StarNerd:

I've read that observing while seated allows you to tease out more detail, although I don't know first-hand about this.  I don't own one, but an observer's chair is on my list.  (As is now an eye patch. )

Just my .

-StarNerd

I don;'t know about a chair helping you see more detail. What it will do however, especially if your behind a telescope with tracking motors is make you more comfortable for observing over long periods.  Maybe just being more comfortable and relaxed may help, I don't know. I've never noticed the difference. 

The biggest problem I read, see, and hear with people that want to see more detail is "High Expectations".  There are a few reasons for these overly high expectations, first being lack of knowledge and experience when start off. Secondly magazines and other media sources that show larger than life full color detailed images taken through even small telescopes.  Truth be told, we are not physically capable of seeing objects like that through a telescope.

You can't compare pictures to what you will actually see through the eyepiece. 
I manipulated some picture to approximate to the best of my recollection as I have seen through my 10" telescope under my skies. which are moderately dark to very dark the closer I get to zenith.  

Note: these are only approximations and may appear very different depending on the eyepieces used and sky conditions. 
These object could look a little brighter with more detail in a larger telescope.
In a smaller telescope they would most likely be less detailed and fainter.   

Objects as they appear to me through a 10 inch Newtonian:

M81 and M82 at low magnification. Approximately what it will look like through a 25mm eyepiece at 48x magnification.

Jupiter at about 200x magnification

Saturn at about 300x

Ring Nebula at about 220x

The Great Orion Nebula complex at about 48x

M13 Hercules Cluster at about 120x

M27 The Dumbbell Nebula at about 120x

M31 Andromeda Galaxy (w/M32 and M110) at 48x

Note: that is how the Andromeda Galaxy looks on those exceptionally clear dry stable nights in the cool late fall months.

There are many tricks to observing and enjoying what you are looking at.  Things like the hood, eye patch and averted vision will all help you see the objects. But the best trick is to use a little averted imagination. .  Think about what you are looking at. Learn a little about that object, the more you know about it the more you will be amazed that you're able to see it at all.

johnm:

It's strange how few people will use an eye patch.

A few minutes at the EP to let your eyes get used to it and all strain of using one eye is gone. The improvement and comfort of visual observing will make you wonder why it took you so long to discover them. 

Yep! I'll see yer eyepiece, matey, and raise you one ... er, 82!

Something I also suggest you do to help bring out more detail in what you see, is to sketch. You don't have to be good (trust me you will get better) As you slow down and take the time to start noticing subtle differences in brightness you will begin to see more and more. You will add something here, and then something over there etc, etc. This happens as you pan your eye around the galaxy drinking in small areas with your "Sweet Spot". Don't look for the finished product just individual components. If you transcribe these as you see them, without thinking about it too much, the end product might surprise you. When you have spent maybe 1/2 hr doing this then actually look at the sketch. You may just have actually built, a piece at a time, that arm that you didn't think you'd seen.

 Here is a sketch I did a year ago last December when Comet 8P/Tuttle, cruised by M33. I was using a 6" dob. This sketch took probably 45 minutes to complete. By the time I was finished the comet had moved some. http://rascvic.zenfolio.com/p566114947/h33537d30#h33537d30  Mind you, I've been observing for awhile now. In the beginning, this was just a nondescript oval smudge.

Bill