Bassett Furniture has a wide variety of high-quality furniture items, including armchairs, to perfectly match the style and vibe you’re looking to create in your home. But shopping for furniture can be overwhelming if you walk into a retail location blind. Often this task will sit on our to-do list for weeks at a time because it feels like such a monumental effort requiring time we just don’t have.
While Bassett Furniture, and other large retailers, have eCommerce sites to give you the information on products they offer, they’re not the most reliable for an honest review. Between the edited stock-photos of products to the custom-crafted copywriting in the description, you’re only going to get the best of a product’s offering – which may not be the whole picture.
This is why it’s essential, especially for products like furniture, to go into a showroom and check out what things really look like. To help you save time and create a shortlist of products you’re interested in looking at – so you’re not walking into the store blind – I checked out the Bassett Furniture Austin location to give you the real deal review on their armchair products!
Related: Bassett Sofa Reviews | Bassett Dining Table Reviews | Bassett Bed Frame Reviews | Bassett Patio Collection Reviews
Methodology
Bassett Furniture has created high-quality, timeless pieces for American homes since 1910. With more than 100 retail locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, Bassett prides itself on creating custom-designed pieces that perfectly match their clients’ style and space.
Because the armchairs are fully customizable in several different areas, the showroom only has a small sample of what’s available. For this review, I focused on the showroom models and also noted the additional options that are available for customizing. If you find something you like, but question other customization options you don’t see listed, definitely check in with a designer at Bassett. They just may be able to offer you the perfect customized piece for your home!
As with any review, it all comes down to another person’s opinion. In this case, it’s mine! To be as transparent as possible, I approached Bassett’s armchair review with a specific scenario in mind. This allows me to line up my priorities and style preferences against what Bassett has to offer. By providing you with this information, you can also make a judgment call about whether my review is useful or if you should take it with a grain of salt.
In the spirit of being unbiased, if I didn’t like a particular piece or it didn’t match my preferences and priorities, I did try to imagine a space where a piece would work. Whether it’s style or lifestyle, the furniture you choose should be a reflection of both!
For this review purpose, I’m looking for an armchair to finish my parent’s living room in their new lake house. They just retired and purchased a home in New Hampshire near the lake, and want to create a space where the family can gather. I have a large family, and we are all excited about taking advantage of our parent’s new vacation home to vacation ourselves! That means that any furniture we choose needs to be durable enough for a lot of traffic, including 11 grandkids!
For style, we’re hoping to keep the lake house vibe throughout the home and, most notably, in the open concept living area where the armchair will be placed. My mom loves blue and white, and really wants to embrace that vacation cottage vibe with a relaxed, comfortable room.
Now that you know where I’m coming from, let’s get on with the Bassett Furniture armchair reviews!
Bassett Furniture Arm Chair Reviews
Alexander
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 39”
- Width: 41”
- Depth: 37”
- Available upholstery options: 45
- Available color options: 205+
- Additional details: Made in the USA; Walnut finished legs
- Additional available products:
- Chair and a half
- Ottoman
- Loveseat
- Sofa
- L-shaped sectional
- U-shaped sectional
Overall Impression: I love how oversized this chair is, without it technically being a “chair and a half.” The shape is very classic, with the delicately rolled arms, and I love how the back pillow is more like a bed pillow! It’s cushiony and soft. I can curl up in this chair, no problem, and throw my feet over the arms!
This is a very traditional design and would go in a variety of different spaces because it is so classic and versatile. The seat is comfortable, and the structure is stable. I’m pretty sure even a bouncing nephew wouldn’t break it too quickly, which is always a good thing in our family! For my parent’s living area, this would definitely work! I especially love the fact that you can choose virtually any upholstery (including high performance, easy clean!) in so many different colors! I’m really loving the heathered linen blend fabric since it has that beautifully worn look to it, making it even more cozy looking, and there are so many different colors that I can choose from – but I’ve narrowed it down to Granite or Teal!
Aria
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 36”
- Width: 28”
- Depth: 34”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics; 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Available ferrule finishes: 2
Overall Impression: I’m not a big fan of this chair as an armchair in a cozy living room. This is definitely more formal, looking for an accent chair and is much more narrow than I would like. I think the seat is interesting, though, because it’s a mix of a cushioned armchair and a wood frame. It kind of reminds me of a car seat in shape.
The mix of materials with the wood, fabric, and then metal legs give it a modern industrial vibe, making it a good option for any of those styles. I do like the fact that the ferrules are also customizable, because it helps play up other metal accents that you’ve added to a room. In my parent’s home, this wouldn’t go with their style or preferences. They’re looking for a much more relaxed feeling in their home, and this chair – though comfortable surprisingly enough – doesn’t fit that bill.
Lauren
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 39.5”
- Width: 32”
- Depth: 37”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics
- Available colors: 204+
- Additional details: Made in the USA; Walnut finished legs
- Additional available products:
- Sofa
- Ottoman
- Loveseat
Overall Impression: The Lauren armchair is definitely one of those chairs that you’d put in a formal living area or an area where you were trying to bring a sense of elegance and sophistication. The sloped lines of the back and arms give a boxed-in look, and the seat actually gets more narrow as you move back, boxing you in. I feel a bit squished and that I need to sit up properly, even though the chair itself is designed to be a lounger that urges you to lean back.
I’m not a big fan of this style in general because it’s much too formal for my tastes. However, I do think that this would be a great addition to a structured, contemporary room. It wouldn’t be my first option for sitting when I walked into a room, that’s for sure, and that’s not the vibe that my parents are trying to convey in their home either.
New American Living
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 35.5”
- Width: 30”
- Depth: 33”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics + 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Additional available products:
- Ottoman
- Swivel glider
Overall Impression: The New American Living armchair is a classic armchair with contemporary styling and a variety of customization options. It’s surprisingly more narrow than I expected it to be when I sat in it, and the arms come up a little higher than I like. I’m only 5’4”, and my arms are extended at the shoulders to rest them on the chair.
However, the bottom cushion is very comfortable and thick, and I really like how it’s overstuffed, which gives it a cozy feeling and is an excellent contrast to the tight track arms. I also find it a little oddly shaped around the bottom of the seat. It kind of creates an illusion that the chair itself is actually higher than it is!
While I love the swivel glider option available on the Lauren, and how it would work correctly for an open concept floor plan like my parent’s home, the style itself is a little lacking. I don’t like the seams on the track arms, and it is a bit too rigid looking despite the oversized seat cushion. However, if you’re looking for an authentic contemporary piece for your home, this is definitely an excellent option for you!
Cooper
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 37.5”
- Width: 32”
- Depth: 38”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabric
- Available colors: 211+
- Optional nailhead detail also available
- Additional details: Made in the USA; Walnut finished legs; removable legs
- Additional available products:
- Chaise sectional
- Loveseat
- Sofa
Overall Impression: I think it’s the fabric that’s on the display model of this chair, but it kind of reminds me a little bit like the chair in an old 1970s sitcom! I’m going to try to not pay attention to the fabric and color here, and focus on the chair’s construction and styling because there are so many customization options with fabrics and colors for the Cooper that you can definitely get something to fit your home!
I like the scooped arms of the Cooper, as it gives a bit of extra detail that you don’t expect. It’s pretty much the only detail on this chair that makes it really unique. I also like the fact that the back pillow is t-shaped and nestles right over the arms to give you that extra shoulder cushion. I feel like you might need that because this armchair is interestingly a bit more narrow than I’d usually like. It’s definitely not a lazy boy recliner when it comes to comfort, but it’s definitely good for long-term sitting if you have family members over. However, I don’t think this is a chair that’s comfortable enough to fight over, either. (Which may or may not be a good thing in your home – it’s not in ours!)
As far as wear is concerned, the floor model doesn’t look as good as it does online, that’s for sure. Which makes me think that it might not be as durable as it seems. The rear cushion, though not removable, looks like it’s taken a beating, and the arms themselves were a bit shaky. With these issues and the style itself not really working with my parent’s home, I’m going to pass on the Cooper.
Corinna
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 35.5”
- Width: 31”
- Depth: 34”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics, 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Additional details: Made in the USA; track arms; swivel glider
- Additional available products:
- Ottoman
- Standard armchair
Overall Impression: The Corinna is a perfectly compact armchair with track arms that slope down in a really sleek curve, giving the chair a contemporary feel. It’s well built, and I love that the bottom cushion is removable, so that you can get any crumbs that fall down the cracks easily with the vacuum.
It’s a bit more narrow than I’d like in a comfortable armchair, but that’s because this is for a compact space. The open-concept room that I’m designing really needs a bigger comfortable chair that takes up a bit more space because I think the size of the room would overwhelm it. I do like the swivel version, though, and really wish that it was more oversized in style.
I think the Corinna would look great in a smaller, more formal living area – either a living room or dining room – as an accent chair. Styles that would work well with this chair include contemporary styling or a space that you’d like a more upscale, elegant feel where the sleek lines of this chair will really complement other furniture in the room.
Maxwell
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 29.5”
- Width: 29.5”
- Depth: 34”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics
- Available colors: 204+
- Optional nailhead detail available
- Available as standard or swivel chair
Overall Impression: While I hate the fabric on this Maxwell in the showroom, I do like a good barrel backed chair! This is a smaller version, that would be amazing in a smaller, modern space. I love putting barrel chairs in modern spaces because they elevate the room and really do a great job of bringing everything together.
I love that the Maxwell is a smaller version of the barrel style. These would be perfect in a smaller space as the only seating available or in addition to a modern styled love seat. Because they’re smaller, they really make the area feel bigger too.
The Maxwell is well constructed but not the right chair for my parent’s living area. It’s much too small and would be overwhelmed by the space. Additionally, it’s tight barrel shape isn’t a good fit for the vibe we’re going for, which is more relaxed and comfortable.
Serafina
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 34.5”
- Width: 30”
- Depth: 37”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabric; 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Available leg finishes: 4
- Additional details: Made in the USA
- Additional available products:
- Sectional
- Ottoman
- Sofa
Overall Impression: Serafina is a classic, enough said. It combines the elegance of a classic, traditional style with casually modern lines and tapered legs. You can really work this in both a casual or formal space, from office to living room.
For a traditional look, choose the brown or grey finished legs while the brass or stainless steel can work in a more modern, contemporary space. Then add in the number of options for upholstery and color, and you’ve got a perfect chair for any space.
As far as comfort is concerned, though, it’s very narrow and may not be comfortable for some people, notably taller ones. I do like that you can comfortably lounge back, thanks to a deep seat and that the arms are at a comfortable height where I can naturally rest them. The removable pillows are soft, without any crinkle, but firm enough that I think these would keep their shape for a long while.
Whitney
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 47”
- Width: 31”
- Depth: 35”
- Available upholstery options: 45+ fabric, 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Optional nailhead detailing available
- Additional details: Made in the USA
Overall Impression: This Whitney Accent chair certainly makes a statement! The high wing-back is huge and takes up a lot of room. It would definitely be a great chair to put in a large formal or traditional space, like a seating area around a fireplace.
I’m not a big fan of leather furniture, and neither are my parents, so I’m trying to look beyond the leather itself at the shape of the chair. For those that are interested in the leather, though, it’s much softer than I expected it to be, but it doesn’t look like real leather in person. That might be because of the color, and a more natural leather color would look better, but I was a bit disappointed in the upholstery I saw.
While the Whitney is a charming design, the ultra-high back would be best used in a larger space or as a centerpiece. In an open layout, I’d put this in a transitional area between a living and dining room because it does create a way to split up the spaces in exciting ways. However, whichever type of place you’re looking to put an armchair in, the style and shape are elegant and stately and would definitely require a formal or upscale vibe area.
Ariana
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 37”
- Width: 32.5”
- Depth: 36”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabrics, 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Additional details: Made in the USA; removable legs
- Additional available products:
- Sectional
- Sofa
- Ottoman
Overall Impression: I love a good club chair, and Ariana is a great one! As a more compact version of the traditional club chair, it works in a variety of different areas – both large and small – and can bring an upscale vibe to a modern space. The shelter arms are durable, and there’s no give on them when I try to wobble it. It’s very comfortable with the loose back pillow that hits right in the lumbar area for support. The height of the arms is even comfortable for me, coming right up to the armpit level so I can easily rest my arms. They may be a bit too low for that real sheltered look if you’re tall, though.
Oddly enough, based on my usual preferences, I’m loving the leather! It’s soft and supple and actually looks more like fabric. One of the things I don’t like about leather is that it’s stiff-looking, in my opinion. This doesn’t look like it, and I love it!
You can put the Ariana in any number of spaces, and it can bring an updated contemporary element. I think what I love most about club chairs is that they’re a really great piece that goes with so many different styles and layouts, and can be used in nearly every room of the home. It’s one of those pieces that if you purchase once, no matter how many times you decide to redecorate your home, you’ll have a place for it for years! Bassett’s Ariana is definitely a high-quality chair, and would be a worthwhile investment because of its versatility!
Trent
Details:
- Dimensions:
- Height: 34.5”
- Width: 31”
- Depth: 36”
- Available upholstery options: 45 fabric; 10 leather
- Available colors: 204+
- Optional nailhead detailing available
- Additional details: Made in the USA; Walnut finished removable legs
- Additional available products:
- Ottoman
- Swivel glider
Overall Impression: While I’m not a fan of this fabric upholstery, the Trent is your traditional accent armchair that’s perfect for the traditionalist who wants to create a space that reminds them of “home.” The topstitching on the box borders and tapered legs are timeless, making it a style of chair that can work in nearly any space you can imagine!
As far as comfort goes, I think this is one of the most comfortable armchairs I’ve ever sat in – and I’ve sat in a lot of them! It’s not too soft, where I’d just sink in and fall asleep, but it’s not so firm that I would lose feeling in my legs after a while. One thing I do a lot when I’m watching TV, reading, or working is that I move around a lot and change positions. If I’m sitting in an armchair, this usually means that I’m draping my legs over the sides, sitting cross-legged, etc. Trent seems comfortable enough where I wouldn’t feel the need to readjust myself so often! That’s pretty remarkable!
Honestly, this is a great armchair, and I can’t think of a space where this wouldn’t work. It’s comfortable, it’s classic, and with the upholstery options and amount of customization, you literally can put this in any style or room you can imagine.
Bassett Furniture Arm Chair Round-Up Winner
You’re probably not surprised to find out that my favorite armchair at Bassett is Trent! You really can’t go wrong with the timeless details that really work in any room you want. It’s incredibly comfortable, and both my mom and dad really felt like they would make perfect use of these chairs in their living area.
When you’re choosing an armchair for your space, remember to keep in mind that the more trendy a piece is, the less you’re going to be able to reuse it. When you choose timeless, classic styles, they can seamlessly blend in with any vibe you’re trying to create in your space!
Which Bassett Furniture armchair is your favorite?
