Arm chairs have a variety of forms and functions. While technically an arm chair is any chair with arms, this does not capture the range of possibilities for appearance and use. Arms chairs can be found in almost any room--from the dining room to the living room to a bedroom or even outdoors.

Common Settings for Arm Chairs

Some people use arm chairs in their dining room. Relatively simple wooden chairs with a back and arms can be placed just at the head and foot of the table with matching armless chairs along the sides, or arm chairs can be placed all around the table. With or without seating cushions, some people find dining chairs with arms to be elegant and comfortable.

In the living room or den, you may find quite different arm chairs. Large, oversized, plush, and stuffed chairs of all material can make a favorite chair to relax in. Recliners are a particularly popular type of arm chair for this purpose, and can be found in many different designs and materials, from the casual to the luxurious. Leather is used with particular frequency and success.

Many people will also put a single arm chair in a bedroom. Whether beside a desk, or alone with a lamp and end table, an arm chair in the bedroom can make a nice place to sit down and complete some element of one's toilette, to read, or to finish small tasks. Such an arm chair is likely to be unique and delicate, the sort of furniture piece which will become a treasured heirloom.