September 14, 2020, 3:03 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The armchair is no longer just a supporting player to the couch. As sofas become more delicate and smaller, seating arrangements are increasingly being expanded to include one or more armchairs.
For a long time, one piece of furniture dominated the living space: the seating landscape. However, there’s now a home trend that’s overtaking these oversized seating groups. It’s about small sofas that are combined with an armchair or even several pieces.
Why Are Armchairs So Trendy?
Overall, furniture dimensions are getting smaller, and the pieces themselves are becoming more delicate, explains Jan Kurth, managing director of the Association of the German Furniture Industry. “This trend is also evident in this combination.” The reason is the shrinking living space: “More and more people want to live in the city. But that means apartments are generally getting smaller—and when space is limited, the furniture must fit the rooms.”
However, the smaller seating furniture doesn’t just look good in a small living room. “Those who like it airy and spacious will also be well-advised with this home trend,” says trend analyst Gabriele Kaiser from Landsberg am Lech.
Related: 7 Alternatives to the Classic Couch
What Types of Armchairs Are There?
The armchair plays a central role in this home trend. The selection is as diverse as tastes, making the choice not so easy. “The most important question initially is what the armchair is intended for,” says Kaiser. “Should it actually be placed together with the sofa, or is it meant as a reading or relaxation chair that should stand separately?”
The answer to this question determines the type of armchair to choose. “For a reading corner, a wingback chair is a very good choice,” explains Kaiser. “Because it forms a kind of cocoon due to its design, where you can read a book in peace. On the other hand, if you’re buying an armchair to combine with a sofa, you should ensure it’s open on all sides to allow for uninterrupted communication.”
Since it’s often difficult to gauge the dimensions of an armchair in a furniture store or online, expert Kurth advises: Transfer the dimensions to your home floor using laid-out newspapers or cardboard. “This gives you a sense of how much space it takes up and whether it fits with the rest of the furnishings.”
The Five-Centimeter Rule for Comfortable Seating
But the armchair must not only fit seamlessly into the living concept, it must also suit the people who want to sit on it. “The width of the seat is crucial,” says Kaiser. “It should be large enough so that you don’t feel cramped in the chair. For rather stately people, the seat can be 60 centimeters or more.”
Additionally, the seat should match the leg length. “This is particularly important for a lounge chair, which is traditionally tilted backward,” Kaiser explains. “The rule of thumb here is: When you sit all the way back, there should be about five centimeters of space from the edge of the chair to the back of the knee.”
Those who place particular value on comfort are well-advised with an adjustable backrest and a matching ottoman. “Of course, when measuring, you must plan for the ottoman separately,” says Kurth.
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Material Mix in Trend
The trend of combining one or even several armchairs with a delicate couch offers many design possibilities. “One idea for the combination is, for example, to choose different materials for the sofa and armchair. You could opt for a leather sofa and choose an armchair made of a coarser wool fabric,” suggests Kurth. This material mix remains a trendy home theme.
Often, the question of fabric or leather arises not only because of the visual concept but also in terms of maintenance. “For a long time, leather was considered particularly easy to care for because stains could often be wiped off,” says Kaiser. “Today, however, most upholstery fabrics are technically treated to offer stain protection. Therefore, they are now almost as easy to care for as leather.”
Pair a Bright Armchair with a Simple Sofa
In addition to materials, various colors can also be used for combinations: “Here, you can either work tone-on-tone or deliberately with contrasts,” advises Kaiser. “Light tones like cream for a sofa look great with an armchair in vibrant red or blue.” Warm shades of honey or terracotta are also currently in vogue. “These can be beautifully combined with a clear blue or green. Those who prefer it more subtle can pair a beige sofa with an armchair in warm chocolate brown or a gray sofa with an armchair in anthracite.”
She generally recommends this design formula: The smaller the piece of furniture, the bolder the color—and vice versa. “Larger pieces like a sofa should be in a more neutral tone, while the armchair can set accents.” Otherwise, you might quickly tire of the combination.