Scandinavian Recliners
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
A different, european style that is more for form and function than overwhelming relaxation, these scandinavian recliners will give you the comfort you need, and none to the lethargy. They will give you the ease of getting out of them when necessary, versus fighting to get out of your overstuffed plush recliner because it is just too darn comfy. For efficiency, maybe a scandinavian recliner is right for you.
Our Picks
A Wood and Leather Swedish Chair and Ottoman
Corrigan Studio®
Scandinavian style often relies on creating contrast between interior decor items. Look for Swedish leather recliner chairs with a matching ottoman that features a bold combination of polished rosewood and genuine full-grain leather in a dark shade, like black or chocolate. This type of recliner offers the perfect contrast of textures and colors to create a visually appealing aesthetic in your modern home.
Ergonomic Scandinavian recliners are one of the most comfortable furniture pieces for work, reading, or enjoying your morning coffee, but you can soften your modern space with additional contrasting accessories and furniture items. Consider adding a glass coffee table or a tall metallic floor lamp to create eye-catching textural contrast.
A Danish Recliner With Swivel Function
Top-grain leather 360° swiveling Danish recliner chairs are perfect seating options for a contemporary style reading corner. For optimal comfort, choose a recliner with memory foam cushions and a robust steel frame. The recliner should have several adjustable positions, so you can curl up with a book or stretch out and take a nap.
While a floor or table lamp providing directional task lighting is the best option for reading to minimize eye strain, a string of fairy lights or a scented candle can offer additional ambiance in your modern living space.
Minimalist Manual Scandinavian Recliner
Corrigan Studio®
A wide manual recliner with tapered solid mahogany legs is a popular seating option in a modern Scandinavian-style living room. Choose a model with soft poly-cotton twill upholstery for easy maintenance and plush foam cushions or button-tufting for maximum comfort.
The minimal design offers you the opportunity to style the piece to suit your decor aesthetic. Create warmth and comfort by placing a luxurious rug underneath your recliner. To maintain the Scandinavian aesthetic, opt for neutral colors and natural materials like sheepskin, jute, or wool.
Classic Cantilever Base Recliner
Ebern Designs
One of the best Scandinavian recliners for a modern, minimal home, a classic cantilever-style chair offers a comfortable place to kick back, without disrupting the clean lines of your living space.
The bentwood solid beech frame offers two different reclining positions, one at 90° and another at 45°, activated via manual push-back release. The foam-filled seat cushions are covered in faux leather that is easy to clean and care for, and the added head cushion provides additional support while reading, working, or watching TV.
Fully Adjustable High Back Recliner
Corrigan Studio®
An ultra-plush high back recliner is ideal for a modern home office, guest room, or bedroom. With a matching ottoman and a backrest that reclines to a fully prone position, you can use the chair for afternoon naps or even as a guest sleeping arrangement. Side pockets allow you to store reading materials and remote controls.
Choose a high-backed recliner in a plush upholstery fabric like velvet or pure linen to add a touch of luxury to the space. Place your chair near a glass door and decorate the area with potted flowers and plants to incorporate the nature-based Scandinavian design aesthetic.
Swedish Chair and Ottoman with Wooden Accents
Corrigan Studio®
Scandinavian style recliners with wooden accents are popular for offices and libraries, providing a modern yet charming aesthetic. Complete with a matching ottoman, the faux leather recliner is suitable for commercial use or your home office, ensuring comfort when sitting for long periods.
The seat, back, and arms of the recliner are heavily padded with thick, high-quality sponge filling to promote relaxation.
Enhance the coziness of the recliner by adding nearby Scandinavian-style lamp lighting and a house plant or nature-inspired painting.
Two Tone Swivel Scandinavian Recliner
Andover Mills™ Baby & Kids
Two-tone Scandinavian style recliners can add a little personality to a modern, minimal space. Look for a piece with clean lines and contrast stitching or piping along the seams of the chair.
In addition to offering stylish seating, you also need the piece to be comfortable. The spring core foam-filled seat can support up to 225 lbs., while the easy-pull manual reclining lever elevates the footrest to care for tired legs. The enclosed ball bearing mechanism provides a smooth gliding action and swivel function, making this type of Scandi recliner ideal for a nursery or kids’ room.
Luxurious Contemporary Oversized Recliner
Corrigan Studio®
Oversized recliners are statement pieces for your living room and this luxurious chair is the perfect place to relax after a long day. The power recliner features two positions to choose from, with a no-motion base. The seat cushion is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Take full advantage of the modern luxury of this oversized Scandinavian recliner chair by using the integrated USB port to charge your devices while seated. Complete the statement by placing a tweed rug on the floor of the space and draping a fleece blanket with a chevron pattern over the arm of the chair.
Bold Manual Glider and Recliner Combo
Corrigan Studio®
A key element of modern design is taking risks, and a sleek recliner in a bold hue is the perfect way to add flair to the otherwise subtle Scandinavian style. The manual, ergonomic Swedish chair and ottoman features three different positions for reclining, supporting a capacity of up to 200 lbs.
The frame of the chair and its contemporary black legs are made of durable, solid wood, while the leather cushions contain soft foam padding to support your back, arms, and neck while seated. Match your recliner’s bright orange upholstery with a similar shade mat, pillow, or art piece.
Mid Century Modern Recliner
The mid-century modern tufted Scandinavian recliner chair with a straight back and retro silhouette provides the perfect mix of style and comfort. The dark espresso finish birch wood legs create a beautiful contrast against the light, waffle stitch upholstery. The cushions are semi-firm, and reclining is made simple with the no-frills, push-back design, and footrest.
A great way to style modern tufted recliners is to incorporate floating shelves above or around them. Floating shelves are neat, linear, and evoke calm, promoting the Scandinavian minimalist design principle.
Buying Guide
Scandinavian recliners offer a comfortable way to relax while you watch TV, read a book, or even take a nap. The thing is, making the decision on whether or not you want to buy a recliner is the easy part. Now that it’s time to choose which one you want, it’s only normal that you run into a few difficulties. While buying a recliner can be a simple as picking one and buying it, most prefer to put a bit of thought into their decision on something they’re going to use over the course of several years (and in some cases, decades).
In order to choose the perfect Scandinavian recliner for your home, you’ll need to consider several things. These are things like what material it’s made of, what type (traditional, push back, or rocking), how big it is, and additional features. To help you out, we’ve gathered up the best tips for picking out the best recliner for your needs.
What are the best upholstery materials for Scandinavian recliners?
Scandinavian recliners come in all types of materials. Cotton, microfiber, synthetic, and leather are the most common options, with leather being the most expensive.
- A microfiber material is a great option if you’re into the suede look. Not to mention many microfiber recliners are liquid resistant - a big plus!
- While leather is the most expensive, it’s very durable and offers a desirable look. It might not be the best option if you have small children that can potentially scratch the material.
- If your budget allows, try to avoid vinyl materials. It’s worth waiting while you save up more money to avoid cracking on the recliner’s surface, which can really be an eyesore.
What types of recliners are there to choose from?
Recliners come in three main types: traditional, rocking, and push back. Wall saver recliners are relatively new but can save some space.
- Traditional recliners can be used in two positions; sitting up or reclined. In order to activate the reclining feature, you have to either pull on a lever or press a button.
- Rocking recliners have the ability to rock like a rocking chair. An alternative to a rocker is a glider which allows you to rock forward and back, rather than the traditional rocking chair movement.
- Push back recliners don’t require the pull of a lever or push of a button to recline. Instead, the functionality is activated with your bodyweight. Keep in mind that these types tend to have a shorter life since the mechanism wears out easier.
- Wall savers are great if you have a limited amount of space in your home. You can place these recliners as close as 6 inches to the wall.
What additional features to look for in Scandinavian recliners?
If you’re looking for the most extravagant of Scandinavian recliners, then make sure you get all of these additional features!
- Cup-holders
- Massagers
- Heaters
- USB charger connections
- Built in fridge/cooler (yes, really)
- Motor operated reclining
- Swivel base
- Separate footrest
Scandinavian recliners come in all shapes, sizes, and can even come with a refrigerator! Of course, what it all comes down to is your budget. Don’t fret, though. There are tons of stylish recliners out there at very affordable prices. When you’re finally relaxing in your recliner, your new problem might be when you’re finally going to get out of it!
