

● Easy to assemble

● Fits perfectly in a small space

● Good quality and sturdy design

● Very comfortable

What we don’t like:

● Short backrest means it is not recommended for tall people over 6ft

Family Friendly Electric Recliner Sofa Chair

There’ll be no more family disputes over who gets to sit in the comfy chair with this extra wide contemporary recliner! Its family-friendly size allows everyone to get equally cozy in front of the box. You won’t even have to agree amongst you on whether to recline, as each end is individually controlled by its own button! Plus, the Nubuck-style textured polyester upholstery is soft to touch, durable and easy to maintain.

What we like:

● Available in two neutral colorways

● Very comfortable

● Two separate electric reclining functions

What we don’t like:

● There’s nothing we don't like about this modern recliner chair!

Our advice Buying Guide

Modern recliner chairs come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and upholstery types. In fact, there are so many that you are sure to be able to find a recliner to fit your décor and your lifestyle.

What are the different styles and designs of modern recliner chairs?

Want something a little more companionable than an armchair? Got you covered! Reclining loveseats and couches are easy to find in any style or upholstery. As a society, we become increasingly solitary. Even when living as a family, we have our own rooms where we retreat to enjoy singular activities. A reclining couch or love seat invites a couple or even a family to enjoy a movie or show on a television shared in the living room. There is even a recliner to go – the gravity lawn chair recliner is the perfect companion for a lazy day at the beach or for napping in the backyard.

Love leather? There are plenty of different sizes and styles of recliners in leather. Vegan or otherwise disinclined to purchase leather? Fabric and faux leathers are available in more colors and print styles than you can possibly imagine. Want something a little more flexible than the footstool on a spring? You can get recliners with detached and detachable footstools.

What sized do modern recliner chairs come in?

Recliners can come in all sorts of sizes from a child’s recliner, a petite recliner for a small adult right on up through extra-large, extra-large recliners for big and tall people.

What are the most common upholstery materials used for modern recliner chairs?

Print fabrics

Recliners are often thought of as masculine furnishings, something wrought in leather with ornamental nail studs, but in fact they can be purchased in all sorts of prints from dainty floral designs to bold geometrics. If there is an upholstery fabric made, then you can have that fabric on your recliner. In some cases, that might mean taking it to a fabric shop and getting it re-upholstered, which is a perfect solution for a favorite chair. With that said, there is an amazing variety of print fabric upholstered recliner chairs that can be purchased just as they came from the factory.

Faux Leather

Once called Naugahyde, faux leather upholstery can give the conscientious vegan or vegetarian the option of having the leather look without the leather price or implications. Faux leather is also a good choice for families with small children where spills could be anticipated as an almost daily event. Faux leather easily wipes clean. It does wear out more quickly than real leather or even tough upholstery fabric.

Real Leather

Nicely tanned leather wears well and is easier to clean than fabric, even if it has been liberally treated with Scotchgard. Although the initial purchase price might be a little higher than faux leather, the longevity more than makes up for the expenditure.

PRODUCTS & IDEAS Best Ideas

Ella comfort recliner contemporary chairs miami
This modern recliner chair enchants with its white finish and various adjustment options. Standing on a solid, aluminium base, it only emphasizes the contemporary style of the item.

Vintage 70s chrome ekornes stressless
Back to 1970s, stainless steel base stressless recliner with button back and cushioned armrests, with cognac brown leather pulled taut over conveniently contoured seat. Small ottoman comes within the set.

Frida Accent Side Chair
Pretty-looking classic chair with a wooden frame. Turned front legs and simple back ones are finished in dark brown. Both a seat and a back are rolled-out, padded, button-tufted and upholstered in elegant mid-brown fabric.

McHenry Recliner
A great piece for contemporary interiors, this comfortable Recliner features a sturdy wood frame, and quality fabric upholstery. Also includes a smoothly-operating reclining mechanism, generously padded head cushion, stable legs, and footrest.

Christopher Knight Home Darvis Black Leather Recliner Club Chair
This plain club chair allows you to lean back to an almost full lying position - it reclines and provides a footrest. It is fit for an afternoon nap. It's all-covered in black leather, with non-skid feet.

Modern, contemporary recliner chair covered with black leather. Its mechanism provides many comfortable postures for enhanced relaxation. Its padded seat and backrest are very soft and supported by padded arms.

The impressive combination of modern form and exceptional comfort makes this beautiful recliner chair captivates. Solid steel base with wooden seat covered with soft enchanting and invites you to rest.

An aesthetic modern reclining and swivel chair entirely upholstered in elegant quality white leather. It has a recessed base, a tall tapered up backrest, a long gently curved tapered footrest but has no arms.

If you value comfort and beautiful modern design, this stylish recliner chair is a perfect combination of these features. The chrome-plated steel frame with soft leather upholstery creates a unique whole.

A fine addition for modern interiors, that allows you to kick back in style. This chair reclines very easily, featuring a supportive back with comfy headrest, a deep seat, curved arms, leatherette upholstery, and a circular metal base for stability.

Beautiful Recliners: Do they exist?

This recliner delights not only with its original style and shape, but most of all - the unique comfort it provides. Finished in high-quality, beige leather, it provides a comfortable, relaxing leisure spot.

This lounge chair is a proposition of a modern Danish design: it of course utilizes wood and streamlined slopes. It looks cool in a vintage-inspired indoor area. Its upholstery is stone gray, so it fits most coloring schemes.

Modern recliner chair on silver chrome base, with low-set seat, tall, tilted backrest and curved armrests - these details define the contemporary, flowing form that brings visual interest to wherever it's set in. Ergonomic black & chrome armchair. Love.

modern recliner chair simplest design furniture-ipdesign

This Danish chair constitutes a great example of vintage inspirations adapted to modern form. It will fit greatly into all kinds of modern interiors, enriching the space with its unique, minimalistic character.

Such a unique, one-of a kind design. This stunning, contemporary, white leather recliner is so pretty and perfect for any modern, mid-century living room. The round, chrome base is a very nice detail.

A recliner chair that perfectly matches modern indoors. It features a functional recliner mechanism that provides support for different postures. Its soft seat cushion is paired with a soft backrest that provides extra padding in the headrest area.

This iconic Eames chair derives from 1956. Classic, beautiful and comfortable, combining intricately carved wood and white leather upholstery. It measures 32" high and 32.75" wide.

Buying a Lafer recliner is one of the best investments in wellness and ...

Do you work at your desk for a long time? No wonder you want to give your back a top quality rest in the form of a leather white small modern recliner, on a rotating metal frame. In addition, it connects to the footrest, also upholstered in white.

This contemporary leather recliner armchair distinguishes itself with its high-quality finishing. Its seat and back are webbed for optimal comfort. The leather is finished with reverse seams. Its relaxation mechanism is synchronously slide adjustable.

This kind of product not only brings elegance into the house, but it also provides the best level of comfort for its user. Its frame and legs are made of 100% wood that is solid, resistant to large weight and damage.

Opt for this example of just ultimate comfort - this modern recliner chair offers the two-tone finish of purple and black and the contemporary design that will easily catch everyone's attention, while supporting your back.

Beige Leatherette Cusion Contemporary Elegant Swivel Recliner

This futuristic recliner constitutes a good way to relax after the whole day. Its contemporary design will fit smoothly into any modern living room. Standing on a metal base in the form of a cross.

Lucas Light Beige Fabric Recliner Club Chair

It is a recliner club chair that has got a simple and classic design that fits perfectly to any style and décor. It has got a light beige fabric upholstery, sturdy hardwood construction and padded seat.

Comfortable recliner chair for modern indoors. Its cushioned surface is finished in green color. This chair offers easy grip arms and a reliable reclining mechanism for good support of comfortable postures.

This massive brown leather recliner constitutes a great example of vintage inspirations in modern finishing. Profiled backrest, designed to provide the utmost comfort, will engage you for long hours.

This multi-position recliner features a sturdy hardwood frame and fine bonded leather upholstery. The club chair is well-balanced, reclines smoothly, and stands four tapered legs. The seat, back and arms are padded.

Highly versatile, contemporary multi-position recliner club chair. Features a turdy hardwood construction with fine bonded leather upholstery and has Well padded seat, backrest, and armrests.Makes a comfortable choice for adaptable, timeless living.

Contemporary Vinyl Kids Recliner with Cup Holder and Headrest

This cozy-looking recliner invites your kid to sit and relax. It features overstuffed padding for maximum comfort, easy to clean, durable vinyl upholstery and strong wood frame. The armrest includes a practical cup holder.