Armchairs

How much room an armchair needs

Among the current non-folding armchairs the width runs to about 650–1000 mm. A difference of 350 mm tells in a small room, so before ordering it is better to measure not only the spot for the armchair itself but the space in front of it and to the sides.

For a compact bedroom, a child's room or a small living room, the lower part of the range is the one to go by. If there is room enough and you want a roomier seat, the wider models are worth considering.

A useful way to check is to mark the dimensions of the future armchair on the floor with masking tape. That shows straight away whether it will block a walkway, a door, a wardrobe or other furniture.

Seating: more than width

Two armchairs of the same width can feel completely different because of the height, the depth of the seat, the angle of the back and the shape of the sides.

A low, relaxed seating position suits reading and resting. If getting in and out easily matters, pay attention to the height of the seat and to the construction of the armrests.

Before buying, compare not only the overall dimensions but the seating parameters, where they are given in the specifications of the particular product.

A chair bed: when you need an extra sleeping place

The category has a folding armchair that turns into a sleeping place. Folded, its dimensions are 1100 × 870 × 780 mm, and the permissible load is up to 120 kg.

It is the right answer when a separate sleeping place is needed from time to time, but putting another bed or sofa in the room does not make sense.

For a folding armchair it is especially important to check the space in front of the furniture. Before ordering, ask for the full dimensions after it is folded out, since the current product page gives the dimensions in the folded state.

Materials depend on the construction

Not all VENETO armchairs are built the same way inside, so the materials are better judged from the page of the particular product.

The constructions in this category use wood base, bent wood, particle board, natural wood, metal, furniture fillings and fabrics. The materials of the frame, the back, the armrests and the legs differ from model to model.

So the specification of one armchair should not automatically be carried over to the whole category.

Filling and comfort

The comfort of an armchair is decided by more than the thickness of the soft layer. The seating is affected by the shape of the base, the angle of the back, the construction of the sides and the combination of fillings.

Some models use Ecofoam orthopaedic foam, along with wadding and fleece. The specifications of individual products state wadding of 80 g/m² and fleece of various densities. The exact make-up of the soft layers depends on the construction of the particular armchair.

In choosing, go by how it will be used: a short rest and a decorative corner ask one thing, daily reading, long sitting or occasional sleeping quite another.

How to choose the upholstery

For some of the armchairs there is a choice of VENETO furniture fabrics. That lets the upholstery be matched to a sofa, a bed, curtains or other textiles in the room. At the same time, not every armchair in the category offers a choice of fabric: in some constructions the main material is natural wood with a decorative finish.

An armchair does not have to repeat the colour of the sofa exactly. It can be tied to the other furniture by a close temperature of colour, or made an accent instead.

For furniture in daily use, consider not only the colour but the texture and the cleaning recommendations for the particular fabric. If there are pets or small children in the house, how practical the upholstery is becomes especially important.

How to choose an armchair for the room

If you need a guest sleeping place, check not only the dimensions of the armchair folded, but the space needed to open it out fully.

Care

Regular, uncomplicated care helps keep the look of the upholstery and the construction for longer.

• Vacuum the dust off the fabric with a soft attachment.
• Blot fresh marks rather than rubbing at them.
• Clean with products permitted for that particular upholstery.
• Clean wooden elements according to the type of finish on them.
• Check the fixings of the legs and other parts of the construction from time to time.
• Do not put upholstered furniture hard against a strong source of heat.
• Prolonged direct sunlight can change the shade of the upholstery and of wooden surfaces.

Questions and answers

How much room does an armchair need?

More than its overall dimensions: add space to sit down and get up, and for a folding armchair a strip in front of it the full length of the sleeping place. The dimensions of each model are given on its product page.