When I mention recliners, the image that often comes to mind is a clunky, over-stuffed chair that clashes with everything else in the room. Thankfully, in 2026 it’s easy to find recliners that are comfortable and stylish — and in today’s post I’ve gathered several beautiful recliner ideas everyone in the house will love.
I know the subject of recliners can be tricky — but after several readers asked me for tips on how to decorate a living room around an ugly recliner, I knew it was time to write a post about this very common dilemma!
Thank goodness we no longer have to settle for ugly recliners that clash with the rest of the decor in our homes. With so many beautiful and modern options available, finding the perfect recliner is entirely possible.
How to Make a Recliner Look Good in Your Living Room
Choosing a recliner that’s both comfortable and beautiful is the secret to making a recliner look good in your living room.
I know this can be a challenge, as many recliners are bulky and unattractive, with big puffy arms and backs, making them tricky to arrange the remaining furniture in your space.
1. Choose a style for your living room
When it comes to decorating, spouses often have completely different perspectives on things, so it’s important to first determine which styles and colors you prefer.
While my primary focus is looks and style, my husband’s focus is comfort, so I try to take that into account when decorating any space in our home.
An outing to a few local furniture galleries can help. Recently, my husband and I visited the RH, Arhaus, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel galleries.
We wandered around, took photos, and sat in countless chairs. And that experience gave us both a better idea of the styles we each prefer.
Think about how you can accommodate your spouse’s point of view and be sensitive to their perspective.
That said, don’t give up on your own vision for your space, either.
Everyone deserves to live in a home they love, so it’s worth the time — and perhaps some uncomfortable conversations — to create a home that makes you both happy.
Leather High Back Armless Motion Recliner
You could even put together a mood board or show your spouse your Pinterest boards so they can get an idea of the color palette, look, and style you’re going for in your living room.
You might also be interested in my post, How to Choose a Design Style that Feels Right for You, for more tips on finding your personal decorating style.
2. Consider your existing decor and furniture
One key factor to keep in mind is your existing living room decor and furniture — this makes it easier to decorate and arrange furniture with a recliner.
While it’s easy to get caught up in finding the best recliner for your comfort, it’s important to ensure it also complements the overall aesthetic of your living room.
Start by examining the colors and textures already present in the space. If you have a neutral color scheme, you might want to add a pop of color, via a bold recliner.
Performance Upholstered Recliner
On the other hand, if your room already has a lot of patterns and textures, you might want to choose a solid-colored recliner to balance it out.
Consider the style of your existing furniture as well. If you have a modern, minimalist living room, you might want to look for a sleek, streamlined recliner with clean lines.
Alternatively, if you have a traditional or cozy space, a plush, overstuffed recliner might be the perfect addition.
By taking these factors into account, you’ll be able to choose a recliner that not only provides ultimate comfort but also enhances your room’s overall look.
3. Choose the right material for your lifestyle
When searching for the perfect recliner, it’s important to consider not only the style but the material. This factor can make a significant difference in the overall aesthetic of your living room — as well as your comfort level.
When shopping for a recliner, you’ll find there are several material options available, including leather, microfiber, and fabric.
Each option has unique qualities that can make it an ideal choice for different lifestyles and design styles.
Leather recliners offer a classic, luxurious look and feel. They’re durable, easy to clean, and develop character over time.
Roll Arm Leather Recliner with Nailheads
On the other hand, microfiber is a popular option for people who want a low-maintenance chair. Microfiber’s soft texture and durability make it a great choice for homes with children or pets.
And, if you’re looking for a recliner with a wide range of design options, custom fabric recliners are a great choice, as they come in a variety of colors, patterns, durability ratings, and textures, making it easy to find the perfect match for your style of decor.
Electronic Swivel Glider Recliner
Choosing the right material for your recliner can both enhance your relaxation experience and complement your home’s decor, so consider which fabric works best for your needs.
4. Finding the perfect color
Coordinating the color of your recliner to the existing decor in your living room is key to creating a cohesive look. When selecting a color, first take your home’s overall color palette into account.
If your decor is based on warm tones like beige, tan, and ivory, I suggest looking for recliners in colors like brown or cream.
Alternatively, if your living room is filled with colors like blue and gray, look for a recliner that complements those cooler hues.
It’s also important to consider the room’s overall mood. Do you want your recliner to blend in or stand out?
If you want it to blend in, consider selecting a color that’s close to the color of the surrounding furniture.
However, if you want your recliner to stand out as a focal point in the room, choose a bold or vibrant shade.
5. Consider recliner shapes that complement your existing furniture
One important factor to keep in mind is the overall design style of your existing living room and furniture.
If you have a sleek and modern space, look for a recliner that has clean lines, square arms, and simple design features.
On the other hand, if your room has a more traditional feel, consider a recliner with more ornate details like carved wood, nailheads, or rolled arms.
Swivel Glider Recliner with Nailheads
Additionally, think about the texture of the recliner material. If you have a lot of smooth or shiny surfaces in the room, a recliner with a textured fabric, like boucle’ or linen can add visual interest.
Finally, when arranging furniture around a recliner, think about the proportion and scale of the recliner in relation to the rest of the furniture in the room.
A large recliner might overpower a minimalist contemporary room, while a small, delicate chair would be lost in a room filled with large, elaborate furnishings.
If you have a large sectional sofa, adding a bulky recliner may be too overpowering.
Instead, you might consider a slim recliner that won’t take up too much space.
Or, if you have a smaller love seat or armchair, a larger recliner or recliner sofa can balance out the visual weight of the other furniture in the room.
By taking into account the design features that complement your existing furniture, you can find a recliner that not only looks great but enhances the overall style and arrangement of your living room.
6. Consider creating a man cave
As a final option, I’m including this idea because it works well for many couples.
Your significant other might not care how you decorate the living room as long as they have their own space — perhaps a den, TV room, office, or family room — in which to place their recliner.
This allows each of you to have your own distinct style in your space while still maintaining a cohesive look throughout your home.
Beautiful Living Room Recliner Ideas
Here are some great options for stylish recliners that will look great in your living room while also providing a comfortable spot to sit.
Where to shop for beautiful recliners
Whether you like to shop online or in the store, below are a few sources for beautiful living room recliners:
Arhaus
Pottery Barn
West Elm
Williams Sonoma
Wayfair
Serena & Lily
Crate and Barrel
I hope you found this post helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions about arranging living room furniture around a recliner and/or making a recliner look good in your home. xo Jane
P.S. Some of the best recliner ideas I’ve found are made for the nursery, and often incorporate gliding and swivel features, too.
See my post, Beautiful Modern Glider, Rocker and Recliner Ideas for the Nursery for a look at some of the most beautiful glider, rocker, and recliner ideas on the market today.
Looking for more interior design trends, home decor ideas, and styling tips? Here are a few favorite posts and pages from Jane at Home:
Beautiful Modern Glider and Rocker Ideas for the Nursery
Modern Coastal Living Room Ideas and Trends for 2026
Beautiful Transitional Style Decorating Ideas for Your Home
How to Decorate a Long Narrow Living Room: Easy Solutions for Tricky Spaces
Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home
How to Add a Touch of Nancy Meyers Style to Your Kitchen and Home
Modern Living Room Design and Decorating Ideas
What is Coastal Grandmother Style? (and why I love it)
Beautiful Coffee Table Ideas for Every Style and Budget
Modern Area Rug Ideas for the Living Room, Bedroom & More
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