Affordable Luxury: The Best Stylish Recliners
The Best Budget Recliners for a Cozy Living Room
I’ve updated this article since it was published to the Top FIVE budget recliners that look stylish and replaced selections that are sold out.
The 5 budget recliners that look stylish making our list today includes one for nursing mothers, a Lamps Plus most popular choice, and a cool faux leather recliner with an ottoman.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission with no extra cost to you. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you. View my affiliate disclosure here.
Traditionally, recliners are upholstered armchairs with an adjustable back that reclines, allowing the occupant to sit in a comfortable position.
Some of today's recliners feature movable headrests and armrests, inbuilt comfort, and an attached footrest that adjusts to the placement of the individual's legs. This type of seating allows for a customized seating experience.
Reclining chairs can also come with additional features, like heating elements, pain-relieving/massage motors, a bar fridge, USB charging ports, and Bluetooth speakers, for example.
Additionally, this chair is claimed to reduce back pain, relieve joint aches, minimize pressure on the heart and lungs, improve blood circulation, and facilitate relaxation.
Those benefits make recliner chairs a popular choice across diverse sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, residential, retail, and commercial.
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My husband loves to take naps in our reclining sofa, however, that means I can't make any noise at all during his siesta!
My solution: to get a recliner for his man cave!
My husband claims he gets much better naps reclined than in a bed.
There are claims of health benefits to sleeping in a recliner, although if you have back problems, especially lower back, I would check with your doctor/chiropractor first.
Be sure to get a recliner that fits your body, or you won't get any health benefits at all. In fact, you'll be in quite a bit of discomfort.
According to furnitureacademy.com:
If you pick a recliner that doesn’t fit your body, you may experience aches and pains after sitting in it for a while.1
When you spend a long period of time in an ill-fitting chair, you may experience:
Neck PainBack PainLeg/Ankle Pain
This is because the cushions and leg rest don’t align with your neck, back, and legs. For example, if the neck cushion pushes your neck forward because you’re too small for the recliner – you’ll experience neck pain.
Also, your ankles will hurt if they hang off the leg rest while you’re reclined.2
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, we categorize our recliners by the following heights and body types:
Petite Body Types (5’4″ & Under)Small Body Types (5’5″ – 5’9″)Tall Body Types (5’10” – 6’2″)Extra Tall Body Types (6’3″ & Up)3
Types of Recliners
The recliners covered in this article are for small spaces, as for our situation we wanted a recliner that would fit in a smaller room rather than a large great room.
The other types of recliners include:
Related Reading:
Read on to learn about my top picks for the most stylish budget recliners.
Our Dilemma
Our Couple Decorating Dilemma: I want the most stylish recliner available.
He wants the most budget friendly recliner available.
I might need to educate him a bit on why he needs to up his budget, but that's for another day.
Let's look at my five favorite budget recliners: (note that prices have risen dramatically since this article was originally published in 2020)
#1. Morgan Java Faux Leather Ottoman and Swiveling Recliner Current Price: $749
This is my favorite pick due to the cool design style.
The design features a solid wood circular "o" base. The faux leather fabric is highly durable, waterproof, easy to clean, and colorfast. The recliner swivels 360 degrees.
Constructed with 1.8 density foam with a Dacron wrap, steel springs in the back and seat webbing.
The ottoman opens for storage and features safety hinges and a pneumatic cylinder opener.
Reviews: Avg: 5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Positive Review
Rating 5 out of 5 starts
Love this chair!
I love the comfort and function of this recliner. It is hard to find a recliner that is smaller scale and stylish but this one works. I have recommended it to clients and family and friends.
Pros: Durable, Solid Construction, Good Color Scheme, Comfortable
Best Uses: Informal, Decoration
Most helpful negative review
Rated 4 out of 5
As described. Good sitting chair.
I am 6 feet and 240 lbs. This chair fits. Chair's head height is perfect and the hip room is adequate. Well made chair and it also looks good. If you are a bigger fellow needing a chair with a smaller foot print, I'd recommend this one.
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2. Kalgoorlie 34'' Wide Manual Club Recliner
Currently this recliner is on back order until April 20222. You can sign up for email updates on the retailer’s website.
Alternatives:
Leni 33.5'' Wide Manual Standard Recliner in Charcoal Gray and Creamy White Floral
35'' Wide Manual Club Recliner By Kelly Clarkson Home in Kamani Marble
I love this chair because of the fabulous print on the fabric that makes it look like a normal club chair.
People love the firmness and that it’s comfortable for tall people.
Average Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Positive Review
These are beautiful everyone loves them and they came so quickly! I’m tall and they are quite comfortable. They are firm but in a good way!
Most Helpful Negative Review
Bought two of these Kalgoorlie Manual Recliners. One is holding up so so, the other chair did NOT, the poorly constructed bracket that holds the seat broke within months, the manual recliner gets stuck, and is hard to force back to recline. These chairs are NOT built sturdy. And we were depending on them as our go-to comfort while in the TV room. We would not recommend buying these. Go to a furniture store to try out the product to feel and test the recliner feature. I give this a one-star due to not meeting our expectations.
Better Homes & Gardens Pushback Recliner, Taupe Fabric Upholstery with Bronze Nail-Head Trim, Citation 5
3. Best Chairs® Storytime Series Finley Swivel Glider Recliner in Stone Grey - Bestseller
Not only do I love the traditional style, I love that it gets high reviews for quality, value, and of course style!
It quietly rocks and swivels according to the description.
REVIEWS: 4.0 OUT OF 5 STARS
Most helpful positive review
Rating: 5 stars
This chair is great for our nursery. And is a help to feed and rock baby to sleep . Very comfortable chair!
Value: 5
Quality: 5
Most helpful negative review
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I bought this chair about a month ago. It looks great and is very comfortable. The recliner is really loud, when closing, which can be an issue at bedtime.
Baby Relax Robyn Rocking Recliner, Graphite Grey8
My next pick is the recliner marketed for nursing mothers, although even my husband is considering it for himself.
It is the only recliner in this list that rocks back and forth.
What I love about this traditional style recliner is the designer look with the "elegant white contrasting welt."
You may choose to order it in either Beige or Graphite Gray (shown).
If you are looking for a pocket spring seat, this is the one to get. Is it a better choice? It's hard to say.
Here's why some prefer pocket springs, depending on the foam surrounding the springs:
Pocket spring seating tends to hold its shape and support better over time, making it the choice for those who prioritize longevity.6
REVIEWS: 4.7 STARS OUT OF 5, Updated: 4.4 out of 5 starts as of May 2021
94% Recommended(236 of 251)
Most helpful positive review
1 customers found this helpful
Average rating:5 out of 5 stars, based on reviews
Great buy for the price and quality! I purchased this for our baby boy's nursery. It is extremely comfortable and reclines all the way back. My husband put it together himself before I got home from work and said it was a pretty fast and easy assembly. I've tried it out a few times but haven't officially used it yet, as our son isn't due for a few more months. Looks great and is a great size- small enough for his small room but big enough for me or my husband and baby to eventually rock, eat, sleep (if I need to in his nursery with him), and read books. After doing much searching for a rocking recliner I'm still surprised and very happy with the price and quality of this one! I'm not sure how it will hold up over time just yet, but I don't foresee any issues with it.
Updated 2021: Average Rating:(4.0)out of 5 stars
Great chair with some issues.
This is a very nice looking and comfortable chair. It looks perfect In the nursery. The one major problem is that the foot rest is really hard to put back once reclined. Also, the chair has a strange, stale odor almost like it was at a warehouse for too long. It seems to be going away but it still there.
Most helpful negative review
Average Rating:(1.0)out of 5 stars
Missing part
My order is missing side panels. This is really inconvenient. I won't be able to return it since i am a single mom with a baby in the house and its impossible for me to put the chair in the box and return in store. And there is no online customer service available.
This is a very nice looking and comfortable chair. It looks perfect In the nursery. The one major problem is that the foot rest is really hard to put back once reclined. Also, the chair has a strange, stale odor almost like it was at a warehouse for too long. It seems to be going away but it still there.
Most helpful negative review
Average rating: 2 out of 5 stars, based on reviews
So Freaking LOUD! This chair is super comfortable but it is made with cheap hardware because it squeaks and groans like crazy no matter how slow or fast you rock. When you get going just a little faster it starts popping like it's coming apart at the bottom. Very disappointing. It only gets 2 starts because it's comfortable and pretty.I purchased this for our baby boy's nursery. It is extremely comfortable and reclines all the way back. My husband put it together himself before I got home from work and said it was a pretty fast and easy assembly. I've tried it out a few times but haven't officially used it yet, as our son isn't due for a few more months. Looks great and is a great size- small enough for his small room but big enough for me or my husband and baby to eventually rock, eat, sleep (if I need to in his nursery with him), and read books. After doing much searching for a rocking recliner I'm still surprised and very happy with the price and quality of this one! I'm not sure how it will hold up over time just yet, but I don't foresee any issues with it.This chair is super comfortable but it is made with cheap hardware because it squeaks and groans like crazy no matter how slow or fast you rock. When you get going just a little faster it starts popping like it's coming apart at the bottom. Very disappointing. It only gets 2 starts because it's comfortable and pretty.7
#5. Ethel Skye Blue Paisley Push Back Recliner Chair
Does this even look like a recliner to you at first glance?
This refined recliner will fit right in with any traditional, coastal, or nautical decor.
It also comes in two other colorways!
The description states that this chair seat is made of polyurethane foam pad, polyester fiber, and pocket coils.
Sofa Pocket Springs | via Luke Leather 10
Pocket coils are described as:
A pocket spring system is created by turning high tensile steel into individual springs which are then wrapped into their own singular pocket of fabric, hence the name "Pocket Springs..... Every time that you get up from a pocket sprung sofa all thesprings expand and press outwards, helping to maintain the shape of the seat cushion. " -Source: Luke Leather
Most Helpful Positive Review:
Rated 5 out of 5
A very light recliner chair
Perfect for watching TV and using it in the living room. It can be easily moved to clean the floor. The chair looks very elegant and adds "color" to the room.
Most Helpful Negative Review:
Rated 1 out of 5
I purchased this chair online and it was a huge mistake. It’s beautiful in the store picture but not so much in person. The chair is small and more uncomfortable than you can imagine. Fits a child perfectly. I had planned to return it but was hospitalized a few days and missed the deadline fir returning it. Please see the chair in person before spending that much money! I guarantee you will keep your money for something comfortable.
April 27, 2021
Response from Lamps Plus
Hi - if this chair is not meeting your needs please contact us and we can assist you. Other reviewers have found the design comfortable, but if it's not for you we can help you find a design that will suit your needs.
More Recliners to Consider:
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Sources
(Numbers correspond to citation numbers in article above)
How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, La-Z-Boy Southeast, 2018-08-13
How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, La-Z-Boy Southeast, 2018-08-13
How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, How to Pick the Best Recliner for Me, La-Z-Boy Southeast, 2018-08-13
Pocket Spring Sofa vs Foam Sofa - Which Is Right For You? | Swift Bed, 2018-06-07
Upholstery frame - Wikipedia
Sofa Pocket Springs PDF, Luke Leather