DWELLSTUDIO
A curvier silhouette and metallic accents — collectively comprising a more modern take on midcentury styling — are just some of the big trends in chairs.
I’ve found that the world is divided into two groups: sofa people and chair people. And since you most likely have both kinds of people in your life, you will need both kinds of seats in your home.
Here are my six tips to help you select the right chairs for every room in your home.
1. How will you use the chair?
Before you know what kind of chair is best for a space, determine what you want it to do for your life.
2. Get the right size for you
My philosophy is you need to have furniture that fits you, not the other way around.
I’m pretty petite and a lot of chairs aren’t super comfortable for me because I can’t touch the floor. So, for my home, I like smaller scaled chairs.
Once you have a chair that fits your body well, you need to make sure it also fits your space well. I really like slipper chairs because they are small enough to tuck in just about anywhere.
3. Pay attention to scale
It’s critical that the chairs you select match the scale of your home and the other furnishings in the room.
It used to be people replaced their chairs because they were sick of the fabric.
Now, the most common reason I hear is they realize that the oversized chairs they bought are just too big for their rooms. The proportions of their space are all out of whack and the room doesn’t look as good as it could.
When we work with customers who are looking for upholstered furniture — or, really, any furniture — we like to see photos of the space and the other pieces in the room. We have a great computer program that allows us to create a scale layout, so people will see exactly how their furniture will fit and when a piece is too big or just the right size.
4. Buy what you love
Today’s consumers are full of confidence and I love it! It used to be people purchased whatever style was popular at the time. But now, there are so many diverse options available in upholstered furniture, most of us are no longer led by trends.
These days, furniture makers are playing with classic frames and coming up with looks that defy categories. One of my favorites is the new take on wingback chairs, with their modern flavor, crisper line and sexier legs. They are a great pick if you have a spot that needs a little height, like next to a fireplace or in an empty corner.
5. Sweat the details
Details do matter. That’s why we help our customers custom-design chairs that add unique personality and flair to their spaces.
Don’t compromise. Get a chair that has a cushion that is not too firm or too soft, but just right. Insist on a back height and arm styles that allow you to do what you want to do in the chair, whether that’s to read, watch TV, enjoy a meal or work on your laptop. Pick an upholstery fabric that shows your personality. And finish with details that you love, like a contrasting welt, nail head trim or a band of trim.
6. Shop for quality
In a world of low-end, mass-produced furnishings that quickly fall apart, I can’t stress enough that you should get the best quality furnishings your budget will allow. You will pay a bit more up front, but you will never regret it when you furniture still looks amazing year after year. Look for kiln-dried hardwood frames, hand-tied springs, high-quality fabric and quality workmanship, like pattern matching.
— Tribune Media
