Like a loving, old friend the perfect armchair is comfy and supportive. There’s nothing more relaxing after a hard day at work than sinking into an armchair with your favourite beverage.
Armchairs bring a sense of calm and tranquillity within the home, primarily due to their main function which is to offer a place of rest and comfort. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have anything else to offer. These home staples can have multiple roles, from serving as extra seating to adding colour to a dull space or complementing the palette and décor you already have to tie the room together.
In most cases, armchairs are placed in living rooms, but you can often find them in a cosy study nook or a bedroom corner.
If you’re thinking of livening up your space, follow these tips to choose a trendy armchair that will have all of your comfort needs covered.
Consider the Different Materials Available
With a little love and attention, your armchair may last for years. However, the type of material its made of will make a big difference when it comes to cleaning, maintenance and longevity. Usually, it comes down to two options – leather or fabric. Both leather and fabric armchairs have their positive and negative sides and it’s best to look at each material to help you decide which chair finish is best for you and your home.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, you need to establish exactly what you want from your armchair. For instance, many people get a fabric armchair that provides a sinking, cosy feeling. Others prefer the solid, supportive nature of leather when they sit down. However, leather has a big downside, it tends to make you hot and sweaty.
If you’re going to use your armchair regularly for lounging, fabric usually triumphs. However, you’ll want to choose a fabric that is soft enough, but not too soft – as it should keep its shape and not wrinkle or sag when you get up (linen is most likely to perform best).
Care
The wear and tear of fabric armchairs will greatly depend on the grade of fabric. High-quality fabric will withstand better. Most fabrics are treated with a stain-resistant finish, making upholstered chairs easier to clean.
Fabric doesn’t get scratched as leather does, so it tends to handle pets’ claws and kids ‘ homework folders better than leather. However, if you treat it with care, leather only gets better with age.
Style
Your chair should be both comfortable but also stylish considering it’s going to be a noticeable part of your interior. A leather chair inevitably brings a touch of elegance and sophistication with its sleek and classic feel. But fabric armchairs come in unlimited colours and patterns, so, you have more variety to pick a perfect match for your existing décor. If you have a certain colour theme around your home, then a fabric armchair might be right for you. But if you want to achieve a neutral look, then leather is just fine.
Cost
You can’t really put a price on a wonderful handcrafted piece of furniture. But if the cost is a consideration, then quality fabric and framing are expensive, but the same leather armchair will always cost more. If you want the leather look for less, you can always go for a vinyl chair.
Consider Your Colour Scheme
You have to decide whether you want to buy an armchair to complement and blend into the existing colour shame, or you want it to pop and stand out as a focal piece. But even if you go for a bold accent piece, at least make sure that you choose a colour that appears at least on 1-2 other places in the same space, even if it’s something small like on a pillow or in a piece of artwork. This way, it won’t look completely out of place.
You can also try to match it with the hardware finish that dominates your home. For instance, you can choose gold legs over silver/chrome, or if you have a mix of all metal types, you may feel free to continue that theme.
Should It Match or Not With the Rest of the Furniture?
Some people enjoy matching set ideas, where couch and chairs are the same colour and style. But even if you already have a matching set of furniture in your space, don’t be afraid to introduce an armchair that looks completely different. Even when your scheme isn’t eclectic armchairs count as separate pieces and can coexist freely. Don’t be limited to follow only a single type of style. Maybe you like Scandinavian décor, or you’re more a fan of bohemian style. Feel free to blend the two styles or any other styles you prefer, but you need to make sure they combine nicely with each other.
Check the Size
After you consider the best material and style, you need to pay attention to the size of an armchair. Sometimes armchairs look smaller online or in a shop, but at your home, they might just be the wrong size. It’s alright to have a very pretty armchair as a central point in your room but make sure this is really the effect you opt for.
Before you begin shopping for your armchair, have your measurements ready for the rest of your existing furniture and the room’s layout. Know exactly how much free space you have to fit the chair. That’s how you can make sure the chair you’re about to buy won’t be too large for your space.
To attain their full glory, armchairs need enough space to breathe. Make sure yours fits in the spot you have for it comfortably with plenty of room for a walkway and a side table or ottoman which you’ll probably want to have nearby.
