Recliners have a lot of advantages. They’re comfortable, they’re versatile and they’re great for relaxing while watching TV, listening to music or reading. In their way they’re handsome, but they can sometimes be large and imposing. In short, they look like recliners. That may be fine in a media room, family room or man cave, but sometimes they grab more attention than you’d like and overpower the other pieces in a room. However, not all modern recliners are so obvious about what they are. There are some that sit quietly and look like ordinary stationary chairs. Until, that is, you sit down and start pushing buttons.

How does a recliner look like a stationary chair?

You may have seen one in a showroom or at a friend’s house and not even noticed it was a recliner. These are plush chairs with straight, clean lines that look like standard stationary chairs. They generally have padded armrests and backs that are upright or slightly tilted. The button or handles are discretely tucked into the arms, but when you start working them the seat can tilt backward, the headrest is adjustable on many models, and a footrest slides out from the base of the chair. When they’re done making you comfortable, and no one is sitting there any longer, they revert to being tasteful accent chairs.

What are the features of these modern recliners?

You have lots of choices when selecting and customizing the stationary-look reclining chair that’s perfect for your home. Your chair can be as formal, causal or modern as you want it to be.

There are durable leather recliners with leather’s classic elegance, and also ones with versatile and attractive fabric upholstery. Many chairs can be ordered with either covering. There is a bounty of colors, patterns and textures to select from. Legs are short, high, curved, turned, rolled, straight and angled. Armrests come in rolled and flared choices. Detailing options include nailhead trim and stylish stitching. In short, just about anything you want in an accent chair is there for you in a recliner.

A few of these chairs have mechanical handles but most are automatic recliners operated by buttons. Your guests will be in for a pleasant surprise when they find these “ordinary” chairs are leather power recliners that lean them back and stretch out their feet at the touch of a finger. As an added feature, many have USB ports so you can keep your device at hand with its battery at full readiness.

How can I use my new modern recliner?

These versatile furnishings are clean and modern, not at all bulky, and may be the perfect item for filling that hole in your living room or other space. They’re just the right combination of comfort and style. It’s one piece that can change not only the way a room looks but also the way you use that room. After all, you’re the one who decides when it will be a conventional chair perfect for formal entertaining and when it will become a recliner that is best suited to relaxing.

Place it in the living room where you want a chair to complement the sofa rather than compete with it. Experiment with a new color or a new style. Use it in a dining room, bedroom or den to avoid crowding the other pieces or making the room feel small. Fill in that part of the room that just seems to be missing a little something. Choose one in a subdued pattern that takes a back seat to the rest of the furniture, or pick a bold color that makes an accent statement.

You can even bring home a matching pair or a pair that contrasts with each other. That way you won’t have to decide whether to offer it to your visitor or claim it for yourself.

Do you like a quiet evening with a book? Set up a reading nook with one of these modern recliners, a side table and a floor lamp. Sit upright when the story excites you or kick back for an added dose of luxurious relaxation.

These chairs are so attractive yet practical that you might find a use for one almost anywhere in the home. Think how convenient it will be to have one or more on stylish standby, waiting for you and your guests to take command and transform them into recliners.