Your questions about armchairs answeredWhat is the best armchair?I rate Habitat Dawson fabric swivel chair as the best overall. Excellent value, it's a comfy swivel design that is neutral enough to suit a living area, kitchen, office or bedroom space. It comes with a matching footstool for an extra £60, so you can put your feet up and relax. My best budget buy is the Nyla accent chair from Dusk. At 81.5cm high, it’s a relatively compact armchair that can be easily transported around the home and it’s neutral enough to work with most colours and finishes. You could use it to add extra seating around a sofa, as a space to sit in an open-plan kitchen and living room or in a corner of your bedroom.Also worth a mention is Loaf’s slow riser, which is simply dreamy and its design works well in both classic and more contemporary set ups. While it comes with a premium price tag, I think it’s a design that will age gracefully through the years, so well worth the spend. How I tested armchairsTo find the best armchair, I called in a selection of attractive designs from well-known brands. I placed the armchairs up around my house – carrying out the odd bit of DIY to set them up when necessary – and have taken time out to try them out personally. I’ve rated them on the following criteria: Design: I’ve rated each armchair on its aesthetics and how attractive it looks. I’ve honed in on its materials – be it wood or metal – and fabric options – be it faux leather, velvet or linen. I’ve assessed how durable I think each chair is and whether I think its craftsmanship has the quality to stand the test of time. Comfort: I tested out each armchair personally, and asked family members and guests to give their opinion too. I took into consideration firmness and support – softer cushions feel comfy at first, but firmer ones can offer more support over time, for example. While style is important, comfort is undeniably what will ensure the chair becomes a permanent fixture in your home, after all. Ease of cleaning and durability: An armchair will get a lot of wear and tear, so choosing a design that is practical and easy to keep looking box fresh is important. I’ve rated each design on how easy the materials are to care for and how easy the design is to clean. What should you look for in a good armchair? “Think about how you intend to use the armchair as this will dictate what kind of style you choose,” says interior designer Andrew Dunning of London Contemporary. “Is it for reading? Then you’ll probably want something with a higher backrest for supporting your head and neck. Or if you intend to use it while watching TV, perhaps you’ll want to opt for a design with a matching footstool. If it’s to furnish an empty stretch of wall or corner of your living space, a bold, colourful design or one with a unique shape will add the wow-factor to your design scheme. But no matter what design you choose, comfort is key as the best armchair should be cherished, used daily and just get better with age.” How do I clean a wood and leather armchair? “When cleaning an armchair with a leather seat and wooden frame, it's important to treat each material separately to avoid damaging the finish,” says Emma Mannion, cleaning expert at Astonish.Wipe down the leather seat with a dry microfibre cloth to remove any dust and surface dirt. For a deeper clean, use a slightly damp cloth with a small amount of diluted mild soap, wiping gently over the surface before drying it straight away with a clean cloth. For the wooden arms and legs, use a soft cloth to remove dust, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and a mild cleaning solution, always following the direction of the wood grain. Finish by drying the wood thoroughly to prevent moisture from affecting the finish.How do I clean a fabric armchair?“Your vacuum's upholstery attachment is your best friend for this,’ says Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at Smol.Clean away loose crumbs, dust, or pet hair with a good vacuum. Pop any removable cushion covers in a cool wash. For fixed upholstery or a general refresh (this method works wonderfully for velvet sofas and chairs too), mix half a litre of warm water with half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid to create some suds. With a microfibre cloth, apply a small amount of the suds, and gently rub the fabric in circular motions. Once the dirt has lifted, wiping the area with another clean, slightly damp cloth. The golden rule here is to make sure cloths aren't too wet; soaking the fabric can lead to water-logging and nasty, musty smells building up. If you just have a few isolated marks, spot cleaning with a bleach-free stain gel is a fantastic alternative. To tackle any lingering odours, a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda left on the fabric for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming acts as a brilliant natural deodoriser.Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Emily Peck is a lifestyle journalist with more than 20 years of experience writing about homes and interiors, gardens, gadgets, wellbeing, fitness and modern living. Her work has appeared in publications including Ideal Home, GQ, Livingetc, The Telegraph and Wired.Over the years, she has trialled a wide range of products – from dining chairs and beehives, to ice baths and hair dryers – to make her an expert in product testing. Follow her on Instagram @emilypeckwriter or connect with her on LinkedIn.Read more: Best corner sofas, tried and tested by an interiors expert