Buying Guide for Armchairs

Sometimes a sofa just won’t do. For a solitary retreat, a supportive seat or a hideaway, you need an armchair. While modern modular sofas make for dreamy lounging (and great napping), a standalone armchair has other qualities that larger seating simply can’t match. 

Nestled neatly in a corner of a sitting room, study or bedroom, or part of a larger, more sociable set-up in a living space, a classic armchair is an elegant addition to a scheme. To find an option that suits your style and meets your comfort needs, follow the tips in this expert guide. 

Types of armchairs

Each type of armchair comes with a different style, level of comfort and set of dimensions. All three of these factors will come into play when choosing the best option for your space. To help you narrow down the designs, here are some of the most common armchair types. 

Club armchairs

Originating in France, club armchairs were first named ‘fauteuil confortable’ which translates as ‘comfortable armchair’. The deep seat, low back and wide armrests which characterise this design ring true to this definition. 

First manufactured in leather, they’re now available in a range of materials, such as the wool and cotton mix Large George Club Chair. 

Armless chairs

If you’re tight on space or want a modern occasional or accent chair, then armless designs are a good option. Also known as slipper chairs, they have clean lines and a high supportive back. Great for turning unused corners into reading nooks or adding extra seating to a tight living room. 

Contemporary armchair

There are a broad range of designs that fit under the ‘contemporary armchair’ category. From unusual shapes to out-there fabrics and alternative functionalities (like swivel chairs), there’s no single definition of the style. 

Our idea of a modern armchair is one that uses unusual textures and materials to create a focal point in a room, without looking as if it landed in your space in the 1960s. Like the Nomeko Armchair, for example. 

English roll armchair 

If you’re wondering whether an armchair has an English roll design, look at its side profile. The armrests should sit low on the back and have a characteristic L-shape and the back should have a slight lean. From the front, the tops of the arms curve back over themselves slightly and the seat usually fits around them in a T-shape. 

This creates a comfortable, relaxed design that fits most rooms and is irresistible to sit in. Choosing an option with a modern pattern, such as the Ocellus Natural Coleridge Armchair can also make it a stand-out piece. 

Mid-century armchairs

Hallmarked by their elegant, sleek lines, mid-century armchairs typically combine a tapered wooden frame with a comfortable, deep seat and leaning back. Distinctive and contemporary, they make a great accent chair in living spaces and look the part as spare seating in offices.

Winged armchair

If you’re looking for the perfect place to curl up with a good book, look no further than a winged armchair design. Wonderfully cosy and inviting thanks to their ‘wings’ created by a high back and extended sides, these chairs will enfold and support you. 

Luxurious in looks and comfort,  these chairs need very little adornment to look great (a throw slung over the back and a side table to hold your hot coffee should do it).

What armchair size is best?

When choosing the best armchair size, you need to balance the size of the space you intend to place your armchair and your own seating comfort. Measure up the dimensions of this area to make sure your armchair will fit with room to spare for other furniture and your legs. 

Mark out the dimensions using masking tape or newspaper on the floor. This gives you a much clearer sense of how much room the armchair will take up, and also how well its proportions suit the space. Don’t forget to check the height, as the back may clash with window sills or cupboards. 

Once you’ve figured out how much room you’ve got to play with, make sure the seat depth and back height will give you the support you want. For example, if you’re particularly tall or like to curl up on a seat, then a deeper armchair design will be more

How to find the comfiest armchair

As armchairs are functional pieces, they need to be comfortable as well as stylish. So when you’re narrowing down the styles, you need to consider your seating style and preferred fabric.

Seating styles

Picture yourself on a rainy afternoon (never too difficult in the UK), sitting with a hot drink and a good book or a TV show on. How are you sitting? Are you sprawled out over the armrests or sitting straight up? Are your feet on the floor or your legs tucked underneath you? 

Everyone likes to “put their feet up” differently, so make sure you choose an armchair that suits your style best. If you like to curl up with your feet off the floor, for instance, you’ll need an armchair with a spacious seat. 

Aiming for a more formal sit for afternoon teas? Then an upright armchair with a shallower seat and well-placed arms might be best. A good way to make sure you opt for the right design for you (and your space) is by going to a showroom and testing some out.

Upholstery materials

As well as having beautiful details such as embroidery, tassels and piping, the base fabric of an armchair is a key consideration when it comes to comfort. Some of the most common materials used for armchairs include: 

• Cotton which is soft, colourful and easy to clean
• Linen is durable and sustainable as well as comfortable
• Velvet looks and feels luxurious and cosy
• Wool adds warmth to a room and is hard-wearing
• Leather lends a high-end, organic feel that’s easy to care for

Selecting the right option from above will help you add texture to a room as well as ensure your chair is irresistible to sit in.

Choose the right armchair style

A quality armchair will last a long time so, when choosing one, opt for the design that you can see yourself using for years to come. Patterned armchair designs come in a variety of styles and colours, which means finding the perfect match for your room is easier than you might think. 

While patterned upholstery might seem like the more exciting option, a plain covering can add a splash of colour and vivacity to a space just as easily. The choice is down to your personal preference, as well as understanding which design will best complement the space the armchair is destined for. 

When used well, both pattern and block colours have the ability to elevate the appearance of an entire room. Making a well-chosen armchair a great option if you want to update a space without redecorating.