Typically, a safe needs to be placed at a minimum distance of 12-18 inches between a reclining sofa and the wall for a smooth reclining experience. This distance ensures that the sofa can fully recline without coming into contact with the wall, reducing the risk of potential injuries.
However, if your reclining sofa features a headrest, it is advisable to provide an additional 6 inches of space between the sofa and the wall, allowing the headrest to recline fully. Remember, this distance may also vary due to many reasons; keep reading this guide to learn more.
Key Takeaways
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]
- Reclining sofas require different distances from the wall based on their type: basic recliners need 12-18 inches, while wall-hugger recliners need around 6 inches.
- To determine the wall clearance, check the manufacturer’s specifications or measure the sofa yourself by pulling it away from the wall and measuring the depth.
- Consider other factors like footrest extension or headrests, and add a few inches to the measured depth for proper functionality.[/su_note]
How Far Does a Reclining Sofa Need to Be From the Wall?
When it comes to recliners, they typically require more space than standard armchairs, and some even have the ability to rock back and forth. The amount of distance needed between a recliner and a wall for full reclining varies depending on the type of recliner.
Typical/ Basic Recliners
For a basic recliner, it is generally recommended to have at least 12-18 inches of space in front of the wall to allow it to open completely. And furthermore, keep in mind the recliner sofa different types and features.
To ensure optimal comfort, it is advisable to provide a little extra room to prevent the headrest from almost touching the wall when fully reclined. I also have a guide on keeping reclining sofa away from wall, and how to protect?
Wall-Hugger Recliners
On the other hand, a space-saving recliner, also known as a wall-saver or wall-hugger recliner, requires approximately 6 inches of space between the wall and the headrest in an upright position.
It’s crucial to remember that different manufacturers may have some different requirements, with some needing even less distance for reclining.
How To Place a Recliner Near a Wall?
Well, certain considerations should be considered as well.
Pull the Recliner a Few Inches Forward If It Touches the Wall.
If the recliner comes into contact with nearby wall or curtains when fully reclined, it is recommended to pull the recliner a few inches forward to ensure the curtains can open and close freely. Read more if you’re not sure how to determine if reclining sofas go against a wall?
Leave a Few Inches of Space Behind the Recliner for Heaters.
Additionally, leave some inches of room behind the recliner to accommodate heaters or air vents, preventing the chair from becoming an obstruction or safety hazard.
Size Guide for Recliners (Detailed Table Given)

Since the size of your recliner may also supervise the distance between the recliner and wall, it’s essential to look at the different sizes of the recliner. This will help you efficiently determine which recliner type will typically take more space.
Here’s a table/ recliner size chart showcasing the dimensions of different recliners:
Standard
Recliner Type | Width (inches) | Depth (inches) | Height (inches) |
Small | 29-30 | 33.5-37.5 | ≥ 39 |
Medium | 32-38 | 33.5-42 | 37.5-43 |
Large | 40-44 | ≥ 39 | 39-42 |
La-Z-Boy
Recliner Type | Width (inches) | Depth (inches) | Height (inches) |
Petite | 28-33.5 | 34.5-38 | 39-39.5 |
Small | 32-35 | 36-39 | 39-41 |
Tall | 33-40 | 37-40 | 42-43 |
Extra Tall | 33-40 | 36-43 | 41-45 |
Eames
Recliner Type | Width (inches) | Depth (inches) | Height (inches) |
Standard | 33.5 | 35 | – |
Tall | 33.25 | 37.75 | – |
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]Note: The height dimension for the Eames recliner’s standard version is not provided in the given table.[/su_note]
Recliner Sofa
Recliner Type | Width (inches) | Depth (inches) | Height (inches) |
Standard | 32-36 | – | – |
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]Note: The depth and height dimension for the reclining sofa’s standard version is not provided in the table.[/su_note]
How To Determine the Wall Clearance?
When positioning a reclining sofa counter to a wall, it is crucial to find the appropriate wall clearance.
Well, the wall clearance refers to the space between the sofa’s back and the wall it rests against, ensuring that the reclining mechanism can operate smoothly without causing any damage to the wall or the sofa itself.
If you don’t know the wall clearance of your sofa, here are a few ways to determine it before placing recliner against the wall.
Check Manufacturer’s Specifications
If you want to know the wall clearance, first, consult the manufacturer’s specifications. Many sofas are explicitly designed to be placed against a wall, and their product information will include specific requirements for wall clearance.
Review these specifications to obtain precise measurements and clearance recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Measure Your Reclining Sofa.
If you are not pursuing the first method, you can measure the reclining sofa and determine the clearance yourself. This is how you can do this.
1. Clear the Space
Ensure there are no obstructions or objects around the reclining sofa that may interfere with accurate measurements.
2. Pull the Sofa Away
Gently pull the reclining sofa away from the wall, creating enough space to access the back of the sofa and make measurements.
3. Measure the Depth
- Grab a measuring tape.
- Measure from the back of the sofa to the furthest point of the footrest or when the recline is fully extended.
- Take note of this measurement to determine the minimum wall clearance required.
4. Assess the Reclined Position
- Consider the reclined position of the sofa. If the footrest extends outward, ensure to account for the additional space needed.
- Measure from the back of the sofa to the fully extended footrest to get an accurate idea of the reclined depth.
5. Determine the Wall Clearance
- Calculate the safe distance between the sofa and the wall by adding a few inches to the measured depth.
[su_note note_color=”#fff3ad”]Note: This additional space accounts for the reclining mechanism and allows the sofa to fully recline without hitting the wall.[/su_note]
- Note down the final measurement, which represents the minimum wall clearance required for proper functionality.
6. Consider Other Factors
Take into account any other features or attachments on the reclining sofa that may require additional clearance.
For example, if the sofa has a headrest, you may need to leave extra space between the sofa and the wall to accommodate the headrest when fully reclined. Read more about making recliner stay reclined and how to do it perfectly?
How to Measure a Person for a Recliner Chair?
It’s essential to buy a suitable recliner with appropriate recliner dimensions for tall man. For this, the first step is to measure the person. Well, to measure a person for a recliner chair, you can follow these steps:
- Measure the person’s height from the floor to the top of their head.
- Measure the person’s hip width by measuring the distance between the outer points of their hips.
- Consider the person’s weight capacity to ensure the recliner can adequately support their weight.
FAQs
How Long is a Recliner When Reclined?
The length of a recliner when fully reclined can vary relying on the particular model and design. On average, a recliner can extend to a length of approximately 60 to 80 inches when in the reclined position.
How Much Room Do You Need for a Wall Hugger Recliner?
Wall hugger recliners are made in a way to require less space between the recliner and the wall compared to traditional recliners.
Typically, a wall hugger recliner requires approximately 3 to 6 inches of clearance between the back of the recliner and the wall to fully recline without hitting the wall.
How Close to a Wall Can a Wall Recliner Be?
Wall recliners, also known as wall-hugger recliners, are designed to require minimal space between the recliner and the wall. On average, a wall recliner can be placed as close as 3 to 6 inches to the wall, depending on the specific model and its clearance requirements.
Can a Reclining Sofa Be Against a Wall?
Yes, a reclining sofa can be placed against a wall. However, it is important to ensure that there is enough clearance between the back of the reclining sofa and the wall to allow for proper functioning of the reclining mechanism and to prevent any damage to the sofa or the wall.
How Much Space Do You Need Behind a Reclining Sofa?
The space needed behind a reclining sofa can vary depending on the reclining mechanism and design. As a general guideline, it is recommended to have at least 12 to 18 inches of space behind the reclining sofa to allow for the full extension of the recliner without hitting any obstacles.
How Far Should a Reclining Sofa Be From the Wall?
Generally, it is recommended to leave a minimum of 4-6 inches up to a 18 inches of space between the back of the reclining sofa and the wall to allow for smooth reclining without obstruction.
For your information, the actual space can vary from model to model and types to type. If you want to know more, you can read about the actual fitting of recliner against a wall to better understand the topic.