How to make an origami armchair
Origami Armchair: try all 12 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A wide Origami Tutor armchair developed from the house base, with an upright back, two armrests and a raised seat above its folded supports.
- You need
- One square of thin paper. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start white side up, with an edge at the top. Use a square of crisp origami paper.
- Tips
- Carry both center panels together when raising the seat flap.
- Open both armrests together before opening the seat and back.
Your model is ready
Your folded armchair is ready, with its level seat between the two raised armrests.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–7
- 1
Mark the middle
Fold the right edge to the left edge, press, and open.
- 2
Fold in half
Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge.
- 3
Fold the right edge in
Fold the right edge to the middle crease, taking both layers with it.
- 4
Fold the left edge in
Fold the left edge in to meet it.
- 5
Open the left roof pocket
Open the front left pocket from the center seam. Pull its outer skin out to the left and press its folded top edge flat along the side hinge, making a sloping roof and a wide wall below.
- 6
Open the right roof pocket
Open the front right pocket from the center seam. Pull its outer skin out to the right and press its folded top edge flat along the side hinge, making a sloping roof and a wide wall below.
- 7
Raise the seat flap
Fold the bottom strip of both front center panels up along the line shown, a little below the roof, to make the seat.
Steps 8–12
- 8
Fold the left arm in
Fold the whole left quarter inward along its vertical crease to form the left armrest.
- 9
Fold the right arm in
Fold the right quarter inward to meet the left, forming the right armrest.
- 10
Open both armrests
Ease both side folds out together until they make right angles with the back. Keep the folded seat panel still as both arms open.
- 11
Open the seat and back
Open the fold between the seat and back to a right angle. Keep the seat panel level as the back and both armrests rise around it.
- 12
Turn the armchair around
Turn the opened armchair through half a turn, keeping its seat level and its back upright.
- ✓
Finish
Your folded armchair is ready, with its level seat between the two raised armrests.
Fold next
Easy house ↗
An Origami Tutor house for young children: a colored pointed roof on white walls, folded from one square in five folds. Draw a door and windows on it.
Crane ↗
The crane begins with a square base. Two petal folds turn it into a bird base with separate points for the neck and tail; the broad flaps become the wings. Work through one side of the body before repeating the narrowing folds on the back.
Swan ↗
The traditional kite-base swan, with a pointed tail, a long neck and a small head.
Flapping bird ↗
The traditional action bird: broad wings, a downturned beak and a pointed tail that makes the wings flap.