How to Choose Durable Wooden Arm Chairs for Your Living Room

Wooden arm chairs are a timeless and beloved seating option that can instantly warm up any living room. With their classic style, natural materials, and inherent comfort, it's no wonder wooden armchairs remain an interior design staple. From traditionally carved antique chairs to smooth mid-century modern silhouettes, there's a wooden armchair to suit every taste and decor.

If you're looking to add wooden armchairs to your living room, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting the right chairs for your space and lifestyle.

Benefits of Wooden Armchairs for Living Rooms

Before diving into the specifics of selecting armchairs, let's first look at why wooden armchairs make such a great addition for living room seating:

• Timeless and traditional - The natural beauty and craftsmanship of quality wood chairs give them an enduring, classic style perfect for living rooms.
• Warm and inviting - The wood's natural tones and textures bring warmth and comfort to a space.
• Ergonomic design - Curved backs and armrests provide exceptional support and comfort for lounging and relaxing.
• Durable material - Properly maintained, wood can last generations and becomes more beautiful with age.
• Design flexibility - From antique to modern, wood chairs fit seamlessly into any existing decor scheme.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, wooden armchairs offer unparalleled comfort and durability compared to chairs made of other materials like metal or plastic. The right wooden armchairs can become beloved living room staples for you and your family to enjoy for decades to come.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Wooden Armchairs

With so many options on the market, choosing the perfect wooden armchairs requires some consideration of your needs and style preferences. Keep the following factors in mind while shopping:

Size and Space

Consider the proportions of the chair in relation to your room size, seating arrangement, and other furniture pieces. Measure doorways and stairwells to ensure the chair will fit through during delivery and installation. Allow ample clearance around the chair for smooth reclining and swiveling.

Comfort Level

Assess the chair's height, seat width and depth, lumbar support, and arm width to find an ergonomic match with your body and desired comfort level. Chairs with cushions and upholstered backs tend to provide more softness.

Wood Type

Common woods for armchairs include oak, cherry, teak, mahogany, and walnut. Harder woods like teak and oak are more durable for high-traffic areas. Determine whether you prefer light, medium, or dark wood tones.

Upholstery

Chairs can feature upholstered cushioning on the seat, back, and arms. Fabrics like leather, microfiber, and cotton come in many colors and patterns. Make sure to choose a textile that fits your lifestyle in terms of easy cleaning and durability.

Style Elements

Evaluate details like arm height and shape, back design, base style, and decorative carvings to select a chair aligned with your preferred aesthetic - whether modern, traditional, rustic, etc.

Budget

Wooden armchairs span a wide range of budgets. Set realistic expectations based on quality materials and construction. Expect to invest more for solid hardwood rather than plywood frames and handcrafted details.

Assembly

Many chairs arrive fully assembled. If yours requires some DIY assembly, make sure you can handle the task or have assistance available.

Popular Styles of Wooden Armchairs

With the key armchair considerations in mind, now let's explore some of the most popular wooden armchair styles to discover the right fit for your living room:

Traditional Style

These classic armchairs feature exposed wooden frames with delicate hand-carved details, luxurious fabric upholstery on the cushioned seat and back, and elegant curved armrests for a sophisticated timeless look. Traditional chairs have an upright, formal silhouette perfect for complementing antique furnishings and chic living rooms.

Modern Style

For a more contemporary feel, modern wooden armchairs have a low-profile streamlined shape with soft rounded or squared arms. They incorporate sleek, straight lines and often incorporate metal accents on the legs or base. The minimalist style integrates effortlessly into contemporary interiors and eclectic spaces.

Transitional Style

As the name implies, transitional armchairs blend elements of traditional and modern design. The clean lines and neutral upholstery fabrics reflect modern sensibilities, while exposed wood frames and tapered legs maintain a touch of classic charm. This versatile in-between style pairs well with both rustic cottage and sophisticated decor themes.

Wingback Style

Wingback chairs are defined by their iconic high arched back that forms wings on each side to embrace the sitter. The wings provide neck support and a feeling of privacy and seclusion. Wingback chairs tend to have claw feet and button or tufted detailing on the upholstered cushions for dramatic traditional flair.

Club Chair Style

Club chairs take cues from 19th century English gentlemen's clubs with thick cushions, heavy proportions, and sumptuous leather upholstery. This bold masculine style makes a distinguished statement in home studies, libraries, and lounge areas. Club chairs can recline but maintain an imposing presence.

Slipper Chair Style

For smaller spaces, consider a slipper chair. True to their name, these compact armless chairs resemble bedroom slippers in their cozy, petite shape. Their armless design allows them to tuck neatly into corners and tight arrangements. They work well as desk chairs, additional seating, or living room accent pieces.

Where to Place Wooden Armchairs in Your Living Room

One of the joys of wooden armchairs is their innate versatility. Here are some recommended spots to highlight your new chairs in the living room:

• Anchoring furniture arrangements - Flank sofas, loveseats, or sectionals to define conversation areas.
• By the fireplace - Angle toward the hearth for a cozy reading spot.
• Near desks - Provide comfy seating for home office work spaces.
• With console tables - Pull up next to entryway consoles or sofa back tables.
• TV viewing - Set chairs at an angle ideal for watching the screen.
• In seating groups - Arrange multiple chairs around a coffee table.
• As accent pieces - Sprinkle chairs throughout the room for spontaneous seating.

Take measurements to find optimal chair placements that allow easy traffic flow while creating intimate spaces within the larger room. Layer rugs underneath to define furniture groupings. Add side tables for convenience and lamps for ambient lighting. Soon your new wooden armchairs will become favorite relaxation destinations.

Caring for Your Wooden Armchairs

With the proper care and maintenance, quality wooden armchairs will last for decades, becoming more beautiful over time. Here are some tips for protecting your investment:

• Dust - Frequently dust chairs with a soft cloth to prevent buildup and keep wood glowing.
• Polish - Apply wood polish every few months to protect from drying and small scratches.
• Clean - Vacuum or dry clean chair cushions as needed to keep fabric looking fresh.
• Sunlight - Limit direct sun exposure which can fade and dry out wood over time.
• Moisture - Immediately clean up spills and use coasters to avoid water damage on wood.
• Scratches - Use touch up markers and scratch cover products to cleverly disguise nicks and scrapes.
• Hardware - Periodically inspect and tighten hardware like legs, casters, and swivels.

With regular easy maintenance to clean, condition, and protect the wood, your armchairs will retain their like-new quality to become treasured living room staples for generations. If signs of significant wear do emerge over time, consider professional reupholstering and refinishing services to restore a chair's luster.

Finding the perfect wooden armchairs requires balancing your space needs, style preferences, ideal comfort level, and budget. Before making any purchases, carefully measure your living room, evaluate different chair designs, and assess factors like wood type, upholstery, and features. Take your time exploring the many exceptional options today's market has to offer.

The right wooden armchairs will provide an instant style boost and welcoming spot to relax in your living room. With some smart shopping strategies and proper care once installed in your home, these classic chairs can serve your family in comfort and beauty for many years to come.