When to Choose a Recliner over a Couch

One of the first decorating decisions many people make is to find the “perfect” sofa. But sometimes a sofa isn’t the right choice for a space. When you want to preserve the view, ease the traffic, or stretch out to watch TV, a recliner may be a better option. Looking at these nine scenarios, you may want to choose a recliner over a sofa.

1. Preserve the landscape. Placing a sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in this master bedroom in London will block out some of the view. Using two reclining chairs instead of a sofa not only retains more of a view, but also solves the dilemma of whether the sofa should face the view or the room. The recliner makes this question meaningless as it allows people to lean and enjoy both at the same time.

2. A party for two. Even large couches rarely offer enough space for two adults to stretch out. While a sofa is a better seating option for multiple guests, a recliner may be the right choice if you’re not good at hosting guests or if only you and your partner use the room. They offer enough comfort and take up less space than two sofas.

3. Traffic flow. In a cramped room, like this stylish den in Dallas, a pair of chaise longues may be ideal. The sofa will completely isolate the room and block the view of the fireplace. Two chaise lonnies provide room to stretch out and leave plenty of room to navigate tight spaces.

4. DIY segmentation. Here’s an idea that combines the best of both worlds: push two chaise longue together to form a section that is essentially L-shaped. Add extra pillows for extra back support. The good thing about this configuration is that if you want to change the look, all you have to do is separate the recliners.

5. Fill a room. In a small room, you give up the sofa, and a pair of club chairs is usually a temptation. But these chairs may leave a considerable amount of floor space unused. While a footstool or other piece of furniture can fill this gap, a pair of recliners may be your best bet.

6. Start the conversation. A tête-à-tête chaise longue is like combining two pieces of furniture into one. The double-headed recliner has no obvious front and rear and can be placed almost anywhere in the room. It’s a perfect solution for those who find side-by-side conversations on the couch a bit awkward without having to resort to two separate chairs.

7. Temporary rooms. Adding two large chaise longités requires low maintenance just like a guest room: you don’t need to do anything other than loosen your pillows before you arrive. It’s a good choice for rooms that guests don’t use often.

8. Equipped with a media room. Comfort is key in the media room, and we tend to spend hours in it at a time. The addition of two recliners allows each passenger to stretch while facing the TV. Add a small table in between and you won’t need a coffee table.

9. The ultimate fireside retreat. A single two-seater sofa or couch in this room can slide parallel to the fireplace, but it will be awkward to use. A pair of armchairs can also fit in, but if there’s space, why not extend their length to a chaise long? The reward is a warm retreat that is sure to melt your heart.