‘The first rule of armchair buying is that it does not have to match your sofa,’ says interior designer Kia Richardson, at Revelloyd Interior Design. Baffled by the choice of armchairs out there? Our expert guide explains what to look out for.

1. Unique chic

‘Don’t be afraid of colour and pattern,' says Richardson. 'If you are apprehensive about using vibrant colours or patterns on your sofa, a safer bet is to use them on armchairs.’ The Selkirk armchair (£3600) from celebrity choice Squint Limited mixes new and vintage fabrics for an individual look.

2. Universal appeal

‘Always measure out the space that the chair is going to take up in the room,’ advises Richardson. ‘It doesn’t matter how much you may love a piece of furniture, if its proportions don’t suit your room it won’t do the piece or the room justice.’ This Harmony Fabric Armchair – Aidam Almond (£599) from Cargo combines subtle antique styling with modern stripy fabric.

3. Spontaneous buys

‘Don’t be afraid of making a spur of the moment decision; if you see an armchair you want, whip the credit card out!’ says Richardson. The Eleonora Armchair (£2370) from The Conran Shop inspires impulse buying that you won’t regret. Covered in mohair velvet, with horsehair padding, its design is taken from the archives of luxury Italian brand, Poltrona Frau.

4. Contemporary cool

‘You don’t want your furniture to look like a three piece suite. It is perfectly acceptable for each piece to be unique and individual,’ says Richardson. The Max Armchair Red (£195) from Wallace Sacks is a brilliant bright addition to any decor. The fabric has a visible textured weave adding extra interest to this simple design.

5. Low down

‘Always go with your gut instinct. I often find that the best purchases are made without extensive deliberation,’ she says. The Chubby low armchair (£562.99) from Made in Design is made from smooth polyethylene for indoor and outdoor use. Designed by Marcel Wanders, the practical shape means there's no sweeping required underneath the sofa.

6. Chaise longues

‘When it comes to chaise longues, you can’t beat the old classics with clean lines – they are perfect as comfortable dividers especially with the current trend of open plan living and dining areas.’ The Classic chaise armchair (£855) from Bo & Jangles Ltd is upholstered in Zoffany Meander fabric for a luxurious look and feel.

7. Goldilocks

Find a chair that is just right for your little girl. The Oslo 4Kids chair vibe candy (£39) from Dekko is just the thing for a modern day design conscious princess who likes her look colourful. These armchairs are specifically made for 4–11 year olds so they’re sturdy enough for rough and tumble play.

8. Stand out

Make a statement in red with the red leather Winston armchair (£290) from The Furniture Emporium. Keep leather out of the sun to avoid cracking and apply conditioning treatments to insure it lasts a life time.

9. Pretty tradition

‘Remember armchairs and chaise longues are invaluable in bedrooms for putting on shoes and chucking clothes on at the end of a hard day,’ says Richardson. Check out the Titania Armchair, Rococo (£695) from John Lewis for a classic look to your boudoir. This deep button backed armchair has a hardwood frame and turned legs to keep the traditional touch.

10. Modern classic

For sleek minimalist design with a contemporary colour burst, the Armchair (plus) (£905) from SCP is ideal. This small legged armchair has a solid beech frame with chrome plated steel legs.

Picked out your armchair? Now check out our Buyer's guide to cushions and our Buyer's guide to sofas.

To view this article on mydeco click here