Oof. I really wanted to like this chair, and the reviews made me dream of an attractive yet comfortable chair that would be at the right price. But this chair has serious downsides. Firstly, it squeaks. Loudly. Even the smallest amount of shifting in the seat makes it creak and groan with abandon. Second, the back is a little too curved to be comfortable. Even as a 5'3 woman of average weight who often sits straight up, usually only my shoulderblades can touch the back of the seat when leaning against it. It's also a bit too small to accommodate a pillow for lumbar support. The cushioning can be described as "firm" but is, overall, fine. Pluses: The construction of the base of the chair seems solid and it's quite easy to assemble. The metal seems a lot more durable than the plastic chairs I've had previously. It also arrived without a scratch on it. But overall, I will have to return this one.