Design experts say there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all lounge chair | Canada Voices

Skiing is nice, and so is skating. But for some, the best midwinter workout is curling – as in curling up in a beautiful chair with a good book and waiting for spring.

But finding the perfect perch can be tricky. While online retailers are proliferating, offering countless options accompanied by beautiful images, Connie Chisholm, who teaches furniture design at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont., points out that “there’s no way to tell if a chair is comfortable just by looking at it.”

Chisholm says there are a few basic measurements to keep in mind when shopping for a lounge chair. “It should sit about 16 inches off the ground and have a slightly wider seat than a dining chair,” she says. “The seat angle relative to the floor should be at least five degrees, and the angle between the seat and the back can range from about 100 to 120 degrees.” The pro names Hans Wegner’s Shell chair as a good example.

Beyond the numbers, shape plays a major role. “Curves are key,” Chisholm says. “A curved seat and backrest add considerable comfort because pressure is distributed over a greater area. They literally hug the body.” That said, a cushion three to four inches thick can compensate for a chair with a flatter seat or back.

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For Pablo Mariano, an Argentine designer who teaches at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, ergonomics are fundamental. “Few everyday objects interact with the human body as much as a chair,” he says. But function matters just as much. “In my opinion, it all comes down to how the chair works for the user and the space.”

Design critic Witold Rybczynski agrees. In his book Now I Sit Me Down, the McGill-trained architect explains why a one-size-fits-all chair rarely works. “Chairs need to accommodate different activities – reading, writing, dining, socializing and watching television – as well as different postures: sitting upright, lounging and reclining,” he writes.

To support this kind of flexibility, Winnipeg furniture designer Nicole Marion – whose résumé includes work for major Canadian brands such as EQ3 and Article – suggests having a variety of chairs throughout the home. “I don’t really see the idea of two matchy-matchy chairs that perfectly echo the sofa any more,” she says. “Chairs serve different purposes, so it’s fine to have multiple options that don’t all look the same.”

Details can make the difference. A chair with high arms might feel constricting for knitting, notes Marion, who teaches chair design at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture. “You need freedom of movement,” she says. At the same time, a chair without arms can be ideal for a younger person who likes to sit cross-legged or cuddle with a parent for story time. More upright chairs are better for socializing, while reclining chairs are better suited to naps.

“I personally like to be able to turn sideways and put my feet up,” Marion adds. “So I tend to prefer a lower, deeper chair. Lower seating can be trickier for older people, though. And armrests can be helpful for anyone who needs support when lowering themselves into a seat.”

Beyond function lies form, or what Marion refers to as “aesthetic joy” – perhaps the trickiest factor of all. “Chairs can be as different as the people who design them, the people who make them and the people who use them,” he says.

Colour, fabric and style ultimately come down to personal taste, but they shouldn’t override the basics. “Aesthetics often supersede comfort when it comes to chairs,” Chisholm says. “That’s why there are so many uncomfortable ones out there. People buy them because they look good. But it’s absolutely possible to find chairs that are both nice to be in and beautiful to look at.”

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