How can I cover or otherwise improve the look of this recliner?

Hello, you can paint it! Any color you like to match your decor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xT5VDt89_I

It is what it is because its shape defines it more definitely than the color or the fabric. And that can't be changed.

leather and faux leather will wear in time not much you can do about that

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/painting-stencil-leather-club-chair-5306052

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/q-hometalk-painting-leather-chair-4929294#!

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/q-two-chairs-failing-is-there-a-paint-on-fix-for-leather-or-faux-10448623

Wow! This is one of the hardest questions to answer. Your chair looks like something my husband would buy and think looks fine. You can't get around the puffiness or the width of the arms. I'm going to keep an eye on this just to see the answers. If this is vinyl I don't think paint will work in the long run, unless it's spray paint.

I bought a horrible looking recliner for my screened porch,

because it was comfortable. it’s only saving grace is it’s white wicker sides below the armrest.

I bought some Marimekko fabric on eBay, hemmed it all around, and slung it over the padded part. The downside was that the sides are visible, so I painted over the fabric, to change the tone of them.

I did the same to other chairs on the porch, and when they need a clean, I pop them in the washer and dryer. And I rotate which ones go on which chairs.All the fabric is Marimekko from sellers on eBay, I got three yards for the recliner, and for the settee, and two yards for the brown chair.( and more in the drawer for variety) and all three pieces have been dry brushed with various colors, to go with the fabric.The pillows came from Jerusalem, Druze craft stall in the Old City.

Not sure if this is leather or vinyl but if it’s leather there are a lot of leather paints/dyes you can buy in some really awesome colors and they come in handy on shoes and purses too.