A luxury armchair is one of the most transformative individual purchases in interior design. Unlike a sofa — which anchors a room by virtue of its scale — an armchair earns its place through considered design, material excellence and precise positioning. Get it right and it becomes the piece visitors remember. Get it wrong and no amount of effort elsewhere compensates.
This guide covers every decision point: form, fabric, scale, placement and quality. It applies whether you are choosing for a private residence, a boutique hotel room or a show home specification.
Form First: The Four Types of Luxury Armchair
The Accent Chair
An accent chair is chosen primarily for visual impact. It may or may not be the most comfortable seat in a room — its primary job is to introduce a different material, colour or form that adds compositional interest. The best accent chairs work as sculptural objects as much as functional seating. The Araco Atelier armchair range includes several designs that work in this register — particularly in contrasting colourways to the main sofa.
The Lounge Chair
A lounge chair prioritises comfort at depth. Generous seat depth (65–75cm+), low arms, reclined back angle. Designed for extended sitting — reading, relaxing, watching. In a living room, one well-placed lounge chair completes a seating group in a way a second sofa cannot.
The Reading Chair
A reading chair combines functionality with elegance. Upright enough to support reading posture (seat depth 55–65cm), with a high back to support the head and arms at the right height for a book or device. Usually paired with a floor lamp.
The Occasional Chair
An occasional chair lives in a space that is not primarily a seating space — a bedroom corner, a dressing room, a hallway, a landing. It is used occasionally and seen constantly. Visual impact matters more than extended comfort.
Scale and Proportion
Armchairs are significantly more varied in scale than sofas. Width ranges from approximately 65cm (a very compact occasional chair) to 95cm (a generous lounge chair). Seat height ranges from 38cm (very low, lounging) to 50cm (upright, formal). Seat depth from 50cm (upright) to 80cm (deep lounging).
Before selecting an armchair, decide which of the four types you need and measure the space available. An armchair needs at least 60–75cm of circulation space on each accessible side. In a room where the armchair faces the sofa, allow at least 90cm between the two for comfortable movement and conversation.
Fabric Selection for Armchairs
The same fabric rules that apply to sofas apply to armchairs, but with one additional consideration: armchairs often endure more intensive use per square centimetre than sofas, because a single person occupies the full seat area. This makes fabric durability slightly more important per unit.
Bouclé for visual impact and contemporary character — available across the full Araco Atelier armchair collection in 10 colourways. The looped texture adds warmth and visual depth that photographs and presents exceptionally well. Best for lower-traffic environments.
Performance velvet for richness, photography performance and a wider colour palette. Available across Tommy Franks armchair designs. More durable than traditional velvet, brush-cleanable.
Linen and woven textures for relaxed luxury and higher durability. Available across both ranges. The most forgiving in high-traffic or family spaces.
Leg Style and Base
Leg style has a disproportionate effect on how an armchair reads in a room. Tapered wooden legs (natural oak or walnut) create lift and lightness — the chair appears to float above the floor. Brushed brass or black metal legs add a contemporary edge. Plinth bases (fabric-wrapped, flush to the floor) create a more architectural, grounded appearance — lower and more substantial.
In a room with existing wooden furniture, match or complement the leg tone. In a minimal room, a contrasting metal leg often reads better than a matching wood.
Quality Indicators
When assessing the quality of a luxury armchair, the following signals indicate genuine craftsmanship versus decorative appearance:
- Frame — kiln-dried hardwood (beech or oak) should be specified. Softer woods and engineered board will warp, crack or collapse over time.
- Joints — corner blocked and glued, not just stapled or nailed
- Cushion fill — high-resilience foam wrapped in fibre or feather for the correct combination of support and softness
- Fabric attachment — hand-tacked or machine-tacked consistently, not loose or uneven at seams
- Feet — solid, fitted flush, not wobbly or uneven across the four points
Placement
An armchair placed in isolation — away from any other furniture, not anchored by a rug or lamp — reads as stranded. Armchairs work best in relationship: angled slightly toward a sofa, paired with a side table and floor lamp, positioned to face a fireplace or window. The composition matters as much as the piece itself.
Shop Luxury Armchairs at ARACO Interiors
- All Luxury Armchairs
- Araco Atelier Armchairs — Bouclé
- Statement Armchairs
- Tommy Franks Armchairs
- Request Free Fabric Samples
Frequently Asked Questions
What size armchair do I need?
Width 70–85cm suits most living room contexts. Allow at least 60cm of circulation space on each accessible side. For a bedroom corner, a more compact chair (65–75cm wide) often reads better in proportion to the room.
What is the most durable fabric for an armchair?
Linen and performance woven fabrics offer the best durability. Performance velvet is more durable than traditional velvet. Bouclé is beautiful but requires more care in high-traffic settings.
Can I get fabric samples before ordering?
Yes. Free bouclé samples in all 10 Araco Atelier colourways are available on request. Request samples here.
Are armchairs available at trade pricing?
Yes. All armchairs at ARACO Interiors are available at trade pricing for interior designers, architects and hospitality projects. Apply via our Trade & Projects page.