Short answer
Most people would name honest materials, simple lines with the construction on show, and comfort built into the proportions; the style values a few good pieces made to last.
A Scandinavian armchair rarely hides its frame under thick upholstery. The frame draws the outline, the cushions sit within it, and the grain of the wood or the line of the steel is the decoration.
Comfort matters as much as form: a deep seat and a supportive back for long evenings, not a chair you only look at.
Solid wood, above all oak, and in modern Nordic design slim steel, paired with wool, bouclé or leather-look upholstery.
Oak is the classic: hard-wearing, warm in tone and handsome as it ages. Steel fits the same thinking, a thin, honest line that does one job well.
Our Einar is built from solid A-grade FSC-certified oak in Oak, Dark Oak and Black Oak, and our Kent from welded Swedish steel, powder-coated black. Both come in bouclé, velvet and vegan leather.
Natural wood, black and warm neutrals such as ivory, sand and greige; colour and pattern come from textiles, art and plants rather than the chair.
A calm base lets a room change with the seasons. An armchair in wood and a warm neutral works with any throw, cushion or rug you add later.
Our bouclé comes in Ivory, Greige and Black, and our vegan leather in Ivory and Jade Black. Order fabric samples to see them against your own walls.
Broadly, Scandinavian armchairs tend to be light and warm, Japandi ones lower, darker and even more minimal, and mid-century ones more sculptural, often with tapered legs and curved shells.
All three share natural materials and clean lines, which is why they usually mix well. Dark and black oak and black steel lean towards Japandi; natural oak and ivory bouclé lean Scandinavian.
For the same style in other rooms, see our guides to Scandinavian dining chairs and Scandinavian bar stools.
Einar ArmchairBlack oak · leans Japandi · from £900View Einar
Give it space, a soft throw, a small side table and good light; keep the surrounding area calm so the chair's lines stay visible.
A sheepskin or a wool throw adds warmth in winter. A plant, a floor lamp and a stack of books make a reading corner; a side table at arm height makes it practical.
Resist filling the chair with cushions: a Scandinavian armchair is designed to be comfortable as it is, and one cushion is usually enough. Our reading chair guide covers lighting and tables.
In Sweden: designed by Alexandra Pettersson and made in our own factory in Malmö, where we weld and powder-coat the steel, shape and lacquer the oak, upholster the cushions and assemble every armchair.
We see making everything under one roof as part of the Scandinavian tradition: fewer hands, more care, and a maker who can repair what it builds. Every cushion is sold separately and spare parts stay available long after purchase.
Every armchair is delivered fully assembled and covered by a 10-year warranty. See all our armchairs, and our oak furniture collection for pieces in the same wood.
Einar ArmchairFrom £900Solid oak · ivory bouclé
Kent ArmchairFrom £699Black steel · ivory bouclé
Einar ArmchairFrom £900Dark oak · ivory bouclé
Kent ArmchairFrom £699Black steel · black bouclé
