What do you look for to make uphostered chair comfortable?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Are there any "key" items you look for in choosing a comfortable chair? I often find things don't seem to "fit" me - not sure why as I am very average sized. I usually tend toward a recliner as I prefer high seat backs but no major requirements. Budget around 1K or so (for 1 chair).

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lana_roma

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

The most used chairs in our living room are the two old-style swivel rockers. The kind that used to be upholstered in a rust orange or avocado green velvet

When in elementary and middle school, my DS had an old rust orange velvet swivel rocker with a tufted back. A hand-me-down from someone in the family. It was his favorite desk/computer chair. He totally ignored his office chair that we bought to go with his study desk.

When the rust-colored abomination started to fall apart, my DS insisted that the new chair must be a similar swivel rocker. Thankfully, he didn't care about the upholstery style and color.

I searched the CL and thrifts high and low for an old fashioned swivel rocker not upholstered in an atrocious avocado green or dusty pink velvet. Finally I found a pair of swivel rockers that had been recently re-upholstered in some sort of a modernist geometric print fabric. Not exactly a high style but, at least, not ancient velvet. We bought the pair since the seller refused to break up the set. DS loved the new chairs.

Fast forward to today. DS outgrew his old desk. I sold the desk on CL, DS got a bigger desk and office chair, and the swivel rockers moved to the living room. There are three more armchairs - two wingbacks and an overstuffed recliner, but everyone seems to favor the swivel rockers. Compact but snug and cozy, no dangling feet, and can be turned in any direction - to watch TV, to play with a cat on the floor, to talk to someone sitting in the dining room or on the couch in the opposite corner, etc. They're so comfortable!

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Comments (17)

Lisa Samson
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We just bought a Smith Brothers Recliner (made in Indiania), which we all love. Even guests fall asleep in it. We pd $1200.00 on sale. It's leather, very comfortable...well made. Don't buy Lazyboy. They're not made well anymore. It fits me well, as well as my husband and children who are all significantly taller than me.
shari13 thanked Lisa Samson
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
I don't look for comfort...I have to sit in it for comfort. I look for the fabric quality and durability and I look for solid wood frames. I also look for scale to make sure it not only fits my body but the room it's going in. One of my favorite chairs I got off of CL for $40 and then had it reupholstered. I just love it.
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If you are after comfort, I fear that the sofa you posted won't give it to you. That very flat tight tufted upholstery doesn't yield to bodies, and the squareness of the arms and back isn't shaped like people...so although it is a nice clean European modern look, you may prefer something else. Here's something from Crate & Barrel that could give you a modern look and more comfort. For chairs, consider a modern version of the klismos chair. Here is a site that shows what I mean...I have no knowledge of this company or the quality of this chair, but it is an example of the style. http://www.clubchairs.com/upholstered-club-chairs/contemporary/cloverchairloungewith2pillows.cfm Here is a link that might be useful: C&B Delaney Sectional
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Fori
7 years ago
I fit better in vintage chairs (or vintage-styled chairs). I don't care for modern deeeeep seats and I don't like my feet to dangle and I don't want to have to use a pillow. Like Annie says, you gotta sit in it. (Currently sitting in an old wing chair that desperately needs reupholstering...)
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maries1120
7 years ago
It could depend on your frame. If your lower body is shorter than it might be that the chair is too deep. You need to try them and look at the depth to see what works for you. We also recently bought a Smith Brothers recliner. DH falls asleep within minutes - I then need to tell him what he missed in the movie.
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shari13 thanked maries1120
shari13
Original Author
7 years ago
Unfortunately no Smith Brothers in my state :(. Lisa - funny you mention lazyboy as that the "mistake" I need to fix.
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powermuffin
7 years ago
I bought two wing chairs, which are not my preferred style, from Habitat Restore for $15 each and reupholstered them. Turns out that they are most comfortable chairs in the house. The wing part keeps the drafts out and makes them snugly, but the cushions have the perfect combo of softness and firmness. They are everyone's favorite seating. I never would have bought these if my husband hadn't talked me into it
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Holly- Kay
7 years ago
I second Smith Brothers. There furniture is reasonably priced and finely crafted. It would pay to go to a near by state where you can purchase.
Lisa Samson
7 years ago
Totally agree with you Holly-Kay. It can probably be ordered by a local furniture store in your area Shari13.
shari13 thanked Lisa Samson
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Anglophilia
7 years ago
I would NEVER order a chair I had not first sat in multiple times!!!! It may look good, but may not be comfortable at all!

I like spring units in the back of upholstered furniture and that's hard to find. I also prefer cotton batting to fiberfill - don't like the "squishy" feel. Bottom cushions can be lots of things, but for ones "regular chair", support is key. A spring unit with a down wrap will stand up and stay comfortable.
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User
7 years ago
I sit in it! You can tell from a nice sit if it's going to be comfortable!
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shari13
Original Author
7 years ago
Well I went to another store today and found nothing of interest. Why is all the furniture seemingly made for giants?? I do not like these deep cushions and high armrests!
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maries1120
7 years ago
Other brands we looked at and liked were Lancer and Temple. Lancer seemed to have some smaller scale and seat depth. We went with Smith Brothers because of the recliner and chair options we liked.
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shari13 thanked maries1120
Lisa Samson
7 years ago
We're were very lucky to find a Smith Bros Recliner on the floor, and when we sat in it we both knew it was the most comfortable recliner that we had ever sat in, so it was a no brainer for us. We looked at the guts of it, and it was a great, quality built chair...so we didn't have to go anywhere else to find a great chair. We had already found it!
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shari13
Original Author
7 years ago
lana_roma - I grew up with chairs like your DS liked how I wish I had them now! (They were rust colored too but so nice to sit in).
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User
7 years ago
My mom bought from Smith Brothers for many years. We lived just north of Berne, IN.
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User
7 years ago
My "new" chair is a Hickory chair and ottoman -- consignment shop $125. Fabric looks like new and goes well with my colors.
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What do you look for to make uphostered chair comfortable?

lana_roma

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