Why choose an armchair?

You should choose an armchair when you want a comfortable extra seat and a calm spot of your own to relax in. As a single seat, armchairs settle easily into all sorts of spaces and works just as well in the living room, the hallway or a bedroom reading corner. An armchair is also one of the nicest ways to give a room more character. It often pays to pick an armchair that stands out from the rest of your furniture through its colour or shape, since that adds an appealing contrast and makes the whole room look more finished.

How to choose an armchair?

To choose an armchair, start by thinking about what you need it for and where in your home it will sit. Different uses call for different qualities from an armchair, so it's worth weighing up seat depth and softness, along with how much support you want. For watching television or reading, a softer, more relaxed armchair such as a [recliner] often works well, with a seating position that stays loose but supported enough. For conversation, a more upright armchair suits better, sitting naturally alongside your other furniture.

What size armchair should I choose?

The right size of armchair always depends on the room size and the furniture around it, as well as the walkways you need to keep clear. Its proportions should feel natural next to everything else. A larger sofa usually calls for a generous armchair, while a heavy armchair can quickly feel overbearing beside lighter furniture. Think about how people move around the room too. Leaving enough space around an armchair means you can walk past it easily and sit down without a squeeze. When an armchair joins a sofa group, its distance from the sofa and coffee table decides whether the arrangement feels cramped or open.

How do I choose an armchair for a small room?

For a small room, choose a slim armchair with an airy frame and legs that are clearly on show. When there's visible floor space beneath the chair, the whole arrangement feels lighter and the room more open. A lower back can work better than a tall one in a small space, because it doesn't block the line of sight as much. Colour matters as well. A pale armchair tends to blend in more softly, while a dark shade makes the chair stand out and can draw attention to its size in a way you might not want.

What makes an armchair comfortable?

An armchair feels comfortable when the seat height and seat depth suit you and the cushioning matches your taste. The sitting position usually feels natural when your feet reach the floor and your knees sit roughly level with your hips. Seat depth makes a big difference to comfort. A seat that's too shallow can feel unsteady, while one that's too deep tends to leave you slouching. Softness comes down to personal preference in the end, though a medium-soft seat cushion suits most everyday use.

What types of armchairs are available?

Armchairs come in many types, and the right model depends on how you'll use it and the style of the room it sits in. For relaxing, recliners and lounge chairs offer a more comfortable seating position than usual. Wingback and Chesterfield armchairs suit classic interiors, while a modern space lends itself to a swivel, an armless model or a clean-lined design armchair. A vintage armchair brings personality, and it's a good choice when you want a layered, lasting look in your interior.

Where to place an armchair?

Place an armchair so that it supports how the room is used and sits naturally with your other furniture. First, think about what you want to look at from the chair, whether that's the television, the view through a window or the people you're talking to. Keep the walkways in mind as well. Leaving enough room around an armchair lets you pass by without effort and stops the space from feeling cramped.

Where to place an armchair in a living room?

In a living room, place an armchair so that it forms a natural seating group with the [sofa] and your other furniture. An armchair often works well angled slightly towards the sofa, which keeps conversation easy and the space inviting. If the living room has a rug, set the armchair at least partly on top of it. Doing so ties the furniture together visually and makes the seating area feel more unified.

Where to place an armchair in a bedroom?

In a bedroom, place an armchair according to whether it's meant for reading or for decoration. A good spot for a reading corner is often in the corner of the room or near a window. Leave space beside the chair for a [floor lamp] or a [side table], so it earns its place day to day rather than becoming a mere ornament. If the armchair is more of an accent piece, an empty corner is a good home for it and softens the look of the room. In a large bedroom, a pair of armchairs at the foot of the bed can create a hotel-like feel.

Which armchair material should I choose?

Choose an armchair material based on how you'll use it, how comfortable you want it to be and how much everyday wear it needs to take. Different materials suit different homes and rooms, so it's worth thinking about how often the armchair will be used and how easy it should be to clean. In public spaces and in homes with children or pets, durability and easy care tend to matter most. For quieter use, you can put more weight on how the material feels and looks, and how well it fits the rest of your interior.

Should I choose a fabric or leather armchair?

Choose between a fabric and a leather armchair based on whether you want a soft surface or a low-maintenance one. Neither material is automatically better than the other, since both have their strengths. Fabric upholstery usually offers more choice in colours and patterns, and many people find a fabric armchair soft and pleasant to live with. Fabric can pick up dirt more easily than leather, though, while many marks wipe straight off a leather surface. Leather develops a beautiful patina over the years, but it does need the occasional treatment with a product made for leather. A leather armchair can feel cool in winter and a little sticky in summer against the skin.

Which armchair material is easiest to clean?

The easiest armchair material to keep clean is leather, because many stains wipe straight off its surface. Leather also doesn't absorb dust and odours the way many textiles do, which makes it a practical choice for everyday life. Even so, leather needs some care to keep the surface looking good. If a stain has time to soak in, it can be hard to remove completely. Still, small marks and the patina that come with use are often part of a leather armchair's character.