Choosing an armchair is a personal matter – is it a functional piece to actively support your lifestyle, or more of an artistic accent for your room?
The answer will be different for everyone, but what’s not up for debate is the fact a chic armchair is an essential for an living room and a great way to display your trend nous.
Unless it’s an iconic designer piece, an armchair is often easier to replace than a larger couch, so it may also offer a way to switch up the vibe of your interior without completely redecorating the space.
Here’s what to consider before you start looking:
What will the chair be used for?
Curling up with a book, offering a more supportive seating option than a slouchy couch while watching TV, or a bold design touch that completes the aesthetic of your room, are all valid options for seeking out a stylish chair.
If you keep coming back to planned main use of the chair, it will make it easier to choose something that suits you.
How much does comfort matter?
If you plan to regularly use the chair, or expect guests to use it, it needs to be comfortable.
An armchair should have a firm, well-made base and frame and be easy to get up from. It should also have a seat depth and height that allows your feet to rest easily on the floor.
Decide if you prefer firm or soft cushions or if you will add throw pillows or a blanket. Firm cushions provide more support, while softer ones offer a more relaxed feel.
Do you enjoy having your feet up? A foot rest or ottoman may factor into your armchair choice.
Consider the size of the room
Measure your space before starting your hunt to make sure any armchair fits the intended area and layout without overcrowding.
The chair’s proportions are key – a large armchair can overwhelm a small space, while a small one might get lost in a large room. It needs to work and look cohesive with other furniture too. For example, if a room is dominated by a modern, large, low-slung couch, a vintage wingback chair might look out of place.
If placed near a coffee table, it may work to have two armchairs placed together to encourage conversational use. Two chairs places slightly to the side of a sofa can also help create different ‘zones’ to a larger room or space.
It’s important to ensure its size and placement allows people to move freely around the chair.
What is it upholstered with?
Do you want the luxe-but-cool feel of leather, a hard-wearing textile, or something like bouclé or velvet that offers a soft and cosy texture to snuggle into?
Factoring children in may guide your selection to a more stain-resistant or darker colour option.
Taking into account the colour palette, textures, and patterns that are already in the room it will be placed in will also guide this decision.
How much are trends important to you?
Do you want a classic or vintage feel, or something bang-up-to-date?
Rounded shape armchairs, with smooth flowing backrests, and organic shapes have been popular recently and show no signs of slowing down, while mixed-material options like steel and leather, or wood and upholstery, have nods back to key design periods of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
If you’re wanting the item to last and have a ‘buy once, buy well’ ethos, a classic design is your best bet over anything too trend-driven.
Higher backs are more formal, while low profile can invite conversation and relaxation.
