Choosing the Right Dimensions for an Armchair: A Complex Process
Knowing how to choose the right armchair isn't just about seating comfort or its appearance. Other factors come into play and round out the selection criteria.
Dimensions thus become an objective criterion that allows you to choose one specific model over another, depending on what you’re looking for. The choice of armchair therefore depends not only on its dimensions but also on the available space in the room where it will be placed.
First, let’s review together what the dimensions of an armchair might be. Next, we’ll look at which dimensions to choose based on the person using the armchair. Then, we’ll focus on the environment surrounding the armchair. This will help us better visualize how the living space should be arranged around the armchairs—and, therefore, how to determine the right size.
Finally, we will look at other factors that are also affected by the dimensions of a chair in certain specific cases.
Summary of the Dimensions of an Armchair
Seating furniture (armchairs, sofas, chairs with legs) has specific size characteristics that make it easier to understand the space they occupy:
- The height of the chair is the primary size criterion, as it also determines the height of the backrest (including, for example, whether it has cervical support);
- Width comes next, since it determines how comfortable the chair is to use and how much space it will take up between the walls or other pieces of furniture;
- Depth, on the other hand, refers to the necessary clearance from other pieces of furniture.
These dimensions determine the total volume occupied by the armchair. Just like a sofa, an armchair takes up a lot of space; its size makes it a large piece of furniture, and it is typically placed in the living room or, possibly, the office (more rarely in the bedroom).
There are other factors to consider regarding the chair itself, starting with the characteristics of its seat.
- The seat depth determines how far back the backrest is positioned relative to the front edge of the seat. The greater the seat depth, the more support the legs receive. Allow for a seat depth of approximately 47 cm.
- The height of the seat from the floor determines how accessible the chair is. It is generally the same as that of a sofa (45 to 46 cm).
- The height of the backrest can also be a factor, since a taller backrest provides better support for the cervical spine. Conversely, a chair with a lower backrest requires proprioceptive control of the head and neck. Generally, a 60-cm backrest reaches the level of the cervical spine.
- The verticality of the backrest is also a factor, although generally speaking, a backrest isn’t perfectly straight—it’s designed to conform to the curves of the back and provide better overall support. To achieve this distinction, some chairs feature multi-density foam backrests: 20 kg/m³ foam in the upper part of the backrest, at the thoracic level, and 25 kg/m³ foam in the lower part of the backrest, at the lumbar level.
A specific chair for a specific user
Although anyone can sit on a sofa in a home (family, friends, guests, etc.), an armchair is still a bit more personal. For one thing, it can seat only one person, which, by definition, makes it a piece of furniture designed for a specific individual. Furthermore, comfort is generally the main factor driving its purchase—and the person who buys it is often the one who ends up using it the most.
Therefore, depending on the user, the dimensions vary:
- A person of short stature is better off choosing a chair with a shallower seat, otherwise their legs will be supported too high at the knees, preventing the joints from bending and resting (40 to 45 cm maximum);
- A tall person prefers a high backrest for better back support (at least 60 cm), while seat depth is not an issue;
- A person who is heavyset tends to look for a seat that offers generous support, while prioritizing a substantial seat width and a foam density of 35 kg/m³ or higher (with high resilience);
- A gamer or someone who works on a computer is looking for long-term support, while also appreciating a certain upright seating position to face the screen.
There is also a wide range of “recliner” chairs. Many models typically feature armrests, allowing you to rest your arms in a raised position. This type of chair is especially suited for those who enjoy relaxing in a chair.
It is therefore also the user who determines which chair is right for them—and thus its dimensions—since, depending on how the owner uses it, a chair will always have different dimensions.
One donated chair for a specific environment
The environment in which the armchair is placed (inside the home) also determines the armchair’s dimensions. For example, it’s difficult to fit a large, very wide armchair with armrests (which can sometimes be more than one meter wide) into a small living room in a one-bedroom apartment. Even if there is physically enough space, it will still clash with the style of the other furniture.
Conversely, a small armchair placed in the middle of a room with no other furniture would create a sense of emptiness. It is therefore important to balance the armchair’s dimensions with those of the surrounding furniture, as well as with those of the room itself. For example, the presence of a sofa helps the armchair blend in better, regardless of its size.
Be mindful of walkways, as well as the necessary clearance between pieces of furniture:
- You should allow about 70 cm of space between the armchair and a wall if you want to keep a passageway open;
- You need to consider accessibility (opening drawers and cabinets) if the chair is positioned with its back to a piece of furniture or if it has a retractable footrest;
- You need to consider the space required to raise the footrest or for the small padded stool;
- etc.
The right dimensions for an armchair therefore depend as much on the user as on the environment in which it is placed.
Other possible cases of non-standard dimensions for a chair
There are also cases in which the dimensions of the chairs are a determining factor.
For example, placing a corner armchair is often an easy problem to solve, since there are armchairs specifically designed to fit into a wall corner. However, their comfort requires them to be quite large, and their price is correspondingly higher. It’s therefore better to place an armchair with more standard dimensions, even if it means blocking the corner. But watch out for dust that can accumulate behind it!
There are also massage chairs—heavy and imposing—that are approximately 100 cm wide, 130 cm deep, and 110 cm tall. These weigh around 100 kg and require an electrical outlet to operate. Their price is obviously very high, and it’s essential to consider all their features before making such a purchase.
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