Most of our time is spent sitting, and most of that sitting is done in chairs, and no room is complete without one, not even prison cells. There are few design objects that have been as consistently reinvented as the chair, while also being used since ancient times, considered even back then as symbols of dignity; after all, what is a throne but an extravagant, bigger chair? Chairs are practical and inviting, providing necessary leisure, utility, and comfort for our everyday life. Now, suppose you have been on the hunt for the right chair for a while. In that case, you will probably have noticed just how many kinds of chairs you can choose from—in fact, it can quickly get overwhelming just by differentiating between them all, never mind settling on the right one. So, we wrote this little guide to help give you an overview of the different types, which will make choosing the right one for you a little easier.

The 45 Chair

An iconic piece of Danish furniture design by Finn Juhl, the 45 chairs, saw their debut in, you guessed it, 1945, at the annual Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition, mesmerizing the audience with their form. The curved backrest and seat appeared almost to be floating, as there was a space between the seat and the frame. This design can be found on all sorts of different modern chairs too, from chairs in the living room to comfortable reception chairs, and everything in between. You can find it at many different furniture stores, and it comes in walnut or oak with leather or textile upholstery. It is probably best used as a single item instead of a set of chairs for a table or something of the sort, as it is not practical or high enough to use as a dining table chair.

The Armchair And The Recliner

The armchair is the default chair you will find in most living rooms. They are typically upholstered and include comfortable armrests, letting you just sit down, throw your arms over the sides, and relax. They can be found in all sizes, styles, colors, and materials, letting you choose the one that fits you exactly to make a statement, whether you are focusing simply on comfort and relaxation or perhaps want to show off a little of your personality. As there are so many different styles of armchairs, there are also many other variations on the classic armchair, one of which is its even more comfortable and upholstered cousin, the recliner. This chair lets you sit in it, pull a lever, or push back into the chair, activating a mechanism that lowers its back and lifts a footrest, turning it almost into a kind of bed. As any father after a long, hard day at work will be able to tell you, there are few chairs more comfortable and as easy to fall asleep in than the recliner. If comfort and utility are your goals, then you cannot go wrong with a recliner for your living room.

Ladder Back Chair

The ladder back chair is so called because its back looks like a ladder, obviously, made from wood slats that make it look similar to ladder rungs, but you probably just know them as dining room chairs, as they are the default chairs for any dining table. Simple, no-nonsense, and practical, they are built for straight posture and easy access to whatever is on the table. Even though they are mostly just used for the dining table, they can also be used as accent chairs if they are really special, like sticking them out by your front door or in front of an empty wall with some kind of art piece above it, or they can even be used to set things down or stack books on them. You can even use it as a nightstand, especially in tight spaces. In the end, it is a more practical chair that focuses less on style or comfort and more on utility, even though the color scheme should still fit with the room and table, of course, otherwise, they might stand out it not the way you wanted.

Club Chair

Club chairs are the kind of chair your lovely grandfather would slink into with an old, leather-bound beloved book. Their generous proportions, all-over upholstered finish, and slightly curved but square back make them look warm and cozy, perfect for those winter nights and unwinding in front of the fireplace. Even though club chairs are usually produced in leather, if you want to, you can cover them in whatever material strikes your fancy. So if you love the design and comfort, but do not swoon over the images of cigars and whiskey the club chair conjures, you might place four of them around a coffee table, creating a more intimate conversation zone, especially if children are buzzing around and you and your guests would like to converse amongst yourselves.

Desk Chair

Desk chairs are at home in the office, and are all about function, with an ergonomic, comfortable form, a swivel base, an adjustable seat, and maybe wheels to move them easily around whenever you wish. Although many home offices have their own takes or interpretations on this, most individuals do not want their living spaces to bleed corporate atmosphere and vibe, which is why, for home offices at least, design often wins over ergonomics. You should know, though, that good-looking desk chairs will not be exactly easy to find, especially ones that are affordable, so it is best to start looking for one that has some special detail you like, like a vintage-inspired one, for example.

Every room has or needs a chair or multiple ones, and yet we rarely even think about the kind of chair, style, or material that suits us and the room best. As you have probably found out now, the right chair can complete the room’s atmosphere and vibe, so put some thought into it before making a choice.