Which colour is best for my armchair? A guide to choosing

The time has finally come to buy the armchair of your dreams, but which colour should you choose? Should it be a bright colour or a neutral shade? How do you combine colours with your sofa and other furniture?

How to choose an armchair by colour

For those who like to read or relax without running the risk of falling asleep, an armchair is the ideal furnishing accessory. Less bulky than sofas, armchairs are perfect for living rooms where you want to have conversations with guests or to enhance other living room furniture. However, when choosing a colour, things might not be so easy. Is it better to have a classic armchair in dark or neutral tones? How do you harmonise the colour of the armchair with that of the sofa and the other home furnishings? Which shade should be chosen according to the type of upholstery? Luckily, there is an answer to all these questions so let’s take a look at some simple tips on how to choose the colour of your armchair.

Choosing the colour of an armchair to match your other furniture

First of all, when choosing the colour of an armchair it is necessary to consider the style of your other home furnishings. Bringing in a furnishing accessory that fits in perfectly with your home environment can contribute to making your home welcoming, harmonious and elegant.

• Contemporary Style. In rooms furnished in a modern style, where white, black and shades of grey are predominant, a good solution is to choose an armchair that picks up on these nuances to create a minimalist or tone-on-tone effect.

Take a look at the ‘Cocò’ model by Calia Italia for inspiration. Alternatively, you can decide to focus on bright colours, from red to yellow, in open contrast with the rest of the furniture thereby livening up the room and giving it character.

• Shabby Chic Style. For fans of the rustic/shabby chic style, the choice is easy – go for beige or neutral shades and you can’t go wrong. For that more country style of decor, the most suitable shades range from browns to warm neutrals.

• Classical Style. In classically furnished living rooms, various shades of brown and black find a natural place, especially when combined with leather upholstery.

For a more whimsical yet elegant choice, consider going for a blue, pink, purple or green velvet armchair. The ‘Madame G’ armchair by Calia Italia is a perfect match for both classic and modern style furniture.

• Vintage Style. Our love for the 60s and 70s is not only a fashion, but also a lifestyle. If you are of this philosophy, don’t skimp on colours! From yellow ochre and orange to olive green and shades of purple and blue, you’re spoilt for choice. For an example of an armchair inspired by the 60s and in particular by the Nordic style, check out ‘Poli’ by Calia Italia.

How to choose a coloured armchair

In addition to the style of the furniture, it is also important to remember that each colour gives a different personality to its surroundings. Therefore, depending on the atmosphere you want to create in your home, you may decide to go for a specific shade.

• White: An evergreen colour, suitable for any environment and any type of upholstery (from fabric to leather) that is perfect in small living rooms to increase the sense of space or in rooms where you want to emphasise size and brightness. Use it as a complement to colours such as grey or beige, or as a contrast to bright colours or black.

• Black: Combined with leather, an armchair in this colour finds itself at home in the most classic environments, such as a study or in rooms with contemporary and minimalist furnishings.

• Mud: One of the most popular colours for its versatility and can fit into all modern environments and contribute to a feeling of spaciousness. We recommend the ‘Norman’ model by Calia Italia.

• Brown: A warm colour par excellence that is ideal in combination with classic or country furnishings that have a focus on wooden materials. In fabric or leather, it should be chosen if you want to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere with a nod to the elegance of the past. You can take inspiration from the ‘Venere’ model by Calia Italia.

• Beige: Though it’s the colour par excellence for shabby chic environments, it can also be used to create tonal combinations in furnishings with a prevalence of neutral colours.

• Yellow ochre or mustard: Yellow ochre is the ideal choice in a Scandinavian style living room or in a room where you want to include a vintage element and where warm colours dominate. It can be used in combination with other colours (such as red for example), or to add a touch of colour to a more neutral living room, such as grey. It’s ideal for creating a super cool corner where you can devote yourself to your favourite book. In this sense the ‘Jacob’ armchair by Calia Italia (inspired by the bergère reading chairs) is perfect.

• Blue: For an elegant and timeless interior, blue is the colour to go for. For those looking for something truly chic and retro, a sky blue velvet armchair is the one for you.

• Red: The colour of passion and character, red is ideal for making your armchair the absolute star of your living room as well as giving it warmth and character.

• Green: In its various nuances, fabric or velvet, green conveys a feeling of tranquillity, harmony and serenity. This is true of the ‘Fleur’ armchair by Calia Italia.

• Purple: This imaginative and innovative choice is perfect in combination with velvet upholstery in classic or modern environments dominated by cool colours. 

• Pink: A pink velvet armchair brings a touch of class to any room while a fabric version is sure to bring panache to your living room.