How to Choose a High Back Fireside Chair for Comfort
By Manage At Home | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Buying Guides
A practical fireside chair buying guide covering seat height, back support, fabric choice and the trade-offs between the Queen Anne, Balmoral and Jubilee chairs.
Quick answer
Choose a high back fireside chair by matching seat height to how easily you stand, then pick the back and cushion build that supports your neck and lower back. If standing up is the main concern, start with the Jubilee High Seat Chair; if everyday spills and pets are likely, the Balmoral's Protect+ fabric is the safer bet.
Seat height decides more than the backrest
A tall back looks reassuring in a showroom, but the seat height is what you feel every time you sit down or get up. A seat that sits too low forces you to push through your knees and arms; one that is too high leaves your feet dangling and reduces stability. Measure the height of your current favourite chair from floor to the top of the seat cushion, then compare it with the chair you are considering. The Jubilee is the only chair in this range described as a high seat chair, so it is the clearest starting point if standing up has become effortful. The Queen Anne and Balmoral records do not state a seat height, so ask before ordering if you need an exact figure.
Back support is not just about height
A high back only helps if it follows the shape of your spine. The Queen Anne chairs are described as offering head, neck and lumbar support, with a fully sprung platform, a luxury tapered seat cushion and an inviting back cushion. That combination suits long evenings by the fire where you want to lean back rather than perch upright. The Jubilee's high back is described as supporting comfortable, supportive posture, which is a more general claim and may suit readers who prefer a firmer, more upright sit. Neither chair's record states a back height in centimetres, so treat the descriptions as a guide to shape rather than a substitute for sitting in one.
Fabric choice is a practical decision
Fireside chairs live in the busiest corner of the home, close to heat, drinks and often pets. The Balmoral Fireside Chair uses a Protect+ fabric that provides a long-lasting waterproof and stain-resistant barrier, which matters if grandchildren, dogs or a mug of tea regularly end up on the seat. The Queen Anne chairs are described by their cushioning rather than their fabric performance, so if easy-clean upholstery is your priority, the Balmoral is the more defensible choice. Colour is the other practical lever: the Queen Anne comes in Stone and Brick, the Balmoral in Red, and the Jubilee in Mineral. A neutral tone hides less than you think on a dark carpet, while a deeper red shows fewer marks than a pale stone in a sunny room.
Decision rules for choosing your fireside chair
- If standing up is the main problem: Start with the Jubilee High Seat Chair, because its high seat height is the only one in this range explicitly described as supporting easier sitting and standing. Check the seat height against your current chair before ordering. Measure floor to seat cushion at home first; a high seat that is too high is as awkward as one that is too low.
- If you want a softer, shaped back for long sitting: Choose a Queen Anne Fireside Chair, which is described as offering head, neck and lumbar support with a fully sprung platform and luxury tapered seat cushion. Pick Stone for a lighter neutral or Brick for a warmer tone.
- If spills, pets or grandchildren are part of daily life: Choose the Balmoral Fireside Chair with Protect+ fabric, which provides a waterproof and stain-resistant barrier. Accept that you are choosing fabric performance over the Queen Anne's described cushioning.
- If you need an exact seat or back height before buying: Ask for measurements, because the supplied records for the Queen Anne and Balmoral do not state seat or back heights. Do not assume a high back means a high seat. A chair that fits your body beats a chair that matches your sofa.
Product facts at a glance
- Queen Anne Fireside Chair - Stone: Traditional Restwell Queen Anne chair with head, neck and lumbar support, a fully sprung platform and a luxury tapered seat cushion. Best suited to readers who want a softer, shaped sit for long reading or TV sessions rather than a firm upright posture.
Queen Anne Fireside Chair - Stone - Queen Anne Fireside Chair - Brick: The same Queen Anne build and support in a Brick colourway. Lets you choose a warmer tone without giving up the cushioning and support of the Stone version.
Queen Anne Fireside Chair - Brick - Balmoral Fireside Chair - Red: Balmoral Fireside Chair with Protect+ fabric providing a waterproof and stain-resistant barrier. The practical pick for homes with pets, children or frequent drinks near the chair.
- Jubilee High Seat Chair - Mineral: Jubilee High Seat Chair with a high seat height to support easier sitting and standing, and a high back for posture. The clearest option when getting out of a low chair has become difficult.
Who each chair suits
Best for
- Readers who find low chairs hard to leave and want a high seat chair for elderly comfort
- Anyone replacing a worn fireside chair in a living room or conservatory
- Households that want a supportive armchair for seniors without a clinical look
Not for
- Buyers who need a reclining or lifting mechanism, since none of these chairs is described as doing either
- Rooms where a very compact footprint is essential, as no dimensions are supplied for any of the four chairs
- Anyone who needs a specific fabric or colour match, because only the listed colourways are confirmed
