Armchairs | Accent Chairs

Choosing an armchair for comfort and room scale

Begin with use. An upright high-back chair supports reading and conversation, a deeper lounge chair encourages relaxed sitting, and a swivel base can make an open-plan seating area more flexible. If the chair includes an ottoman, measure the complete reclining footprint rather than the chair alone.

Consider who will use it most often and compare seat height, depth, back angle, arm position and cushion firmness. Appearance does not determine comfort, so product-specific dimensions and construction should guide the choice.

Accent, lounge, swivel and high-back chairs

Accent chairs bring colour, texture or a stronger silhouette to a room. Lounge chairs place greater emphasis on relaxed posture, while swivel armchairs can turn between a sofa arrangement, window and conversation area. High-back designs visually enclose the sitter and can create a more focused reading position.

A chair with a footstool provides flexible leg support but needs additional open floor area. Check that the ottoman can be moved without narrowing the main walkway and that a side table remains within comfortable reach.

Bouclé, velvet, fabric and leather upholstery

Bouclé adds tactile depth to rounded forms, velvet changes tone as the pile catches the light, and woven fabric creates a quieter everyday finish. Leather gives a lounge chair more structure and develops character through use, although exact grain and care requirements vary by finish.

Consider sunlight, pets, colour transfer and how frequently the chair will be used. Always check the individual fibre or leather composition because similar-looking upholstery may need different cleaning methods.

Seat comfort, dimensions and delivery access

Mark the chair width and depth on the floor, then add the occupied leg position and any footstool. Leave room to reach a side table and to move past the chair without catching projecting arms or a swivel base.

• Compare seat height and depth with the sitter's preferred posture.
• Measure the widest point across arms and the deepest point of a reclined profile.
• Include a matching ottoman in the complete footprint.
• Check doors, hallways, stairs, lift openings and turning space.
• Confirm whether legs, bases or backs arrive separately.

Styling an armchair in a complete room

An armchair does not need to match the sofa. A contrasting material or shape often creates a more natural conversation area, provided one or two colours or finishes repeat elsewhere in the room.

Place a reading chair near useful light and a reachable side table. In a larger lounge, angle the chair towards the sofa rather than lining every seat against the walls. A rug can visually connect separate pieces.

Explore armchairs by style and material

Armchairs for reading, lounging and flexible layouts

Bouclé, velvet, fabric and leather armchairs

Armchairs by colour and design character

Armchair care and everyday use

Vacuum upholstery gently with a suitable soft attachment and respond to spills promptly without rubbing. Rotate or reshape removable cushions where the construction allows, and keep pile fabrics away from aggressive brushing.

Leather, velvet, bouclé and woven fabrics need different treatment. Follow the care instructions supplied with the exact chair and consult an appropriate professional if the guidance does not cover a stain or repair.