DS/DIL have one in their small FR and it does eat up the space. I think you can forget squeezing by the wall for access. Theirs is set up near a wall and no one ever goes to that side to sit down.
I've found that you either sit on the edge or commit yourself fully and climb onto the chaise.

If you're still having back problems you may better better off with another recliner or a chair/ottoman setup. I'm one that has back problems off and on and I find I can't get comfortable on the chaise.

I think it will be just fine with your things. It has simplicity, and is not screamingly modern. I would measure carefully, to be sure that the added length of the chaise allows leg room for whoever is sitting in the leather chair.

Is the doorway beside the leather chair a wide one? If so, you could pull the chair out a bit and let it sit a little bit in that space, and still be able to get into the room comfortably. And if you can do that, I might pull the chaise forward 15 inches or so; enough to allow you to use the windowsill as a side table. I'd add a narrow table or shelf behind the chaise and put a couple of pretty things on it, to relax that end of the room, and make an attractive transition back to the wall. (Not to mention a great new hidey-hole for the kitties...)

But now I want to see your ladder-kitty tower. It looks like a terrific idea! My kitties need such a thing, but every time I consider spending $300 for an attractive big sturdy one, I balk. And what you have done is potentially far more stylish than those big carpeted monolithic Things....

I think you might be better off with a comfortable love seat and a separate ottoman that stretches across just one side of the love seat. To my mind, it would be easier for people to get in and out of the love seat this way, than a chaise. (Honestly, I can't imagine how you would seat yourself on a chaise with a cup of tea or plate in hand). If you placed the ottoman in front of the new loveseat on the window side, it would look nice. It could also be placed under the window for additional seating when you needed it. If the love seat you have is comfortable, maybe you talk to an upholsterer about it, and they could probably make you the ottoman as well.

If you're looking for traditional, there are wing back chairs that recline.

Doesn't look very comfortable to me. Have you sat in one?

The style of the chaise is transitional and you could always change out the feet. However, have you considered buying two recliners and putting them side by side? Then, you would still have the comfort you desire and you would be able to find a style and fabric that suit you better than what you've found with the reclining loveseats.

I dont think the style is too modern, and would go with the rest of your furniture. Personally, I dont care for chaise in the family room. I like to see them in bedrooms.

OK, you all are making me think before I leap, and that is good.

I can see where no one is really going to access the chaise via the wall side. The room is really only used by DH and me, except when DS is home. Then the teens sprawl around the space. During holidays, adults are in kitchen or living room, and again the teens and young adults sprawl in the TV room. So, I'm not sure that lack of both sided access is that big a factor, but still, something to think about.

No, I haven't sat in it, and I definitely should. That is going to require a bit of travel to a Lee outlet.

As for getting two recliners, that is an idea, but I'm not sure if I have the room.

The green chair actually has a matching ottoman. It usually ends up being just one more surface to place more junk on. :( But I have thought about gettting a larger ottoman, a round one might be nice. But I have to solve the seating issue.

Bronwynsmom, here is a pic of the cat ladder for you. DH and DS made it using a small wooden ladder, rope, and carpet remnants when DS was about 8. DS also had a system of tunnels coming out from the brown tunnel. Those eventually got dismantled. The cats love this thing and they do tend to limit their scratching to the legs of the ladder. The top is also good for stashing pillows away from chewing puppies.
{{!gwi}}

I own a chaise and in my opinion, it's not a good option as your primary seating. Chaises are for people who have the space to handle furniture groupings. Some people even place them like you would a sculpture, to be viewed but really not so much to be sat upon. They're lovely to look at but not very practical, which is why mine will soon either go into storage waiting for the day I expand my bedroom enough to accomodate it or it will go to consignment.

First of all, as someone noted above, they're space eaters. This gives you no options for furniture arrangement, as opposed to, say, a chair and ottoman. Secondly, there are very few chaises designed at an angle for a person to rest comfortably(way too many designers lack knowlege of geometry and ergonomics IMHO). It's also a mystery to me why more furniture designers don't give their chaises a reclining function that will let the chaise rest at different angles. Outdoor furniture designers figured this out a long time ago--not everyone is comfortable reclining at the same angle, and even if the angle is a comfortable one, people want options of being able to sit up straighter for eating/drinking, or lying flat for sleeping. From the looks of yours, you're not going to have those options either.

My advice is to google "modern recliners" and find a recliner that is aesthetically pleasing and way more functional and space-saving than that chaise. They're out there, I promise. I've linked to some of them below. Don't be scared of the word modern--in some cases all it means is that the lines are clean and there's no "puffy chair" involved. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: modern recliners

Agree that it is a bit too modern for the room, and has a teen or single's pad vide, maybe because it resembles a futon. Think another loveseat recliner or loveseat with seperate ottoman would look better and be more flexible.
We had an oversized chaise in our living room years ago and it was funny how company didn't know what to do with it...they were either standing...or "all in". When I decided to reupholster the chaise, I had it cut in half to make a seperate chair and ottoman- and we've been large ottoman people ever since- very versatile for full out casual lounging or extra seating when the room is full.

Love the kitty play ladder....just picked up a yummy old paint-splattered wood ladder curbside- what a great idea for a kitty living in a shabby chic home.

I think the chaise will dominate the room, and I can't see how it will be good for your back.

I just bought a new La-z-boy, and I was also concerned that I would only find the really puffy ones too .. but I found a really great one that is not puffy, and has great lumbar support. Have you been to a La-z-Boy showroom recently? There are many options these days.

I think it looks like a bed. And does anyone really sit side by side on these things?

A reclining wing back chair or something smaller in scale seems a better option to me.

Another vote for the chair/ottoman combo. It's more versatile, less overwhelming, and would meet the needs of your room. We had thought about a chaise, but changed our minds, for a lot of the reasons already mentioned (and we have a really large room). Whatever you choose, make sure you sit in it to ensure it is comfortable for you. Good luck!

Ykes, when I hear that chaise owners are putting them into storage, and have even cut them in half to make a chair and ottoman, I am taking this seriously!

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I am going to keep looking at loveseats, and if I can find a nice loveseat recliner, I would be very happy.

Love your (inexpensive!) cat tree! A little imagination and hour or two of bothering, and you've made them happy kitties!

Chekc the link below. The Crosby collestion lists a double reclining loveseat, and it's not too puffy. There's a find a store link on the site, too.

I know what you mena aobut the puffy! I plan on replacing my current recliner (leather and puffy!) and want to also trade out my sofa for a large reclining loveseat, but I don't want puffy, either. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Lane Crosby Collection

None of the photos are loading right now and I can't remember how much free space the room has.

If your son is only in the room with you occasionally, why not consider a third chair that doesnÂt take up much room and is easily moved. Since heÂs a teen heÂll probably be comfortable in just about anything. TheyÂre old as the hills, but what about a bean bag? You could put that in front of the picture window. Or a directorÂs chair, or a wooden rocker placed in the general area of the cat's tree and move the tree somewhere else.

Barb, I have sat in a chaise like the Lee one you linked too. Basically it's like being propped up in bed which isn't very comfortable at all with a bad back. I found what I think is a nice alternative at Macy's.com. It's on sale for a very good price too. I've not sat in this since we don't have a Macy's close by, but thought if you did you could check it out. There are other styles out there too that aren't all puffy like what the furniture stores seem to carry.

Here is a link that might be useful: Macy's double reclining sofa.

Straitlover, that Crosby collection does look like something that would go with the general style of things in my house. I don't see how wide they are listing the loveseat as, but I think it would be worth a visit to the store to find out and also to see what else they have.

Justgotabeme, thanks so much for doing some sleuthing for me. That particular sofa is too wide for the space I have, but I had forgotten that Macy's has a furniture department. I'll check it out.

I thought it looked a bit on the wide side. I do hope you find something you like that will fit though. I would love a double recliner for our Gentleman's Parlor, but for now I just bought a couple slipcovers for the two single mis-matched, though the same color, recliners we have. One was my Daddy's so I really hate to replace it.