Selden's Home Furnishings

Chairs (924)

A futon chair is similar to a futon couch in that it has a mattress that rests on an adjustable frame. Futon chairs are smaller than futon sofas, they are usually designed to accommodate one or two people in the upright position. Most futon chairs can be set in three positions, upright, reclined, and horizontal. There are countless different futon chair frames available. Some are made of wood and others are metal. Many wood frames are constructed with high quality oak and are great pieces of furniture for a nice living room. Futon chairs provide the comfort of a recliner with the versatility and style of a futon bed.

We carry a great selection of futon chairs in a variety of finishes, styles and fabrics. Our futon chair frames are convenient and comfortable, perfect for small rooms and offered in styles that match full size couch futons. We also offer futon covers, futon mattresses and cushions.

A chair is used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs often have the seat raised above floor level, supported by four legs. A back or arm rests in a stool, or when raised up, a bar stool (adults) or high chair (young children). A chair with arms is an armchair and with folding action and inclining footrest, a recliner. A permanently fixed chair in a train or theater is a seat or airline seat; when riding, it is a saddle and bicycle saddle, and for an automobile, a car seat or infant car seat. With wheels it is a wheelchair and when hung from above, a swing.

The design may be made of porous materials, or be drilled with holes for decoration; a low back or gaps can provide ventilation. The back may extend above the height of the occupant's head, which can optionally contain a headrest.

A chair for more than one person is a couch, sofa, settee, or "loveseat"; or a bench. A separate footrest for a chair is known as an ottoman, hassock or pouffe.

History of the chair

The chair is of extreme antiquity. Although for many centuries and indeed for 1000s of years it was an article of state and dignity rather than an article of ordinary use. "The chair" is still extensively used as the emblem of authority in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom and Canada, and in many other settings. Committees, boards of directors, and academic departments all have a 'chairperson'. Endowed professorships are referred to as chairs. It was not, in fact, until the 16th century that it became common anywhere. The chest, the bench and the stool were until then the ordinary seats of everyday life, and the number of chairs which have survived from an earlier date is exceedingly limited; most of such examples are of ecclesiastical or seigneurial origin. Our knowledge of the chairs of remote antiquity is derived almost entirely from monuments, sculpture and paintings. A few actual examples exist in the British Museum, in the Egyptian Museum at Cairo, and elsewhere.

Other Languages

• Russian: Стулы Futon
• French: Chaises de Futon
• German: Futon-Stühle
• Dutch: De Stoelen van Futon