Choosing an occasional chair is like choosing the perfect dress or suit, says Jeané Shurtliff, a design associate with La Maison Interiors, 15450 N. Scottsdale Road. 

Occasional chairs range from those that are used for company — you pull the chairs toward the sofa ensemble for conversation or up to the dining room table for food — to everyday recliners to accent pieces which add color splash, stripes pizzazz or textural contrast.

“It doesn’t matter how beautiful it looks on the hanger; if it doesn’t fit correctly, you will never wear it — or sit in it,” says Jeané for La Maison, whose principals, Davinder Chawla and Alan K. Reinken, celebrate the first anniversary of their full-service design showroom this September. 

Consider comfort, scale, function and style. 

First, be comfortable: “If you are tall, find a chair with a higher back. High-back chairs will help to support your lower back and neck,” Jeané recommends. “If your legs are longer, find a chair with a deeper seat; deeper seats will help to support your knees and legs.”

And watch your scale: Don’t overweight your room. “Most people focus on individual furniture items, which is putting the cart before the horse,” she says. “Take notes on whether the room is square or rectangular. Measure the ceiling heights. This will narrow down the world in terms of what pieces to select when it comes to fit and function.”

Functionality: Arms? No arms? High back? Low back?  Ask first: How is the room being used? “If you watch T.V., most likely you will want arms for lying down and stretching out after a long day. If you are going to entertain, this is when you can have a little more unexpected and artful pieces in the room.”

Chairs are used differently and placed differently. If you enjoy playing board games, a seating area with several chairs and a table should be incorporated, she says. If you enjoy watching movies, theater seating may be appropriate. If you and your spouse are snugglers, maybe a chair and a half is the right way to go.