An armchair is judged on what you cannot see: the frame, the suspension and the foam. Start there, then check size and upholstery against the room it will sit in.
Frame and suspension
Hardwood frames in beech or oak with dowelled or mortise-and-tenon joints stay rigid for years. Stapled softwood or composite frames loosen with daily use. Over the frame, sinuous or coil springs carry the load, and foam or a foam-and-feather wrap sits on top for comfort.
The Bauhaus Linear Armchair uses a foam-and-feather seat cushion over a no-sag spring base, set on tall matte black metal legs. It has the most upright sit of our chairs, so it is easy to rise from and suits a reading corner or a spot beside a desk.
Seat depth and room size
Measure the floor space first, then the doorway. A deep seat suits lounging but is harder to stand up from. A shallower, higher seat suits anyone who sits for short periods or needs an easy rise.
The Bowie Armchair is wider and deeper than a standard armchair. It has rounded arms, a recessed plinth base and an inner-coil seat cushion, so it works as a one-person lounging spot in a bedroom or beside a window.
Swivel or fixed
A fixed chair points one way. A swivel lets one chair face the television, the view or the person across the room. The Cove Swivel Lounge Chair has a barrel back that curves into the arms and a concealed 360-degree base. It suits a living room corner or a bedroom.
Upholstery
Wool blends hold colour and resist pilling. Linen has more texture but marks more easily. Leather develops a patina with use and wipes clean. Aniline leather keeps the natural grain and shows marks quickly. Pigmented leather has a uniform surface that is more resistant to wear.
Fabric wear is rated in Martindale cycles. A higher rating means the fabric takes more abrasion before it shows wear. Ask for the rating on any fabric you are considering.
Fabrics and leathers shown online are our most requested, not the full range. Ask us for samples before you decide.
Your rights as a buyer
Upholstered furniture sold in New Zealand is covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. Consumer NZ explains what that covers in plain terms.
See them in person
Seat height and depth are easier to judge sitting down. Browse the full lounge chairs collection online, then visit our Parnell or Grey Lynn showroom and try them against the sofa you already have.
