I've spent way too much time looking for the right seat, but bassett armchairs really do stand out when you're trying to balance style with a chair you can actually nap in. It's one of those brands that has been around so long it almost feels like a family staple, yet they've managed to keep things fresh enough that your living room doesn't end up looking like a time capsule from 1985.
Buying a chair isn't just about having a place to sit; it's about that specific corner of the house where you drink your morning coffee or hide away with a book after a long day. If the chair is stiff or looks cheap, it ruins the vibe. Bassett seems to get that balance right, offering a mix of old-school craftsmanship and modern aesthetics that's hard to find at big-box retailers.
The Feel of a Quality Chair
You can usually tell a lot about a chair the second you sit down. You know that feeling when you sit in a cheap chair and you can almost hear the frame straining? Or worse, you feel the wooden bar right under your thighs? You don't really get that with Bassett armchairs. They build their pieces with a level of sturdiness that feels intentional.
The frames are typically made from kiln-dried hardwoods, which is a fancy way of saying the wood won't warp or crack when the humidity changes. It's the kind of construction that makes the chair heavy—in a good way. It stays where you put it, and it doesn't wobble when you shift your weight. To me, that's the first sign that you aren't going to be replacing this thing in two years.
Then there's the cushion situation. They offer different levels of firmness, which is a lifesaver. Some people want to sink into a cloud, while others (like me) prefer a bit of support so they don't need a crane to get back up. Whether you're looking at their foam cores or the plush down-wrapped options, there's a sense of "heft" to the materials that suggests they'll hold their shape for a decade or more.
Designing Your Own Look
One of the coolest things about going the Bassett route is the sheer amount of customization. Let's be real, walking into a showroom and seeing one chair in one color is boring. With Bassett armchairs, you're basically the designer. You get to pick the fabric, the leg finish, and sometimes even the arm style or the nailhead trim.
If you've got kids or a dog that thinks he's human, you'll probably gravitate toward their performance fabrics. These are game-changers. They look like high-end linen or textured weave, but they're engineered to handle spills and stains. I've seen people literally pour red wine on these fabrics, and it just beads up. It takes the stress out of owning "nice" furniture.
On the flip side, if you're going for a more library-esque, sophisticated look, their leather selection is top-tier. There's something about a leather Bassett armchair that just smells like success and expensive coffee. The leather patinas over time, so the chair actually starts looking better the more you use it.
Finding Your Perfect Style
Not everyone wants the same look, and the variety of Bassett armchairs reflects that. You've got your classic club chairs, which are the workhorses of the living room. They're deep, wide, and perfect for curling up. They fit in almost any decor, from a coastal farmhouse to a sleek city apartment.
Then you have the wingback chairs. Bassett does a great job of taking this traditional silhouette and making it feel a bit more current. They aren't as stuffy as the ones in your grandmother's parlor. They have cleaner lines and more interesting proportions, making them a great accent piece to sit next to a fireplace or in a bedroom corner.
If you're someone who likes to move around, their swivel chairs are surprisingly popular. Usually, swivel chairs can look a bit "office-y," but Bassett hides the mechanism so well that you wouldn't even know it spins until you're in it. It's perfect for open-concept spaces where you might want to face the TV one minute and the kitchen conversation the next.
Are They Actually Comfortable?
Style is great, but if a chair isn't comfortable, it's just a very expensive coat rack. The "sit" of a chair is a personal thing, but Bassett armchairs tend to lean into that "goldilocks" zone. They aren't so soft that you lose your posture, but they aren't like sitting on a church pew either.
A lot of this comes down to the pitch of the back. A well-designed armchair supports your lower back while allowing your shoulders to relax. When you sit in one of these, you can tell that an engineer actually thought about human anatomy. The armrests are usually at the right height so your shoulders aren't hunched up, which is a small detail that makes a huge difference if you're planning on sitting there for a movie marathon.
Making It Work in Your Space
The thing about armchairs is that they're incredibly versatile. Unlike a sofa, which is a massive commitment of floor space, an armchair can be moved around. I've seen people use a pair of Bassett armchairs to create a conversation nook in a large master bedroom, and it completely changes the feel of the room. It turns a place where you just sleep into a sanctuary.
In a living room, an armchair is often the "pop" of personality. Since it's a smaller piece, you can afford to go a little bolder with the pattern or color. Maybe your sofa is a safe, neutral grey, but your armchair is a deep navy velvet or a subtle herringbone. It adds layers to the room and makes it look like you hired an interior designer, even if you just spent a Saturday afternoon browsing fabrics.
Don't forget the ottoman, either. Most Bassett collections have a matching ottoman, and if you have the space, it's worth it. There is no greater luxury than coming home and putting your feet up on a piece of furniture that actually matches your chair.
The Reality of the Price Tag
I won't sugarcoat it—Bassett armchairs aren't exactly "budget" furniture. You're going to pay more than you would at a flat-pack furniture store. But here's the thing: you're paying for the fact that you won't have to buy another chair in three years.
It's an investment in your home. When you consider that these chairs are often assembled in the US with high-quality materials, the price starts to make a lot more sense. You're paying for the lack of frustration. You're paying for the fact that the buttons won't pop off, the fabric won't pilling after a month, and the legs won't start creaking every time you sit down.
In the world of furniture, you really do get what you pay for. If you view a chair as a long-term part of your life—something that will move with you from house to house—then the cost per year ends up being pretty low.
Final Thoughts on Bassett
At the end of the day, furniture is personal. But if you're looking for something that feels solid, looks timeless, and gives you a million options to make it your own, it's hard to beat Bassett armchairs. They manage to feel high-end without being pretentious, and they're built for real life—spills, naps, and all.
Whether you're finishing off a full room renovation or just want one really good spot to sit and scroll on your phone, these chairs are a solid bet. They've been doing this for over a hundred years, and honestly, it shows in the final product. You might go in looking for a chair, but you'll probably end up with a favorite spot in the house.