How to Choose an Armchair: The Seat That Makes a Room Feel Complete

An armchair can change how a room works. It can give a living area another useful seat, turn a quiet corner into a reading spot, or bring balance to a sofa setting that feels unfinished. This guide explains how to choose an armchair by looking at comfort, scale, seat height, fabric, placement and daily use.

The right armchair should never feel like a spare piece pushed into an empty spot. It should support the body, suit the scale of the room, work with the sofa and have a clear purpose. Some armchairs are made for reading. Some are better for conversation. Others soften a bedroom, support a modular sofa or create a single place to pause.

At MOMU, armchairs are made in Melbourne with custom options across suitable designs, including upholstery, cushion feel, timber finish and proportions. You can explore the full Australian Made furniture collection, compare fabric options and visit the MOMU showroom before choosing.

How to Choose an Armchair for the Way You Sit

The first question is not colour or fabric. It is how the chair will be used. A reading chair needs a different feel from a guest chair. A bedroom chair may need to be soft and compact, while a living-room chair may need stronger support and a shape that works beside a custom sofa.

Think about the person who will sit there most often. Do they lean back with a book? Sit upright with a drink? Curl one leg underneath? Use the chair for long evenings or short conversations? Comfort becomes easier to judge when the purpose is clear, and room planning can help place the chair properly before ordering.

Useful questions to ask first

• Will the armchair be used every day or mainly by guests?
• Does it need to support reading, conversation or quiet rest?
• Should the seat feel upright, soft, deep or compact?
• Will it sit beside a sofa, in a bedroom or near a window?
• Does the room need one chair or a pair?
• Will pets, children or frequent entertaining affect the fabric choice?

What Armchair Size Works Best?

Armchair size is easy to underestimate. A chair may look measured on its own, then feel bulky once it sits beside a sofa, side table, lamp and rug. The full width, depth, back height and arm shape all affect how the chair lands in the room.

Before choosing, mark the chair footprint on the floor with painter’s tape. Include space for the arms, back angle and walking room around it. Then check how the chair relates to the sofa, rug, window, side table and floor lamp. If the chair will sit with an ottoman, mark that footprint too.

What should you measure?

• The width of the chair, including arms.
• The overall depth from front to back.
• The seat height from floor to cushion top.
• The back height and how it sits against a wall or window.
• The space needed for a side table or floor lamp.
• The walkway around the chair.
• The delivery path into the room.

Which Armchairs Suit Everyday Comfort?

An everyday armchair needs enough support to feel comfortable beyond the first few minutes. Look for a seat depth that lets the body settle, an arm height that feels natural and cushioning that supports rather than collapses.

It should also work with your sofa. A chair does not need to match the sofa exactly, but the seat height and visual weight should feel connected. A very low chair beside a higher sofa can feel awkward. A large chair beside a neat sofa can make the setting feel unbalanced. For broader seating ideas, compare MOMU’s armchairs, sofas and modular sofas.

Arkie Armchair and Salona Armchair by MOMU, for daily comfort.

Who does Arkie suit?

The Arkie Armchair suits homes that need a supportive upholstered chair with a soft profile. It can work well in a living room, bedroom or reading spot where comfort is used often.

Who does Salona suit?

The Salona Armchair suits rooms that need relaxed seating with a calm shape. It is worth considering when the chair needs to feel welcoming without taking over the layout.

Should an Armchair Match the Sofa?

An armchair does not have to match the sofa. In many rooms, a slight contrast works better. The chair can repeat one element from the sofa, such as colour temperature, fabric texture or leg finish, without becoming a duplicate.

If the sofa is plain, the armchair can introduce texture. If the sofa is large, a slimmer chair can lighten the setting. If the sofa is deep and casual, a more upright chair can add another way to sit. MOMU’s neutral fabric options and velvet options can help you compare tone and texture before choosing.

Ways to connect an armchair to a sofa

• Use a related fabric tone, rather than the exact same colour.
• Repeat a timber finish from nearby furniture.
• Choose a seat height that works beside the sofa.
• Balance a deep sofa with a more upright chair.
• Use a cushion or throw to link the pieces softly.

Where Should an Armchair Go in a Living Room?

Placement depends on how the room is used. In a conversation area, an armchair can sit opposite or at an angle to the sofa. In a smaller room, it may sit beside the sofa to create an L-shaped seating zone. In an open-plan space, a chair can help define the living area without blocking views.

A good position usually leaves enough room for a side table, a reading lamp and easy movement. The chair should feel connected to the seating group, not stranded in a corner unless that corner has a clear purpose. MOMU’s room-planning service can help compare chair placement, rug size, sofa position and walkway space.

Armchair placement ideas

• Beside the sofa to create an easy conversation zone.
• Opposite the sofa when the room has enough width.
• Near a window with a lamp and small table.
• In a bedroom corner for reading or dressing.
• In pairs when the room needs extra seating.
• Angled slightly towards the sofa for a softer layout.

Which Armchairs Suit Smaller Rooms?

In a smaller room, the chair needs to work hard without adding clutter. Look for a profile that gives comfort without excessive width or depth. A chair with a lighter base or neater arms can feel easier in a compact space, while a fuller upholstered chair can feel more cocooning when the room has enough breathing room.

The goal is to add one useful seat, not fill every spare space. A smaller living room may benefit from one well-sized armchair and an ottoman, rather than a second sofa. For compact seating, compare the Chelsea Armchair, Soho Armchair and MOMU’s wider armchair collection.

Chelsea Armchair and Soho Armchair by MOMU, for compact seating.

Who does Chelsea suit?

The Chelsea Armchair suits rooms that need a neat upholstered seat with a composed outline. It can work well where space is limited but comfort still matters.

Who does Soho suit?

The Soho Armchair suits homes that want a clean, compact chair for living rooms, bedrooms or occasional seating areas.

How Important Is Seat Height?

Seat height changes how easy the chair is to use. A lower chair can feel relaxed, but it may be harder to stand from. A higher chair can feel more supportive for conversation and daily sitting.

When choosing, compare the armchair with the sofa and nearby tables. If the chair is much lower than the sofa, the seating group can feel disconnected. If it is too high, it may not feel relaxed enough for the room. Seat height should also be considered with ottoman height if you plan to add one.

Seat-height checks

• Can you sit down without dropping into the chair?
• Can you stand up without effort?
• Do your feet rest comfortably on the floor?
• Does the chair feel balanced beside the sofa?
• Will guests use the chair comfortably?

What Fabric Should You Choose?

Fabric should be chosen for touch, use and light. A textured fabric can make an armchair feel more inviting. A plain weave can give a cleaner look. A deeper colour may feel grounded, while a soft neutral can keep the chair quiet within the room.

Always view fabric samples beside the sofa, rug, flooring and wall colour. Natural light can shift tone, and evening lighting can make some colours appear warmer or cooler. You can compare MOMU’s fabric options, neutral fabric options, velvet options and leather options before choosing a final direction.

Which Armchairs Suit Reading and Quiet Corners?

A reading chair needs more than a soft seat. It should support the back, give the arms somewhere natural to rest and sit comfortably with a side table or lamp. A chair used for reading should feel good after more than a few minutes.

For a reading corner, compare supportive options such as the Capri Armchair, the Dali Armchair and the Tokyo Armchair. Add an ottoman if you want the seat to work for longer, slower sitting.

Capri Armchair and Tokyo Armchair by MOMU, for reading corners.

Should You Add an Ottoman?

An ottoman can make an armchair more flexible. It gives the chair a place to stretch out without needing a recliner or oversized seat. It can also move around the room when extra comfort or casual seating is needed.

This works especially well in reading corners, bedrooms and living rooms where one armchair needs to do more than one job. The ottoman should sit close enough to use comfortably, while still leaving a clear path around the chair. MOMU’s Harvey Ottoman, Hex Ottoman and full ottoman collection are useful places to compare scale.

Capri Armchair and Hex Ottoman by MOMU, for flexible comfort.

What About a Pair of Armchairs?

A pair of armchairs can work beautifully when a room needs balance, but only if there is enough space. Two chairs can sit opposite a sofa, beside a fireplace, near a window or across from a low table.

The important part is scale. Two bulky chairs can close in a room quickly. Two slimmer chairs can give extra seating while keeping the area open. Always measure the full pair, including the space between them and the path around them. If space is tight, one armchair with a flexible ottoman may be the better choice.

A pair may work if:

• The room has enough width for two separate seats.
• The chairs can connect to the sofa through the rug.
• There is room for a small table or shared lamp.
• The layout supports conversation.
• The chairs do not block the main walkway.

How Do You Choose an Armchair for a Bedroom?

A bedroom armchair often has a softer purpose. It may be used for reading, dressing, putting on shoes or creating a quiet place away from the main living area. The chair should feel comfortable, but it should not crowd the bed, wardrobe or door swing.

Choose a size that leaves room to move. A side table, small lamp or ottoman can make the chair more useful, but only when the bedroom has enough space for each piece to breathe. A compact design from the MOMU armchair collection can often work better than an oversized lounge chair.

How Can Custom Making Help?

Custom making helps when a standard chair is close but not right. You may need a different fabric, firmer cushion feel, softer seat, adjusted timber finish or proportions that better suit the room.

MOMU’s room-planning service can help you compare chair placement, sofa pairing, fabric direction and surrounding furniture before ordering. You can also learn more about MOMU’s craftsmanship, sustainability, warranty information and contact options.

Armchair Buying Checklist

Before choosing, check the chair against the room, the body and the way it will be used. A thoughtful armchair should feel good on its own and better within the full setting.

• Decide whether the chair is for reading, conversation or occasional seating.
• Measure the full width, depth and height.
• Mark the chair footprint on the floor.
• Check seat height beside the sofa.
• Allow room for a side table or lamp.
• Choose fabric in the room’s natural and evening light.
• Consider an ottoman if the chair needs foot-up comfort.
• Check the delivery path before ordering.
• Use a pair only when the room has enough space.
• Visit the MOMU showroom to test comfort properly.

FAQs About Choosing an Armchair

How do I choose the right armchair?

Start with how the chair will be used, then check size, seat height, depth, fabric, placement and how it works with your sofa or bed.

Should an armchair be the same colour as the sofa?

Not always. A related tone or texture often works better than an exact match. Compare MOMU’s fabric options to find a finish that feels connected without looking copied.

What makes an armchair comfortable?

Comfort comes from seat depth, seat height, back support, arm height, cushion feel and the way the chair suits the person sitting in it. Testing the chair at the MOMU showroom is the best way to compare comfort.

Can an armchair work in a small living room?

Yes. Choose a chair with suitable width and depth, then keep walkways clear. One well-sized armchair can be more useful than adding another sofa.

Should I buy one armchair or two?

One chair suits many rooms. Two chairs can work when the room has enough space and needs balance or extra conversation seating. Use room planning if the layout feels uncertain.

Can MOMU customise an armchair?

Depending on the selected design, MOMU can discuss custom options across upholstery, cushion feel, timber finish and proportions. You can contact MOMU or visit the showroom to discuss options.

Choose an Armchair That Works Beyond Looks

An armchair should do more than fill an empty spot. It should make the room easier to live in, give the body proper support and work with the furniture already there.

Before choosing, measure the space, test comfort, compare fabric in natural light and think about the chair’s role. A living room chair, reading chair and bedroom chair all ask for different details. Explore MOMU’s armchairs, ottomans, sofas and full furniture collection to build the setting properly.

For an Australian Made armchair made in Melbourne, visit MOMU’s Bentleigh East showroom to compare designs, test comfort and plan a chair that suits your home.