Swivel or fixed armchair: use in lounge and office
Whether an armchair should swivel or stand on fixed feet seems at first to be a question of detail. In everyday use, however, it determines how the seat is used, how much space it needs and how calm a room appears. Requirements in the lounge differ from those in the office or the meeting room. In addition, there are differences in weight, mechanism and upkeep, which matter more in commercial use with many changing users than in a private living room.The following overview helps to place both designs in context for the respective use.
What characterises the swivel armchair
A swivel armchair makes it possible to turn towards the person you are talking to, the window or the screen without getting up. This is helpful wherever a seat serves several lines of sight. The mechanism is usually housed in a disc base or a star base and adds weight and technical complexity. A free radius should remain around the armchair so that the armrests do not hit tables or walls when turning. Models with a return function rotate back to the starting position after the user gets up, which keeps the appearance of the room orderly.
Advantages of fixed armchairs
Armchairs with fixed feet are simpler in construction and have fewer parts that can wear out. They remain in the intended position, which makes cleaning and the daily check of the room easier. Classic shapes with carved wooden legs are almost always fixed, and this also applies to much baroque furniture. For older guests, a fixed armchair offers more support when sitting down and getting up because it does not move away. Floor protection is also easily solved with felt glides.In the Armchairs section you will find both designs in various seat heights and covers.
Use in the lounge
In the lobby and lounge, guests usually sit for a short time and in changing groups. Fixed armchairs keep the arrangement of the seating group stable and suit sofas and coffee tables with a clear orientation. Swivel armchairs are suitable for seats with a view, at the bar or wherever guests alternate between conversation and looking into the room. Look for a seat height of about 42 to 46 centimetres and make sure the base does not scratch the floor. On deep-pile carpet, a disc base can sink in slightly, which affects stability.
Use in the office and meeting room
At the desk, a swivel chair is customary because the user frequently switches between the work surface, the shelf and the visitor. For visitor seats and meeting corners, fixed armchairs are often sufficient; they appear calmer and need less space behind them. In representative offices, both types are combined: a swivel armchair for the person working, fixed armchairs for guests. The decisive factors are the duration of sitting, the number of lines of sight and the effort required for upkeep. Those who clarify these three points for each seat make the choice without much uncertainty.
Also of interest: Sofas, Coffee tables, Console tables. The full range: Baroque furniture.
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