Types of Armchairs & Styles
Understanding the different types of armchairs, like club, wingback, accent, and zero gravity chairs for example, can make the buying process easier when you're shopping for new seating. Whether you're creating a cozy reading nook, recovering from an injury, or just need something that fits your small living room, knowing what's out there helps you make the right choice.
This guide breaks down the most common types of armchairs, explains the differences between materials like leather and performance fabric, and helps you match styles to your specific needs. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for and which armchair type works best for your space.
8 Types of Armchairs You Should Know
Finding the right type of armchair starts with knowing what's available. Each style offers different features and benefits depending on how you plan to use it.
Here are the the types of armchairs we’ll be covering:
1. Zero Gravity Recliners
These types of armchairs are best for: Zero gravity recliners are best for recovery after surgery, managing chronic pain, reducing leg swelling, or anyone seeking health-focused relaxation at home.
Zero gravity recliners elevate your legs above heart level and distribute body weight evenly, which may help improve circulation, reduce swelling, and promote greater relaxation. These chairs copy the posture astronauts take during liftoff to create a feeling of weightlessness. The positioning places the spine in neutral alignment, which could reduce pressure on vertebrae and surrounding muscles. They have gained popularity for people recovering from injuries and managing chronic pain. One convenient perk of zero gravity chairs is that they also take up less floor space than traditional recliners when reclining.
2. Wingback Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Reading nooks, formal living rooms, bedrooms, or any space where you want comfort combined with elegance.
Wingback chairs have distinctive "wings" that stretch from the back down to the armrests, providing excellent neck and shoulder support while having a classy feel. The chair was originally designed to protect against drafts and trap heat from fireplaces. Modern wingback chairs still have this classic silhouette but have evolved in style. Scroll wings are traditional and wider at the top with flared edges, while flat wings are narrower and create a more subtle frame.
Their high back provides neck and shoulder support and their wings create a sense of enclosure and comfort. They are available in multiple wing styles and work in formal and casual settings.
3. Traditional Recliners
These types of armchairs are best for: These chairs are best for family rooms, home theaters, or anywhere you want to put your feet up and truly relax, particularly helpful for people dealing with back discomfort.
Modern recliners have come a long way from the bulky designs of the past, now integrating well into modern homes while offering comfort and coziness. Today's recliners come in various designs, from sleek contemporary styles to classic cozy options. Many include plush cushions and advanced reclining features. You can find recliners that look like standard armchairs until you activate the reclining function, which helps keep a cleaner aesthetic in your space.
4. Club Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Creating conversation areas, home offices, and spaces where you want inviting, comfortable seating that feels substantial.
Club chairs feature deep seats and a low profile that allows you to sink in after a long day. These armchairs are sturdy and are often upholstered in leather or heavy fabric. Their large build makes them comfortable for extended sitting, and you'll often find them in libraries, home offices, or anywhere you want to create a conversation area. They have deep seating depth, low-to-the-ground profile for stability.
5. Lounge Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Lounge chairs are best for creating relaxation spaces, reading areas, or adding comfortable seating that encourages you to slow down and unwind.
These types of armchairs prioritize comfort above all else with designs that encourage you to sink in for a while. They typically feature upright designs supported by armrests and backrests to provide high levels of comfort, and can often recline into different positions like the Motion Mastery lounge chair. They're also available in various styles and materials, from leather to fabric to velvet.
Mid-century modern lounge chairs have more tapered feet, clean lines, and comfortable cushioned seats which are perfect for creating a relaxing space in your home. Lounge chairs work well as a statement piece and can blend into decor.
6. Accent Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Accent chairs are best for adding character to rooms, expressing personal style, or breaking up neutral color schemes with a splash of personality.
These armchairs include bold colors, unique shapes, or interesting materials that capture attention in a room. Accent chairs allow you to experiment with pattern, color, and texture. Whether you choose a bright velvet chair or something with sculptural lines, accent chairs help express your personality while providing comfortable and extra seating.
7. Swivel Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Swivel chairs are best for small spaces, home offices, rooms where you need to face multiple directions, or socializing areas where flexibility matters.
Swivel chairs combine functionality with stylish design. The rotating base offers flexibility that's particularly valuable in smaller spaces where you want to maximize functionality. This makes them especially useful for socializing or watching television.
Swivel chairs come in various styles, from sleek contemporary designs to more traditional looks, so you can find one that fits your preferences. They are great in multi-use spaces and come in many design styles.
8. Bergère Chairs
These types of armchairs are best for: Formal living rooms, bedrooms, creating elegant seating areas, or adding a touch of European sophistication to your space.
Bergère chairs bring French sophistication to any room with their beautiful details and elegant fabrics.
These upholstered armchairs originated in France during the early 18th century during the reign of Louis XV. They were built with closed backs and armrests with upholstered panels filling the spaces between the arms and seat. The frames are typically made from walnut, beech, or fruitwood and may include carved detailing, painted finishes, or gilding.
They're designed with deeper, wider seats than standard chairs and come with loose, tailored cushions for added comfort.
Different Types of Armchairs by Materials
One of the most important decisions you'll make when choosing from different types of armchairs is selecting the upholstery material. The fabric or leather you choose shapes how it feels to sit in, how well it holds up over time, and how much maintenance you'll need to invest. The right material should align with your lifestyle, complement your room's aesthetic, and meet the practical demands of your space.
Here are the typical armchair materials you’ll come across:
Leather Upholstery
Club chairs, wingback chairs, and traditional recliners often feature leather upholstery, bringing a sophisticated feel to these classic styles. For armchairs in formal living rooms, home offices, or libraries, leather creates an established, refined look.
Leather is tough, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean. Full grain leather is the highest quality option, made from the top layer of the hide and maintains the natural patterns as they age. Top grain leather, like the materials used for certain leather zero gravity recliners, is also high quality but lightly sanded to get rid of any imperfections for a smoother look.
Leather works especially well in formal settings, home offices, or households with pets since it's easier to wipe clean than most fabrics.
Performance Fabric
Performance fabrics for armchairs include synthetic materials like olefin, microfiber, polyester blends, and treated fabrics made specifically for durability and stain resistance. You'll often find these materials on contemporary lounge chairs, modern recliners, and zero gravity chairs where easy maintenance meets current design trends. These fabrics resist stains, spills, and wear while handling the demands of daily use without pilling or wrinkling.
Performance fabric armchairs come in a wide range of textures, colors, and patterns, giving you design flexibility without worrying about upkeep. They're practical choices for family rooms, homes with children or pets, or anyone who wants beautiful, low-maintenance furniture that stands up to real life.
Natural Fabrics
Certain types of armchairs, like accent chairs, bergère chairs, and traditional wingback styles, often feature natural fabrics such as linen, cotton blends, velvet, or chenille.
Linen armchairs are durable and easy to care for, aging well and getting softer with repeated cleaning. It brings a relaxed, natural feel to a room and works aesthetically great in casual or coastal-inspired spaces. Cotton blend upholstery offers softness and comfort, though they may require more care than synthetic options. Velvet armchairs provide a luxurious feel and add visual richness, making them especially popular for accent chairs that serve as statement pieces.
Natural fabric armchairs work beautifully in bedrooms, formal sitting areas, or anywhere you want to add texture and warmth.
Different Types of Armchairs by Design Style
Different design styles create different moods. Here's how to identify the most common types of armchair aesthetics, where they work best, and how they serve different functional needs.
Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Mid-century modern armchairs have tapered legs, clean lines, and comfortable cushioned seats with curves and structural frames. They serve as both design statements and functional furniture. The streamlined silhouettes prevent rooms from feeling cluttered, making them a good choice for smaller spaces or mixed interiors where you want to add some flair.
The clean lines and visible tapered legs of mid-century modern chairs make them excellent space-saving options for small rooms, as they help open up a room visually. Arrange two mid-century modern chairs facing each other with a small table between them, or angle them slightly toward a sofa to create a natural conversation flow in your living room.
Contemporary Armchairs
Contemporary armchairs focus on current design trends with clean lines and minimalist aesthetics. They often feature high-performance, easy-care materials with modern architectural elements. These chairs typically have simpler forms without excessive detailing and work well in modern homes, apartments, or anywhere you want furniture that feels current and uncluttered.
Many contemporary designs incorporate wellness features, making them suitable for recovery and health support. Zero gravity recliners with contemporary styling, such as the Svago line including the Svago Motion Mastery, Newton, and ZGR models combine modern design with therapeutic positioning that elevates legs above the heart to improve blood flow and reduce leg fatigue.
Transitional Style Armchairs
Transitional style bridges traditional and contemporary design by combining classic looks with contemporary edges. These armchairs typically feature refined lines with some classic details like tufting or nailhead trim, but without the heaviness of fully traditional pieces. This makes them a safe choice if you're unsure about committing to one specific style.
The versatile nature of transitional armchairs makes them adaptable to multiple spaces. Their balanced design works well in conversation areas where you want comfort without overwhelming traditional detailing. The refined lines and moderate proportions also make transitional chairs suitable for smaller spaces, while details like tufting provide enough visual interest for formal settings.
This flexibility means transitional armchairs can work as reading chairs, accent seating, or even functional dining room chairs depending on your needs.
Traditional Armchairs
Traditional armchairs are designed to look fancy and feel comfortable, using nice materials and having elegant, detailed designs.
These pieces often feature button tufting, rolled arms, and wood detailing. Traditional styles are great for rooms where you want a comfortable but sophisticated feel, like formal living rooms or studies.
Wingback chairs are a classic traditional style and are excellent for reading nooks with their high backs that provide comfort, plus good lumbar support and arms positioned at a comfortable height. They build invitingly and encourage people to settle and chat.
Traditional armchairs can also serve as functional dining room chairs when you want to add elegance to your dining space, the visible legs can even work in smaller spaces.
How To Choose The Right Type Of Armchair
With so many options available, from classic wingbacks to high-tech zero gravity recliners, the process of selecting the perfect armchair can feel overwhelming. The key is to approach your decision systematically, focusing on the factors that will have the biggest impact on your daily comfort and satisfaction. Here’s what to consider when making your decision.
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Start with what your needs are: Ask yourself what you'll use this chair for most often. Do you have any health concerns that should influence your choice, or are you looking for massage chair benefits? How much space do you have available? Who else in your household will use this chair? Your answers will help narrow down the type of chair that makes sense for your situation.
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Set a realistic budget: High-quality armchairs can feel like an investment, but they also last for years. Decide what you're comfortable spending and prioritize the features that matter most to you. Sometimes it makes sense to spend more upfront for features like durable upholstery, better mechanisms, or health-supporting design if those elements will improve your daily life.
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Consider the spaces where an armchair can go: Measure the area where you plan to place the armchair so you can account for its dimensions in upright and reclined positions. Think about traffic flow and whether people will need to move around the chair easily. Also consider the room's style. While you don't need to match everything exactly, the chair should feel cohesive with your existing furniture.
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Think about what materials suit your lifestyle: If you have pets or children, easy-to-clean armchair materials like leather or performance fabrics might save you stress down the road. If you love the look and feel of natural fabrics, be realistic about your willingness to maintain them properly. For people with allergies, leather's hypoallergenic properties might make it the better choice.
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Test out different types of armchairs in person: Sit in different types of chairs before making a decision. What looks comfortable might not feel comfortable for your body. Pay attention to how the lumbar support feels against your back, whether the seat depth works for your height, if the arms are positioned comfortably, and how easy it is to operate any reclining mechanisms. Don't rush this step. Spend a few minutes in each chair to get a real sense of how it supports your body.
FAQs for Types of Armchairs
What are the different types of armchairs?
Common types of armchairs include club chairs, wingback chairs, traditional recliners, zero gravity recliners, lounge chairs, accent chairs, swivel chairs, and bergère chairs. Each type offers different features depending on your needs, available space, and style preferences.
Which armchair style is best for reading?
Wingback chairs work beautifully for reading because their high backs provide excellent neck and shoulder support. Zero gravity recliners are also one of the best reading chairs, as they reduce strain on your back and neck during extended reading sessions.
Are zero gravity recliners considered armchairs?
Yes, zero gravity recliners are a specialized type of armchair. They differ from traditional recliners in their ergonomic design, which elevates your legs above heart level and distributes weight evenly, potentially improving circulation and reducing spinal pressure.
What's the most durable armchair material?
Leather and performance fabrics are among the most durable options for armchairs. Full grain and top grain leather lasts for years and develops character as it ages, while performance fabrics are engineered to resist stains, wear, and fading.
How do I choose an armchair for a small living room?
For small spaces, look for specific types of armchairs with exposed legs and streamlined profiles that create a sense of openness. Consider swivel chairs for flexibility or zero gravity recliners that recline more efficiently than traditional models. Always measure your space carefully, including the chair's footprint when reclined.
Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it's compatible with your needs.
