How to Choose a Stylish and Comfortable Armchair

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Are you in search of a soul mate to cuddle up to after a long day? A companion for slow, lazy hours by the fireplace? That perfect personality with just the right touch to spice things up and make your home feel complete? Yup, we’re talking armchairs, baby! They’ll give you all of the love with none of the hard work.

The only tricky part might be trying to decide between all the tempting candidates out there. Some will woo you with their trendy looks, others will have you wanting to drape yourself all over them with their ‘come hither’ cushiness. But if you’re going to find a winner to tick your boxes and work out for the long term, you’ll want to enter the hunting grounds with a clear head and a straight set of priorities.

We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you pick a quality armchair that will hit your style and comfort sweet spots, and be a perfect match for you and your space – whether that’s a place of honour in your living room, a cosy corner of your bedroom, or any spot you can escape to for some sweet stolen moments.

Know what you want in an armchair

The first step in narrowing your search is to decide what you want from this relationship, and where it’s going – the armchair, that is – you should definitely be clear on location beforehand to avoid any custody battles! And of course, you’ll want to know what context you’re going to be working with in terms of décor and functionality in your room of choice.

There are of course thousands of styles of armchairs to choose from, each with their own unique pros, cons and quirks. To start with, we’ll look at three popular types of armchair by function, which tends to sort them into broad categories of style. Ergo (yes, we use Latin here sometimes), knowing your top priority for the purpose of your armchair will help you narrow down what sort of style will best deliver.

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The accent armchair

While sofas are generally our living room stalwarts that anchor and set the tone for the space, armchairs are a great way to add an interesting accent. They allow you to play with exciting patterns, colours and styles without the danger of overwhelming your space – and besides, they’re easy enough to relocate if you decide it’s time for a new conversation!

If you’re looking to add an accent with your armchair, the key is to choose one that clearly stands out and functions as a standalone piece. Pick a style that’s too closely related to your sofa or the rest of your furniture, and the intended ‘statement’ is going to end up as more of a ‘mumble.’

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Accent chair styles change with the trends, so it’s hard to pin down a particular style category, except to say, you’ll know an accent chair when you see one! Why not take a browse through our armchair collection, including the Replica Eames chair, Spitfire chair, and Hawker Egg Chair for some inspiration!

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The comfy lounger

Not all armchairs were born to be bold, and that’s totally fine with us. Sometimes, all you want is a nest to curl up in with some Netflix or a good book, and something fluffy (cat, dog, unicorn slippers…whatever’s on hand!). While the sofa is great for bonding time with your significant others, a comfy lounger style armchair will be there for you when you just need a happy me-bubble.

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The picture of the ideal comfy lounger may differ a little from person to person, but it’s sure to feature something along the lines of a deeper, wider seat, lower, softer arms, and a cushier, ‘sink-in’ feel. We’re definitely putting our range of lush and lazy recliners, our Granger armchair, and Laurence armchair in this camp!

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Dial in your style

With a clearer idea of the functional style of your ideal armchair, it’s time to think about the finer details like upholstery and colour options.

Colours & patterns – find the right balance

Whether you’re going for an accent chair or an armchair to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your furniture, remember that you’ll always want a good mix of contrast and coordination. Accent chairs will obviously err strongly on the side of contrast, while a ‘wallflower’ type will hone in on coordination – but you still want a bit of both.

To keep a sense of flow, ensure that the armchair you choose picks up on at least one common element or theme from the rest of the room, be it a common accent colour, texture or stylistic element.

If you’re looking to liven up the room, have fun looking at armchairs in interesting patterns and colours to bring in an exciting contrast. However, if your room already features some ‘busy’ and bold elements – a patterned wallpaper, for example – a monochrome armchair that picks up on the dominant colour of the patterned feature will be a good choice to keep a happy balance.

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Upholstery options for personality & practicality

Apart from the overall design, the choice of upholstery is a big part of what gives your armchair its style personality. Leather oozes class and comfort, velvet is tactile and luxurious, wool is classic and cosy, while mixed linens offer a versatile, semi-formal look.

Of course, you’ll probably need to think about some of the practicalities of different upholstery options too, especially where kids and pets are at play (oh so literally). To help you make a more informed decision, you might want to take a look at our guide to leather couches & dogs, the pros and cons of leather vs. fabric upholstery, and why velvet is a more versatile, durable and practical option than you might think!

Check your comfort levels

Whatever you might be looking for in an armchair, whether it’s going to be your go-to spot for morning journaling sessions, your front row seat for movie nights, or simply an occasional chair for you and your guests, there’s no reason to compromise on comfort as part of the package deal.

When you’re shopping for your armchair, be sure to give it a good trial run and use the following checklist to see if it’s hitting all the right notes for your personal comfort zone:

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The seat (aka bum landing zone)

You want the seat of the armchair to be the right level of firm, a comfortable depth and comfortable distance from the floor to allow you to comfortably rest your feet and be able to get up without too much difficulty, even if you’re past your prime yoga days.

The seat back

No matter how laid-back your armchair style, there should always be a decent amount of back support, especially in the lower back region, to keep you comfy for those long, lazy evenings. Armchairs come in a variety of tight back and loose back designs, which not only affects style but comfort levels. If you’re after that extra cushy factor, you’ll probably want to opt for a loose cushioned back – but it’s not make or break, as you can always add a couple of extra loose cushions for custom comfort.

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Armrests

Armrests and loveseat style armchairs will definitely help you get into relaxation mode, as long as they’re the right height and don’t force you into some awkward shoulder-hunch hell – take a seat and check that it helps you fall into a natural, easy posture.

Footrest

This is of course an added bonus for kickin’ back in style - just make sure you have enough space for it. A recliner gives you all the goods in one package, but you can always pick a stylish ottoman or  footstool for a trendy and versatile addition.

Make sure it’s a quality buy

You’ve found your ideal stylish, comfy armchair that’s practical enough for your lifestyle and balances your décor – mission accomplished! But not quite…one last vital quality you need in an awesome armchair is integrity – the guts and grit to stand the test of time to make and ensure this relationship will last! High quality armchairs don’t come cheap, but as always, aim to buy the best quality you can afford.

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Frame quality

The two most common types of frame are wood and steel. Steel is the stronger option and will generally stand up well to heavy use. Wood frames can vary widely in quality, so try to stick with stronger hardwoods. Softer woods like pine come cheaper, but will be prone to warping and other stability issues. Also check for legs that are part of the frame, rather than attached separately. You can do a frame stability spot check by lifting one of the front legs a few inches off the floor and checking whether the adjacent leg uniformly follows suit – if not, it’s a warning sign of a flimsy frame.

Cushion filling

High quality filling in your armchair padding and cushions will ensure it stays comfortable and maintains its shape for many years to come, even after thousands of bum impressions! Filling is commonly made from high density foam (polyurethane), which may be wrapped in softer materials for a cushioning effect. Higher density foam promises better quality, so beware of cheaper, low density foams which will break down and lose their shape over time. Cushions filled with natural fibres offer a softer alternative – with down being the softest (and most expensive) – but these will require daily attention to keep a good shape. A combination of synthetic and natural fibres can offer the best of both worlds, but will also likely come at a premium price.

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Ready to go out and tick all those boxes? Your ideal armchair bosom buddy is definitely out there waiting for you – and we wish you the best of luck in your search!

Don’t forget to check out Cielo’s extensive online range of armchairs, recliners and occasional chairs that promise the best value for money when you’re looking for style, comfort and quality. And be sure to head to one of our showrooms to ‘interview’ some of your favourite candidates in person!

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