I would consider this to be a chair and a half; it is BIG. Before ordering I measured to be sure we had space for it. You can even order a free paper printout of the chair which is a great way to truly see the scope of it. My chair measures 31″H x 35″W x 39″D, but I love its large footprint. All of that said, I would not recommend this chair for small spaces.
Sit Test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well made? Does the chair have a tendency to sag?
This chair is very comfortable and can easily seat a person plus a dog. It’s plush but doesn’t make me feel like I’m stuck in it. The leather is so luxurious and for weeks after it was delivered I could smell it every time I walked in the room. The leather and cushions feel quite sturdy, so I don’t foresee this chair sagging at any point.
Is the chair suitable for particular decor styles and if so, which?
My chair is a light brown leather which may not be for everyone. For years, I was firmly against leather furniture as I believed it was too slippery, sticky, or cold to comfortably sit on. Now you could say that I’m a leather furniture convert. Despite all my hesitations, I thought the material and the color would add some texture to my space. Not only did it work wonders to elevate the whole room, it’s also just as comfortable as my denim sectional. Since the shape of the chair is so neutral and it comes in a litany of fabrics, I believe that it could work in most homes if they are large enough for its scale.
Is it durable/practical in a modern home?
It is leather and we have two dogs, so there are already scratches aplenty. We knew that going into it and feel that the markings will age the leather beautifully with time. If you are more precious about your furniture, a performance fabric may be the better option for you.
Is the chair kid and/or dog-friendly?
This chair seems to be both kid- and dog-friendly. It’s not too tall for little ones to crawl or jump in, plus the seams are stitched securely so little hands and claws can’t pick at them. As noted above, leather will show wear however there are plenty of other materials (even pebbled leather) that won’t.
What are the care and cleaning instructions? Do you think stains could be easily removed?
This handy cleaning guide notes that leather should be dusted regularly and the frame should be vacuumed one or twice a month to collect crumbs and keep dust from building up. For spills, the brand recommends blotting (not rubbing) leather cleaner for water-based stains, and professional intervention for oil or stubborn stains.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
The size and style are fully portrayed in the online photos, but I wish you could see the fabric of your choice. Benchmade has opted to avoid this route as it is difficult to produce a web image that is true to the color of the real product. That said, it could still be helpful to get an idea of how the piece would look.
Chair Grades
- Comfort: A
- Value: B
- Style: A+
- Overall chair rating: A
