Do you know that we spend almost 40% of our time sitting? And if we spend all that time sitting in an uncomfortable position it is no wonder we get back pain, neck pain, and even headaches. That is why it is important to choose an armchair that will be comfortable and offer the support you need.
We had to look at over 30 models before we could narrow it down to 6 best armchairs. Our top pick is the Rivet Sloane Mid-Century Modern Armchair. We analyzed the upholstery material since some fabrics are more durable and easier to clean than others. We included several models with microfiber upholstery as this fabric is resistant to stains and is easy to clean. Filling material is also important as you want a chair that is comfortable and doesn’t lose its shape over time. The best filling materials are high-density foam and polyester fiber as they offer good support and are durable. The dimensions of the chair will tell you how well it will fit in your home and how well you will fit in the chair. You may also want to look at the chair’s weight, especially if you’re assembling it and moving it where you want it on your own.
Extra features: accented by hand tufting and buttons on the back pillow
The Rivet Sloane Mid-Century Modern Armchair is one of the best pieces of furniture on the market for a variety of reasons. It is stylish, with a mid-century look combined with a few modern upgrades that allow it to fit into any room of your home.
This chair has a solid hardwood frame that is durable enough to handle some regular sitting. The tapered legs are solid beech wood, with a dark brown color that accents the rest of this armchair’s stylish appearance.
The outer frame has a u-shaped design that will definitely stand out among the rest of your furniture. The back piece is soft and comfortable, with hand-tufting and buttons to give it a classic look. Thick padding on the seat keeps you comfortable as you read, watch television, or chat with guests. It also has a more relaxed lean, so you can sit back and have a nap in this chair.
The linen upholstery is durable and looks fantastic. It is also easy to clean using a simple dry cloth if any spills should occur. There is very little assembly needed when this chair arrives at your home. The only pieces that need to be attached are the back and the legs. This is an easy process, so you should have this chair together and ready to sit on in about ten minutes. There are also a few colors to choose from, including shell, emerald, denim, and yellow.
Extra features: hardwood frame; down filling
The best armchairs for reading let you curl up or sprawl out as needed to stay comfortable and in the story world. The Stone & Beam Lauren Leather Armchair is a great choice for this activity since it is comfortable and large enough for any seating position. It can even hold a few little ones for a group reading session.
This chair is more than just a story seat, though. It is stylish, with six colors to choose from to match your other furniture and accent pieces. Though described as a leather armchair, the fabric is actually polyester with a bit of nylon thrown in. This material is durable, resisting moisture and stains, plus it is easy to clean with a damp cloth.
The back and seat are a bit firm at first but the down and feather filling softens over time, creating a plush chair that anyone can relax in for as long as they like. The covers on these pieces are removable and reversible, which helps reduce wear and prolong their life. The seat and back cushions are also reversible, so you can flip them around as needed to maintain their shape and look.
To increase the chair’s strength, the frame is made of sturdy hardwood, which will hold up under even the weight of the largest person in your household for years to come. This piece is pricey, though its durability and style may make it worth the cost.
Extra features: comes with a controller
A power recliner takes all the effort out of using your chair, making it a great option for those with medical issues or who don’t have the strength to use a regular one. They are also convenient for everyone else. The Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Recliner is one of these models.
This armchair includes a dual motor that makes all of its functions work quickly and quietly. The first of these functions is the lift, which raises the chair up until you are almost standing in front of it, which is a must for elderly users or those healing from surgery.
Both the reclining function and the footrest are also controlled by this motor, raising and lowering as needed with a simple touch of a button. A handy remote control allows you to alter the settings as needed for your specific comfort level. The remote is wired, with the cord running down to the magazine pocket on the right side of the chair, so you won’t ever lose track of it.
This armchair has a high back, with some lumbar support to make this a great armchair for back support. It also has thick cushioning in the seat and armrests for even more comfort. Inside the chair is a sturdy corner blocked frame and some metal reinforcements in the seat for extra support. The upholstery is poly fiber that looks like leather without the high cost.
Extra features: foam and Dacron seat fill material
Those on a budget will be looking for the best value armchairs on the market. The Homelegance Fabric Barrel Chair fits the bill, giving you a decent chair with a retro look at a great low price. There may be some quality control issues to deal with, like missing legs or small tears, but the company is great to deal with in terms of replacements, so you should still get the chair you want.
This barrel armchair features a curved back with button tufting for a stylish, mid-century look. The fabric is polyester, which is durable and easy to clean if a spill should happen on your new chair. You can also choose one of four colors, including sage gray, beige, orange, and blue.
There is foam in the back to add some comfort as you relax. Pocket coils in the seat give it a bit of spring as you sit down or adjust your position. The frame is manufactured wood, which is sturdy enough to hold up to 300 pounds of weight, so even the largest members of your family can use it. You can even snuggle up with your little one and to read a story.
The seat cushion is filled with foam and Dacron, so it is supportive, yet comfortable. This piece is also reversible, so you can flip it over as needed to maintain its color and shape. The whole armchair is also light enough to move where you need it.
Extra features: recliner with rocking and swivel functions
If the best cheap armchair for you is the one that reclines, the Ravenna Home Pull Recliner may be one to check out. This model has a decent price, especially when you consider all the features it has to offer.
First of all, this armchair is built well, using hardwood for the frame that will hold up with regular use. There is foam padding in the seat and back, giving you some support while still offering a great deal of comfort. The upholstery is microfiber, which is soft against your skin and easy to clean whenever needed.
Assembly takes only fifteen minutes, even if you’re doing it on your own. All you need to do is lift the back onto the chair and snap it into place. Then you can sit down and relax for as long as you like.
This isn’t just your average armchair, though. You can rock in it, making it a great option for nurseries. It also swivels, allowing you to easily turn the chair to talk to visitors seated around you. This armchair also reclines, which lets you lay back with your feet up on the footrest to watch television or take a nap. The reclining function is rather strong, especially with the footrest. It also takes a bit of strength to put it the footrest back down into its original position, though it’s not impossible to manage on your own.
Extra features: wood legs; wingback design
If you’re looking for the best armchair for small spaces, you may want to check out the Christopher Knight Home Clarice Accent Chair. Its overall dimensions make it the smallest model on our list but it is still a decent size for tall people.
This armchair comes in a variety of colors, including beige, charcoal, navy blue, and a few more. You should have no trouble finding one in a color that suits any room, regardless of the décor.
With a classic armless design, this wingback chair adds a touch of elegance to your home. There is a high back with stylish curves for a more traditional look. Tufted accent buttons on the back and seat add to its sophisticated appearance, making this armchair the focal point in any space.
The upholstery is a combination of linen and polyester fabrics, which are easy to care for and clean if needed. This material is also durable, so it shouldn’t wear out quickly, even with regular use. The back and seat are a bit firm for some, though still comfortable for a rest now and then.
There are sturdy wooden legs on the bottom, with some stylish detailing on the front legs to add to this chair’s appeal. Lining up the holes for the legs and back when assembling it can be tricky but this small armchair holds firm and looks great when you’re done.
Choosing an armchair for your home can be tricky. Are you looking for a more traditional model, like the Christopher Knight Home Clarice Accent Chair, or are you interested in a more modern design? Do you prefer a stationary chair or one that swivels or reclines? You also need to look at other features, like the size of the chair, the upholstery material, and how easy it is to put together. Once you’ve considered all of these features, you’re ready to choose your ideal armchair.
If you’re unsure what to look for in an armchair, the following sections will explain what each of the features is and why they are important.
The upholstery material is quite important since it’s the first thing people notice about the chair. That’s why it needs to be durable enough to withstand regular use. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with worn areas or tears in the fabric that ruin its appearance.
Another thing to consider with the upholstery is how to clean it. Fabrics, like the polyester used for the Homelegance Fabric Barrel Chair, tend to soak up any spills. If they aren’t cleaned right away, you may have some unsightly stains on your new chair. The easier it is to clean, the better your chair will look, even if you’ve had it for a while.
The filling material is another important feature. It’s what makes your chair comfortable when you’re sitting down. Foam padding is common in the backs and seat cushions. This material can be firm, which is great for support, but still offers a great deal of comfort when sitting.
Some models also use down for the filling, like the Stone & Beam Lauren Leather Armchair, which can be firm in the beginning as well, though it will soften over time, giving it a plush softness. You may want to try out a few chairs before buying one to be sure the filling is the right comfort level for you.
The overall dimensions of the chair aren’t going to be a huge deciding factor when you’re buying a chair for a large living room. If you’re putting your new armchair in a smaller living room or a bedroom, the size of the chair may be a bit more important. If the chair doesn’t fit in the area you have set aside for it, you’re going to have to waste a lot of time moving furniture around to make it fit or sending it back and choosing a new chair.
Be sure you measure the space you have available and then get a chair that will fit before spending your money.
The seat dimensions should give you enough room to sit comfortably in the chair without having to squeeze between the arms. A bigger chair is fine for a small person but a large person won’t fit well in a small chair. If a small chair will fit those in your household, one like the Ravenna Home Pull Recliner with dimensions of 21 x 22.5 inches will be a good fit. People that need a larger chair may want to try out one like the Stone & Beam Lauren Leather Armchair, due to its 25 x 27 dimensions that should fit those who need a bit more space while they sit.
The weight of the chair is most important when you`re moving it in and doing any assembly. The heavier the chair is, the more help you’re going to need when doing either of these. The lightest chair on our list is the Homelegance Fabric Barrel Chair at 27.5 pounds, so this one should be easy to move around where you want it, even if you`re testing out a few different spots in your home. A much heavier chair, like the 120-pound Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Recliner, will probably need at least two people to move it around, so it will likely stay in the same place for the entire time you own it.
The easier it is to assemble your new armchair, the faster you get to enjoy it. Some models have no assembly required, like the Stone & Beam Lauren Leather Armchair. Other models have a simple assembly, where you only need to attach the legs to the bottom. Some armchairs need the back attached as well, adding to the time and effort it takes to put them together.
The more pieces and parts needed to get it together, the longer and harder the assembly process will be, so it may be a good idea to look at how much is needed before you buy a new armchair.
The warranty covers you for any issues you may have with your chair. This could include a variety of things, like manufacturer’s defects, tears in the fabric, or missing parts. The longer the warranty is, the more coverage you have if any of these issues you occur.
A one-year warranty is fine if you don`t use the armchair very often but a chair you sit in every day will wear out faster than one that’s rarely used. The more time you have on the warranty, the more comfortable you’ll be using it. You should check to see what`s covered. For instance, the Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Recliner has a five-year warranty on the mechanism but only 1 year for everything else.
If you want to just sit in your chair, any armchair will be fine, as long as it`s comfortable. Some models include reclining, rocking, or swivel functions, which gives you a little more versatility in how you use your chair. Those that recline let you lay back and take a nap if needed. Rocking ones are great for putting little ones to sleep. A swivel chair lets you turn it as needed to see others in the room, look out the window, or watch television, all without getting up.
There are a few extra features you may want to look for. What the legs are made of is one since these will be holding the weight of the chair and the person in it. The products we`ve reviewed that have legs all use wood, which is sturdy and can handle the weight.
The design of the armrests and the back are also something to look at. These should be comfortable enough to use for long periods of time if needed. Padding in both of these areas is a must. The back should be high enough to give you some support for your neck and head if you plan to sit for a long period of time. Lumbar support is also great to keep your back supported and reduce pain while you sit.
The armchairs in our reviews are all high-quality options that will work well in any living room. Of course, we do have a few favorites we’d recommend you check out first.
Our top choice is the Rivet Sloane Mid-Century Modern Armchair, which has a traditional design with modern touches. It includes a hardwood frame, tapered beech wood legs, a U-shaped design, thick seat padding, and hand-tufted buttons.
The Stone & Beam Lauren Leather Armchair comes fully assembled, with a hardwood frame, down filling, and removable cushions and covers. It is roomy, easy to clean, and has six color options available.
The Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Recliner is another good choice. This chair includes a quiet dual motor to power the lift, recline, and footrest. The remote is wired to prevent misplacement. There is also a corner blocked frame, metal seat reinforcements, and a magazine pocket.
