Sure, those decorating pros may turn up their noses at the concept of a big, bulky recliner in front of the TV in the living room.
After all, years of use by people with zero décor skill or interest have created the stereotype that these chairs have absolutely no place in a classy space.
Certainly recliner enthusiasts will disagree, wisely pointing out that comfort is a huge part of the recliner experience. It lets you stretch out or slumber. It's great for any body type. Pair it with a nice TV and a movie marathon, and you've got yourself a perfect throne for the next few hours.
Still once the reflexive eye-rolling is done, more open-minded designers might concede the point: a big bulky recliner may dominate a living room or rec room, but often is more comfy and functional, especially when compared to a love seat or a couch that is the perfect color but not much fun to sit in for any length of time.
So can there ever be a meeting of the minds? Definitely! All it takes is thinking creatively – once you know your recliner chair has to be part of your room ingredients, have fun trying to blend it in to your surroundings and create a good look. Your local furniture store also may have some suggestions or accessories.
- Enjoy as-is. The default recliner color on the showroom is often black, which is actually a fairly neutral color to try to pair with in just about any living space. Even an all-white color scheme for the rest of the room could make the black of the chair pop.
- Cut the color. Bringing in other colors can detract from the starkness of the recliner chair. A bright throw draped over the back of it an easy place to start, plus it can save a trip to the closet on chilly days. An area rug might help, or even reupholster in a brighter fabric.
- Find accent pieces. If your recliner is a focal point, arrange items around it, such as matching end table or an ottoman.