Armchairs

Designer Armchairs and Lounge Chairs

A well-chosen armchair can add comfort, shape and personality to a living space without requiring the footprint of another sofa. It can become part of a larger seating arrangement, create a dedicated reading corner or work independently as a sculptural statement piece.

RB12's collection of designer armchairs brings together Scandinavian, Italian and contemporary European seating from Saba Italia, Bolia, SITS, Gervasoni, Warm Nordic, Furninova, Miniforms, Conform and Bonaldo.

The collection ranges from compact occasional chairs to generous lounge armchairs, high-back seating, swivel chairs and deeply upholstered designs created around relaxation.

Scandinavian Armchairs

Scandinavian armchairs tend to combine simple proportions, tactile materials and a strong focus on comfort. Timber, wool-rich fabrics and softer organic shapes allow the chair to feel distinctive without overwhelming the surrounding room.

Bolia forms one of the largest Scandinavian armchair collections at RB12. Designs include the Bolia Mielo Armchair, Dive Armchair, Visti Armchair, Fuuga Armchair and Bowie Armchair.

The Mielo is a particularly strong example of Bolia's approach, combining a sculptural organic shape with an open form, generous upholstery and a reversible seat cushion. A broad choice of fabrics allows the finished chair to be adapted to different interiors.

Warm Nordic Armchairs

Warm Nordic brings classic Scandinavian furniture design into contemporary interiors, drawing on historic Danish designs alongside newer collections.

The Warm Nordic Dwell Armchair offers a softly upholstered lounge form, while the Fried Egg Armchair and Lean Back Armchair provide more distinctive interpretations of Nordic seating.

These designs work particularly well alongside timber furniture, natural rugs and restrained interiors where material and proportion are more important than excessive decoration.

Italian Designer Armchairs

Italian armchairs often take a more sculptural approach, combining generous upholstery with expressive forms, unusual silhouettes and carefully resolved detailing.

Saba Italia currently forms the largest single indoor armchair collection at RB12, with designs including the Oltremare Armchair, Bustier Armchair, Amelie Armchair, Chillout Armchair, Geo Armchair, Sunset Armchair, New York Curve Armchair and Fleur Armchair.

The breadth of the Saba collection means the chair can be chosen either to coordinate closely with a sofa or to work as a deliberately contrasting feature within the living room.

Saba Italia Armchairs

Saba Italia is particularly well known for upholstered seating with soft proportions and a strong emphasis on flexibility and textile choice.

The Saba Italia Oltremare Armchair provides a highly sculptural contemporary option, while collections such as Geo, Baby Geo, Sunset and New York offer very different silhouettes across the wider range.

For a more compact seat, designs such as Amelie and Ola can introduce Italian character without requiring the scale of a deep lounge chair.

Gervasoni Armchairs

Gervasoni brings a softer and more relaxed interpretation of Italian design. Natural materials, loose upholstery and generous cushioning are recurring characteristics across the wider collection.

The Gervasoni Nuvola Armchair is a particularly generous upholstered design, with soft proportions intended to create a highly relaxed seating experience.

Gervasoni armchairs work particularly well alongside the brand's sofas and natural-material tables, but their softer forms also provide an effective contrast to more structured contemporary furniture.

SITS Armchairs

SITS offers Scandinavian-inspired upholstered furniture focused on comfort, everyday usability and extensive fabric choice.

Armchairs available at RB12 include the Jenny Suite Armchair, Clyde Armchair, Julia Armchair, Ross Armchair, Mini Armchair, Uma Armchair and SITS Bill Armchair.

This range makes SITS particularly useful where an armchair needs to provide substantial comfort while remaining relatively understated within the overall living-room scheme.

Furninova Armchairs

Furninova combines Swedish design with European manufacturing and extensive upholstery customisation.

The RB12 collection includes the Furninova Ava Armchair and Beetle Armchair, both of which can be specified in different upholstery options to coordinate with surrounding sofas and furniture.

Furninova is particularly well suited to customers who want greater control over fabric, leather, colour and comfort while retaining a contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic.

Swivel and Reclining Armchairs

Swivel and reclining armchairs can add another level of functionality to the living room, especially where the chair needs to face different parts of an open-plan space or provide additional support for longer periods of relaxation.

The Conform Timeout Armchair is designed around ergonomic comfort and reclining functionality, while the wider Conform collection includes the Globe Armchair and coordinating footstools.

This type of seating works particularly well in reading areas, media rooms and living spaces where comfort is the primary consideration but the chair still needs to retain a refined contemporary appearance.

Sculptural and Statement Armchairs

An armchair can also operate as a strong decorative object. Unusual curves, distinctive upholstery and expressive proportions can allow one chair to introduce much of the character within an otherwise restrained room.

The Miniforms Amiona Armchair provides a contemporary Italian example, while designs from Saba Italia, Bolia and Gervasoni offer different interpretations of sculptural lounge seating.

Statement armchairs can be especially effective when paired with a simpler sofa, allowing the chair to introduce colour or shape without making the complete seating arrangement feel overly busy.

Armchairs for Reading

A reading chair should provide enough support to remain comfortable for longer periods while also relating naturally to the rest of the living room.

High-backed or reclining designs can provide additional head and shoulder support, while deeper lounge chairs create a more relaxed seating position. A small side table beside the chair provides space for books or drinks, while a floor lamp can supply focused local lighting.

Adding a footstool or pouffe can also make a conventional armchair more suitable for extended relaxation.

Armchairs for Small Living Rooms

In smaller living rooms, an armchair can provide additional seating without requiring the width of a second sofa. The key is choosing a design with a footprint that leaves enough circulation space around the surrounding furniture.

Open-frame chairs and designs raised on visible legs can appear visually lighter, while compact upholstered chairs provide comfort without dominating the room.

Pairing one armchair with a two or three-seat sofa can often create a more flexible arrangement than trying to fit two sofas into a limited space.

How to Choose an Armchair

Begin with comfort and how the chair will be used. A chair intended mainly for occasional seating can prioritise compact proportions and design, while a reading or relaxation chair may benefit from a deeper seat, higher back or reclining mechanism.

Next, consider scale. Measure the available floor area and compare the overall width and depth of the chair with the surrounding sofa, tables and circulation routes.

Finally, think about upholstery. Matching the sofa creates a more coordinated arrangement, while choosing a contrasting fabric, colour or material can make the armchair a stronger feature within the room.

Should an Armchair Match the Sofa?

An armchair does not need to match the sofa. In fact, combining different but complementary pieces can create a more layered and individual living room.

A neutral sofa can be paired with an armchair in a stronger colour or texture, while a soft upholstered sofa may work well with a more structured chair. Repeating one element, such as timber, fabric colour or metal finish, can help the pieces feel connected even when the designs are different.

For a more coordinated interior, many brands offer armchairs alongside matching sofas, footstools and complementary pieces.

Creating a Complete Seating Area

Armchairs work best when considered as part of the complete seating arrangement. Position chairs close enough to the sofa to encourage conversation while leaving sufficient room to move comfortably between pieces.

A central coffee table can connect the seating visually, while side tables provide useful individual surfaces. A large rug beneath the arrangement can further define the seating zone.

Complete the space with floor lighting, cushions and other accessories to introduce softer layers around the main furniture.

Shop Designer Armchairs Online at RB12

RB12 offers an extensive collection of designer armchairs in the UK, including Scandinavian lounge chairs, Italian armchairs, upholstered seating, reading chairs, swivel chairs and reclining designs.

Explore armchairs from Saba Italia, Bolia, SITS, Gervasoni, Warm Nordic, Furninova, Miniforms and Bonaldo, and complete your living space with RB12's designer sofas, coffee tables and side tables and ottomans and pouffes.