Choosing the perfect chair
In the market for a new armchair?
We hear you. A sofa is a great for stretching out but an armchair has that cosy thing going on that’s hard to top, especially when it comes to book o’clock or wine o’clock. We caught up with our head of design, Kate, to put to her some of your most asked armchair questions
Choosing the right material
Choosing between fabric or leather can be difficult. Leather upholstery ages beautifully and has plenty of character but you'll enjoy an even wider choice of colours and styles if you opt for fabric upholstery
Fabric is practical, affordable and offering a huge choice of colours, patterns and styles, fabric upholstery is a great choice for sofas and armchairs. Whether man made or natural, velvet has a luxurious shimmering texture, soft feel and is available in many colours. Velvet is a pile fabric, so it can show wear and is not ideal for homes with pets or young children.
There’s nothing quite like Leather. Attractive and luxurious yet hardwearing and easy to care for, leather upholstery is a timeless choice that’s always in fashion, and a great option for busy family spaces and homes with children
Will it fit?
Always think proportion! You want your sofa or armchair to look like it was made to fit into your space, neither over-imposing nor too small.
Top Tip: You could sketch out your room to scale and plan the positioning of your seating using the measurements on the product pages, or to get a real feel within the room mark out the size on the floor with masking tape or newspaper. Make sure there’s enough room to walk around and to keep a spacious feel.
Also consider the room’s layout and any accompanying furniture you may need such as an armchair or footstool. Are you looking for just one piece or multiple? If you’re tight on space, rather than opting for two matching sofas you may be best choosing just one sofa and a complementary love seat or armchair.
Perhaps most importantly when it comes to dimensions, before ordering make sure your purchase will be able to be transported through your front door and to your room of choice, taking into account any awkward corners, door frames, stairs etc.
What colour should I go for?
It can be overwhelming to see the amount of fabric and colour options available, but you may be able to decide by thinking about
your lifestyle, the mood you want to create and the space the chair will live.
What is your current decor
It’s important to consider your plans for the room. Do you like to follow interior trends and change things up regularly or are you committed to your own style? If you like switching things up regularly then a versatile grey or neutral may be your best option as you can easily style it up in line with new trends or when your tastes change.
Do you want your chair to be the focal point of your room and inspiration for a new scheme or does it need to blend in seamlessly with your existing paint, furniture or flooring?
Lifestyle
Do you need a relaxing escape at the end of a busy day at work, or do you want to feel energised when at home? To create a calming sanctuary, choose warm neutrals and carry this palette throughout your room. If you’d like to inject personality to give your space a lift, going bold is the way to go.
Have a think about your everyday routines, who will be using the sofa and how regularly. With kids and pets, if you’re worried about stains, it may be best to stick to a darker colour
Last but most certainly not least, pick your furniture because you like it!