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Last updated: March 2026

What Size Living Room for a Recliner?

A standard recliner is about 36" wide and 40" deep when upright. Fully reclined, it extends to 66-72" — and needs 12-18" of wall clearance behind. See the room size requirements.

ROOM SIZELIVING ROOMRECLINER

Whether it fits depends on measurements most people get wrong.

Key Measurement

Recliner reclined depth (66-72") + wall clearance (12-18") = 78-90" of room depth consumed. Sofa (84-96") + recliner (36") = 120-132" of wall length needed for side-by-side.

Standard Dimensions

Item: Standard recliner: 36" wide x 40" deep (upright), 66-72" deep (reclined). Wall-hugger: 3-6" wall gap.

Space: Minimum for sofa + recliner: 10x10 (100 sq ft). Comfortable: 12x14 (168 sq ft)

Actual clear openings are usually 1–2″ smaller than the labeled size.

Your exact dimensions probably aren't "standard." Small measurement errors cause big problems — 1 inch can be the difference between fitting and getting stuck.

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What Size Living Room for a Sofa?Determine the right living room size for a standard sofa (84-96" wide). A 10x12 room is the minimum for a sofa, coffee table, and walkways.What Size Living Room Do I Need for a Sectional?Find the right living room size for an L-shaped sectional sofa. Most sectionals need a 12x14 room minimum — see clearances, coffee table fit, and layout options.How Wide Does a Hallway Need to Be for a Couch?Find the minimum hallway width for moving a couch. Standard sofas are 32–36 inches deep — corners and L-turns are the real challenge.How Wide Does a Hallway Need to Be for a Sectional?Find the minimum hallway width for sectional pieces. Measure each piece separately — the largest section and the hallway corners determine fit.Will a Couch Fit in a Pickup Truck?Check if your couch will fit in a pickup truck bed. Compare short bed, standard bed, and long bed dimensions against standard sofa sizes.

What to Measure

1Recliner dimensions upright and reclined — a standard recliner is 36" wide x 40" deep when upright; fully reclined, the footrest extends the depth to 66-72" and the back tilts 12-18" rearward
2Wall clearance behind the recliner — traditional recliners need 12-18" between the back of the chair and the wall; wall-hugger recliners need only 3-6" but cost more
3Sofa dimensions if pairing — a standard sofa (84-96" wide x 36" deep) plus a recliner side by side need at least 120-132" of wall length (10-11 feet)
4Traffic flow between recliner and coffee table — when fully reclined, the footrest extends 26-32" from the seat front; verify this does not block the walkway past the coffee table

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pushing a traditional recliner flush against the wall — the recline mechanism needs 12-18" behind the chair; without it, the chair cannot fully recline or may damage the wall
Not measuring the reclined depth — a recliner that is 40" deep upright extends to 66-72" reclined; in a small room this can reach past the coffee table and block the walkway
Placing the recliner in a narrow corner — recliners need clear space on the reclining side; a corner position blocks the footrest extension if furniture or walls are too close
Buying two recliners instead of a sofa for a small room — two recliners (72" total width, plus two recline zones) need more floor space than a 84" sofa with better seating capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What size room for a sofa and recliner?

A 10x10 room is the minimum for a standard sofa (84" wide) and one recliner (36" wide) in an L-shaped layout. The sofa goes against one wall and the recliner in the adjacent corner with 18" of wall clearance behind. For a sofa and two recliners, aim for 12x14 feet.

How much wall clearance does a recliner need?

Traditional recliners need 12-18" between the back of the chair and the wall for the recline mechanism. Wall-hugger (zero-wall) recliners need only 3-6" — they slide the seat forward instead of tilting the back, making them ideal for small rooms.

Can I put a recliner in a small living room?

Yes, if you choose a wall-hugger recliner and plan the layout carefully. A wall-hugger needs only 3-6" from the wall and has the same comfort as a traditional recliner. In a 10x10 room, a wall-hugger recliner paired with an apartment-size sofa (72") leaves room for a small coffee table and walkways.

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