Armchairs in the house are buy in three cases:
- When they are included in the set of upholstered furniture. The armchairs from the set fit perfectly into the interior, do not discord with the sofa, but rather support it visually and stylistically
- When we specifically choose a chair or a pair of chairs as a separate piece of furniture, or as a special place to relax
- Chair-bed as an extra bed
How to choose a chair in the living room
When choosing a home chair, be sure to keep the following few points in mind:- The seat should be slightly tilted back - it is not very comfortable to sit on a chair with a flat horizontal seat
- The backrest tilt should be 120 degrees or more in relation to the seat. Armchairs with a straight back are also terribly uncomfortable: the back will begin to hurt from tension in a few minutes
- A seat height of 40-50 cm will be optimal. Too low a chair will create an extra load on the hips and buttocks, and it is inconvenient to sit on a high chair
- The optimal seat depth is 50-60 cm, for larger models of chairs, additional pillows in the form of a roller will be required
- The seat width should be in the range from 50 to 70 cm. For people with an impressive build, a slightly wider model may be required. In a chair that is too wide, you will have to reach for the armrests, which is not very convenient.
- Pay attention to the height of the back: models with a low back are suitable if you plan to relax in a reclining chair. If you like to sit leaning back, this option will not work - your neck and shoulders will quickly get tired without support.
- The armrests of the chair should be at such a distance from each other that you can freely put both hands on them. If at the same time the shoulders remain raised, choose a chair with lower armrests. Otherwise, the neck and shoulders will ache in a few minutes. If you have to reach for the armrests, the chair is too wide. Might be worth looking at a narrower version
frame
After the figures and facts, let's move on to the internal filling of the chair - it depends on how many years your soft and cozy friend will last. The basis of the chair is the frame. As a rule, it is made of natural wood, metal and chipboard or MDF boards. The wooden frame is durable, lightweight and eco-friendly. Beech, oak, walnut and ash are perfect for it. Conifers cope with the load worse - it is better to refuse them. Please note: the parts of a quality wood frame should be connected with bolts, not with screws or glue. Metal structures are strong, durable and relatively inexpensive. Steel is often used to make the frame, although there are also designer models made of light alloy elements. Chipboard and MDF frames are the cheapest. Unfortunately, this greatly affects the quality, so it is better to pay attention to combined options: for example, a combination of chipboard and wood.Filler and upholstery
The filler is most often polyurethane foam or holofiber, spring systems are less commonly used. For bean bags and frameless models, Comfortel is used - silicone-coated polystyrene balls. In luxury models of chairs, natural latex or horsehair is used as a filler. Upholstery is chosen the same as for sofas: fabric of all types, artificial or natural leather.Types of chairs
According to their functions, modern living room chairs can be divided into several categories. In addition to classic chairs, there are several varieties that are worth talking about in more detail.1. Chair bed
Simple chairs do not understand and do not unfold. But there is a separate category of chairs that can easily be transformed into full-fledged single beds. An armchair bed helps out if one of the guests stays for the night. They are laid out in the same way as sofas. The most popular formats are: "Book", "Dolphin" and options for a folding chair.2. Armchair for relaxation
A special category is armchairs that are bought for relaxation and recreation. These are rocking chairs and recliners. The rocking chair is available in a variety of options, ranging from the classic rattan version to high-tech and modern models with programmatic adjustment of the frequency and amplitude of vibrations. Recliner - a special chair for relaxation with a movable backrest that can be tilted at your discretion, and a special footrest. Usually this is a rather massive structure, light ones are less common. The transformation mechanism of the chairs is mechanical and automatic. The second option, of course, is much more expensive. When buying such a chair for relaxation, be prepared that it will take up a lot of space.3. Frameless bean bag chair
A very democratic type of chair is a special bean bag chair made of dense material (scotchguard, microfiber, artificial leather) filled with small polystyrene balls. Perfectly fit into any modern interior, easy to move, easy to clean. They are very comfortable to sit in, as these chairs take the shape of the body. Another plus of such furniture is the variety of forms. You can choose a classic pear shape, a ball shape, a large pillow, or something custom. If you wish, you can make such a bean bag chair to order - everything depends on your imagination and the size of your wallet.4. Hanging chair
Cocoon, swing, cradle - as soon as they do not call this chair, which migrated to our apartments from country houses and cottages. Fortunately, the essence does not change: the hanging chair is an attractive combination of a rocking chair and a lounger. Comfortable and unusual. The market for hanging chairs is huge: you can choose the shape, size, material, type of weaving, attach it to the ceiling or buy a special stand. Some models swing back and forth and from side to side, others hang motionless. There are also disadvantages. For example, moving a chair attached to the ceiling after installation is a real problem. This method is also not suitable for suspended and stretch ceilings. The model with a stand-support is more versatile - it can be placed in any room, and in the summer it can be transferred to a veranda or gazebo.5. Armchair for work
While soft chairs are meant for relaxation, work chairs are designed to keep your body in the most comfortable position while writing, drawing, or working at a computer. First of all, it should be comfortable and ergonomic, because you will have to spend several hours a day in it. The best option is office chairs with adjustable seat height and armrests, backrest tilt and its rigidity. Don't be fooled by the name "office": there are so many options for office chairs on sale that choosing a chair for your home interior is not difficult.Helpful Hints
And a few more recommendations for choosing a chair:- When choosing a model in the salon, be sure to sit in a chair, and not just sit on the edge, but try to get comfortable in it: fall apart, put your hands on the armrests, lean back
- Be sure to move around while trying the chair: you will not sit still in it. If the furniture creaks and staggers, most likely it will not last long.
- When choosing a chair-bed, be sure to try to disassemble and assemble it yourself
- If you have a cat or dog, choose a chair with anti-vandal upholstery: scotchguard, flock or microfiber