Protecting your chair should be a neccessity really, after all you have paid for it and you want it to look good and last. Buying a tub chair cover is a very simple way of doing this. There are quite a few different styles around and they can really brighten up any old or tired looking chair. Fitting them is done in two ways. You can get simple stretch covers that stretch into position, or you can have your chair reupholstered, which is the most expensive option, but the final result is like having a brand new tub chair.

There are loose fitting covers as well that will be ideal for protceting against sunlight fading if you don’t use it that often. You may work during the day and have your chair next to a bay window or patio doors, and this tends to fade the fabric or leather over time. It may be in the living room where it is seldom used, and the same thing can happen. The loose covers are not fitted, they just throw over the chair and your done.

The fitted covers are used for a tub chair that will be getting some use. Accidents always happen and drinks and food can easily be spilled onto them, so adding some protection can help preserve the life and the fabric. Some of the latest designs are specially treated with absorbant materials that will stop liquids from getting through to the chair. They are a little more exoensive but well worth the money.

Light colours, such as a cream tub chair are easily marked and stained despite your best efforts. Dirty clothes can cause dark marks to appear where they rub constantly, so if you have light colours then think about keeping them in their natural glory. You can always change the colour of the cover into something different to give a whole new look.

This is another benefit of using these covers, you can change things up very quickly. Many people use them, and have a couple of sets in reserve. If you plan on having some friends round you can impress them by adding some stylish covers and they will think you have bought a new tub chair. The added bonus is that you will also be protecting the chair underneath, and spills often happen at dinner parties. The stretch kinds are best for a more polished effect, and these are relatively cheap to buy too. You can pick a set up for around £10, or just one for less if you only have a single chair.

Your tub chair footstool can also be given a make over. These are very popular because they match everything nicely, and enhance the overall look. They also allow you to put your feet up at the end of a long day and relax a bit more in front of the tv.

Having a full upholstered job is the ultimate in refreshing your furniture. The small independant retailers are the best people to go see if you want a good job doing. Check the reputation of the craftsman first to be sure, and have a look at some of their work. Recovering is best done on a quality tub chair beauase of the costs involved. There is not much point spending large amounts on a poor quality chair, as the covering may even cost more than the chair did. However, the final look will be something special if done right, and will prolong the life of the chair for a good few years to come.

Turn the chair over and look at the label. On the label you will see the country of origin. Chairs made in the far east are usually mass produced in larger factories, and the quality is poorer than those made in the west, or even better, from independant makers. The mass produced designs are made to look good and stylish, but that is the only plus point. After a bit of use you will find the cushion springs and the joints will start to wear, and the comfort will be reduced. This now ehat you want to happen, so be careful before you buy from these countries.

Getting clued up is even more essential if your buying a leather tub chair. Leather comes in different grades, and the best parts of the animal produce the best quality leather. The top grade hides will have natural patterns in them, and will be supple and smell just like leather should do. Lower quality hides will have more added to them to produce the finish. These additions reduce the natural oils and make them less supple. This can lead to cracking, and i am sure you have seen a few chairs with cracks appearing after prolonged use. The label should tell you the hide grade, so look for the best quality leather, this should reflect the price you pay.

Faux leather tub chairs are becoming more common, and in reality these are fake leather. Man made to look like the real thing, but not in the same class unfortunately. You can use them for occasional use to get the best out of them. But if plan on using them a lot you will see the inferior materials begin to deteriorate. This may mean having to reupholster the cover, and it can be expensive to do this. Again the price should reflect the quality. A real leather tub chair will have character and be unique, unlike the fake kinds.

You can also sit in the chair. It should feel comfortable right from the start, and the cushion should support you and position you. The arms and the back seat should also hold you in place, and it should be a nice place to be. When you get out, the seat should revert back to it’s original place almost immediately. If it does not, then this could be a sign that the springs are of poor quality. Have a close look at this, if the springs are like that now, how are they going to be when you have sat on them for a year?

Whilst also kneeling on the seat you can grab the arms and pull them towards and away from you. There should be hardly any movement when you do this. If there is a lot of movement then this is a sign that the joints are loose already. Lower priced tub chairs will show these signs, and will not be as durable. Listen for noises when you push and pull as well. This is another sign of poor joints and fitting. The workmanship may not be up to the right standard, and the price will reflect this. Buying an antique tub chair will obviously go against these rules because it more then likely it will be in a poorer condition. You buy these for the styling and the charm, not really for every day use.

If you take the time to look closely at the small details then you can get a good picture of what the chair has to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the store person, and don’t be afraid to sit down and get a good feel for it. It may just save you some money down the road.

Re-designing the look or feel of any room can be a challenge, but it does not mean spending a lot of money if you plan carefully and be creative. A simple throw over can transform any piece of furniture into something more stylish and colourful without breaking the bank.

By simply re-postioning furniture around you can quickly change the feel of a room and make it look fresher and more comfortable. The benefit of a tub chair is that it looks right at home as either a central focal point, or as a stylish corner piece. The colour and fabric you choose can really set the scene for your rooms, and the texture and style all play an important role as they combine with the other furniture and decor.

Placing a tub chair next to a patio or bay window allows natural light to flow into the room as the small dimensions of the chair will not block the sun. Choosing a similar colour rug and curtains also combines very well, and the final piece in the jigsaw could be the wooden or laminate floor colour. Darker coloured fabrics go well together and you can get a great sense of extra space will a bit of imagination and thoughtful positioning.

If you feel like being really daring then there are many modern fabric designs that will stand out and create a real centre piece for any room. The biggest attraction of fabric is the extra comfort and warmth they produce compared to plastics and wood. For a living room they are by far the most popular choice, but for formal living rooms or dining rooms then leather is another possibility. This all depends on how much the room will be used by you or the family.

You will also find many fabric tub chair designs in offices and studies. They are usually very prominent and offer comfort and good visibility which is essential for meetings and interviews. In high rise offices, space is always at a premium, so the relatively small area taken up by a tub chair, or a set of chairs allows for other furniture and space to be created. The small size also allows more light to get into the room and they are easy to move around if needed.

There is always the option of re- upholstering the fabric if it starts to become faded or dirty, and this is a great way to freshen things up if you are on a budget but want to keep the same style of chair. Darker coloured fabrics will obviously not fade as quickly and stains will not show up as much, so take this into consideration if your tub chair is going to get a lot of use. Many people choose lighter fabrics for occassional use because of this.

All in all, the fabric tub chair is the most widely used in modern society, be it in living rooms or in offices. The prices and ranges are huge, which is why there is something for everyone’s tastes and budgets. Simplistic designs and textures blend well with all colour schemes in any room, and modern, yet contemporary styles are now becoming more widespread. Online stores offer the largest ranges and are a good way to quickly browse through potential products. Virtual design programs can even show you how they will look in different positions and styles before you buy. Taking a little time to find exactly what you want is worth it in the long run, especially if you are planning on spending a lot of your hard earned money.

Photo by irish typepad

There are hundreds of designs to choose from, so finding the right style to suit your home will not be a problem. Along with the styles, there are different colours and shades of leather tub chairs to help blend your chair into it’s surroundings. Light coloured rooms will benefit from more light, so make sure you look for the right colour leather upholstery that will extentuate the room.

Be aware of what kind if use your chair will be subjected to. If it is going to get a lot of wear then you will probably need a more durable choice. Think about the kids or pets, who will certainly give it some tough times. Another thing to consider is where it will be placed in the room. A popular choice is by a window, so it may get a lot of direct sunlight every day. You don’t want the leather to fade and look dreary too soon. This may not be such a problem if you live in the UK, but sunnier climates can cause furniture to fade much faster, so take this into consideration. Leather can get hot in the sun, and you don’t want to jump in your tub chair and find it is too hot, especially if you are wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

If you intend sitting on your tub chair every day, then this can cause the seat to sag over time. Better quality craftmanship will ensure longer life, but again, this comes at a price. You want the most comfortable cushions if you do use your chair all the time, so have a sit on them in the showroom and get a feel for what you might like. Even the most comfortable looking chair may not suit or fit your body, so getting to know the ins and outs is always a good idea. If you only intend to use the chair for occassional use then a lesser quality style may not be a problem.

You also need to be able to clean yout tub chair if anything gets spilled on it, which invariably happens when kids are around, so make sure the upholstery can be washed easily.

As you can see from the above video, there are many unique tub chair designs and ways of customising them. Today’s designs offer chrome and brushed aluminium rests and legs that go perfectly with the most modern homes. There are also two and three seater tub chair sofas that offer luxury and comfort for any living room.

The right seating position is essential, not just the look. Check how high the arm rests are so you are totally comfortable when you sit down. This is a valid point if you intend reading the newspaper and want to spread your arms across the arms easily. Check the visibility you have. Most people like the see what is going on around them, so a high backed or sunken sitting position may well obstruct your view.

Whatever style of room you have, the vast choice of leather tub chairs around today will make it easy to find just the right choice.

There is not a hotel lobby that does not have a tub chair on display. Gentleman’s clubs all around the world have them too. They give a sense of authority and grandeur because of the way you sit in them. They are almost like a mini throne without the big back rest. It is easy to see why many people buy them for all different rooms in their homes. They make a great feature for any conservatory or living room. Other’s have them in a corner in the bedroom or sitting room. They go well with just about anything.

There are many different colours and fabrics to choose from, but by far the most popular is the leather tub chair. The deep seated position and the high arm rests give the perfect sitting experience. You will see many business people reclining and reading newspapers sat comfortably in a tub chair.

Another name for the tub chair is the club chair, and you guessed it, they are called this because they are a favourite in clubs. You even find them in nightclubs, i know i have sat on one! Even libraries have them, and they are a great way to just relax and watch the world go by. The key word here is comfort, and everyone loves a bit of comfort don’t they?

Many interior designers use the tub chair as a focal point in a room due to their simple, clean design. They are becoming more and more popular because there are now many great design features that seem to fit well with modern living spaces. A single tub chair can make the most out of a corner space, and the curved arms and back really help them to extentuate the walls and roof of most rooms.

Adding a tub chair near a window will also help to bring more light into a room because the low back design does not block light like more conventinal chairs do. This is also why they are popular in conservatories as well. Light and fresh colour schemes work well in these kinds of rooms, and a wide range of different fabrics mean you will always find the right choice for your room. The double tub chair also works well, and there are a lot of suppliers who now offer these in many fresh contemporary designs. Combining the double with a single makes a great focal point for any room. Buying as a set will also work out cheaper, and be sure to haggle a bit on the prices.

The cost of a tub chair can be anything from around £100 to over £1000 depending where you shop. The quality of the materials used and the workmanship will reflect the price you will pay. However, because they are so popular there are many bargains out there, and you can get a stylish looking design for not much money if you have a good look around. Take into account how much use your tub chair will get. If it is only for occassional use then it need not be so durable, but if you intend on using it every day then it will be worth buying a higher quality chair that will last you in the long run. A good way to test before you buy is to visit a few furniture shops on the high street and get to actually sit on some chairs to get a feel for them. The online retailers are usually cheaper than on the high street, so once you have a basic idea of what you want, you can use this information to shop online where the choice is much larger. This will help you find the right tub chair for your needs.

photo by MBK