High Back Armchairs

A high-back armchair anchors a corner of a living room, snug or bedroom and gives you the ideal place to read, think or unwind. Our collection covers wing-backs, contemporary high-backs and statement modernist designs from Vitra, Tom Dixon and Erco, in fabrics and leathers chosen for everyday use rather than display.
  • Egg Chair Egg Chair Grace Leather Walnut
    +2
    8 Fabric options
  • Hyg Lounge Chair High Swivel Hyg Lounge Chair High Swivel Ultra Leather / No Tilt
    4 Finish options
  • CH78 Mama Bear Lounge Chair Kvadrat Fiord Light Grey 151 CH78 Mama Bear Lounge Chair Kvadrat Fiord Dark Green 961
    By Carl Hansen & Son
    CH78 Mama Bear Lounge Chair
    £4,784
    6 Fabric options
  • Grand Repos Chair Grand Repos Chair Premium Leather Ochre 62 / Polished Aluminium
    +5
    11 Fabric options
  • Grand Relax Chair Grand Relax Chair Polished Aluminium / Premium Leather Cognac 97
    3 Base Finish options
  • Eames EA 222 Soft Pad Lounge Chair Eames EA 222 Soft Pad Lounge Chair Premium Leather Nero 66
    4 Fabric options
  • Chairmakers Rocking Chair Chairmakers Rocking Chair
    2 Finish options
  • Wingback Chair Kvadrat Hallingdal 764 Wingback Chair Kvadrat Hallingdal 764
  • HAL Lounge Chair HAL Lounge Chair Natural Oak / Dumet Steel Blue
    2 Fabric options
  • Repos Armchair Repos Armchair
    By Vitra
    Repos Armchair
    From £4,640
    3 Fabric options

    Head and neck support during long reading sessions – a low-backed armchair forces the head into an unsupported tilt after twenty minutes. High-back designs also create a sense of enclosure that low chairs can't match, which is why they appear in libraries, snugs and corners of larger living rooms where you want a private spot inside a shared space.

    It depends on the design. A traditional wing chair has visual weight that can dominate a small living room; a contemporary high-back on slim legs (like Vitra's Lobby Chair) reads as visually lighter and works in smaller spaces. The footprint matters less than the visual mass.

    Both configurations work. Sat alone in a corner with a side table and floor lamp, the chair becomes a destination – a reading spot. Next to a sofa, it functions as the second main seat in a conversation arrangement. Avoid using it as a third seat against a wall; the height makes it look stranded.

    The good ones are. Look for a seat depth of at least 50cm, a back angle slightly reclined from vertical (around 100-105 degrees), and a headrest that supports the back of the neck rather than just the upper back. Cheaper high-back chairs often have the back too upright or the seat too shallow for genuine relaxation.

    • How To Choose An Armchair
      Buying Guides
      How To Choose An Armchair
      To create the ultimate relaxation space, it’s important to choose your armchair carefully. However, with so many chaise longues, accent chairs and loveseats available, it can be hard to choose. Let us help you break down the details to find an armchair that’s made for you
    • Behind The Design: Victoria Armchair
      Products
      Behind The Design: Victoria Armchair
      Based on an antique piece, the Victoria Armchair is a refined take on traditional design. The armchair adds modern proportions to the original, with deep button cushioning, scrolled arms and traditionally turned beech legs in keeping with the character of the piece. Shown here in Emin Red Coral upholstery, the Victoria is limited to just 50 pieces each of which is made in Britain exclusively for Heal’s. Elegant and ergonomic, the Victoria Chair’s traditional silhouette and decorative button cushioning combine to create the perfect high-back chair for classic interiors. As easy on the eye as it is on the posture, the generous backrest offers plentiful support with scrolled armrests and feather and foam seat cushions providing sumptuous comfort. Made in Britain exclusively for Heal’s, the solid beech turned legs are in keeping with the traditional style of the Victoria while the Emin Red Coral fabric gives a fresh feel to the piece.
    • Best Compact Corner Sofas For Small Rooms
      Buying Guides
      Best Compact Corner Sofas For Small Rooms
      With a space-saving design that doesn’t compromise on stylish good looks, a corner sofa is a smart choice for those with smaller or awkward spaces, while providing superior comfort thanks to their cocooning and enveloping shape. Here, we round-up the best compact corner sofas for small rooms, from contemporary silhouettes to traditional styles, so you can select one that’s just right for your taste and space. It’s time to cosy up. Is a corner sofa good for a small room? The clue’s in the name when it comes to corner sofas, as they can be pushed into the corner of a room to save on all-important square footage, making the most of an often-redundant part of a room and negating the need for multiple sofas that will inevitably consume more floor space. But that’s not all. They can also be positioned in the centre of a room to zone an open-plan living space and divide up different areas for varying uses (lounging vs. dining, or working vs. relaxing, for example). The trend for using larger pieces of furniture, such as corner sofas, to designate zones is called ‘broken-plan’ living – which sits somewhere between open- and closed-plan. Lilli For homes where flexibility is key, the Lilli collection adapts beautifully to the way you live. Designed exclusively for Heal's by Danish design studio Says Who, its modular collection includes chaise, armless and curved units that can be configured to suit compact living rooms or evolve as your space changes.  Soft curves, a gently rounded silhouette and deep foam cushioning create an inviting place to unwind, while subtle pull-in stitch detailing and recessed natural beech feet lend a refined Scandinavian aesthetic. It's a sofa that brings together versatility, comfort and timeless design without overwhelming smaller interiors. Create your ideal Lilli sofa configuration here. Aurelie The Aurelie Chaise Sofa is designed to make the most of every square metre, its softly curved silhouette creating a natural flow that opens up the room while offering a generous place to relax. Styled with tactile textures, layered lighting and a thoughtfully chosen coffee table, it becomes the heart of the home - equally suited to quiet evenings with a book or gathering friends for drinks. As a modular design, Aurelie can be tailored to suit your space, adapting as your home evolves. Deep foam cushioning and refined piping lend a luxurious finish, while its understated elegance complements both contemporary apartments and period homes. It's a sofa that proves compact living doesn't mean compromising on style, creating a space that's every bit as welcoming as it is beautifully designed. Discover the Aurelie range and configure your own sofa. Morven Create a living room that's made for slowing down with the Morven Sofa. Its generous, pillow-like silhouette brings an inviting softness to compact spaces, while modular elements allow you to tailor the layout to your home. Upholstered in your choice of Heal's luxurious fabrics, Morven combines effortless comfort with timeless Scandinavian design, making it the perfect centrepiece for relaxed, modern living. Discover the Morven range and configure your own sofa. Brunel Compact spaces benefit from furniture that works as hard as it looks, and the Brunel Chaise Sofa does exactly that. Designed exclusively for Heal's by Rob Scarlett, its clean lines and slim proportions combine industrial detailing with mid-century influences to create a timeless centrepiece for modern living.  The clever reversible chaise can be switched from left to right to suit your room as it evolves, making it ideal for apartments and multifunctional spaces. Crafted in Britain with supportive foam and fibre cushions, Brunel offers everyday comfort alongside considered design, proving that compact living doesn't mean compromising on style. Shop the Brunel collection here. What colour sofa is best for a small living room? A compact living room doesn't have to mean compromising on colour. Rich, earthy tones can add warmth and depth without making a space feel enclosed, particularly when paired with furniture that has a lighter visual footprint. The Matera Chaise Sofa is a perfect example, combining slim, elevated legs and clean contemporary lines with beautifully soft leather upholstery. Styled with natural materials, layered textiles and a considered palette, it creates a welcoming focal point that feels both spacious and effortlessly refined. Inspired by our round-up of the best compact corner sofas for small rooms? Invest in just the right one for your interiors by browsing and buying small corner sofas.