Why is it called a loveseat?

The loveseat, which is smaller than a typical couch, got its name from the idea that people have to sit closer together on it. Rumor has it this oversized chair was popular during the 19th century, when it was used for courting couples to converse. Today, most loveseats still accommodate two people.

How long is a loveseat?

Loveseats are meant to fit about two people, but they can vary in size. Most range from 52 to 64 inches. Make sure to check a loveseat's measurements before buying one for your home to ensure it fits.

How do you arrange a reclining sofa and loveseat?

There are many ways to arrange a reclining sofa and loveseat in your living room. The two pieces can face one another in a room, or they can sit adjacent to each other. Either way, you'll likely need to set them both away from the wall so there's room when they recline.

The 7 Best Reclining Loveseats of 2022

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The 8 Best Reclining Loveseats of 2022 — The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

Not quite as big as a full-size sofa yet roomy enough for two, a reclining loveseat is perfect for even the smallest living room, family room, or den. Over the last four years, we've spent hours researching and testing reclining loveseats from the top furniture brands, evaluating quality, recliner settings, ease of care and cleaning, and overall value.

Our top pick, the Wayfair Doug Rolled Arm Reclining Loveseat, has plush, down fill cushions, extendable footrests, and a built-in USB port and is available in over 50 upholstery options.

Here are the best reclining loveseats for every home and budget.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Lark Manor Leigh Rolled Arm Loveseat at Wayfair

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Best Design:

Flash Furniture Reclining Loveseat at Amazon

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Best Leather:

West Elm Enzo Leather Reclining Sofa at West Elm

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Best for Small Spaces:

Christopher Knight Home Calliope Buttoned Fabric Recliner at Amazon

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Best Power:

Signature Design by Ashley Calderwell Power Reclining Loveseat with Console at Amazon

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Best with Center Console:

Red Barrel Studio Fleuridor 78'' Reclining Loveseat at Wayfair

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Best Modern:

HomCom Modern 2 Seater Manual Reclining Loveseat at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

4.8

Wayfair

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Lots of customization options
High weight capacity
No assembly required

What We Don't Like

Back doesn't recline

What do buyers say? 50+ Wayfair reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

Lark Manor Leigh Rolled Arm Loveseat Review

The best reclining loveseats deliver on both design and comfort—and in this category, we're partial to Wayfair's Custom Doug Reclining Loveseat. It has an impressive 500-pound weight capacity, and you can choose from 136 upholstery options, including various materials, colors, patterns, and leg finishes. If you feel overwhelmed by the choices, you can order free fabric samples and go from there.

This loveseat has sinuous-spring seat cushions filled with down for ultimate comfort and support, and it comes with a pair of matching throw pillows. Our tester was sold on its classy, inviting look and convenient features, which include USB ports for easy charging. Though the backrests don't recline, both sides have extendable footrests.

Wayfair Custom Upholstery Doug Reclining Loveseat — The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash

What Testers Say

"The pillows and cushions of the Doug Loveseat have a medium-firm feel, but they have a plushness that’s comfortable even after sitting for a couple of hours. We used this loveseat to lounge while reading, taking a nap, and even working from home."—Stacey L. Nash, Product Tester

Flash Furniture Harmony Series Reclining Loveseat

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What We Like

Attractive appearance
Dual recliners
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Some assembly required

Because of the built-in reclining mechanism, it can be hard to find loveseats that look like, well, regular loveseats. But fortunately, as Decorist designer Ellen Fleckenstein points out, "We now have options that aren't the bulky stuffed recliners of yesteryear." That's why we're loving Flash Furniture's Harmony Series. In its upright position, this loveseat looks like a sleek two-seater, and when you want to sit back and relax, both sides recline and release a footrest with the pull of a lever.

The brand's LeatherSoft material is a unique blend of genuine and faux leather, which makes for ultra-soft, long-lasting, and easy-to-clean upholstery. It also comes in microfiber (faux suede). This loveseat boasts extra-plush armrests and pillow-back cushions. Some assembly is required, but it shouldn't take a whole lot of time or effort.

Courtesy of West Elm

View On West Elm

What We Like

Lots of customization options
Kiln-dried wood frame
Genuine leather upholstery

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Weeks-long wait on made-to-order items

If your sights are set on genuine leather and you can swing the price, it might be worth investing in West Elm's Enzo recliner. With a kiln-dried wood frame and reinforced joinery, plus dual power recliners and adjustable ratcheted headrests, this spacious two-seater pulls out all the stops. What's more, you can choose from standard armrests or storage arms with USB ports.

Fleckenstein appreciates the soft, comfy, and contemporary aesthetic of the Enzo line. "I would use something like this in a masculine space or a family room where comfort is a top priority," she tells The Spruce. "This piece will cocoon you like a glove and [the reclining feature] does not compromise the overall design."

The Best Leather Sofas for Any Room in Your Home

Christopher Knight Home Calliope Buttoned Fabric Recliner

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What We Like

Compact
Wall-hugging design
Midcentury-inspired appearance

What We Don't Like

Plastic frame
Assembly required

Limited square footage? No problem. Measuring just 47 x 35 inches, this compact recliner from Christopher Knight Home is more like a chair-and-a-half than a loveseat. Plus, the wall-hugging design allows you to place it right up against a wall.

The Calliope Loveseat has a semi-firm seat cushion and backrest, plus a built-in footrest and a manual reclining function. Sleek track arms, tweed-inspired upholstery, and tufted-button detailing present a casually cool midcentury vibe.

The 11 Best Couches of 2022 for Style and Comfort

Signature Design by Ashley Calderwell Power Reclining Loveseat

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What We Like

Power reclining
USB port
Center console

What We Don't Like

Some assembly required

Power recliners are super convenient and luxurious, and Ashley Furniture's Calderwell collection is no exception. With a sturdy metal frame and faux leather upholstery, this loveseat is durable and easy to clean.

When plugged into the wall, the dual recliners and footrests can be mobilized with the push of a button. We also like that the Calderwell Power Recliner has pillow-top armrests, ultra-plush cushions, a handy center console, a USB port, and two cup holders.

Red Barrel Studio Fleuridor 78'' Reclining Loveseat

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Center console
160-degree recline
High weight capacity

What We Don't Like

Assembly required

Red Barrel Studio's Fleuridor Loveseat has a convenient center console in the middle, plus two cup holders. Levers on either side allow each person to release their footrest and extend their respective backrest down to a 160-degree angle.

The upholstery is an incredibly soft microfiber (faux suede) in your choice of gray or taupe, and the cushions are filled with foam-covered pocket coils. Thanks to its durable frame and thoughtful construction, this loveseat has a 500-pound weight capacity.

HomCom Modern 2 Seater Manual Reclining Loveseat

View On Amazon

What We Like

Modern appearance
150-degree recline
High weight capacity

What We Don't Like

Only one color available
Assembly required

Boasting a solid metal frame, HomCom's Modern 2 Seater can support up to 550 pounds of weight. High-density sponge cushions and plush backrests make for a comfortable, supportive sitting experience.

Though gray is the only color option for this loveseat, the versatile linen-like upholstery is soft, breathable, and easy to clean. The dual recliners release with easy-to-pull side handles. Each seat has its own footrest and can extend down to a 150-degree angle.

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Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Wayfair Custom Upholstery Doug Reclining Loveseat, which earned high marks from our tester for its plush feel and number of upholstery options. For those who have a smaller living space, we recommend the Christopher Knight Home Calliope Buttoned Fabric Recliner, which has a compact size and can be placed right up against a wall.

Positions

If you're shopping for reclining loveseats, you already know you want to be able to sit back and put your feet up. But some recliners offer more positions than others, so take the time to figure out how many modes of relaxation a reclining loveseat offers. Some models can only be positioned in full upright or full reclining modes, while others offer a nice in-between mode that's good for watching TV or reading a book.

Reclining mechanism

You'll also want to consider the reclining mechanism. Some loveseats recline manually, which usually means each side has a lever or handle that you pull while leaning your body back. Then there are power recliners that plug into an electrical outlet. They typically have buttons on the sides instead of levers, which you press to activate the automatic recline function.

Upholstery

Choose your upholstery options wisely, as this can make a big difference in the durability and lifespan of your reclining loveseat. Leather upholstered loveseats are great because they're classic and easy to clean, but they can be pricey.

For a more affordable alternative, try bonded leather or faux leather. Reclining loveseats with fabric upholstery are also popular for their plush, cozy finish—and some companies even let you choose between different fabric options to customize your look.

FAQ

Why is it called a loveseat?

The loveseat, which is smaller than a typical couch, got its name from the idea that people have to sit closer together on it. Rumor has it this oversized chair was popular during the 19th century, when it was used for courting couples to converse. Today, most loveseats still accommodate two people.
How long is a loveseat?

Loveseats are meant to fit about two people, but they can vary in size. Most range from 52 to 64 inches. Make sure to check a loveseat's measurements before buying one for your home to ensure it fits.
How do you arrange a reclining sofa and loveseat?

There are many ways to arrange a reclining sofa and loveseat in your living room. The two pieces can face one another in a room, or they can sit adjacent to each other. Either way, you'll likely need to set them both away from the wall so there's room when they recline.

Theresa Holland is an experienced content creator specializing in home design and furniture. For this story, she researched important features and considered key specs, like weight capacity and dimensions. She pored over user reviews and looked at products from a wide range of retailers and brands before making her final selections. For additional insight, she also spoke with Decorist designer Ellen Fleckenstein, who has 16 years of experience in the field. Additional reporting was done by Ashley Abramson, a lifestyle writer whose work has also appeared in the New York Times, MyDomaine, Allure, Washington Post, Apartment Therapy, and more.