Armrests

Armrests are horizontal supports attached to a chair or seat, designed to support the forearms and upper body. They can be fixed to the chair frame or detachable, and may be built-in or add-on. Armrests help reduce shoulder and neck strain, provide a resting point when seated, and aid in getting in and out of a chair, particularly for older users or those with mobility challenges. They can influence posture by guiding the arms to a comfortable angle and by elevating the elbows to roughly 90 degrees in common configurations.

Types include fixed armrests, adjustable armrests (height, width, and depth), flip-up or removable armrests, and pivoting or swing-away designs. Some chairs have slim, nonpadded arms for compact spaces, while others use cushioned arms with fabric, leather, or vinyl upholstery. Materials range from wood and metal to high-strength plastics and composites, with padding made from foam and covered with fabric, leather, or synthetic materials.

Applications span office chairs, dining chairs, sofas and couches, stadium and airplane seating, and wheelchairs. Design considerations include armrest height relative to the seat and desks, width of the seating area, weight capacity, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with accessibility requirements. Ergonomic guidance emphasizes elbow support at a comfortable height and forearm angle to reduce upper-body tension.

Maintenance involves regular cleaning, inspection for wear or loosening, and replacement of padding or coverings when needed. Some standards and guidelines address armrest dimensions and accessibility in seating, especially for office, educational, and public furniture.