Arm Chairs

Accent armchairs can prove to be an invaluable addition to your horn. Not only are they great statement pieces, but they are also quite functional as well You may buy a small armchair to fill up some empty space in your living area, only to find yourself using it more often than you imagined. Armchairs are also well-known for their comfortable nature There is simply no better place to snuggle in while reading a book than a cozy armchair placed by the window.

However, choosing an accent chair can prove to be something of a task. There are countless styles and designs to choose from and this can be all too confusing. Do you pick that vividly colored orange armchair or would an oversize faux-leather armchair be a better fit for your house? Here is all you need to know about buying the best armchair for your home.

Accent Chair and Space

One of the key things to keep in mind when buying armchairs is the space you have available in your living room. You don't want the armchairs to simply clutter your room or be an obstruction to movement. Consider existing furniture before you choose an armchair- your TV stand, sofa or coffee tables. Then measure out just how much space you have left for the armchair. You may want to lay out a piece of paper that's approximately the chair's size to visualize how much space it will occupy. This will help you be better able to make a choice about which chair to buy.

Types of Armchairs

Before you set out on your armchair- buying mission, you must first determine what kind of armchair you need in your home. There are myriad types of armchairs in the market but some of the most popular and equally great pieces include the following:

The Wingback Armchair

This is one of the most classic armchair designs and one of the oldest too. As the name suggests, the chair has wing-like features on both sides that culminate in comfortable armrests. The chair also has a high back, which makes it one of the most comfortable armchairs. The high back also offers your back plenty of support. This means that you can comfortably work on your computer while sitting on this armchair. Of course, the comfy nature of the chair also makes it ideal for warming up by the fire. So comfortable is it that you will probably drift to sleep within minutes of curling up in it by the fireplace. The chair is one of the oldest armchairs ever designed. It might have risen to worldwide popularity in the 1940's, but the French have been using it since 1600. In that duration, not much has changed about the chair, and it remains of the most timeless pieces of furniture ever created.

Club Chairs

Contrary to what the name may imply, these are elegantly designed armchairs that also have their origins in Franc. In fact, they get their name from the gentlemen's club, which was a group of highly esteemed men centuries ago. Given its prestigious origin, this is one of the snuggest armchairs made only of superior quality materials. Typically, the chair is low slung, upholstered in leather and very heavily padded. This arm accent chair can withstand heavy use, in fact, it will probably become a personal favorite for every member of your household. It makes a great and relaxing place to watch the news from, do your sewing at or even simply relax after a long day's work. Don't be surprised if there is cut-throat competition for that chair every single day.

Swivel Chairs

Who doesn't like a swivel chair? It saves you a lot of work when you need to reach out for something, right? Now, can you imagine just how good it would feel to sit on a comfortable swivel accent armchair? Want to watch the TV? All you need is to spin the chair and face the television. If you need to talk to someone on the other side of the room, rotating the chair will be all you need to do. Swivel chairs could be conveniently placed in small spaces, such as beneath the staircase. They typically have armrests, although there are some that don't. On the whole, they are rather versatile chairs and are perfect if you tend to multitask around the house.

Oversized armchairs

These chairs are often called a chair and half; they are slightly bigger than ordinary armchairs. If you like a lot of sitting space, then this is certainly the chair for you. You can also lay comfortably perch on it when reading a book or to take a quick nap. The chair can also comfortably seat two kids, with none complaining about being too squeezed up.

Occasional Chairs

These chairs are used more for aesthetic purposes than for functionality. This is the kind of chair you use to fill up some vacant space in your living area or to simply shake things up in an otherwise dull living room. It could be a slipper armchair next to the door or an exquisite armchair placed in the hallway.

Armchair Style Options

Basically, there are three style options for armchairs. You can opt to use traditional, contemporary or mid-century modem armchairs to advance a theme in your home.

Traditional Armchairs

These are armchairs whose existence dates back to centuries ago. In addition to the stately wingback armchairs and the classic club chairs, other traditional armchairs include the Berger. and fauteuil armchairs. In French, fauteuil literally translates to a comfortable chair, and this speaks volumes about the kind of chair that this is The Bergere is ornately curved, has padded elbows and is often upholstered. Its elegance is its trademark.

Contemporary Armchairs

Contemporary armchairs can be identified by their simple designs and strong emphasis on functionality. They often are a combination of many different traditional designs. Danish designers are especially known for creating simplistic yet elegant contemporary designs.

Mid-century modern Design

These armchairs are a replica of the 50' designs with a modern touch to them. It is often difficult to determine what qualifies as a middle-century modern design, but there are some tell-tale features of these armchairs. For example, the chairs may spot the simplistic and functional features of modern designs, but with peg legs or other hardware reminiscent of the period between 1933 and 1960.

Accent Chair Upholstery Materials

Fabric

Fabrics is a great upholstery material as it can be used to reflect personal taste, shake up things in your living room or even coordinate a given theme in your living area. On the downside, the brightly colored fabric is often easily stained and hard to clean.

Leather

Leather upholstery spells class and style. It is also incredibly durable and rather easy to clean. It can, however, prove to be rather expensive, which is a factor you should keep in mind when buying a living room chair.

Faux Leather

Faux leather is a cheap alternative to real leather. While it is as stylish and easy to clean as real leather, it is however much less durable than original leather.

Frame Material

Kiln-dried Wood

Kiln dried wood is considered one of the sturdiest framing materials. The wood is devoid of moisture hence is not susceptible to warping.

Chipboard

Chipboard is yet another popular framing material that is made of engineered wood. Although it is very affordable, it tends to be weak and is not very durable.

Natural Wood

Natural wood can prove to be an invaluable framing material if the wood in question is from a hardwood, such as oak. Softwoods such as spruce and pine don't make very long lasting framing material hence should be avoided.

Conclusion

Buying armchairs need not be difficult. First, you have to determine just how much space you have for the chair. Then, you can choose a club chair, wingback armchair, swivel chair or even an oversize chair. If you want to reflect your personal taste in the chair, then choosing a fabric upholstery material is the best thing. However, leather and faux leather are also great materials owing to the ease of cleaning and durability. Finally, for framing, opt for sturdy materials such as natural hardwoods or kiln- dried wood. They will serve you well for years.