Just the right chair

Looking for the perfect fit? Arm yourself with the knowledge before you shop.

Baby Bear had the right idea: This chair is too hard, this one is too soft, this one is just right....

The fabric can be as funky as zebra print or a wild floral or tailored stripe. The style can be so overstuffed that you sink into it or straight and sleek with just a padded seat. The wood can be intricately carved, tapered and hand-finished.

A perfect chair can mean different things to different people. If your redesigning your space. Research might have already have begun as you tour model homes or looking through magazines.

Tear out pages from magazines or print out pages from decorating Web Sites to provide an idea of your taste and what's available. After you have collected some ideas, take them to a furniture store along with the swatches of wall color, fabric and carpet. Plan on spending some time to find the perfect chair that looks and feels great.

Here are a few different things to think about:

Style: A chair can bring all the colors of the room together. There are chairs that make a statement. Remember if your buying a new chair to fit into a space were there is already furniture the new chair should work with whats already in the space.

Function: What are the plans for this new chair? Will it be used everyday? A perfect reading chair? A chair that will be used everyday must be able to stand up to the test of time it not only has to be comfortable, it has to have great wear and tear.

Scale: The room size is an important factor on this new chair. Small scale furniture gets lost in large room with soaring ceilings. If you have an 80- inch sofa you may not want to go with a chair that is around 30 inches. It just doesn't look good its all about proportions.

Fit: After you pick out the perfect chair don't forget to sit in it! That's the only way you will know it's really the perfect chair.

Construction: The best chairs are eight-way hand tied with proper spring construction. The frame will use hardwood, often maple , and will have double dowels and be corner- glued and screwed. The better the quality the longer the chair will last.

Have fun sitting and shopping!