Armchairs & Ottomans: How to Choose, Place and Style Them

A living room does not always need another sofa. Sometimes, one well-chosen armchair can do more for the space than a larger piece ever could.

An armchair can turn an unused corner into a reading spot, give guests a comfortable place to relax or break up a room filled with matching furniture. Add an ottoman and the chair becomes even more useful, giving you somewhere to rest your feet, set down a tray or add an extra seat when needed.

The challenge is knowing which size, shape and material will work with the furniture already in the room. Here is how to choose, place and style armchairs and ottomans so they feel like a considered part of the space.

Types of Armchairs: Which One Is Right for Your Room?

Armchairs now range from compact occasional chairs to deep lounge styles, swivels and high-backed designs. The best option depends on where the chair will be placed and what you expect from it.

There is no need to choose the same style as the sofa. A different shape, fabric or colour can add contrast and stop the room from feeling too matched. For example, the Loui Swivel Arm Chair in Cognac can be paired with the Enzo 2 Seater in Grace Raisin, adding a different chair shape while keeping the deeper tones consistent across the seating area. 

How to Get the Armchair Size Right

An armchair can look well proportioned on its own and still feel too large or too small once it is placed beside the rest of the furniture. A few measurements taken beforehand can save a lot of rearranging later.

Width

Around 75 to 85cm gives most people enough room to feel comfortable. Go much narrower and the chair can start to feel a bit tight, especially if it will be used for longer periods.

Wider styles can feel more generous, but once you move beyond 90 cm, they need noticeably more floor space. In a smaller room, that extra width can make the whole setting feel crowded.

Seat Depth

Consider how you usually use an armchair. Do you prefer a more upright posture with a book, curl your legs underneath you or lean back at the end of the day? That can tell you more about the right depth than appearance alone. 

• Shallower seats: Keep the body more upright, which can suit reading and conversation.

• Deeper seats: Give you extra room to lean back, stretch out or tuck your legs up.

• Medium-depth seats: Give you a balance between upright support and a more relaxed feel. 

For a reading chair, deeper is not always better. If the seat pushes you too far back, it may become uncomfortable during longer reading sessions.

Seat Height

Seat height is easy to overlook, especially when you are focused on the chair’s shape and fabric.

If the armchair will be placed beside a sofa, try to keep the two seat heights within about 5 cm of each other. They do not need to match exactly, but keeping them fairly close usually makes the whole seating area feel more balanced.

Back Height

A higher back gives your head, neck and shoulders more support, which can be useful if you tend to stay in the chair for a while. Lower and mid-height backs feel lighter in the room and suit chairs that are used more casually. For a reading corner, a higher back can make longer periods feel more comfortable.

Where to Put an Armchair: Placement Ideas That Work

Choosing the right armchair is only one part of the decision. Its position can make a big difference to how open and comfortable the living area feels. 

Angled Towards the Sofa

Placing the chair on an angle near one end of the sofa creates an easy conversation area without making the room feel too formal.

A small side table between the two can hold a lamp, drink or book while still leaving enough room to move around comfortably. 

In a Corner

A spare corner can become much more useful with the right armchair.

For a reading spot, add a floor lamp and a small side table within easy reach. In a bedroom, the same setup can create a quiet place away from the bed without adding much furniture.

As a Room Divider

Open-plan homes often need a little separation between living, dining and study areas without adding walls or bulky shelving.

An armchair near the edge of the living zone can help define one area from the next. A swivel design works particularly well here, as it can turn towards different parts of the room when needed. 

Opposite the Sofa

One or two armchairs opposite a sofa can create a balanced conversation area, particularly in a larger living room. Leave enough space around the coffee table and between each piece so the room remains easy to move through. 

Ottomans: A Small Piece With Several Uses

An ottoman may be used as a footrest most of the time, but it can do a lot more around the home.

Depending on the size and design, it can provide an extra seat when guests are over, stand in for a coffee table or give you somewhere to store blankets and other everyday items.

It is also easy to move around, which makes it useful when the room needs to work a little differently from day to day.

Types of Ottomans and Where They Work Best

The right type depends on what the room needs. In a smaller home, an ottoman that serves more than one purpose can make better use of the available floor space.

The Monroe Square Ottoman, available in cognac or almond, can work well in the centre of a lounge setting as a footrest or a surface for a drinks tray. The Otto Round Ottoman, in olive or oat, is better suited to a reading corner or beside an armchair, especially where a softer, rounded shape works better than a square design.

Pairing an Ottoman With an Armchair

Try to keep the ottoman close to the width of the armchair seat so there is enough room to support both legs without making the area feel crowded.

For height, keep it level with the chair seat or around 3 to 5cm lower. Going higher can raise the knees above the hips and become uncomfortable after a while.

For a reading setup, leave around 10 to 15cm between the chair and ottoman. That small gap makes it easier to get up without having to move the ottoman each time.

Why a Storage Ottoman Can Be Worth the Space

Living rooms have a way of collecting things. Throws, spare cushions, children’s toys, magazines and chargers can quickly end up across sofas and side tables.

A storage ottoman gives those everyday items somewhere to go while keeping them close at hand. When closed, it can still be used as a footrest, extra seat or a surface for a tray.

Storage ottomans can be just as useful in bedrooms, particularly where wardrobe or cupboard space is limited.

How to Build a Reading Nook That Gets Used

A reading nook does not need its own room. A quiet corner and a few well-chosen pieces are often enough.

Start with four basics:

• A comfortable armchair: Look for good back support, supportive arms and a seat depth that suits the way you read.

• Good lighting: Place a floor or reading lamp so the page is well lit without the light shining directly into your eyes.

• A nearby surface: Keep a side table within easy reach for a drink, phone or book.

• An ottoman: Add one if there is enough room and you like reading with your feet raised.

Natural light can make the area more inviting during the day, so a chair near a window may be worth considering. Just check that glare will not become a problem at the times you are most likely to use the space.

A small floor rug can also help define the corner, especially when the reading area forms part of a larger bedroom or open-plan living room.

When to Choose an Armchair Over a Second Sofa

Another sofa might seem like the obvious answer when you need more seating, but an armchair often gives you more flexibility.

It Takes Up Less Space

A second sofa needs a fair amount of wall and floor space.

An armchair adds another proper seat while leaving more room for side tables, lamps and clear walking paths. That can make a noticeable difference in smaller living rooms.

It Gives the Room More Variety

Two matching sofas can make a room feel very uniform.

An armchair gives you room to introduce a different shape, upholstery or colour without changing the main lounge. A curved fabric chair beside a more structured sofa, for example, can break up the setting without making it feel disconnected.

It Is Easier to Reposition

Armchairs are generally easier to move than sofas.

That can be useful when guests arrive, when you want to open up more floor space or when the room layout changes over time.

Shop Armchairs and Ottomans at The Furniture Gallery

The right armchair and ottoman should feel comfortable, suit the proportions of the room and make sense for the way the space is used every day. Start with the measurements, think about the role each piece needs to play, then look at fabric, colour and shape.

The Furniture Gallery offers armchairs and ottomans in a range of shapes, fabrics and finishes for living rooms, bedrooms and reading areas. Visit a WA showroom in Perth, Claremont, Osborne Park, Joondalup, Cockburn, Midland or Australind to explore options for your home.

Display stock can vary between locations, so contact your preferred store before visiting if there is a particular armchair or ottoman you would like to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size armchair should I choose?

Measure the available floor area and compare the chair with nearby furniture. Leave enough room around it for easy movement rather than choosing on seat width alone.

Can an armchair be a different colour from the sofa?

Yes. A different colour can work well, especially when another detail, such as the fabric tone, leg finish or overall shape, connects the pieces.

How high should an ottoman be?

For use as a footrest, the ottoman should be around the same level as the chair seat or slightly lower so the legs can rest naturally.

What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool?

A footstool is generally smaller and mainly used for the feet. An ottoman is often larger and may also provide extra seating, storage or a surface for a tray.

What do you need for a comfortable reading nook?

Start with a supportive armchair, good reading light and a side table within easy reach. Add an ottoman if there is enough room and you like to keep your feet raised.

Can an ottoman be used instead of a coffee table?

Yes. A large upholstered ottoman can work in the centre of a lounge setting. Add a firm tray when you need a stable surface for drinks or other small items.

Is an armchair better than adding another sofa?

It can be, especially when space is limited. An armchair needs less floor area, is easier to move and gives you more freedom to introduce a different shape, fabric or colour.