There is a corner in every well-appointed home that no one wants to give up. It is not the best seat on the sofa, although it may be. It is that armchair or club chair that occupies a corner of the living room, bedroom, or study, and makes whoever sits in it never want to get up.
The designer armchair is, paradoxically, the piece of furniture that has the greatest impact on the perception of a space in relation to the physical space it occupies. A well-chosen club chair in the right corner can completely transform a room: it adds scale, warmth, and an invitation to relax that no other piece of furniture can replicate in the same way.
And yet, it is also one of the pieces that is most frequently postponed, improvised, or settled with the first available option. In this guide, we explain how to choose the right armchair or club chair: types, materials, scale, placement, and how to get a real designer piece at a price that requires sacrificing nothing. As always at Kayuri Home.
Armchair, club chair, lounge chair: differences that matter before choosing
The market uses these terms quite interchangeably, but there are real differences that affect how they function in a space and what they are intended for.
The armchair
A single-seat piece with a backrest and armrests, designed for prolonged relaxation. Contemporary designer armchairs usually have a more compact profile than traditional ones, with generous upholstery and structures that combine wood and upholstery or metal and fabric. They are the most versatile option in the category.
The club chair
A term that is frequently used in Spain as a synonym for armchair, although in interior design it usually refers to pieces with a lighter profile, sometimes without armrests, with a more clearly decorative character. Scandinavian or mid-century-inspired designer club chairs are probably the most sought-after in the second-hand market.
The lounge chair
The Anglo-Saxon term that has permeated the design sector to refer to chairs with a wide seat, tilted backrest, and a lower height than a conventional dining chair. They are halfway between a chair and an armchair, and are especially interesting in spaces where a chair with character is needed without the volume of a full armchair.
The 5 types of armchairs that dominate contemporary interior design
1. The wing chair
A reinvented classic that has experienced a remarkable revival in contemporary design. Its high sides—the "wings" that give it its name—create a sense of envelopment and privacy that no other armchair replicates. In modern versions, with velvet, bouclé, or linen upholstery and wooden or metal legs, it is a piece with a very defined character that works especially well in living rooms with generous ceiling heights.
2. The Scandinavian club chair
The most reproduced silhouette of Nordic design: outward-angled wooden legs, separately upholstered seat and backrest, and compact proportions that allow it to be placed in almost any corner without creating a sense of overcrowding. It is the option that works best in small spaces and the one with the greatest presence in the outlet channel, precisely because it is the favorite of Nordic design brand showrooms. If you are interested in this style, in our article about cheap Nordic furniture you will find the full context of this aesthetic.
3. The low-profile lounge chair
The evolution of the contemporary living room armchair: low and deep seat, tilted backrest, an invitation to real relaxation rather than formal sitting. It requires more physical space than the Scandinavian club chair, but the visual impact and comfort it provides are difficult to match. It is the piece that most frequently becomes the favorite of the home.
4. The rattan or natural fiber club chair
The trend that keeps growing. In line with the interest in natural materials that we analyzed in our guide to summer 2026 decoration trends, rattan or natural fiber club chairs provide an organic texture and visual lightness that fits perfectly with modern Mediterranean style and contemporary minimalism. They are especially interesting on covered terraces or indoor-outdoor transition spaces.
5. The bergère or reinterpreted classic-inspired armchair
The contemporary reinterpretation of large classic upholstered armchairs: generous shapes, quality fabric upholstery, an air of sophistication that works both in classic-style spaces and in eclectic interiors where it seeks to contrast with the rest of the more modern furniture.
Materials and upholstery: how to choose according to use and style
The upholstery of an armchair determines its appearance, its feel, its durability, and its maintenance. Knowing the real differences avoids disappointments.
Bouclé
The fabric in fashion in interior design for the last three years and with a long way to go. Its looped texture creates a visually rich surface that ages well and adds warmth to any space. It is resistant to moderate wear, although it is not the most recommended option for homes with scratching pets.
Velvet
The upholstery that adds the most character per square meter. Quality velvet has a soft and changing shine that flat fabrics cannot achieve, and a tactile sensation that turns the act of sitting into an experience. It requires specific maintenance but has excellent durability if cared for.
Linen and cotton
Natural fiber upholstery provides a warmth and authenticity that synthetics do not replicate. They are especially interesting for Nordic, Mediterranean, or wabi-sabi styles. Their weak point is stain resistance, although current treatments have greatly improved this limitation.
Leather and vegan leather
Natural leather ages with character and becomes more beautiful with use. High-end vegan leather offers a similar aesthetic with a lower environmental impact. Both are the easiest options to clean and the most resistant to intensive daily wear.
Wood and metal in the structure
The visible structure of an armchair—legs, arms, support—is as important as the upholstery in defining the style. Oak or walnut wooden legs provide warmth and naturalness. Metal legs—matte black, brass, brushed steel—add a contemporary or industrial touch depending on the finish. Combining both in the same space, with coherence, is one of the most sophisticated gestures of current interior design.
Scale and placement: how to place it so it really works
A designer armchair in the wrong place can ruin a perfect composition. In the right place, it can be the piece that ties it all together.
The living room corner
The most classic use and the one that has the greatest impact: an armchair or club chair in the corner of the living room, accompanied by a side table and a floor lamp, creates a reading or relaxation area with its own entity within the living room. This composition—armchair + side table + light—is one of the most photographed in interior design and one of the most accessible to achieve with second-hand pieces.
Scale matters: in a living room of less than 20 meters, a Scandinavian club chair or a compact-profile armchair works better than a large-sized lounge chair. In generous living rooms, the larger armchair can become the secondary focal point after the sofa. We explain how to calculate the correct proportions in our decoration guide for small spaces.
The bedroom
An armchair in the bedroom is one of the most accessible luxuries a home can have. It does not require much space—a Scandinavian club chair or a lounge chair occupies less than one square meter of floor—and transforms the perception of the bedroom: it turns it into a space where you not only sleep, but where you also read, relax, and disconnect.
Placed next to the window, with a small rug and a side table for support, a club chair creates the most intimate and well-thought-out bedroom corner possible.
The study or work area
A reading club chair in the work area breaks with the functional monotony of the desk and the office chair. It creates a space of reflection different from the workstation, ideal for reading, reviewing paper documents, or simply thinking with the visual pressure of the computer out of sight. You can see more about how to properly arrange the work area at home in our guide to furnishing an office with design and a low budget.
The spacious entryway
If the entryway has enough space, a club chair or a pair of lounge chairs next to the entrance creates a welcome area with a lot of character. It is an unconventional use that immediately distinguishes a home with decorative criteria from one without it.
Compositions that work: the armchair as part of a set
A designer armchair rarely works in isolation. Its maximum potential unfolds when it is part of a thoughtful composition.
Armchair + side table + floor lamp: The classic triad of the reading corner. Choose a side table whose height is between the seat and the armrest of the armchair to facilitate comfortable use. The floor lamp that stands above the backrest projects the light optimally over the book or the screen.
Armchair + rug + picture or mirror: A rug that delimits the armchair area anchors it visually to the space and turns it into a corner with its own entity. A picture or a mirror on the wall where the armchair rests completes the composition vertically.
Two facing club chairs: A composition that elegantly replaces the sofa in small living rooms or complements the sofa in generous living rooms. Two facing Scandinavian club chairs, with a side table between them, create a conversation area with much more character than the classic sofa + two-seater sofa configuration.
Why the outlet channel is the smartest decision to buy a designer armchair
Designer armchairs and club chairs with a distinctive design have a catalog price that can be surprising: a top-tier brand Scandinavian club chair can cost between 800 and 2,500 euros. A lounge chair with reinterpreted classic design, between 1,200 and 4,000 euros.
When that same piece has been displayed in a showroom, has been discontinued, or presents a minor imperfection in a little-visible area, its structural and upholstery quality has not changed at all. What changes is the price.
Showrooms of top-tier design brands display exactly these types—Scandinavian club chairs, wing chairs, lounge chairs—as representative pieces of their collections. When those collections are renewed, those pieces arrive at the outlet channel in almost perfect condition, with a real discount that can range between 35% and 65% over the original price.
In our armchair and club chair section you will find exactly that: designer pieces with a detailed description and specific photographs of the real condition of each piece. The same criterion of transparency that we apply throughout our platform. If you want to better understand the purchasing model, we recommend our article about what display furniture is and why buy it. And if you are concerned about the environmental impact of your decisions, our article about circular economy in the home gives you the complete framework.
Frequently asked questions about how to choose a designer armchair or club chair
What practical difference is there between an armchair and a club chair?
In functional terms, the main difference is the volume and the depth of the seat. An armchair usually has a deeper and more generous seat, designed for prolonged relaxation. A club chair tends to be more compact and lighter, with a more clearly decorative character although perfectly comfortable for daily use. For small spaces, the club chair is usually the most accurate option; for those seeking maximum comfort, the armchair.
How do I know if a display armchair is in good condition?
The pieces of armchairs and club chairs available at Kayuri Home include detailed photographs and a description of the real condition of each piece. Use in the showroom is usually very limited—people who sit briefly to try the piece, not continuous residential use—so the upholstery and structure are usually in excellent condition.
Does a designer armchair fit in a small apartment?
Yes, with the right choice. A compact-profile Scandinavian club chair can occupy less than 0.7 square meters of floor. The key is to choose models with visible legs—which allow you to see the floor underneath and create visual continuity—and to place it in a corner instead of in the middle of the walkway. We explain in detail how to integrate pieces with character in reduced spaces in our decoration guide for small spaces.
What upholstery is most resistant for an armchair of intensive daily use?
For intensive daily use—homes with small children or pets, or armchairs in high-traffic areas—quality natural or vegan leather and high-density technical fabrics are the most resistant options. Bouclé and velvet are more delicate and work better in contexts of moderate use.
Can I mix a club chair of a different style from the sofa?
Yes, and in fact it is one of the most interesting gestures of contemporary interior design. The key is to maintain coherence in two of the three elements: material, color, or proportions. A rattan club chair next to a neutrally upholstered sofa works perfectly because they share scale and palette, although the materials are different. What should be avoided is incoherence in all three elements simultaneously.
Does Kayuri Home have poufs and accessories to complete the corner?
Yes. In addition to armchairs and club chairs, at Kayuri Home you will find puffs, side tables and rugs to complete any composition with criteria and visual coherence.
The corner that no one wants to give up is waiting for you
A well-chosen designer armchair or club chair is not a luxury. It is the decoration investment with the best return that exists: it transforms a space, creates a place with its own identity within the home, and invariably becomes the favorite piece of whoever lives there.
At Kayuri Home, you'll find designer armchairs and club chairs from renowned brands at prices that make the decision easy. And to complete the perfect corner, we also have the puffs, the side tables, the rugs, and the decor that finish it off.
Stock changes constantly. The best pieces don't wait.
Explore the full catalog of armchairs and club chairs at Kayuri Home and find the corner your home has been waiting for.
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