A chair of one’s own – choosing the perfect armchair

Cooksbridge armchair in Cloth 21 simple stripe lagoon

It’s tempting to think about the armchair as the ‘best supporting actor’ in the room, with your sofa rightly taking the limelight, but let’s consider its particular virtues and why it’s worthy of its own round of applause. For one thing, whereas you usually need to share your sofa, you can claim a chair as your own. And here lies its special power – its individuality. Upholstered chairs can be as distinctive as the space you want to furnish and, equally importantly, as the people who sit in them. Choose well and it will become one of your most loved pieces of furniture.

To read our latest in-depth guide to buying an armchair, click here.

Striped armchair
Cooksbridge Accent Armchair in Cloth 21 Simple Stripe Lagoon

 

Be a little more like Goldilocks

Our advice when choosing a bespoke armchair is to try out different models and pick the one that feels comfiest for you. But even before you try our chairs for size, spend some time considering how you will use it. Decide where you want the chair to be, and what its principal purpose is.

Chiddingfold Chair in Linwood Tango Velvet Flamingo.

 

An armchair for rest and relaxation

Are you looking to create a little enclave for yourself – a space where you can grab a little time, to do whatever helps you relax – be it reading, sewing, even a spot of screen scrolling? Think about how you like to sit. Are you a-feet-tucked-up on the chair kind of person, looking for a generous, wide-seated chair, to settle down in? Consider what activity you might do while seated and how this might influence the shape of the chair. For instance, would you like it to have a lower arm to rest your elbows or to position your laptop on the side while you catch up on your emails, like our Lyndhurst chair pictured below?

Blue velvet armchair
Lyndhurst Chair in Linwood Tango Velvet Persia

Or maybe you’re after a more upright position, perhaps an armchair like the Whitewell with a higher winged back to support your head and neck while you have a little snooze?

 

Occasional chairs for chat and conviviality

We share the best times when we’re relaxed and sitting comfortably. By adding a pair of upholstered chairs into your living space you can create the perfect spot to sit down and natter with a friend. Choose from our large range of occasional armchairs, all beautifully designed and handmade in Britain.

 

When you want to perch on something practical yet pretty, consider the compact Tisbury, with its shallow seat, curved, buttoned back and elegant Howard arms. A refined chair, perfect as an occasional chair for guests or to use in a bedroom or a hallway as a comfortable place to collect your thoughts or kick off your shoes.

Orange velvet buttoned back Chesterfield occasional armchair
Tisbury Chair in House Clever Velvet Henna

 

Think carefully, too, about the space you have available which will help you choose the right bespoke chair. Where space is limited, consider a smaller accent chair, such as the timeless Snape. This lovely traditional armchair has slender, low scroll arms, a fixed seat and elegantly turned legs.

Snape chair in printed floral linen fabric
Snape Chair in Floral Linen Shangri-la Spice.

Are you sitting comfortably?… Chairs for storytelling and for sharing secrets

Carve out a special place to sit and share stories with the little people in your life – in the bedroom, the sitting room or even in the heart of the home, the kitchen. The Cooksbridge chair, with its deeply cushioned seat and back, will have them clambering onto your lap, begging for ‘just one more’!

Cooksbridge striped armchair
Cooksbridge Chair in Cloth 21 Simple Stripe Bilberry

 

With its inspiration drawn from the elegant chairs found in gentlemen’s clubs in 1930s France, the Montmartre chair is both stylish and snuggly comfortable. It’s the perfect little chair for sharing conversations over an after dinner digestif.

Montmarte art deco style armchair
Montmarte Chair in V&A Brompton Collection Ikat Morning Blue

If space allows, why not introduce a snuggler (somewhere between a small sofa and a spacious armchair) where you can sit together sharing stories or putting the world to rights.

Snuggler loveseat sofa
Abbotsbury Snuggler in Linwood Freya Mineral with contrasting scatters in Cosmos Mineral

 

A range of different accents

A handcrafted accent chair can find a place in virtually any room, even in a bathroom if space allows, and is the perfect piece of furniture to add additional interest to a design scheme. Use it to fill an awkward corner, to introduce pattern or a contrasting pop of colour. The sophisticated Harwood chair with its low sprung back and elegant self-piped detailing, shown here in our limited edition Peruvian Collection handwoven fabric, is the epitome of an elegant statement piece.

Occasional accent chair in handwoven Peruvian textile.
Harwood Chair in handwoven fabric from Santa Cruz de Sallac, Peru.

 

Adding a chair to a bedroom is both practical and helps to create a relaxing atmosphere. A convenient place to lay out outfits for a night out, or for the following day, but also a visual reminder to take your time, and enjoy the repose that comes from your own little sanctuary.

Armchair in a bedroom
Holmfirth Chair in Spring Rhythm Pomegranate with Penlow Bed in Swaledale Linen

For that extra touch of luxury, consider an elongated chaise armchair, such as the Alwinton chaise, creating a comfortable spot to relax, read or meditate.

Alwinton chaise chair
Alwinton Chaise Chair in Blendworth Tennyson Conch

 

By offering you an incredible choice in fabrics from velvets through to Harris tweed, as shown below on our stylish Sennen chair, you can precisely tailor the look and feel of your armchair to suit your style and your space.

Wing back armchain in Harris Tweed fabric
Sennen Chair in Harris Tweed Huntsman Check Mountain Bracken

 

The right handmade bespoke chair for you

Firm and upright, wide and generous, compact and elegant or low and squishy – we can help you create exactly the right chair for you. Each of our upholstered chairs are handmade to order, so that every detail can be chosen by you. And with thousands of fabrics to choose from, including patterned florals and stripes, beautifully plain weaves and velvets with a luxurious texture, you can create the perfect bespoke design for your home. Add a side table or a reading light and you’ll have your own special place to keep coming back to, time and time again.

striped woven linen armchair
Aldingbourne Chair in Grain Sack Stripe Linen Red.

If we’ve whetted your appetite to find the perfect chair why not book a free design consultation to start exploring the options, or visit one of our Sofas & Stuff showrooms and chat with our friendly and knowledgeable design consultants about how the investment of a British made, bespoke armchair could give you a chair of your own.

Abby Gadd