a reclining chair having a seat , backrest , side supports and a reclining mechanism which includes a backrest bracket rigidly affixed to the backrest and pivotably mounted to a side support bracket , the side support bracket being rigidly affixed to a side support . a seat support bracket is rigidly affixed to the seat and pivotably mounted to a side support bracket . a coupler link has one end pivotably connected to the backrest bracket and a second end pivotably connected to the seat support bracket . the axis of rotation of the backrest is located so as to pass approximately through the hips of a chair occupant . further , the linkages are so selected and arranged that the reclining motion and return motion take place by a horizontal translation of the center of gravity of the occupant to minimize the effort required to operate the reclining mechanism through its range of movement .