How to choose your lounge chair?

Why an Armchair Is a Key Piece in Your Living Room

Choosing a living room armchair means choosing a piece that shapes your space and defines the atmosphere of your home. Just like a designer sofa, an armchair is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your living room. It should combine comfort, elegance and a style that complements the rest of your décor. A well-chosen armchair creates a warm, inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy relaxing moments with family and friends.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, a living room armchair serves a real purpose in any home. It creates a personal space within your living room—a cosy reading corner or a peaceful spot away from the family sofa. At NV GALLERY, we believe that both the design of an armchair and its placement deserve careful consideration, whether you choose a fixed armchair, a swivel armchair, a velvet armchair or a rattan armchair. Discover our full collection of designer armchairs to explore every available style and shape.

Choosing an Armchair Based on How You'll Use It

Before buying an armchair for your living room, the first step is to decide how you plan to use it. Defining its purpose from the outset will make it much easier to choose the right model.

For example, if you intend to spend hours reading in your armchair, comfort should be your top priority. You can immediately rule out armless armchairs, models with very upright backrests or unpadded seats. Instead, choose a more comfortable design with armrests and a shape that naturally supports your body. If your armchair is mainly intended as a decorative piece, you can focus more on aesthetics and elegant design. For families, NV GALLERY also offers children's armchairs designed especially for little ones, with sizes and upholstery adapted to their everyday needs.

Which Armchair Is Best for a Small Living Room?

This is the question most people ask when choosing an armchair: how can you fit an armchair into a small living room without overwhelming the space? The answer comes down to three simple principles:

Choose slim, exposed legs: they allow light to flow underneath the armchair, making the room feel lighter and more spacious. It's the difference between a piece that feels bulky and one that appears effortlessly airy.

Opt for a compact design: an armchair between 65 and 75 cm wide is ideal for smaller living rooms. Low-back armchairs, such as cocktail chairs, take up much less visual space than traditional wingback armchairs.

Go for lighter colours: a natural armchair in light wood and fabric helps open up the room, while darker models can make it feel smaller. In a compact living room, lighter shades are always a safe choice.

The size of your living room armchair naturally depends on the space available, but also on the level of comfort you want. Measure the area where you plan to place it and allow at least 60 cm of clearance in front of the chair so you can sit down and stand up comfortably. To create a harmonious designer living room, make sure your armchair is proportionate to your sofa.

Choosing the Right Colour and Upholstery for Your Armchair

The colour and upholstery of your living room armchair are just as important as its shape and comfort. You may find the perfect design in terms of style and ergonomics, but if the colour doesn't complement the rest of your décor, your armchair won't blend naturally into the space.

When choosing a colour, start with your living room's existing palette. If your sofa features neutral tones such as beige, grey or white, your armchair can become the statement piece that brings personality to the room. A green armchair adds a refined natural touch. A blue armchair creates an elegant focal point. A brown armchair in leather or velvet brings warmth and depth. If your living room is already rich in colour, opt for a neutral-toned armchair to create balance.

Fabric armchairs remain a favourite because they offer endless possibilities when it comes to colours and patterns. Fabric brings softness to the design, while generously padded seats provide exceptional comfort for everyday use.

Rattan armchairs are known for their durability, thanks to the traditional weaving techniques used to craft them. Available in a wide variety of shapes and styles, they fit effortlessly into any living room. Velvet remains the most sought-after upholstery for designer armchairs, as it catches the light beautifully, creates subtle variations in colour and adds a sense of depth that classic fabrics cannot match. Bouclé, another popular option, is more resistant to pet scratches and everyday stains.

4 Types of Living Room Armchairs to Know

Whether your living room is contemporary, traditional or Scandinavian-inspired, there's an armchair to suit every interior. Here are the four most popular types of living room armchairs and what they're best suited for:

The club or lounge armchair is the most enveloping style. With its generous backrest, wide armrests and deep seat, it's made for complete relaxation. It's perfect for spacious living rooms where you want to create a cosy reading corner or a dedicated relaxation area.

The cocktail armchair is more compact, with a low backrest and soft, rounded lines. It's the ideal choice for smaller living rooms, taking up very little visual space while adding plenty of character.

The wingback armchair stands out with its tall backrest and distinctive side wings that provide excellent head support. Perfect for reading, it creates a cosy and intimate retreat within the living room. This timeless design is now available in contemporary finishes such as velvet upholstery and brass legs.

The swivel armchair adds an extra level of functionality with its 360° rotating base. It's ideal for open-plan spaces where you want to turn easily towards the TV, join a conversation or enjoy the view through the window without leaving your seat. It's also an excellent option for a home office corner in the living room.

You don't have to stick to a single design style when decorating your living room, but your armchair should always complement the furniture already in the room. Above all, remember its primary purpose: it should be comfortable, practical and suited to the way you live every day.