How To Choose A Lounge Chair That Doesn't Sacrifice Style

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When it comes to furnishing your home, it often feels like you have to sacrifice comfort for style — or, conversely, style for comfort. But who says you can't have both? For a long time, buying a lounge chair equated to buying some sort of bulky recliner — and, admittedly, that might still be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a lounge chair. But comfortable furniture has come a long way over the years, and these days there are plenty of options on the market that beautifully balance comfort and style — including lounge chairs. 

There are a few important things to keep in mind when shopping for a stylish lounge chair, with color, size, and material being the most essential. You want the chair to harmonize with your existing decor so it feels intentional in the room. So, if your living room already features a beige or white sofa and a wooden coffee table, for example, consider a taupe or brown lounge chair in leather, velvet, corduroy, or even boucle. Alternatively, you can make your lounger an accent chair that will add a focal point to your living room by choosing a pop of color — like a rich green or blue, or a desert-inspired shade of ochre or terracotta — the new color palette that will take over 2026 trends. Still, make sure to pick an accent color that works with the overall scheme. 

Once you have an idea of color and size, the fun part begins — choosing the style of lounge chair. And luckily, there are countless options on the market today in terms of style and shape, with one of the most popular being deep, oversized square or circular loungers — like this plush corduroy Amsleekey Oversized Sleeper Chair from Amazon. These generously sized designs are perfect for afternoon naps and cozy movie nights, though they tend to work best in larger living rooms since they take up quite a bit of space. 

If you're working with a smaller area but still want something really cozy feeling, consider a long, slim lounge chair — such as this Modern Linen Chaise Lounge Chair from Walmart — which gives you that relaxed, stretched-out feel without the bulk. You could also choose a classic lounge chair with an ottoman, which lets you put your feet up when you want to relax and tuck the ottoman out of the way when you need extra floor space. Finally, if you love the comfort of a recliner but hate the look of traditional bulky leather styles — like the infamous old-school barcaloungers — you're in luck. Today's recliners are far more sophisticated and blend seamlessly into a variety of interiors. This WingBack Recliner Chair from Walmart, for instance, is a comfy chair alternative that puts clunky recliners to shame. It would beautifully complement any style of decor, from modern and mid-century to boho-chic and minimalist. And the best part is that it doesn't even look like a recliner when it's not extended.