Single Recliner Chairs

Single recliner chairs and armchair recliners for every room

A single recliner chair — also called a recliner armchair, single armchair recliner, or single seat recliner — is the most versatile recliner configuration we stock. Unlike a 2-seater or 3-seater lounge, a single chair sits anywhere: a reading nook, a home office corner, a bedroom, an accent position in a formal lounge, or paired alongside a multi-seater lounge as part of a complete recliner suite.

Across our range, single recliner chairs are available in standard, swivel, rocking, and swivel-rocking variants, in both electric and manual mechanisms, and across leather and fabric upholsteries. Whether the chair anchors a smaller space on its own or completes a multi-piece lounge suite, the right single recliner gives you all the comfort of a full reclining lounge without the footprint.

The four single recliner styles we stock

Single recliner chairs come in four base configurations. Each adds (or doesn't add) a different motion to the standard recline action. Knowing the difference helps narrow the search before you start shopping.

Standard single recliner chair

The standard single recliner sits in a fixed position — the recline action works without the chair rotating or rocking. This is the most affordable starting point and a strong choice for fixed positions like a reading nook against a wall, a home office desk pairing, or a permanent accent corner. Available in both manual and electric.

Swivel recliner chair

A swivel recliner adds 360° rotation to the recline function. Useful when you want to face different directions from the same chair — towards the TV, towards a conversation circle, or out a window. Ideal for open-plan living rooms where the chair sits in the middle of the space rather than against a wall.

Rocking recliner chair

A rocking recliner adds a gentle back-and-forth rocking motion when the chair is in its upright closed position — the rocking stops once you engage the recliner. The two motions are used sequentially: rock while sitting upright, then pull the lever when you want to lay back. Popular for nursery seating, reading sessions, and households that find rocking soothing.

Swivel-rocking recliner chair

The swivel-rocker combines all three actions: 360° rotation, gentle rocking, and full recline. It's the most versatile single recliner configuration — and the most often chosen for living rooms where the chair sees varied use throughout the day. The trade-off: more moving parts, slightly higher price point.

How to choose your single recliner chair

Three decisions narrow the choice quickly: motion type (standard / swivel / rocking / swivel-rocking, covered above), mechanism (electric or manual), and upholstery material.

Electric or manual?

Electric single recliners adjust at the touch of a button. Many of our electric chairs include extras like USB charging ports, adjustable headrests, and dual motor configurations for independent backrest and headrest control. Manual single recliners use a lever or pushback mechanism — simpler, more affordable, and reliable over the long term. Both deliver the same core comfort; the choice usually comes down to budget and feature preference.

Leather, suede or fabric?

Leather single recliner chairs deliver a rich finish that ages with character and wipes clean easily — a strong choice for accent placement in a formal lounge or pairing with a leather 2-seater or 3-seater. Suede options offer a softer, more contemporary feel. Fabric is the easy-care choice for households with kids and pets, and for casual rooms like home offices or reading corners.

Will it fit your space?

Most single recliner chairs are 80–95 cm wide. Standard reclining mechanisms need 60–90 cm of clearance behind the chair for the recline action — though if floor space is tight, look for a wall-hugger model that needs only 8–15 cm. Swivel models also need clear space around the chair (around 30–40 cm from any wall or other furniture) so the rotation doesn't catch on anything.

Where a single recliner chair works best

Single recliner chairs are versatile in a way that lounges aren't. Common placements:

• Reading nooks — beside a window, paired with a side table and reading lamp. Manual recliners with rocking motion work especially well here.
• Home offices — a comfortable break from a desk chair, ideal for review reading, video calls, or quick rest periods. Electric recliners with USB charging suit this use.
• Bedrooms — corner accent piece for getting dressed, reading before bed, or feeding (rocking variants in nurseries).
• Open-plan living rooms — swivel recliners excel here, since they rotate to face the TV, a conversation circle, or out a window.
• Pairing with a multi-seater lounge — single chair plus a 2-seater or 3-seater forms a complete recliner suite (covered below).
• Accent piece in a formal lounge — leather single recliners as a contrasting style note.
• Compact apartments — when a 2-seater is too large, a single recliner gives you full-feature comfort in roughly half the footprint.

Featured single recliners in our range

A few single recliner chairs worth knowing by name:

• Boston Dual Motor Electric Recliner Chair — featured in the hero above. Dual motor electric for independent backrest and headrest control, suited to longer reading or TV sessions.
• Bentley Recliner Chair — sister single chair to the popular Bentley 2-seater range, available in matching upholstery for buyers building a complete suite.
• Bliss Single Recliner Chair — a popular fabric single recliner suited to relaxed living rooms and reading corners.

Each product page lists the specific motion type (standard, swivel, rocking, or swivel-rocking), mechanism (electric or manual), upholstery, and any included features. Recline feel and balance are hard to capture in product photos, so ask which showroom has the one you like on display.

Pairing a single recliner with a 2 or 3-seater

A matched single recliner chair turns a 2-seater or 3-seater lounge into a complete recliner suite. The classic configurations:

• 3 + 2 + 1 — 3-seater + 2-seater + single chair. Seats six, fits most family living rooms.
• 3 + 1 + 1 — 3-seater + two single chairs. Seats five with more individual seating flexibility.
• 2 + 1 + 1 — 2-seater + two single chairs. Suited to compact rooms or apartments.

Buying matched pieces individually works, but if you're furnishing a whole living room from scratch, our recliner packages include matched 3+2+1 and 3+1+1 sets at a lower combined price than buying separately. The Concord and Armdale ranges cover a few of these configurations across both electric and manual options.

Visit a Showroom or Order for Delivery

Single recliner chairs are best chosen in person. The differences between standard, swivel, rocking, and swivel-rocking come through in motion and balance much more than in product photos — and the right body fit (seat depth, back angle, armrest height) matters more for a single chair than it does for a multi-seater. Ask which of our five South-East Queensland showrooms has the model you like on display:

• Rocklea — Brisbane south-west
• North Ipswich — Ipswich
• Virginia — Brisbane north
• Bundall — Gold Coast
• Beenleigh — Logan / between Brisbane and Gold Coast

We offer Free Local Delivery on eligible items within 10 km of our Rocklea warehouse when you pay outright (not pay later), ground floor only, with affordable delivery available to the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Logan and wider regional Queensland.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the difference between a single recliner chair and a recliner armchair?

  In Australian usage these terms are interchangeable — a single recliner chair, recliner armchair, single armchair recliner, and single seat recliner all refer to the same piece of furniture: a one-person chair with a built-in reclining mechanism. "Single recliner chair" tends to be used more often in furniture catalogues and product specs; "recliner armchair" is more common in everyday conversation.

• What's the difference between standard, swivel, rocking, and swivel-rocking recliners?

  A standard single recliner reclines but doesn't rotate or rock — the chair stays in a fixed position. A swivel recliner adds 360° rotation around its centre. A rocking recliner adds a gentle back-and-forth motion. A swivel-rocking recliner combines all three: rotation, rocking, and recline. The right choice depends on placement: standard works against a wall, swivel suits open-plan rooms, rocking suits reading and nursery use, and swivel-rocking is the most versatile but slightly more expensive.

• How much space does a single recliner chair need?

  Most single recliner chairs are 80–95 cm wide. Add 60–90 cm of clearance behind for the recline action — or just 8–15 cm if you choose a wall-hugger model. Swivel models also need around 30–40 cm of clearance on the sides so the rotation doesn't catch on a wall, side table, or other furniture. So for a standard placement you're looking at around 80–95 cm wide × 150–180 cm deep when fully reclined. Always measure before buying and factor in the path to the chair.

• Can I match a single recliner chair with a 2 or 3-seater lounge?

  Yes — pairing a single recliner with a 2-seater or 3-seater lounge to form a complete suite is one of the most common buying patterns. Our Bentley range, for example, includes a single chair, 2-seater, and 3-seater all in matching upholstery. The classic combinations are 3+2+1 (seats six), 3+1+1 (two singles for more flexible seating), and 2+1+1 (compact rooms). If you're furnishing from scratch, our recliner packages bundle these configurations at a lower combined price than buying separately.

• Are single recliner chairs good for reading nooks and home offices?

  Single recliner chairs are ideal for both. For a reading nook, a manual recliner with built-in lumbar support pairs well with a side table and reading lamp — a rocking variant adds a soothing motion that suits longer reading sessions. For a home office, an electric single recliner with USB charging ports gives you a comfortable break-zone option distinct from your desk chair, useful for review reading, video calls, or quick rest periods. Bedrooms and nurseries also work well, particularly with rocking variants.

• Should I get an electric or manual single recliner chair?

  Electric single recliners win on convenience and precise positioning, with optional features like USB charging, adjustable headrests, and dual motor control. Manual single recliners win on price, simplicity, and reliability over very long periods (no motors to wear out). For everyday use, both deliver the same core comfort. If you watch a lot of TV, read for hours, or want fine-grained position control, electric is usually the right call. If you want the most chair for your budget or prefer fewer electronics in the long term, manual is the practical choice.