A recliner chair that looks right in the photos can still feel wrong when you sit in it. Too high and your feet dangle. Too deep and your back never reaches the cushion. Too narrow and you feel boxed in.
This guide explains the four measurements that matter most: recliner seat height, seat depth, seat width and overall chair size. We have compared seven chairs in the Furniture Lovers range, using published product specifications to help you choose a chair that suits your body and your living room.
Short answer: Across the seven chairs compared, seat heights range from 48cm to 54cm, confirmed seat depths from 48cm to 55cm, and published seat widths from 50cm to 60cm. The right dimensions depend on your leg length, sitting position and how easily you can get in and out of the chair.
Prices and measurements reflect published product information reviewed for this guide. All dimensions are approximate and specifications may change. Check the individual product listing before ordering.
Recliner chair measurements at a glance
The following table compares seven recliner chairs sold by Furniture Lovers. These are the upright chair measurements, not the space needed when fully reclined.
| Chair | Price | Overall (W × D × H) | Seat height | Seat depth | Seat width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novie Recliner Armchair | £398 | 95 × 85 × 105cm | 48cm | 48cm | 50cm |
| Linden Recliner Armchair | £498 | 105 × 73 × 103cm | 48cm | 53cm | 57cm |
| Tokyo Electric Recliner | £598 | 110 × 100 × 85–100cm | 50cm | 55cm | 60cm |
| Leon Electric Recliner | £598 | 85cm deep, 110cm high; width not listed | 48cm | 50cm | Not listed |
| Sienna Rise and Recline Chair | £698 | 85 × 88 × 110cm | 50cm | 52cm | 50cm |
| Cornwall Rise and Recline Massage Chair | £698 | 92 × 100 × 98cm | 49cm | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Seville Electric Reclining Chair | £798 | 80 × 80 × 105cm | 54cm | 50cm | 55cm |
How to read the table: Overall size includes the chair's outer frame and armrests. Seat width refers to the usable space between the arms. Seat depth refers to the distance from the front of the cushion to the backrest. These sitting measurements are often more useful than overall size when comparing comfort.
Across the published measurements:
- Seat height: 48–54cm
- Seat depth: 48–55cm, excluding Cornwall's unconfirmed figure
- Seat width: 50–60cm where confirmed
A difference of a few centimetres can affect how comfortably your feet rest on the floor, whether the seat supports your thighs and how easy the chair is to stand up from.
1. Recliner seat height
Seat height is measured vertically from the floor to the top of the seat cushion, with the recliner in its upright position.
This measurement affects both comfort and how easily you can get in and out of your chair.
Why seat height matters
- Too low: Your knees may rise above your hips, making standing more difficult.
- Too high: Your feet may not rest flat on the floor, putting pressure beneath your thighs.
- About right: Your feet are supported and your knees bend at roughly a right angle.
Which seat height suits you?
If you prefer a lower sitting position, start by comparing the Novie, Linden and Leon. Each has a published seat height of 48cm.
The Tokyo and Sienna sit at 50cm, while the Cornwall measures 49cm.
At 54cm, the Seville has the highest published seat in this seven-chair comparison.
A higher seat can make standing easier for some people, although it is only helpful if your feet remain properly supported. A chair that is too high may be just as uncomfortable as one that is too low.
For people who need additional assistance when standing, a rise and recline chair may be worth considering. These chairs have a powered lifting mechanism that moves the seat forwards and upwards to assist the transition towards standing.
Our advice: Measure the seat height of a chair you already find comfortable. It provides a more useful starting point than choosing purely by appearance.
2. Recliner seat depth
Seat depth is the horizontal distance from the front edge of the seat cushion to the backrest.
It determines how much of your thighs the seat supports and whether you can rest against the back cushion without feeling pressure behind your knees.
Why seat depth matters
- Too deep: You may struggle to sit back comfortably without the front edge pressing against your legs.
- Too shallow: Your thighs may lack support, especially if you have longer legs.
- About right: Your back reaches the backrest and there is a small gap behind your knees.
Which seat depth suits you?
The published seat depths in this comparison are:
- Novie: 48cm
- Leon: 50cm
- Seville: 50cm
- Sienna: 52cm
- Linden: 53cm
- Tokyo: 55cm
- Cornwall: Not confirmed
Among the confirmed measurements, the Tokyo has the deepest seat at 55cm. It may be worth considering if you have longer legs or prefer more space to sit back and relax.
At the other end of the comparison, the Novie has the shallowest seat at 48cm. This may suit people who prefer an upright position or have shorter thighs.
However, a deeper seat is not automatically more comfortable. The right depth is the one that supports your thighs while allowing you to use the backrest naturally.
3. Recliner seat width
Seat width measures the usable sitting space between the armrests, rather than the total external width of the chair.
This distinction is important because armrest thickness varies between models.
Why seat width matters
Take the Tokyo and Sienna as an example.
The Tokyo measures 110cm overall, with a 60cm seat width. The Sienna measures 85cm overall, with a 50cm seat width.
Both are recliner chairs, but the Tokyo provides an additional 10cm of published sitting width.
That can affect how much room you have to move, shift position or sit with your arms comfortably supported.
Which seat width suits you?
- 50cm: A more compact sitting area that may suit someone who likes the arms closer.
- 55cm: More room to adjust position without moving to a particularly wide seat.
- 60cm: A roomier option for people who prefer additional sitting space.
If you want to curl up or change position frequently, consider a wider seat. If you prefer the support of nearby armrests when sitting down or standing, a narrower seat may be more suitable.
Always compare the actual seat width, not just the overall chair width. If that measurement is missing, ask for confirmation before ordering.
4. Overall recliner size and the space you need
Getting the seat dimensions right is only part of choosing a recliner. You also need enough room for the entire chair to fit and function correctly.
Overall measurements usually include:
- Width: The external distance between the outer edges of the arms.
- Depth: The distance from the front to the back of the upright chair.
- Height: The distance from the floor to the top of the backrest.
Across the wider Furniture Lovers recliner range referenced in the supplied specifications, overall widths extend from approximately 79cm for the Conrad to 113cm for the Toronto.
Upright depths range from approximately 73cm for the Linden to 105cm for the Somerville.
Those figures describe the chair's upright footprint. They do not tell you how much floor space is required when the chair is fully reclined.
Allow for the reclined position
A recliner uses additional space when the footrest extends and the backrest moves backwards.
Before ordering:
- Check the fully reclined measurement. Find the manufacturer's extended depth or ask our team to confirm it.
- Allow space in front. The footrest must be able to extend without hitting a table or other furniture.
- Check the wall clearance. Some reclining mechanisms need room behind the backrest.
- Keep walkways clear. The chair should not block access through the room when in use.
- Consider power access. Electric recliners may require a nearby socket or suitable power connection.
Important: A recliner that measures 85cm deep when upright may need substantially more room when fully extended.
Check the route into your room
Measure more than the space where the chair will sit.
You should also check the front door, internal doorways, hallway width, staircases, landings and any awkward turns.
Ask for the packaged dimensions and confirm whether parts such as the backrest can be removed for delivery.
Our narrow doorway furniture guide explains the important measurements to take before ordering.
5. How to measure yourself for a recliner
You do not need specialist equipment to work out which recliner seat dimensions may suit you. A tape measure and a firm dining chair are enough to make a useful initial comparison.
Step 1: Measure your ideal seat height
Sit on a firm chair with your feet flat on the floor and your knees comfortably bent.
Measure vertically from the floor to the crease behind your knee.
Compare this figure with the recliner's seat height, remembering that softer cushions may compress when you sit on them.
Step 2: Measure your ideal seat depth
Sitting upright, measure from the back of your bottom to the crease behind your knee.
Look for a seat depth slightly shorter than this measurement so that the cushion does not press against the back of your knees.
Step 3: Check the seat width
Measure the usable sitting width of a chair you already find comfortable, between its armrests.
Then compare it with the published seat widths of the recliners you are considering.
Step 4: Compare with the chair measurements
Use the comparison table to narrow your options.
- If you prefer a 48cm seat height and a relatively shallow seat, compare the Novie and Leon.
- If you want a deeper 55cm seat, consider the Tokyo.
- If you prefer a higher seat, the Seville's 54cm measurement is worth examining.
- If you want the widest confirmed seat in this comparison, look at the Tokyo's 60cm sitting width.
These measurements are a starting point. Cushion firmness, backrest design and personal mobility also affect comfort.
6. Electric or manual recliner?
Both types are measured in the same way, but their operating mechanisms are different.
Manual recliners
Manual recliners generally use a handle, lever or body movement to adjust the chair's position.
They usually do not require electricity, and can be a good option if you prefer a straightforward mechanism.
The Conrad and Stanley manual recliner armchairs were listed at £298 each in the supplied product information, making them examples of lower-priced options. Check their current availability before ordering.
Electric recliners
Electric recliners use powered controls to adjust the reclining position.
Some allow gradual positioning, making it easier to select a particular seating angle.
However, an electric recliner is not automatically larger than a manual chair. Actual size depends on the product's design and mechanism.
Our electric recliner sofas buying guide explains the differences in more detail.
7. Buying a recliner chair from Furniture Lovers
Furniture Lovers offers a selection of manual, electric and rise and recline chairs for different room sizes, seating preferences and budgets.
Our advertised customer benefits include:
- Free delivery: Available for eligible orders to mainland England and Wales, subject to the applicable delivery terms.
- Delivery estimates: Generally 1–7 business days for eligible in-stock products, depending on the item and delivery location.
- 1-Year Guarantee: Covers qualifying manufacturing defects under the warranty terms.
- 5-Year Extended Structural Guarantee: Additional cover for qualifying structural frame issues, at no extra cost and subject to the warranty conditions.
- Flexible payments: Klarna options where offered, subject to eligibility and approval.
- 14-day cancellation rights: Available for qualifying online purchases, subject to applicable legal exceptions.
If you are unsure whether a recliner will fit, use our Check If It Will Fit service or contact Furniture Lovers with your measurements.
Explore our collection: Shop Recliner Chairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good seat height for a recliner chair?
In the seven-chair comparison above, recliner seat heights range from 48cm to 54cm. A suitable seat height lets your feet rest comfortably on the floor while supporting your thighs. The best choice depends on your leg length and how easily you can stand up.
What is the standard seat depth of a recliner?
There is no single standard depth that suits everyone. The confirmed seat measurements in this comparison range from 48cm to 55cm. Taller people may prefer a deeper seat, while shorter people may find a shallower seat more comfortable. Cornwall's seat depth has not been independently confirmed.
How wide is a recliner chair?
Overall recliner widths across the wider range discussed extend from approximately 79cm to 113cm. The usable seat widths confirmed in the seven-chair comparison range from 50cm to 60cm. Check both figures, as the thickness of the armrests can make a significant difference.
How much space does a recliner need?
A recliner needs more space than its upright dimensions suggest. Allow room in front for the footrest and behind for the backrest where required. Always check the model's fully reclined dimensions and recommended wall clearance.
Is a higher seat better for getting up?
A higher seat can make it easier for some people to stand, but the feet should remain comfortably supported. If standing up is particularly difficult, a rise and recline chair may provide additional assistance through its powered lifting mechanism.
Final thoughts: choose dimensions that suit you
The right recliner chair dimensions are not necessarily the biggest measurements on the specification sheet.
Start with seat height, depth and width. Then consider the space required when the chair reclines, the route into your room and how easily you can get in and out of the seat.
For a shallower seat, start by comparing the Novie and Leon. For a deeper seat, look at the Tokyo. If you prefer a higher sitting position, consider the Seville's published measurements.
Remember that the most comfortable chair is the one that suits your individual proportions and the way you sit.
Explore the full Furniture Lovers Recliner Chair Collection, or contact our team if you need help understanding the measurements before ordering.
Furniture Lovers sells the products featured in this guide. The comparisons are based on published product specifications, not independent hands-on testing. Prices, stock, dimensions and customer service terms may change.