How to choose a chair

An easy chair is a comfortable and multifunctional piece of home furniture where you can relax after a hard day, read your favorite book or watch a TV series, sit with guests over a cup of tea, and if the chair is folding, then even get a good night's sleep. Most often, an armchair is bought complete with a sofa, but if you want to purchase it separately, it can be difficult: which model to choose, what color and texture the upholstery should be, what style the product should be made in and what else you need to pay attention to when buying. All these questions are important, so it is worth considering them separately.

How to choose a chair by size

The first thing to determine is the functional purpose of the chair: are you buying it for yourself to cozy up in the evenings, or will this piece of furniture be used only by guests. In the second case, choose a chair, focusing on its appearance, and in the first case, you should study the characteristics more carefully and choose the option that best meets the needs of the owner.

What to look for when choosing a chair, so this is the dimensions of the product. Determine exactly where the chair will stand, and choose the option that will fit in size. For small rooms, it is not recommended to purchase large models with large armrests, even if there is free space, otherwise the room will become even more cramped. The size of the chair should suit the owner's figure: the depth and width of the seat should be optimal so as not to hinder movement and allow you to get comfortable, the armrests should be moderately soft and support your hands in a comfortable position, the back should be appropriate for height.

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Comfort chair standard features

A comfort chair has a number of characteristics that are the same for all models, regardless of shape, cost and style, so when you are looking forhow to choose a chairpay attention to the following parameters:

• the seat should be placed at an inclination of 15 degrees so that the front remains slightly higher than the back, it will be uncomfortable to sit on a chair with a flat seat;
• the back and seat should be located at an angle of 120 or more degrees relative to each other;
• the height of the seat from the floor should be about 40-50 cm, too low a chair will create an extra load on the hips and buttocks, and it will be inconvenient to sit on a higher one, with non-standard height, the seat height may vary - the higher the height, the higher the chair should be;
• the optimal seating depth is 50-60 cm, for larger models with a depth of 70-90 cm it is recommended to purchase an additional pillow in the form of a roller and place it under the lower back;
• seat width should be in the range from 50 to 70 cm, owners with an impressive build will need a wider model.

There are three types of backs:

• low, up to 32 cm high;
• medium, 33-42 cm high;
• high - 43-77 cm.

A chair with a low back is fine if you plan on reclining in it, but if you like to sit back, this option is not suitable: in this case, the neck and shoulders will quickly tire without the necessary support. If you decide to buy a chair with a high back, choose models that have a protrusion for the neck.

The armrests should be located at such a distance from each other that the elbows lie freely on them. If at the same time it is necessary to raise the shoulders, choose a model with a lower railing, otherwise the neck and shoulders will hurt after a few minutes of sitting in such a chair. If you need to reach for the railing, then the chair is too wide and you should look for a narrower option.

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How to choose a chair in shape

The shape and design of the chair directly depends on its purpose. If it will stand in the living room and be used only on holidays in order to seat guests, you can choose a non-folding option, with an arbitrary back height and seat width, since it makes no sense to focus on the complexion of guests: all people are different. How to choose a chair in this case? You can give preference to a model without armrests so that the chair takes up less space. In order for this piece of furniture not only to stand in the corner, but to serve as a decoration of the room, choose interesting models with bright upholstery, unusual details, beautiful legs and creative designer pillows.

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Recliner chair

If you buy a chair for yourself to ensure a comfortable rest and coziness, then comfortable armrests and a good back with a headrest are mandatory attributes. An ideal option would be a recliner chair, which has an adjustable backrest, and a special retractable stand is provided for the legs. The main distinguishing feature of this design is that the shape of the chair can be adjusted to your taste: raise the back when you want to read, or, conversely, lower it and sit reclining when you want to watch TV.

The tuning mechanism can be mechanical, semi-automatic or automatic, as well as electronic. Mechanical options are cheaper, and in the event of a breakdown, repairs will not hit the family budget. Automatic and electronic mechanisms are more comfortable, as they are able to adapt to the shape of the body, however, the cost of such a chair will be much higher. The disadvantages of the recliner include difficulties with the location: because of the reclining backrest, the chair cannot be moved close to the wall, so it will take up quite a lot of free space.

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Folding chair-bed

For small rooms, a folding chair bed is the best option. During the day it will serve as a compact place to sit, and at night it will take the form of a comfortable single bed. Choosing a reclining chair, you should pay attention to the material from which the frame and fittings are made: in order for the product to serve for a long time, they must be metal.

Another important detail is the transformation mechanism. There are two options:

1. Folding mechanism. It is convenient in that it creates an even, smooth and soft sleeping place, and the design of the chair can be equipped with a drawer for linen and other useful things, which is very convenient in a small city apartment. The disadvantages include a limited choice of design options, as the design imposes its own limitations.
2. The roll-out mechanism is convenient in that the surface of the bed is almost perfectly flat. However, it is rather rigid and low.

When you want to know how to choose a chair-bedPay attention to ease of folding and unfolding. The process should be simple and easy, all parts should slide easily so that no physical effort is required. If the transformation mechanism is too tight, it is best to refuse to buy, since assembling such a chair will be a real torment.

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How to choose a chair according to the filler material

The material that is used for filling provides proper body support and comfort, which is especially important, because the chair is used for relaxation. Most products are filled with polyurethane foam. This material may have more or less rigidity, so choosing a model to your taste is not difficult. As a rule, a thicker and softer polyurethane foam is used for the seat, and a harder one for the back and armrests. The material is durable and provides comfort, therefore it is the most preferred. There are also spring structures, they have greater elasticity, but are usually less comfortable.

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How to choose a chair by upholstery material

The fabric for the upholstery of the chair can be any, depending on the style of the room and other interior details. The armchair should harmoniously fit into the design of the apartment and blend beautifully with the flooring, wallpaper on the walls, and other furniture elements. Various types of textiles can be used as upholstery: jacquard with an intricate pattern, chenille, velor and microvelour, microfiber, micro-gun and gunny. To give the chair greater solidity, artificial suede, various types of leather substitute, as well as genuine leather are used.

If there is a pet in the house, this should also be taken into account. In this case, it is better to refuse fleecy fabrics, as they will be difficult to clean from wool. You can order a special “anti-claw” upholstery - this fabric has a smooth and dense base, so if the cat decides to sharpen its claws on a new chair, it will have nothing to catch on.

It is also worth paying attention to special Teflon-coated fabrics: they repel liquid and other contaminants from themselves, so that even after several years they look like new. Velor, tapestry, jacquard and other materials can have such a coating.

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How to choose a chair style

Perhaps the hardest thing is when you decide how to choose a chair, is to decide on the style. The shape and decor may repeat the design of the sofa and chairs, or may differ. For example, a standard, unremarkable setting will be enlivened by an interesting vintage-style armchair, which will give a special character and uniqueness to the whole room. In this way, you can change the style of the room as you wish: if all pieces of furniture are smooth, streamlined and painted in neutral colors, the chair can serve as a bright accent spot.

The classic style is characterized by large models of armchairs with plump pillows, overall backs and armrests. The legs and end panels may be carved and even gilded. Neat, concise options with minimal or no decor are suitable for the Art Nouveau style. High-tech style is characterized by bizarre design forms, and minimalism is characterized by extreme simplicity.

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Architectural features of the premises

When you are thinking about how to choose the right chair, be sure to consider the architectural features of the room in which the chair will be placed. In a room with low ceilings, it is desirable to use furniture with legs, so the space becomes lighter and more airy, and the ceilings visually rise. Models of light, mostly cool shades have the same property: blue, pistachio, lilac. They also look beautiful in any setting and expand the parameters of the room with beige chairs.

Armchairs with dark upholstery look solid and are more practical than light ones, but they have the ability to visually narrow the space. This disadvantage can be compensated by placing a large mirror or a picture near the chair: this way the space will visually expand.

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Other recommendations for choosing a chair

When choosing a chair in the store, do not just sit down in it, but try to take your usual position, throw back your shoulders, put your hands on the armrests. You should also move around a little, because you will not be constantly mobile. No matter how you like the model in terms of external characteristics, it is better to refuse it if you are not comfortable sitting in a chair. The same should be done if the seat creaks or cracks, and the structure staggers: such a chair will not last long.

Before you go shopping, carefully consider your future purchase in order to choose the best option that will please and give you pleasure for a long time. If you are looking for an armchair for guests, choose a beautiful model with an interesting design: for example, twisted legs, a back decorated with wooden carvings, and other creative shapes. If the chair will not sit often, you can safely buy products with light textile upholstery, and if you plan to sit in it every day, it is better to limit yourself to more practical options.

Pay attention to the size: a chair that is too small cannot be comfortable, and one that is too large will take up too much free space. If you are looking for how to choose a chair that is compact but comfortable, give preference to options with small armrests.

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