Top Tips For Choosing An Armchair
Choosing an armchair is quite a personal and important choice, and can be plenty of fun shopping for. It can also be quite a challenge so it goes without saying that you can afford to be selfish and choosy in the process. To make sure you get the one you love we have put together our top tips for choosing an armchair for any room in your home.
It’s somewhere to curl up with your book and makes the ideal finishing pieces in your living room. It can be a bold statement piece in the room or act purely as a functional performer. Either way choosing an armchair means you get the opportunity to let your personality shine.
What’s the space
A great armchair should compliment the style you already have but needs to stand out too. Consider all elements in the space such as other furniture, your flooring and wall colours. Lighting will also play a part since an armchair can look grand and timeless with the right mood lighting around it.
Select something that’s eye catching and inviting, and mix textures to create more interest. When you’re making your choice, think about how all your homewares will work collectively. You’ll also have to think about your side tables, coffee table and other pieces of art in the room.
Scale and proportion are key so make sure you think of all pieces in your room. If you have larger items of furniture around a little chair in the corner is going to look insignificant. If you have the space to cater for it, two grand armchairs can look amazing and fit in better with larger sofas.
Upholstery issues
There are so many options available for furniture upholstery. Fabric in just about any colour, shade, pattern or texture can easily be sourced so you’re likely to get what you want. You can add even more contrast by adding studding, piping, skirts and leg styles. Carefully consider these tips for choosing an armchair when you’re out and about searching for fabrics.
When considering upholstery you’ll also need to think about how often your armchair will be used. Is a plush velvet fabric that is used every day going to look plush for long? Equally, why opt for a more hardy and high rub rating fabric if it’s purely going to be decorative. Your fabric choice will add great opulence and dimension in the room.
Sitting pretty
Do you want to sink right into your armchair or feel perched on top? Cushion fill will certainly impact comfort level. You’ll also need to think carefully again about how often your chair will be used when making these choices.
Feather fill is the most decadent option but will need to be constantly fluffed up to maintain it’s shape. Foam will keep its shape for a long time but can be firmer on the behind. There are plenty of people who opt for a feather and foam combo to bring a good balance of practicality and luxury.
Invest some time sitting in different armchairs and make sure it feels like you would expect it to. Check that the arm rests are well placed for you and that your feet aren’t swinging around above the ground.
Pricing preferences
Armchairs can cost you anywhere from minimal to extremely costly for serious designers and brands. It certainly pays to choose with care. Each of the tips in this blog will contribute on some level to the price of your chair. Quality costs more but there are certainly plenty of options on the market that don’t mean you have to spend too much.
If you’re setting your budget high you may want to consider how long that style of chair is going to be in fashion. You could look at more timeless or classic pieces that won’t age in 12 months. Otherwise perhaps opting for a less expensive piece that’s on-trend will see you through until homeware fashions change.
Remember, House & Garden stocks a beautiful range of living room furniture including armchairs, ottomans, coffee tables, sideboards, console tables and homewares. Use our top tips for choosing an armchair to make your purchase an easy and comfortable one.
