Best Armchairs in Melbourne: How to Style Every Room

An armchair can do more than provide an additional seat. It can create a reading corner, make a large living room feel more welcoming or give a smaller space a comfortable place to relax. If you're looking for armchairs in Melbourne, the right design starts with how you want to use the room and where the chair will sit.

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MOMU manufactures Australian made armchairs in Melbourne. Its designs can be ordered in different upholstery and custom dimensions, allowing customers to choose a chair that works with their preferred sitting position and room arrangement.

1. Create a Conversation Area With One Armchair

An armchair placed near a sofa can make a living room more useful for conversation. Instead of having everyone seated along one wall, an individual chair provides a different direction of seating.

Try positioning the armchair at a slight angle to the sofa rather than directly beside it. This makes it easier for people to face one another without turning their bodies too far.

In a larger room, you might use two armchairs facing a straight sofa. This arrangement can create a more defined sitting area without requiring one enormous modular sofa.

The chairs do not need to match the sofa exactly. A different upholstered shape can give the room more variety while keeping the furniture coordinated through colour and fabric texture.

For example, a sofa with straight arms may work well alongside a chair with a softly curved profile. The contrast helps each piece remain visually distinct.

Consider how people move between the furniture. Leave sufficient space to approach the chair, sit comfortably and stand up without moving other pieces.

MOMU's complimentary room-planning service can help compare seating arrangements using your floor plan.

2. Make a Reading Corner Feel Comfortable

A reading armchair should provide supportive seating, suitable light and enough room to relax. The chair's appearance matters, but its seat depth and back support are especially important.

Start by choosing a quiet location. A window can provide natural light during the day, while a nearby floor lamp may be useful in the evening.

Think about how long you normally sit when reading. Some people prefer a relatively upright position, while others enjoy leaning back with their feet supported.

The arms should feel comfortable when holding a book or resting your elbows. If they are particularly high or wide, check whether that suits your sitting position.

Consider adding an upholstered ottoman if you like putting your feet up. A separate ottoman may also allow you to adjust the arrangement more easily.

Keep the space around the chair practical. You should be able to approach the seat comfortably and reach any nearby lamp or storage without stretching awkwardly.

When visiting the MOMU Melbourne showroom, test different chair designs in a seated position similar to how you would normally read.

3. Use Armchairs to Make Open-Plan Spaces More Flexible

Armchairs can help divide an open-plan room into useful seating zones without adding walls or bulky furniture.

For example, one chair may face the main sofa while another is positioned towards a window. This gives household members different places to sit without requiring separate rooms.

A swivel armchair can be particularly useful when a room serves several purposes.

It may allow someone to turn towards a conversation, television or another part of the room without physically moving the chair.

However, a swivel chair needs enough clearance to rotate comfortably. Check the space behind and beside the arms, particularly if the chair sits close to other furniture.

MOMU offers swivel options on selected chairs, including Arkie and Soho. These designs can be worth comparing when the seating direction needs to change throughout the day.

Before choosing a swivel chair, consider its complete movement rather than only the dimensions shown on a product page.

Three MOMU Armchairs for Different Melbourne Homes

Some armchairs are best suited to compact spaces, while others provide generous seating for relaxing. Comparing their actual shapes and proportions can help determine which design works for your room.

Arkie: A Compact Chair With Softly Shaped Arms

The Arkie armchair is a compact upholstered design with a gently rounded frame and the option of a swivel base.

Its combination of soft lines and a defined seating shape makes it suitable for buyers who want an individual chair that can work in several different settings.

Design: Arkie has softly shaped upholstered arms and a compact outline. Its rounded form creates a different appearance from an armchair with completely straight sides, making it a useful companion to a structured sofa.

Dimensions: The listed standard size is 94 cm wide, 83 cm deep and 80 cm high. MOMU offers custom sizing, so the standard dimensions can be used as a starting point when assessing the space available.

Comfort: Arkie's upholstered seat and back create a defined sitting position. Buyers should test the relationship between seat depth, back support and arm height before deciding whether it suits relaxed lounging or more upright sitting.

Swivel option: An optional swivel base allows the direction of seating to change. This can be useful in an open-plan lounge or reading corner, provided enough clearance is available for the chair to rotate.

Upholstery: Arkie can be made in MOMU's fabric and leather selections. A textured weave may soften its appearance, while smoother upholstery can emphasise the shape of the frame.

Construction: Arkie is made in Melbourne using sustainably sourced Australian hardwood frames and MOMU's certified cushioning materials. It is covered by the brand's ten-year structural warranty, subject to terms.

Best suited to: Apartment living rooms, reading corners, bedrooms with suitable floor space and open-plan homes requiring flexible seating.

Before ordering: Check the chair's width against nearby furniture. If selecting the swivel version, confirm its rotation clearance and whether the chosen upholstery affects any design details.

Browse MOMU's fabric collection or discuss Arkie's custom sizing through the Melbourne showroom.

Capri: Generous Seating With a Slim Frame

The Capri armchair provides a more substantial sitting area with a relatively slim outer frame and raised legs.

Its design makes it worth considering when comfort and seat space are priorities but you still want the chair to appear visually lighter than a fully upholstered block-style seat.

Design: Capri combines a slimline frame with substantial seat and back cushions. The raised legs create space beneath the frame, making the chair appear less visually heavy than a design with a fully upholstered base.

Dimensions: Capri's listed standard measurements are 100 cm wide, 95 cm deep and 84 cm high. This gives it a generous footprint compared with more compact armchair designs.

Comfort: The deeper overall proportions can offer room to settle back and relax. However, usable seat depth depends on the back cushions, so test upright sitting as well as reclining.

Room placement: Capri can work beside a sofa or as a separate lounging chair near a window. Its size should be considered carefully in smaller rooms, especially where the chair might interrupt access to a doorway.

Customisation: MOMU offers custom dimensions and upholstery options. Buyers can discuss whether the chair should be made slightly narrower, deeper or higher to better suit the household.

Upholstery: Capri's broad cushions create a noticeable surface for fabric texture. A closely woven material may make the frame look more defined, while chenille can create a softer finish. Leather is also available for discussion.

Construction: Capri is manufactured in Melbourne using sustainably sourced Australian hardwood frames, GECA-certified foam and Oeko-Tex-certified Dacron fibre made from recycled bottles.

Best suited to: Family living rooms, generous reading corners and larger bedrooms where a comfortable individual lounging seat is needed.

Before ordering: Check whether the overall width and depth work with the surrounding furniture. The chair may be comfortable on its own but still feel too large if positioned next to a substantial modular sofa.

Compare Capri with MOMU's made-to-order sofas if you want a coordinated seating arrangement.

Use MOMU's room-planning service to check the combined footprint before purchasing.

Soho: Compact Seating With a Swivel Option

The Soho armchair offers a compact upholstered form suited to rooms where an additional seat is useful but floor space is limited.

Its optional swivel base makes it particularly worth considering for multifunctional living areas.

Design: Soho features a compact frame, upholstered arms and supportive cushions. Its relatively restrained proportions can work with larger sofas without visually competing with them.

Dimensions: The listed standard size is 85 cm wide, 82 cm deep and 82 cm high. Custom dimensions can be discussed for buyers whose rooms require a different specification.

Comfort: Soho offers a defined sitting position. Buyers should consider the seat height, depth and cushion response, particularly if the chair will be used for extended periods of reading or conversation.

Swivel option: The optional swivel base allows the chair to face different directions. This can be helpful when one seating area serves several purposes, although sufficient rotation clearance remains important.

Upholstery: Soho can be customised in MOMU's fabric and leather options. A colour that contrasts with the main sofa may give the chair its own identity, while matching upholstery can create a more coordinated setting.

Construction: Soho is made in Melbourne using MOMU's Australian hardwood framing and certified cushioning materials. The chair is supported by the company's ten-year structural warranty, subject to the applicable conditions.

Best suited to: Smaller living rooms, apartments, compact sitting areas and open-plan spaces where a swivel seat would be practical.

Before ordering: Consider whether you want the standard or swivel base. If the chair sits close to a wall, check whether it can rotate without the back or arms contacting surrounding furniture.

Soho can be paired with many different sofa styles. Browse MOMU's sofa collection and upholstery materials to explore coordinated combinations.

4. Choose an Armchair That Works With Your Sofa

The best armchair and sofa combinations consider scale, seat height and upholstery rather than requiring identical designs.

A large sofa may work well with one generously upholstered armchair. Alternatively, a relatively compact chair can provide another seat without making the room feel crowded.

Think about the height of each piece. A very low chair beside a much taller sofa can create a noticeable difference in the overall arrangement.

Arm shape matters too. Rounded chair arms can soften the appearance of a straight sofa, while slimline chairs can balance a larger upholstered design.

For matching upholstery, compare actual fabric samples instead of relying on photographs. Two materials that look similar online may have different textures or tones in person.

If you prefer a contrasting chair, select a colour that works with the flooring, curtains and other furnishings already in the room.

MOMU offers a broad fabric and leather library, making it possible to select upholstery for both sofas and armchairs.

Consider whether a separate ottoman would improve the arrangement, particularly when the chair is intended for relaxing.

5. Make a Smaller Room Feel More Open

A smaller living room can benefit from an armchair, provided the furniture arrangement preserves useful floor space.

Start with the largest piece in the room, usually the sofa. Then identify where an individual chair could provide another seat without obstructing normal movement.

A compact upholstered chair may work near a window or at an angle beside the sofa.

Raised legs can help a chair appear visually lighter because more of the floor remains visible beneath it. However, visual lightness does not change the actual footprint.

For smaller rooms, measure the chair's full width and depth. Consider how much space is needed to sit down and stand up comfortably.

If using a swivel chair, remember to allow space for rotation.

Not every room needs two armchairs. One well-positioned chair may provide enough additional seating while preserving flexibility.

MOMU's scaled CAD planning service can help compare alternative arrangements before ordering custom furniture.

6. Choose Upholstery for the Way the Chair Will Be Used

An armchair used every day should have upholstery that suits your household's routines. Appearance and maintenance both deserve attention.

For family living rooms, ask about abrasion performance, built-in stain protection and the cleaning instructions for specific fabrics.

For households with pets, consider the fabric's weave. Some looped materials may be more prone to snagging than tighter woven alternatives.

Chenille can feel soft and comfortable, while velvet reflects light differently depending on the direction of the pile.

Leather provides a distinct surface feel and different cleaning requirements.

MOMU can supply fabric samples so customers can review colour and texture in their own homes.

Try viewing a sample in both daylight and evening lighting. A colour may look different beside timber floors than it does against a pale wall.

For care instructions, consult MOMU's product-care guidance and confirm the requirements of the selected material.

7. Consider Custom Sizing and Long-Term Use

An armchair should suit the person using it, not just the available space. Seat height, depth and back support can influence everyday comfort.

A chair that is too low may be difficult for some people to stand up from. A very deep seat may encourage reclining but feel awkward for more upright sitting.

MOMU offers custom dimensions and cushion comfort options for its upholstered furniture.

Its manufacturing uses sustainably sourced Australian kiln-dried hardwood frames, GECA-certified foams and Oeko-Tex-certified Dacron fibre made from more than 99% recycled bottles.

The company's armchairs carry a ten-year structural warranty, subject to the published terms.

Lead times depend on the production schedule and selected specifications. MOMU generally provides an approximately eight-week manufacturing guide, with current timing confirmed during ordering.

Because the furniture is made in Melbourne, customers can discuss their requirements directly with the team.

MOMU also offers Australia-wide delivery and video consultations for customers unable to visit its showroom.

Learn more about MOMU's craftsmanship or visit its Bentleigh East showroom to compare available seating.

See MOMU Armchairs in Furnished Rooms

Product photography can help you compare chair shapes, but completed living-room photographs offer a better sense of scale and styling. Visit MOMU's official Instagram to explore current furniture photography, upholstery inspiration and room arrangements.

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Official MOMU furniture photography. Visit Instagram for current posts, videos and design inspiration.

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Arkie, Capri or Soho: Which Armchair Should You Choose?

Dimensions are listed as width × depth × height and represent the published standard specifications. MOMU offers custom sizing, so confirm the final measurements when ordering.

Armchair Styling Checklist

1. Choose the purpose: Decide whether the chair is mainly for reading, conversation or relaxing.
2. Select the position: Consider light, access and the direction of surrounding seating.
3. Compare proportions: Check width, depth, arm height and seat support.
4. Plan the arrangement: Make sure the chair works with the sofa and other furniture.
5. Check swivel clearance: Allow room for rotation if choosing a swivel base.
6. Choose upholstery: Compare fabric texture, colour and cleaning requirements.
7. Review custom options: Discuss dimensions and cushion comfort before manufacturing.
8. Confirm delivery: Check property access, lead times and warranty terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Armchairs Melbourne

Where should I place an armchair in a living room?

Place it where it provides comfortable seating and works with the room's movement. Beside a sofa, near a window or facing other seats can all be suitable depending on the layout.

Should an armchair match the sofa?

No. The chair can coordinate with the sofa or contrast through fabric, colour or shape. The proportions should work together even when the upholstery differs.

Which MOMU armchair is suitable for small rooms?

Soho is a compact option worth comparing. Arkie may also suit smaller rooms depending on the available space and selected configuration.

Does MOMU make swivel armchairs?

Yes. Arkie and Soho have optional swivel bases. MOMU also offers other swivel designs within its armchair collection.

Can MOMU armchairs be customised?

Yes. MOMU offers custom sizing, fabric and leather choices, and adjustments to comfort specifications depending on the chair design.

Are MOMU armchairs made in Melbourne?

Yes. MOMU manufactures its upholstered armchairs in Melbourne using sustainably sourced Australian hardwood frames and certified cushioning materials.

Does MOMU deliver armchairs outside Victoria?

Yes. MOMU offers furniture delivery across Australia and can arrange remote consultations and fabric samples for interstate customers.

Where can I view MOMU armchairs in Melbourne?

Visit MOMU's showroom at 12 Ardena Ct, Bentleigh East VIC 3165. Published opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with appointments available on Monday and Tuesday.

Find an Armchair That Works With Your Home

The right armchair can make a living room more comfortable, provide a dedicated place for reading or create a more flexible seating arrangement.

Arkie offers softly shaped seating with an optional swivel. Capri provides generous proportions and a slim frame, while Soho offers compact seating with a swivel option.

Each is made in Melbourne by MOMU and can be ordered with custom dimensions and upholstery.

Before choosing, think about where the chair will sit, who will use it and how it should work with your existing furniture.

Explore MOMU's Australian made armchairs, compare sofa designs, review fabric and leather options or use the complimentary room-planning service.

For more furniture photographs and styling ideas, visit MOMU on Instagram.