12 Apr 22

The best statement armchairs

Time to confess that I have a bit of a fetish for a statement chair. They are the one piece of furniture that can sum up your style and state what exactly your look is in one piece of furniture. I think (hope) you will have all got the memo by now that the three-piece suite (matching sofas and armchairs) is all but banished to the design room 101. It’s way more fun to mix and match your furniture pieces and your armchair does not have to match your sofa. Not only does this help the room feel more interesting but is an opportunity to be playful and more individual too.

Nothing says ‘wow’ more than this incredible high back seat covered in Velvet Wonderland velvet in Double dragon by, Linwood.

I’m such a huge fan of statement chairs that I think you should have one in every room of the house – I certainly do! I have a pair in the living room, one on the landing, one in the bedrooms (all of them!), in the bathroom and in my office. All shapes, all sizes, all styles! Let’s take a deep dive and help you find the perfect one for your home.

Love this element of surprise with a juicy full-on pattern hidden on the back of the chair. Chair covered in Marie Fabric, £79 per m by Diane Hill at Harlequin

Statement chairs are an opportunity for colour, pattern, shape and texture and can bring a scheme alive. Place it in the far corner and as you enter your eye will be drawn across the room, helping the room feel bigger. To arrest attention my approach is always to go bold on colour, pattern, or both. However, the recent trend for soft organic shapes means you can get armchairs in some gorgeous curvaceous pebble inspired designs, or you can stay traditional and revamp a golden oldie with a fabulous new fabric. While the sofa tends to be the big investment piece in the room, I can forgive you for being ‘sensible; and opting for a safe neutral. But if this is the case then you must unleash all your passion for patterns on the statement armchair!

Investing in a statement piece doesn’t have to mean a hefty price tag. Yes, you certainly can get a special little number from a designer or boutique brand, and it really would stand the test of time, but there are some really great finds on the high street too. Read on for my round-up of the best.

The master of design and restoration, designer and upholsterer Jay Blades has a flair for taking old chairs and reinventing them in fabulous colours and modern fabrics. Modern furniture restorers, Jay & Co

In order to choose a chair that serves as a centrepiece, it should a) make a stand in its own right b) demand attention c) have a great shape and d) have an interesting fabric. Like a piece of artwork they enable you to express your own personal style and personality – remember you can go safe with the sofa, so why not let loose on the armchair.

Whether you’re renting, slowly filling out that first home, or refreshing an old one, investing in one good piece can make all the difference. They are investment pieces, and unlike larger pieces like the sofa, seem to always find a place in a new home, no matter how much you move. I love to buy old chairs and give them a new lease of life by picking out a fabulous fabric and giving it to an upholsterer to work their magic. If you find a well-built chair it’s really worth the investment and you’ll end up with a better quality piece than on the high street for often around the same price.

Pale pink curved bedroom chair, blonde wood panelled wall, plain lilac, teal and orange bedding

Okay, Okay It doesn’t have to be all about the pattern! Choosing a chair for its eye-catching shape is also key. Ronda chair in pink, £280, Habitat.

But with so many different styles and design options out there, how do you choose the right one? Well, I’ve got you covered with some top picks for statement armchairs that will make a serious impact in any space. First of all, think about the scale. Vintage nursing chairs are ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. High back chairs are practical in living rooms where you want to sit and read for longer lengths of time while low backed chairs high on legs will help make a small room feel spacious. And why stop at just the one? A pair of armchairs can add elegance adjacent to the main sofa, or a lovely space to retreat to if you have room for them at the foot of the bed.

I hope I’ve helped you get the bug for pretty statement chairs- they are a designer’s best friend. Here’s just a selection of some of my favourite designs that are ready to buy online now.

7. Lina Mexicana print armchair, Graham & Green | 8. Ziggy chair, Heal’s| 9. Studio chair in ruby, Buchanan Studio | 10. Whitehead chair in Pandemonium Velvet – Graffiti Flora, Sofa Workshop | 11. Shell Back Love Seat in Blue Velvet, La Redoute | 12. Embroidered Folk Pattern Armchair, Rockett St George

13. Orla Kiely Alma chair in kimono dandelion, Barker and Stonehouse | 14. Tale wide armchair, Wayfair | 15. Nomadic Kilim Chair with Peach Tones, Ian Snow | 16. Jonathan Adler Beaumont Lounge Chair in Varese Lichen, Sweetpea & Willow | 17. Tarma Armchair in Lazaret Blue, Oka

Image at top: Chair in Velvet Wonderland, Double dragon, Linwood