Collection: Armchair

What will your armchair actually do?

The right armchair depends on the job you need it to do. A reading nook wants a high-backed accent chair with support for long sits. A living room short on seating needs an occasional chair that pulls up to the sofa when guests arrive. A bedroom corner suits a compact armchair for putting on shoes or sitting with a coffee. And a statement piece — a bold velvet or boucle accent chair — earns its place by anchoring a room's look. Decide the job first, and the size, back height and fabric follow.

How do you size an armchair for the room?

Measure the spot before you buy. Leave enough room to walk around the armchair without bumping other furniture — about 60 cm of clear path. Against a sofa, an accent chair works best at a similar seat height so the group looks balanced. In a reading nook, a higher back gives neck support for long sessions. In a tight corner, a compact occasional chair without wide arms saves space. Check the seat depth too — a deep seat suits lounging, a shallower one suits sitting upright to read or work.

Velvet, boucle or leather — which fabric suits you?

Each fabric brings a different look and upkeep. Velvet adds richness and depth of colour, but shows crushing where you sit most. Boucle is the textured, modern choice that hides marks well, though it can snag on pet claws. Leather and faux leather wipe clean in seconds, which suits homes with kids and pets, but feels cooler to sit on in winter. Fabric and linen-look blend into most rooms and spot-clean easily. Match the fabric to your household's traffic, not just the colour you like.

What we'd tell a friend before they buy an armchair

Here's what the photo won't tell you. A comfortable-looking armchair can be a chore to sit in if the frame and foam are cheap — the seat sags within a year and the arms feel hollow. Sit-test the specs: a hardwood frame and high-density foam last far longer than a softwood frame and thin padding. If it's an accent chair you'll use daily rather than just for looks, prioritise the frame over the fabric colour. And check the weight rating if anyone tall or heavy will use it regularly.

FAQs – get the answers you need

What's the difference between an armchair and an accent chair?
An armchair is any single chair with arms built for comfort. An accent chair is an armchair chosen mainly for its look, to add colour or texture to a room. The terms overlap.

What's an occasional chair for?
An occasional chair is extra seating you pull up when needed — for guests, or to complete a conversation area — rather than a daily-use seat. It's easy to move and often a statement piece.

Which armchair fabric is best for pets?
Leather and faux leather wipe clean easily and resist claws better than woven fabrics. Boucle can snag, and velvet shows marks, so leather suits busy pet homes.

How much space does an armchair need?
Leave about 60 cm of clear path around it so you can walk past without bumping other furniture. Compact chairs without wide arms suit tight corners.

Are armchairs comfortable for reading?
A high-backed armchair with good neck support suits long reading sessions. Look for a deeper seat and firm foam that holds its shape rather than sagging.

Pair it with

An armchair completes a seating group. Set it beside a coffee table, add a footrest ottoman, and place a side table within reach for a drink or lamp.

Paying over time is easy — a $249 velvet armchair is four fortnightly payments of $62.25 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 work the same way. Everything ships from our Australian warehouse within 1–2 business days, carries a 12-month warranty, and comes with 30 days to change your mind. We're family-run and Australian, at this since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.