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Armchair Buying Guide

Armchair Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Armchair for You

A well-chosen armchair can enhance both the comfort and style of your living spaces. At New England Home Interiors, we offer a variety of models including plush traditional armchairs and more compact modern designs. Not to mention high-quality swivel and recliner models for greater flexibility. Many of our armchairs can also be made in bespoke sizes and there are countless fabric and leather upholstery options available. Not sure which design to go for? Read our buying guide to discover how to select the best armchair for you.

Selecting the best armchair for you: key considerations

Sizing

Before you begin your search for the best armchair, it’s important to determine how much space you have to work with. Start by measuring the available floor space where you’d like your chair to sit. Consider the armchair’s ideal width and depth, and the maximum size it can be without interfering with walkways or other furniture. And if you’re struggling to visualise it, we’d recommend mapping out the chair’s footprint with masking tape or a cardboard cutout.

The best armchair should fit your space perfectly like this Winchester Cuddler at New England Home Interiors

Also, think about the scale of the armchair in relation to your existing furniture. An oversized chair could overwhelm a small space, while a compact armchair may look lost in a spacious living room. And if you’re considering a recliner chair, always measure the clearance needed for full extension. That way, you won’t have to worry about it bumping into walls or furniture.

Blue velvet Hatton Fixed Back bespoke armchair with matching footstool

Once you’ve got the measurements, you can start to narrow your search. But don’t worry, if you can’t find the exact size you’re looking for, we can also supply bespoke armchairs. And many of our standard models can be adapted to fit your space. Get in touch to find out more.

Style

You’ll then need to decide what style of armchair will suit your space and décor best. If your home has a contemporary aesthetic, then sleek lines and minimalist frames could be the way to go. For example, our slim Arque model with low-cut arms or the angular Hugo armchair. Otherwise, our bold Fendy design boasts striking arches that act as both legs and armrests.

Arque, Fendy, and Hugo designer armchairs at New England Home Interiors

Meanwhile, for more classic interiors, a traditional armchair with rolled arms, wooden accents and even tufted upholstery would be ideal. Options include the retro Trinity high-back winged armchair with solid oak legs, and our new Amberley model. Perfect for character properties, this elegant chair features soft curves, a high fluted back and turned feet. Or you might like the smaller Winchester chair with curved arms and contoured seat pad – matching sofa available.

Traditional style Trinity, Amberley, and Winchester armchairs

Want something versatile that will complement a range of interior styles? Take a look at the sumptuous Surrey comfy armchair with tapered arms or the space-saving Ralph tub chair. Both offer a modern twist on classic armchairs, whilst the simpler Vermont model will slot seamlessly into any spare corner.

Comfy Surrey, Vermont, and Ralf tub armchairs on display at New England Home Interiors

Fabric vs leather upholstery

Upholstery also plays a major role in determining the best armchair for your home interiors. Each model we sell comes has a number of standard options, or you can upgrade to bespoke fabric. This is great you have a specific pattern in mind or you’d like your new item to match your current furniture. Or you might prefer a contrasting feature chair – it’s entirely up to you!

Amsterdam retro armchair upholstered in soft natural leather

Choose from premium full-grain or smooth leather styles that are sleek as they are durable. Or opt for a high-quality fabric finish by brands like Romo, Wemyss, Black Edition and Villa Nova, for a warmer feel. Styles include luxury weaves, suedes, velvets and more in an array of colours, all of which are highly wear-resistant.

Globe swivel armchair upholstered in luxury AquaClean blue fabric

Additionally, for added durability and minimal upkeep, we can supply armchairs upholstered with protective Aquaclean or Fibreguard fabric. Aquaclean technology allows most stains to be removed with just water to make cleaning easier. Whilst FibreGuard is specially woven to resist stains, dust and pet hair – ideal if you’re prone to allergies! Browse the complete fabric library at our Horsham showroom, or read more about upholstery options here.

Functionality and features

Beyond aesthetics, you may want additional functionality from your armchair. Recliners provide unrivalled comfort with adjustable positions that make them ideal for relaxation. Tilt them as much or as little as you like for different activities, from reading to watching a film! Swivel armchairs, on the other hand, offer great flexibility of movement. Especially in open-plan living areas where they may be used for different purposes, from desk to lounge chairs.

A patir of Conform luxury leather swivel recliner armchairs at New England Home Interiors

Either way, we offer a selection of armchairs to suit. This includes our very own leather Twist model with swivel base. Plus several stylish recliner armchairs by Swedish brand Conform, each with matching footstools and optional footrests for extra support. Learn all about the Conform range and the models we stock, including bestselling Timeout, on our blog.

Alternatively, if you go for a more traditional armchair and want somewhere to put your feet up, how about a custom footstool? Our partner craftsmen can tailor footstools of any size and shape, and upholster them to match your lounge furniture. We can even add built-in storage!

A bespoke orange footstool with storage made by New England Home Interiors

Comfort and support

Finally, don’t forget that comfort is just as important as style! With that in mind, the best armchair for you will be one that suits your proportions and offers the right amount of support.

Large Washington armchair with deep filled cushions and high back

First of all, consider your height. Taller people can comfortably sit back on deep seats without issue. But if you’re more petite, a shallower design will allow you to rest your feet flat on the floor to ensure good posture. Similarly, some people prefer a more upright sitting position, whilst others want to lounge back into a more relaxed rake. Or even a fully reclining design!

We also offer models with different cushion fillings. If you prefer firmer seats, high-density foam seat pads and backrests offer excellent structure and longevity. Or you could go for soft, deeper feather-filled cushions that mould to your body for a cosier feel. And if you opt for our bespoke armchair service, we can include a mix – supportive seats with plush back cushions! We can also adjust the seat height and depth on standard models to fit you more precisely.

You will find the best armchairs at New England Home Interiors

At New England Home Interiors, you’ll find the best armchairs to suit your taste and interior décor. On top of this, we can provide extensive customisation options, including bespoke sizes, cushion fillings and upholstery. This includes advanced fabric protection upgrades, including Aquaclean and FibreGuard, which prove very useful in family households.

Quality sofas and luxury furniture on display at the New ENgland Home Interiors showroom in Horsham

Browse standard models and bestselling colour options on our website, or visit us in store. At our Horsham showroom, you can try different models for size, peruse fabric options and get tailored advice from our expert team. We’ve even created realistic room layouts to help you visualise how the chairs may look in your own home. What more inspiration could you need?

Better yet, there’s currently 15% off selected armchairs in our February Furniture Event, so act fast to avoid missing out!