High Seat Armchairs
Buy the best high seat armchairs selected and recommended by interior designers. By Chloe Hughes.
Whether you have back and joint problems or simply prefer a higher seating position, choosing a chair with a high seat height is essential if you want to be comfortable when relaxing at home. Our experts have carefully selected a range of the most comfortable and stylish high seat armchairs. These chairs come in a variety of different shapes and materials, so whatever your style, you will be able to find something that’s perfect for you here.
High Seat Armchairs
Buying Guide
Chloe Hughes
Interior Design Expert
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
A high seat armchair is great for those who have back problems and find it difficult to sit on a lower chair. While regular armchairs and sofas are around 18-24 inches off the ground when sitting down on them, high seat armchairs are normally 24 inches off the ground at the very minimum. This allows you to sit down easily into the chair, since you don't have to lower yourself too much. Before buying a high seat armchair, let's consider the important factors first.
Just like many types of armchairs and living room or bedroom furniture, there are different materials used in making high seat armchairs, the most common being fabrics, leather, and rattan. Each has their individual benefits and disadvantages, so you will need to decide which is best based on your tastes and requirements.
- Fabric: One of the most common materials for all types of seating furniture, fabric is a cost-effective and comfortable material for your high seat armchair. Fabric is easy to clean, and many manufacturers will sell an aftercare kit to make it as easy as possible to look after your new furniture. Fabric also has the widest choice of patterns and colors available, so if you are fussy or like a wide range of choice, this could be the best material for you.
- Leather: Another common material for furniture is leather. This is durable and comfortable, although some people don't like the cold initial feeling of leather furniture when sitting down. With leather, there are limits on the colors and patterns available. Few armchairs will have leather animal prints, while most are black, brown or white in color.
- Rattan and fabric: You may also come across a style which is made using rattan and fabric. The frame of the high seat armchair is made from wicker and rattan, therefore making it suitable to put in the garden during warmer weather. The padded seating and back are then covered with fabric.
Apart from the practical side of things, many people like to consider the way the legs of an armchair look. Some styles will have wooden legs which are positioned in a criss-cross manner, thus creating a more modern appearance for contemporary homes.
Other high seat armchairs don't have individual legs, but rather have a wooden base underneath a thick cushioned armchair which is used to reinforce the structure of this piece of furniture.
Many high seat armchairs will come with a padded cushion to sit on and a padded cushion for the back, but you should confirm this before you buy. You may also like to buy extra cushioning for the armchair, such as another padded seat to make the chair even higher. Only you will know the optimum height at which you feel comfortable to sit – if you are having health problems related to sitting then, speak with your doctor before you buy a high seat armchair as they may be able to help you identify the perfect height.