Armchairs — Fabric, Leather & Accent Chairs
An armchair is a single upholstered chair with arms, made for one person to sit in comfortably. It's one of the most flexible pieces of furniture you can own: a spare seat by the sofa, a reading spot by the window, a chair for the bedroom, or a piece chosen simply because you like it. Unlike a sofa, an armchair is easy to move and easy to place, which is why it suits almost any room in the house.
Below you'll find the main armchair styles and materials, along with practical advice on choosing the right one and measuring your space before you buy.
Armchair styles
Armchairs come in a few recognisable shapes, and the right one depends on how you want to sit and what the room needs.
Accent armchairs
An accent armchair is chosen as much for how it looks as where you sit. Bolder colours, patterns or shapes make it a way to add character to a room or fill an awkward corner. If you're mainly after a decorative chair to lift a plain space, it's worth also looking at our full Accent Chairs collection.
Classic and modern armchairs
Armchair shapes range from traditional scroll and rolled arms to cleaner, straighter modern lines. The arm style sets much of the character: rolled arms feel softer and more country, while square arms feel more contemporary. A higher back gives more head and neck support for reading and relaxing, while a lower back suits sitting and chatting. Choose the shape that sits comfortably with the rest of your furniture.
Fabric and leather armchairs
Material changes both the look and the upkeep of an armchair.
Fabric armchairs are the most popular choice in UK homes. They come in the widest range of colours and patterns, feel warm to sit in, and suit most rooms. Some fabrics wipe clean more easily than others, which is worth checking if the chair is for a busy family room or a nursery.
Leather armchairs are hard-wearing and easy to wipe down, and they age well — good leather softens and takes on a patina over years of use. They give a more classic, substantial look and stand up well to daily use, which makes them a practical pick for households with children or pets.
How to choose an armchair
Start with how you'll use the chair. If you like to sit back and relax for long stretches, look for a deeper seat and a higher back for support. If it's mainly an occasional or conversation seat, a lower back and firmer arms work well. For a reading or feeding chair, back support matters most, so a high-back shape is usually the better call.
Think about the room too. An armchair can fill an empty corner to make a cosy nook, or sit alongside a sofa as an extra seat — angling it slightly helps encourage conversation. It doesn't have to match your sofa; many rooms look better for a chair that contrasts in colour or material, as long as something ties the pieces together.
A well-made armchair in good-quality material typically lasts between 7 and 15 years, depending on how often it's used, so it's worth choosing a frame and fabric built for the wear it'll get.
Measuring for an armchair
Measure before you buy, not after. Take the width from the widest points, usually arm to arm; the height from the floor to the top of the back; and the depth from the front edge to the back. Check the chair against the space you have, and leave clear walkways so it doesn't block doors, windows or routes through the room. Remember to measure doorways and stairs too, so the chair can actually get to where it's going.
Armchair FAQs
What is the difference between an armchair and an accent chair?
An armchair is any single upholstered chair with arms, made for comfortable seating. An accent chair is an armchair chosen mainly to add colour, pattern or character to a room. Every accent chair is an armchair, but not every armchair is chosen as an accent piece — many are picked purely for comfort.
What is the most comfortable type of armchair?
Comfort is personal, but for relaxing and reading, a high-back armchair gives the best head, neck and back support. For sitting and chatting, a lower-backed armchair with firm arms tends to suit better. Seat depth matters too: a deeper seat lets you sit back, while a shallower one is easier to get in and out of.
Do armchairs need to match the sofa?
No. An armchair doesn't have to match your sofa, and many rooms look better when it doesn't. A contrasting colour or material can add interest, as long as something links the pieces — a shared tone, texture or style keeps the room feeling pulled together rather than mismatched.
How long does an armchair last?
A well-made armchair in good-quality material generally lasts between 7 and 15 years. How long it actually lasts depends on how often it's used and how well it's looked after, with the frame and upholstery quality making the biggest difference.
Are fabric or leather armchairs better?
Neither is better outright — it depends on your home. Fabric armchairs offer more colours and patterns and a warmer feel. Leather armchairs are more hard-wearing, easy to wipe clean and age well, which suits busy households with children or pets. Choose based on the look you want and how much wear the chair will get.
Can I see armchairs before buying?
Yes. You're welcome to try our range of armchairs in person at our Enniskillen showroom at Lakelands Retail Park, County Fermanagh. Sitting in a chair is the best way to judge seat height, depth and back support, which are hard to gauge from a photo alone.