Buyers Guide for Different Armchair Styles and Types

Armchair Styles Buying Guide

An armchair is more than just an extra seat in the house; it is a perfect opportunity to either complement or complete your current sofa set-up.

Armchairs come in a range of different shapes and sizes, and in this article we will cover different armchair styles, tips on where it’s best to place your armchair and other factors to consider within the design, support and sizing.

What are the different armchair styles?

There are a variety of different armchair styles available, all with their own unique features and distinctive shapes that are perfect for all areas around the home from the cosy reading nook to the seat everyone fights for in the living room.

Wingback armchairs:

Wingback armchairs are the ultimate relaxation chair; they offer great comfort and general support that creates a luxurious feeling in your space. Wingback armchairs are more traditional by design, but can also come in contemporary shapes, take our Harlan for example, the show wood leg and curved armrests offer a contemporary take on a classic wingback armchair silhouette. Wingback armchairs can also come equipped with unique features such as a recliner, a footstool, and the ability to swivel, taking your reading time to nap time in seconds.

Accent chairs:

Accent chairs are individual, contemporary stand-alone pieces and are a fantastic way to bring contrast to your space. Accent chairs differ from armchairs as they don’t have a sofa range that they are an extension of, meaning they can bring personality into your home, for example our Brooks armchair can also be purchased with a matching 2 seater, 3 seater sofa, and a chaise sofa. When choosing an accent chair, use this as a chance to showcase your personality, try a new silhouette, fabrics or even just a new colour way, accent chairs are a brilliant way to make your living space look unique.

Cocktail chairs:

Cocktail chairs are more compact than traditional armchairs or occasional chairs and are perfect for smaller living spaces or cosy bedroom corners. Whilst they are versatile in design, a classic design would be our Phoebe cocktail chair, which has a statement fluted backrest design and measurements that are bigger than a standard dining chair but smaller than a traditional armchair. Larger more statement dining chairs such as our Leighton, Cole, or Orion are also practical cocktail chairs for living / bedroom spaces. When styling your cocktail in a smaller open plan living-dining space, pair your cocktail chair with a side table or coffee table to create that warm inviting space away from the dining area.

Tub Armchairs:

Tub armchairs are distinctive u-shaped, huggable chairs that are great as an accent chair in the living room but also another brilliant option for a reading area, they are firmer than typical accent and armchairs and sometimes have a higher seat depth as well. Tub armchairs can be a standalone accent piece like our Miles armchair, with a fully upholstered design, an architectural tripod base, and a mixed mosaic material which creates a rich textural contrast. Tub armchairs can also be part of a matching sofa set like our best selling Florence armchair, with a rounded silhouette, chunky arms, and a dark wood leg and frame detailing.

Swivel Armchairs:

Swivel-based armchairs are the perfect addition into the home, they are a great way to add movement into a room, smaller swivel chairs are great for using in a home office space or in the dining room, to create the perfect reading chair, look out for large accent chairs with a swivel base. Swivel chairs like our Cleo dining chair can either be 180-degree self-correcting or a full 360-swivel, like our Natalia swivel accent chair adding playful functionality to your space, as well as offering a sense of calmness into a room, especially when paired with a soft chenille fabric or a deep toned plush velvet.

Love Seats/ Snuggle armchairs:

Love seats are larger than typical armchairs and can be suitable for up to 2 people, ideal for those cosy, snuggly movie nights. Our Love seats come with their respective 3-seater sofa to accompany them, extending the movie night invite to more people. Love seats typically come in soft-to-touch fabrics such as a chunky weave, a soft chenille fabric, a cosy boucle or a rich velvet.

Where can you place an armchair in your home?

It is a common misconception that armchairs only belong in the living room, however as homes are changing and room uses are becoming more multi-functional, there are multiple uses for armchairs outside of the living room.

Bedroom

Armchairs are becoming increasingly popular in bedrooms, and it’s easy to see why, it breaks up any empty space within a bedroom, and has multiple uses within the room, from becoming a place to read outside of your bed, to a place to pop your socks and shoes in the morning. If your bedroom is on the smaller end, opt for a cocktail chair like our Phoebe Cocktail Chair or a larger dining chair like our Leighton or Asher dining chairs which instead can be used as a statement chair in the room as well as a dressing room chair.

Expert Tip: Place your armchair near a window or by your bedside lamp to create that instant reading nook. Add a small side table for your mug and a soft throw to make it feel intentional, not like a ‘clothes chair.’

Living Room

Armchairs are a wonderful way to create a distinct focal point in your space, or to add more space for guests. If your current sofa set-up has a matching armchair, consider going for a different colour or fabric to maintain the silhouette, for example pairing our Henry olive green 3 seater sofa with the Henry ivory boucle love seat.

Think about placement too. A single armchair angled in towards the sofa can help pull a conversation area together. Two matching armchairs facing a sofa can create a more formal, balanced layout, while a swivel armchair near a window or TV gives you the flexibility to turn between views.

Snug / Home Office

Armchairs and accent chairs are perfect for snugs, reading rooms and home offices – anywhere you want to feel cocooned and comfortable. Accent chairs have a more relaxed, slouch-back seat, which is ideal for switching off from your desk or curling up with a book.

In a home office, a sleek swivel accent chair can be a great alternative to a traditional office chair, especially if you work from a laptop and want to move between focused work and relaxed reading.

What factors should you consider when buying an armchair?

Fabric

What fabric you choose for your armchair will heavily depend on your household situation, and the intention behind why you want to add an armchair to your space. Leather armchairs are a great option for high traffic rooms due to its durability as well as creating a timeless look in your space, to ensure longevity with your leather, opt for a Martindale rub count of at least 30,000, like our Ember accent chair, Luxe chesterfield armchair or Natalia leather accent chair.

If your armchair is part of a bedroom or snug and is off limits to everyone else, a smooth velvet fabric will add warmth and understated luxury to your space, especially in a rich toffee red or olive green. If you are looking to create that cosy reading nook that will create softness and depth either go for a cosy boucle occasional chair, or a soft chenille fabric.

Expert Tip: “Look out for fabrics that may not match but complement existing finishes in your space – e.g. wood, gloss, ceramic or metallic to create a layered elevated interior.”

Additional Features

Armchairs and Accent chairs come in a variety of different additional features and depending on the use of the armchair will dictate what features will be important to consider. Possible armchair & accent chair features include a 360-swivel base, reclining mechanism, matching footstools, built-in USB charging port, a massage cycle and an adjustable headrest.

Seat depth

Depending on what you want from your armchair, the seat depth will affect how high or low you will sit in the chair. The traditional seat depth range is between 54-64cm, for a seat that allows you to linger for longer, opt for a seat with a higher depth like our Henry Loveseats, our Natalia swivel accent chairs, or our Florence armchair. For a quick perch and a more structured support, look for lower seat depths like our dining armchairs and cocktail chairs.

Size and Space

When buying an armchair, ensure you check the measurements of the seat height, the depth and back height carefully, as your armchair needs to be comfortable, and if possible, always assess in person! Measure your doorway and room space especially if you are buying a stand-alone piece against an existing sofa set-up.

As well, bear in mind the scale between the room and the chair, a large reclining accent chair with a footstool may restrict traffic flow and will feel overcrowded in a small compact living room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a “good” armchair for posture and all-day sitting?

When choosing an armchair, it is important you consider three key factors: comfort, posture, and support. The key to this is ergonomic balance, a seat that lets your feet rest flat, your back stay aligned, and your posture feel natural.

How should I go about choosing the right armchair for me?

Whilst the appearance of an armchair does matter, look out for the quality too. Don’t forget to assess the structural element of the armchair to see if it is the right size or sit for you- a hardwood or a metal frame with supportive elements such as webbing or springs is ideal.

It is always worth trying on different armchairs in a showroom yourself, and speak to a member of the customer service team to ensure you are buying an armchair that is best suited for your body.

To Finish…

Choosing the right armchair is a long-term investment, so remember to choose something both timeless but also comfortable and will be able to adapt to how your space can evolve and change. By understanding the different uses and features with armchairs you should now have all the information you need to pick that perfect armchair for your home.