There’s no doubt that upholstered armchairs are extremely comfortable – they ooze comfort and warmth, and there’s nothing quite like curling up in such a chair and reading a good book by the fire on a cold winter’s night. An upholstered armchair will definitely be a good buy, especially since they can last for years, depending on their material and construction, and they will always lend a warm and cosy feeling to any room or space, be it a living room, a family den, a bedroom, or even a foyer or hallway. But there are some particular considerations you need to think about when choosing an upholstered armchair as well, and this includes the feel of the chair, its back, its arms, its quality, and more. Here, then, is how you can choose the best upholstered armchair for your needs.
The seat
When it comes to the seat of the armchair, there are several factors to consider. One of these is the feel of the seat. The seat of the armchair should feel quite soft when you sit on it, but at the same time, it should provide you with ample and firm seat support. Just like Goldilocks, you have to consider whether the seat feels just right – not too firm, yet not too soft, either. Along with this, think about the angle of the seat – when you sit on the chair, your thighs should be at a perpendicular angle to the floor, and a good rule of thumb is a seat that is around 45 centimetres high. Of course, you can always go for a seat which is higher or lower, depending on your body size and shape. In the same vein, if you are tall, look for an armchair with good depth for the seat. If you aren’t that tall, a seat with a shallow depth will do, as long as you can sit back in the armchair so its bottom can touch your calves with you not feeling too much pressure.
The back
The back of an armchair can either be low or high, but it is there to offer enough support for your lower back. If you like watching television or reading in the chair, it’s best to go for an armchair with a high back, such as a high-quality Chesterfield chair, which can also provide you with good neck support. You can also opt for two types of backs, either one with tight upholstery or covers or one with loose and soft cushions. This will primarily depend on your own preference and how you would like to use the chair as well.
The arms
With the arms, think about how you often you will sit in the chair and for how long. But if you would like to relax even more in your armchair, it’s best to go for upholstered arms as they can give you more ease and comfort. If you are trying out an armchair, check to see if your arms fall or rest at a natural angle or if they bend in an awkward manner.
The quality
Of course, the quality of the upholstered armchair counts for a lot, too, and this is where you want a chair that will last for a long time and still look good. In fact, the higher the chair’s quality, the better it should look as it ages! Don’t sacrifice on quality if you can help it; a good armchair is indeed an investment, but it’s an investment that is worth every penny.
