Choosing a new armchair isn’t just about finding a place to sit — it can also change the entire aesthetic of a room.
“It offers the opportunity to not only serve a function, but also convey personality,” said Will Meyer, a founding partner of the New York-based interior design firm Meyer Davis. “That’s where the room really starts to take a turn.”
A big, upholstered armchair, for instance, can ground a seating area and lend a sense of gravitas, Mr. Meyer said, but “a chair with legs conveys a sense of airiness, flexibility and mobility.”
Selecting the appropriate design also requires understanding how much you will actually sit in the chair. If it’s where you plan to flop down for hours every day, comfort should be your primary concern, Mr. Meyer said.
And if you won’t be using it that often? Then all it needs to do, he noted, is “look like a knockout piece in the corner of the room.”
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How far should the back recline? A lounge-y, laid-back armchair is nice for watching television, but if you plan to work on a laptop while you’re sitting there, “you want to be more upright,” Mr. Meyer said.
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Is versatility important? If so, consider an armchair with a deep seat that can be filled with throw pillows to accommodate various purposes and people.
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Should you try to match the scale of the chair to the height of the person who will be sitting there most of the time? Not necessarily. “Ergonomically, there are a lot of small-scale chairs out there that work for taller people, and vice versa,” Mr. Meyer said. “You really need to do a sit test.”
FLY SC1 Chair
Oak armchair with loose cushions by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition
From $3,029 at Danish Design Store: 833-564-8196 or danishdesignstore.com
Carved Wood Lounge
Armchair with thick, curved oak frame by Studio Paolo Ferrari
$3,975 at Colony: 212-334-3808 or goodcolony.com
Capitol Complex Office Chair
Wooden armchair with woven cane backrest, in homage to the architect Pierre Jeanneret
From $2,590 at Cassina: 212-245-2121 or cassina.com
Hai Chair
Upholstered armchair with steel base by Luca Nichetto
$1,399 at Hem: 310-980-3029 or hem.com
Safari Chair
Collapsible chair with ash frame, leather straps and canvas seat designed by Kaare Klint in 1933
From $1,205 at Carl Hansen & Son: 212-242-6736 or carlhansen.com
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