The armchair is one of the most personal pieces of furniture in a room. Unlike a sofa, which tends to be chosen for the household's general use, an armchair often reflects the taste and habits of whoever will use it most. It's worth choosing carefully.

Size and scale matter in relation to the room and the other furniture. An armchair that's too large makes a small room feel crowded; one that's too delicate looks lost in a large space. As a guide, leave at least 600mm of walking clearance around an armchair when positioned. In an open-plan living space, a pair of armchairs facing the sofa creates a conversation grouping; a single armchair in a corner with a floor lamp creates a reading nook.

Back height is both a comfort and aesthetic choice. Low-back accent chairs have a lighter, more modern visual presence and suit open-plan spaces where sightlines matter. High wingback chairs enclose the sitter more fully, providing warmth, acoustic shelter and a sense of deliberate comfort — popular in reading corners and home libraries. Mid-back chairs balance both qualities.

Recliners are a distinct sub-category with a specific user: someone who wants to sit back fully and rest, typically while watching content. Modern recliners have shed much of the dated appearance that defined the category for decades — contemporary designs in fabric or faux leather recline manually or via motor, and look appropriate in a modern living room rather than conspicuously functional.

Fabric armchairs in linen, cotton blends and velvet offer the widest colour and texture range. Leather and faux leather armchairs clean more easily and suit more formal or industrial aesthetics. Performance fabrics that resist staining are worth considering for a high-use chair in a family home.

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