Chair types vary significantly across languages, and there are numerous kinds of chairs designed to fulfill specific functions.
Be it for comfort or aesthetic purposes, the ideal chair speaks volumes about its owner. Explore different kinds of chairs to help find one suitable for your home and living situation. And you can always go for a more exotic option, like a bean bag chair.
Armchair
There are endless ways to customize chairs for your home, but certain varieties stand out as particularly suitable options for certain living spaces. From sculptural polyurethane forms to rustic wood frames with hand carving, chairs are an integral component of interior decor.
Club chairs typically feature deep and comfortable seating with high backs and wide armrests for maximum comfort and luxury. Originally created for gentlemen’s clubs, club chairs often boast buttoned or tufted designs that symbolize luxury and elegance.
A barrel chair features a rounded back that resembles the shape of a barrel cut in half and is an increasingly popular option in dining rooms and living areas alike. Other forms of dining chairs include the tete-a-tete, which combines two chairs linked together by their backs so sitters can converse.
Rocking Chair
Rocking chairs evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation while simultaneously helping to reset biological clocks and alleviate insomnia by encouraging restful sleep.
The ideal rocking chairs are constructed with durable textiles and solid wood materials, featuring intricate joinery techniques for maximum longevity and ease of movement.
Traditional rockers feature curved legs that enable gentle back-and-forth movement, made from various materials ranging from pine (which tends not to weather as well) or teak. Pine may require periodic varnishing or staining, while teak provides more durable long-term solutions while requiring less upkeep than other rocker varieties.
Recliner
Although recliners and armchairs appear similar at first glance, recliners provide additional features not usually found in armchairs. Recliners provide not only reclining but can also rock and glide, as well as some with built-in footrests – all features that Yorkshire Fabric Shop shares can increase comfort options, such as lumbar support or adjustable headrests.
Recliners are usually lever-operated and come in various designs and sizes. Some reclining chairs may appear bulky and awkward, while others are sleek and modern; depending on their manufacturer and style, they may even be plug-in or battery-powered!
Recliners with moving parts are more susceptible to breakage and other issues than armchairs, according to Homewares Insider. Power recliners may experience electrical failure or pinched wires, which cause them to malfunction or stop working altogether, according to this source.
Director’s Chair
The director’s chair is a simple yet practical folding chair commonly associated with film directors (hence its name). It was first introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair by Gold Medal Furniture Company as a porch and camping chair in 1892. It may have taken inspiration from coffeemaker chairs from 15th-century coffer-makers or Roman curule seats that preceded them.
The director’s chair frame is made of lightweight wood or plastic and outfitted with canvas fabric seating and back support for easy transport and storage. Foldable side-to-side for storage flat, this chair can also be purchased in bulk to promote businesses at trade shows or events while adding flair to any home decor scheme.
Egg Chair
Egg chairs have long been associated with gardens, but they’ve become equally popular indoors. These unique chairs can be suspended from ceilings or sit alone on stands, often made out of tightly-woven material that withstands weight without breaking.
These chairs often come equipped with fixed cushions that offer ample seating comfort and are made from materials resistant to fading and mold growth.
Arne Jacobsen designed the iconic egg chair, now considered an icon in modern, organic Scandinavian furniture, as he wanted something that could fit within modernist architecture and Scandinavian aesthetic. Today, it appears in luxury hotels as well as advertisements.
