Here’s How to Measure For a Recliner Chair

Adding a recliner chair to your living room is one of the easiest ways to elevate everyday comfort without compromising on style. But let’s be real: recliners aren’t shy.

They lean back, stretch out, demand their moment, and take up more space than your average armchair. If you don’t measure, you may end up with a stylish obstacle course instead of a functional living room.

Whether you're creating a cosy reading corner or upgrading your lounging experience, the right recliner should fit seamlessly into your layout without taking over the room. So before you commit to the one, you’ll want to make sure it actually fits in both its upright and fully reclined states. 

Here's how to do it right.

Understanding the average recliner dimensions 

While designs vary, here are the typical recliner dimensions for a standard armchair recliner:

• Width: 84–91 cm
  
  

• Depth (upright): 89–99 cm
  
  

• Height: 102–107 cm

These standard recliner dimensions offer a helpful baseline for recliner chairs, while sofas and oversized models will be larger in size. 

Tips on measuring a recliner for your space

1. Measure your floor space 

Before you fall in love with the recliner of your dreams, get out your measuring tape and mark the spot where your recliner will live. This gives you a visual reference for how it fits within the room. It is important to: 

• Leave 5 to 10 cm of extra space on each side: Trust us, it makes a difference when you’re doing the awkward side-step dance to get past.
  
  

• Double-check how much space you need from the wall to the footrest when it’s stretched out: No one wants to be wedged between a recliner and the wall.

2. Measure the size of the recliner (upright and reclined)

Start with the product dimensions of the recliner in both its upright and fully reclined positions. These are usually available on the product page.

Take note of:

• Overall width: The side-to-side span from arm to arm.
  
  

• Depth (upright): The front-to-back measurement when the chair is in a seated position.
  
  

• Depth (reclined): The full extension required when the backrest leans back and the footrest lifts.
  
  

• Height: This is especially important if you’re placing it near low shelving or under a window.

All of our recliner chair product listings include full sofa size and dimension details to help you visualise how the furniture will sit in your space.

If you’re eyeing a living room set for small spaces, a small recliner chair like the Dean Leather Recliner Armchair can maximise comfort without compromising space. 

If you’re all about power features and a roomier seat, the Jaron Performance Fabric Recliner Sofa brings that extra touch of comfort and grandeur that’s perfect for stretching out in style.

3. Don’t forget walkways and movement space

Don’t just stop at whether the recliner’s dimensions fit into your available space. It’s important to ensure that you can live in the space that remains.

Always leave enough room to move freely around the recliner when it’s upright or extended. This will especially make regular cleaning and maintenance easier. Additionally, ensure that when the chair is reclined, there’s still:

• 76–91 cm of clearance for walkways
  
  

• Enough space between the recliner and your coffee table to avoid knocking knees or obstructing the footrest

This helps prevent scuff marks, stubbed toes, or that awkward shuffle every time you get up.

4. Measure doorways and access points

You’ve done all the measuring — now check if your recliner can even get home. There’s no worse heartbreak than falling in love with a recliner chair you can’t get through your front door. To avoid a sitcom-worthy scenario, measure the following: 

• Your main entryways and doorframes
  
  

• Elevators or staircases (if you live in a condo or walk-up apartment)
  
  

• Hallways and sharp turns inside your home

Don’t let your new recliner get stuck halfway through the hallway (you may even need to pivot your interior design strategy if this happens).

5. Consider placement and power source

If you’re choosing a power recliner, the chair should be placed close to a socket without trailing wires across the room to keep things neat and tidy. 

Also consider how having lighting and storage nearby can enhance the ambiance or functionality of your setup: a lamp for reading, or maybe a side table for snacks.

6. Choose the right recliner for your room

A good rule of thumb is that the size of a recliner should be proportional to your space. Oversized recliners can overwhelm small living rooms, while compact designs may look underwhelming in a large, open-plan area.

To strike the right balance, match the recliner's scale to your existing living room sets or armchairs. Or opt for complementary colors and finishes to blend with your decor, such as for clean-lined recliners with a minimal silhouette for modern or contemporary styles.

Where comfort meets intention

Recliners aren’t just about leaning back — they’re about leaning into what makes a space truly yours.

Because while style matters, what really counts is how a piece moves with your life: the way it opens up a quiet moment, anchors a room, or adapts to the rhythm of your everyday. 

So, it’s worth exercising your mind’s eye just a tad further to imagine how it’ll live in your home. The right recliner isn’t just comfortable — it’s considered, personal, and exactly where you want to be.