Types of Armchairs: How to Pick the Best Armchair Design for Your Home
Kick back and relax with these armchair designs.
From living rooms to reading nooks, armchairs are a seating area staple. These comfortable chairs feature a cushioned seat and two side supports where you can rest your arms. Armchair designs also come in a wide variety of styles, which makes it easy to find one that suits your home's aesthetic. Our guide covers all you need to know about different types of armchairs, including arm style, upholstery material, and helpful features.
Arm Type
Because the arms are a key feature of the armchair design, the style of the arms can change the look of the whole chair. We've outlined six of the most popular arm types to help you find the best one for your home.
Track: This arm style has a simple rectangular shape with armrests that are straight up and down. The streamlined shape is versatile, which makes this arm type work well with modern and contemporary homes as well as more traditional designs.
Recessed: Recessed (also known as English) arms are similar to the track arms, but usually have a soft sloping curve rather than a straight-across shape. The curved arms add a decorative flair to armchairs.
Round: These arms have a rounded shape and curved surface that works with any type of interior design. Armchairs with round arms come in several styles, so it's easy to find one that matches your home.
Rolled: Rolled arms are a key design feature in traditional style chairs. The arms are rounded at the top and curve outward slightly.
Flared: This type of arm flares out from the chair to create a more dramatic shape. These flared styles are great for modern spaces.
Pillow Top: Like the name suggests, these arms have a plush pillow-like design. This adds a comfortable layer of cushion and support.
When choosing the right type of armchair for your home, the upholstery material is another important consideration. From maintenance to feel, we've highlighted eight of the most common materials.
Leather: Leather is durable and long-lasting, which makes it an excellent choice for armchairs. The smooth, natural texture works well with any style of home, is easy to maintain, and wears beautifully with time. Armchairs come in genuine leather, faux leather, and leather match options to suit your lifestyle and budget.
Tip!
Want to learn more about the different types of leather? Check out our guide Furniture 101: Your Guide to Leather Types for Furniture to learn more about leather types.
Velvet: Soft and luxurious, velvet upholstery adds a glam touch to any space. Despite its beautiful texture, velvet is incredibly durable and can last for a long time. Plus, velvet comes in a variety of bright shades if you want to add a pop of colour to your home.
Polyester: Polyester upholstery is made with synthetic fibres for a durable, long-lasting fabric. The smooth surface is easy to clean, fade-resistant, and water-repellent. Polyester is an excellent choice that combines affordability with longevity.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural fabric that is breathable and wicks away excess heat and moisture. It resists pilling, fading, and abrasion, which helps the upholstery last longer. The soft texture is also hypoallergenic, so it's a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Linen: As another natural material, linen upholstery is soft and breathable. It's also moisture-resistant, hypoallergenic, and naturally antibacterial. Though linen upholstery is often more expensive than other fabrics, it's an excellent option for armchairs.
Microfibre/Microsuede: Microfibre fabrics are made from tightly-packed ultra-fine fibres to make a soft, durable surface. The stain-resistant surface causes liquids to bead on the surface rather than soak in, which gives you extra time to wipe up spills before stains can settle.
Chenille: This super-soft material is made from synthetic yarns that are tufted to create a high pile. Chenille requires little maintenance, but doesn't have the stain-resistant qualities that other fabrics have. It's best to place a chenille armchair in a spot that doesn't encounter spills. The soft texture and durable surface make chenille a popular choice for upholstery.
Performance Fabric: Made from durable synthetic materials, performance fabrics are a great choice for upholstery. These fabrics are designed with water- and stain-resistance to handle everyday wear, such as spills and pet paws.
Though fabric is the most common arm material for armchairs, there are other materials to choose from. Keep reading to learn more.
Fabric: Fabric is the most popular choice for arm material. The same fabric from the seat and back of the chair is used to cover the arms to create a cozy and cohesive design. The arms are often first covered in a plush layer, then topped with the fabric for extra support and comfort.
Wood: Wood arms are a great way to add a natural feel to a space. Most armchairs with wood arms have an upholstered cushion and back paired with wood legs and arms. This style is commonly used in mid-century modern design.
Leather: Similar to fabric arms, these chairs use the same type of leather to cover the cushion, back, and arms.
Metal: Metal arms work similarly to wood arms: The metal arms and legs are combined with an upholstered cushion and back. Some metal arms feature small pads on top of each arm for added comfort.
Rattan/Wicker: These arms are crafted from a wood frame and covered in rattan or wicker. This bit of natural texture is ideal for boho or coastal homes.
Plastic: As a less common arm material, plastic adds a see-through appeal to contrast the upholstered seat. The plastic arms bring a modern twist to a more traditional silhouette.
From stain-resistant material to removable cushions, there are a few extra features to consider when choosing an armchair.
Reversible Cushions: With reversible cushions, it's easy to rotate or flip your cushions to prevent your armchair’s fabric from wearing unevenly. Routine rotating also helps the cushions keep their shape and look fresh.
Stain-Resistant: Keep your upholstery clean with stain-resistant fabrics. These fabrics prevent liquids from being absorbed into your upholstery, and then causing stains.
Removable Cushions: This feature is great for deep-cleaning the upholstery and vacuuming those hard-to-reach spots.
Swivel: The swivel mechanism in the base of the chair allows you to move easily from left to right. This feature is great for spaces where you'd need to turn to the side or adjust the direction of the chair, such as home offices or living rooms.
Tip!
Looking for more chairs? Check out Your Guide to the Best Accent Chairs and Types of Living Room Chairs: Which to Choose & Why They'll Work for You to learn about even more types of chairs.
