<\/p>\nWhat to consider<\/p>\n
<\/default:svg><\/button><\/p>\n\n1. Bigger isn\u2019t always better<\/li>\n 2. Fabric or leather? Singapore\u2019s weather makes this slightly complicated<\/li>\n 3. Do you actually need a power recliner?<\/li>\n 4. Comfort isn\u2019t just about softness<\/li>\n 5. The chair is only part of the setup<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\nWe\u2019re just a few weeks away from the biggest football event of the year (well, every four years to be exact) and if you\u2019re the sort who plans your viewing setup early, now\u2019s probably not a bad time to start thinking about where you\u2019re actually going to sit for all those matches.<\/p>\n
Because as exciting as football tournaments can get, the best way to watch them comfortably is \u2013 no surprise here \u2013 when you\u2019re seated comfortably. <\/i>Naturally, most of us football fans tend to focus on the obvious upgrades first. Bigger TVs. Faster internet. Better sound systems. Maybe even some mood lighting for that added touch.<\/p>\n
But you know what? The thing that often gets overlooked is really the chair itself. And speaking from experience as someone who watches a lot Netflix and YouTube, and playing games, in the living room, a good one goes a long way in keeping your bum and back cosy.<\/p>\n
A bad chair slowly reveals itself over time in a 90-minute match. First it\u2019s the stiff neck. Then the lower back pain starts creeping in around halftime. By the second match of the night, you\u2019re shifting positions every few minutes trying to get comfortable. Suddenly even a tense match becomes harder to properly enjoy because you\u2019re too busy thinking about how much your back is aching and how uncomfortable you are.<\/p>\n
So before football season properly kicks into gear, here are a few things worth thinking about before buying an armchair or recliner for your setup.<\/p>\n
Bigger isn\u2019t always better<\/h2>\n\nGetting a good armchair isn\u2019t rocket science.<\/p>\n
Photo: Secretlab<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If you\u2019ve ever walked through a furniture showroom, you\u2019ll know how easy it is to get tempted by oversized recliners. They look fantastic under showroom lighting. Huge cushions. Thick armrests. Plush leather finishes. Some of them literally looks straight out of a business-class airline seat.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s the thing: These recliners typically take up a lot of real estate in the living room, which may or may not fit in most of our newer HDB flats. And that\u2019s the thing about recliners in Singapore homes. Space matters a lot more than people initially think. Furthermore, these recliners often need access to power, which may make placement tricky.<\/p>\n
A chair might physically fit into your living room, but once you fully recline it, suddenly there\u2019s barely enough walking space between the TV console and coffee table. Some recliners also extend surprisingly far backwards, which becomes a problem in smaller HDB layouts or condo apartments where every bit of floor space matters.<\/p>\n
And honestly, unless you live in a particularly large home, gigantic cinema-style recliners may not even be the most comfortable long-term option anyway.<\/p>\n
Compact recliners or slimmer lounge chairs can sometimes feel more natural to use daily because they integrate better into the room instead of completely dominating it. You\u2019re far more likely to continue using the chair after football season ends if it doesn\u2019t feel like a gigantic novelty item parked in the middle of the room (if not in the living room).<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also worth considering how you actually watch matches.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re mostly watching alone during late-night kick-offs, a single compact recliner may make far more sense than a massive multi-seat one. On the other hand, if football nights regularly involve friends or family coming over, you might want to go for one that blends better with your living room setup instead of looking like a dedicated gaming cockpit.<\/p>\n
Fabric or leather? Singapore\u2019s weather makes this slightly complicated<\/h2>\n\nGood gaming chairs also double up as great recliners too.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Leather armchairs usually look cleaner and slightly more premium. They\u2019re also easier to wipe down if drinks, snacks or takeaway food inevitably become part of your football viewing routine. And let\u2019s be honest here \u2013 they will<\/i>.<\/p>\n
But Singapore\u2019s humidity can make synthetic leather surprisingly uncomfortable during longer viewing sessions, especially if your air-conditioning isn\u2019t particularly cold. If you hate that feeling of your exposed skin slowly sticking to the chair, then fabric might be the way to go.<\/p>\n
Fabric chairs generally breathe better over long hours, but some may argue that they tend to feel warmer than leather ones. The other downside is maintenance. Fabric absorbs smells and stains more easily, which becomes slightly risky if your viewing setup regularly involves coffee, curry puffs, chips or whatever questionable supper decision that\u2019s made during halftime.<\/p>\n
Some newer chairs now use hybrid upholstery or leatherette materials, such as Secretlab\u2019s excellent NanoGen<\/b> used in select Secretlab Titan Evo<\/b> gaming chairs, or chairs with mesh that are ultra-breathable like the Razer Fujin Pro<\/b>.<\/p>\n
There are certainly notable pros and cons for each type of material. But speaking from experience, while a full-mesh chair like the Fujin Pro does a great job at dissipating heat away from your back and bum, the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen<\/b> was the most comfortable for prolonged seating.<\/p>\n
So my recommendation is to go with the cooler material. But with that said, synthetic leather can sometimes peel over time, particularly in warmer environments. I bet most Singaporeans know what I\u2019m talking about: coming home one day and finding black (or whatever the colour your chair comes in) bits all around the nearby floor.<\/p>\n
Do you actually need a power recliner?<\/h2>\n\nGoing high-tech with armchairs come with drawbacks.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Being able to slowly adjust your seating angle instead of violently kicking backwards using a manual lever genuinely feels nicer during longer viewing sessions. Some power recliners also come with built-in USB charging ports, cup holders or hidden storage compartments, which admittedly can become quite useful during marathon viewing nights. Some even come with novel features, such as cool and warm ventilation choices like on the DXRacer Martian Pro.<\/b><\/p>\n
But there are also notable drawbacks with such chairs.<\/p>\n
Power recliners are not only significantly heavier, but they are also usually more expensive, and slightly more troublesome to position because they need access to a nearby power outlet. If the motor eventually develops issues later on, repairs also become more of a hassle compared to simpler manual recliners.<\/p>\n
In fact, simpler furniture often ages better precisely because there are no electronic components built into it. And depending on how often you actually use the recline function, you may realise you don\u2019t necessarily need all the extra features too \u2013 and having paid for features that you end up not using.<\/p>\n
Some people also prefer fixed lounge chairs entirely. If your viewing setup already involves an ottoman or footrest, a well-cushioned non-reclining armchair can still be perfectly comfortable without taking up as much space.<\/p>\n