Buyer’s Guide For Armchairs

A home without an armchair is like a car without wheels, it just won’t work. Incorporating this multi-functional item of furniture into your home decor will bring much more than just a cosy seating option. Of course, when placed in the living room it can act as the perfect chair to relax in after a long hard day, but in a bedroom, it can become the ideal makeup chair. And that’s not all, in a study, an armchair can become a reading chair, and in a baby’s room, it is the perfect nursing chair. So you see, restricting this item’s abilities to the living room would be doing it a great disservice. To make sure that you are choosing the right one for your home, EZ Living Furniture has put together a practical guide on the important armchair factors to consider before making that all-important decision.

Things To Think About Before Buying An Armchair

Here are the most important things to consider before choosing the right armchair for you:

• How & When Will You Use Your Chair The Most? In order to choose the best armchair for you and your home, you must understand how and when you will use your chair. For example, if you only plan on using your chair from time to time, then an occasional chair is probably the right choice for you. If you plan on spending hours watching TV in your chair, then maybe a reclining chair is the one for you. Should you require a comfy chair in which to curl up to read your favourite book, a swivel chair is most likely the best choice for you.
• How High Do I Want The Backrest Of The Armchair To Be? This is something that not a lot of us will think about, but it is important. A high backrest will support you and keep you in an upright position when sitting in it. If you are someone who wants to use your chair for lounging then a highback is the perfect choice for you. Usually, a low backrest is only really found on occasional chairs because it won’t support your back or neck and isn’t a chair you would typically spend a great deal of time sitting on.
• With or Without An Armrest? An armrest is not just a design feature, it has other benefits too! This feature assists with back and neck support which is especially important for some chairs, particularly an office chair. Our arms need some kind of support when we work and that is exactly what an armrest provides. The backrest will reduce muscle strain and ease the strain on your back too!
• How To Measure For Your Armchair? Measuring your armchair is essential. This will give you a good understanding of whether the item you have chosen will fit in your desired location. Once the chair is measured, we suggest using newspaper on your floor to map out the dimensions of the armchair. This will give you a good sense of whether it is in proportion with the room and if it interferes with any surrounding features or furnishings.

Consider Practical Issues Like Materials & Colours

Before buying your armchair, you need to consider its material and choose one that best reflects you and your lifestyle. Some materials used to furnish armchairs and sofas are more hard-wearing than others which is why this is an important feature to consider. Similarly, colours need to be thought of too because while most of us tend to choose based on our preferences, there are some shades that suit certain lifestyles better than others.

• Leather: This material is extremely durable and will last a long time if properly maintained. There are various grades of leather available including full-grain, top-grain, genuine, split-grain, and bonded. Small families will find this to be a particularly appealing option because it can be easily wiped clean, however, it does require a lot of regular maintenance and should be kept away from heat sources and direct sunlight where possible.
• Velvet: Velvet has a reputation for being hard to maintain, but this isn’t true at all. Dust and debris do tend to settle on it, but dust can be easily removed using low suction and the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. If any spills happen to occur, all you need to do is allow it to dry and then use some mild soapy water and a damp cloth.
• Faux Suede: There is no regular cleaning required when it comes to faux suede. This could be why it is usually the first-choice material for families with small children and pets. Dust can be removed using the brush attachment and a low suction on a vacuum cleaner, but dust shouldn’t be a problem for faux suede because the microfibres in this material help to prevent the accumulation of dust. Microfibre is liquid repellent, so spills aren’t a concern either. If stains, dirt, or spills do occur, use a paper towel to soak up any excess moisture together with plain water to address the spill directly. 
• Wool, Cotton & Blends: These materials can be used primarily or as a blended mix in fabric armchairs and sofas. They are all breathable too which makes them especially beneficial during the warmer summer months. A fabric armchair is also easy to clean, but we still suggest investing in a fabric sofa care kit. In this, you will find everything you need to clean spills and treat stains. Always test on a concealed area of the chair first.
• Colours: Remember that darker-coloured materials won’t show up dirt as easily and would be more suitable for those homes with pets or small children. Lighter colours would be ideal for items of furniture that get minimal use but if you’re passionate about this colour palette, it might be worth investing in a removable cover, just in case.

Evaluate The Various Armchair Features & Designs

• Standard Armchairs: These stationary pieces can have a high or low back and tend to prioritise comfort over design.
• Manual Reclining Armchairs: With this option, you can put your feet up and fully extend, removing the need to purchase a separate footstool. Remember that clearance is required both at the front and back of these armchairs to allow them to fully extend which is why a larger living room is more appropriate. A manual recliner usually features a pull mechanism on the side of the chair.
• Power Reclining Armchairs: Instead of a pull mechanism on the side, a button will raise your legs up on a power reclining armchair. Similar to a manual recliner, clearance is needed both at the front and back of the chair to fully extend. This armchair will need to be placed near a power source because it will need to be plugged in to operate.
• Tilt & Rise Armchairs: This armchair can tilt and raise your body up to almost a standing position. This is an extremely beneficial option if you find it difficult to get in and out of a traditional armchair. To function, this chair will also need to be placed near a power outlet and plugged in.
• Occasional Chairs: If you’re looking for a beautiful chair, then an occasional chair could be just what you need. These are all about style and creating a statement in a room. An example of an occasional chair would feature a low back with a studded and tufted button detail (representing a Chesterfield design).
• Accent Chairs: As the name suggests, an accent chair is all about creating an accent or statement in a room. These armchairs are usually upholstered in a bold fabric or leather and they place a huge importance on both style and comfort.
• Chaise Longue: Chaise Longue directly translates to “long chair” and there is a reason for this. This armchair has the shape of a chair but features an extended piece long enough to support the legs of the sitter.
• Wing Chair: A wing chair is usually only found in formal settings. The design of the chair has wings that extend from the top of the backrest.
• Swivel Chairs: This armchair can swivel from left to right and even sometimes a full 360 degrees. A swivel chair is bigger than a traditional armchair because it is usually only available in a 1.5-seater option. This is a great choice because if the layout of your room happens to change or if you want to switch up what you are doing in the room i.e. go from watching TV to reading to entertaining, it’s all possible in a swivel chair.
• Loveseat AKA Snuggler:  A loveseat or snuggler typically features 1.5 or 2 seats but will still maintain the shape and design of a regular armchair. This is a great choice for someone who loves to cosy up with their furry friend or if they’re not around, their partner.

So you see, it’s not as easy as rushing to your nearest EZ Living Furniture store to purchase your armchair. Prior research is beneficial and can mean that you invest in the best possible chair for you and your lifestyle.

Now that you have decided on your new armchair, you might want to consider a beautiful accompanying sofa to go along with it, but first read; Greater, Greater, Greatest: Which Sofa Should You Choose? 

View our full range of armchairs here.

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