How to Choose Living Room Accent Chairs and Armchairs: Your Complete Guide
Sep 18, 2024
1. What Are Accent Chairs?
An accent chair, also called a side chair or an occasional chair, is a decorative piece of furniture that adds seating and a visual point of difference to a sofa. If it has an interesting shape or an eye-catching design, it can completely transform a room.
Accent chair vs. armchair: Accent chairs are designed to add visual appeal and style to a room, whereas armchairs focus on comfort and practicality, making them perfect for relaxing or reading. Any accent chair with arms is an armchair. If an armchair matches the sofa and isn't decorative, it isn't considered an accent chair.
2. Types of Living Room Chairs
Armchair
An armchair offers support for the arms along the sides of the seat, increasing comfort. The arms can be rolled or straight. Some armchairs have wooden arms that contrast an upholstered seat, while others have seats and arms made of the same material.
Wingback Chair
A wingback chair has arms that extend up along the sides of the chair like wings. The wings can be wide and high, as in traditional-style chairs, or narrow and short, as in more modern versions.
Barrel Chair
With a one-piece curved back and arms, barrel chairs (also called tub chairs) are comfortable and inviting, and can soften hard lines in a room's existing furniture. They sit low to the floor without visible feet.
Club Chair
Club chairs have a wide seat, short legs, a low back, wide armrests, and a luxurious feel. Unlike a recliner, the back remains stationary.
Lounge Chair
Lounge chairs have a longer seat allowing you to stretch out your legs. A one-armed lounge chair can complement a sectional sofa, while a two-armed lounge chair can nicely fill space by a bay window.
Chair and a Half
A chair and a half is bigger than a standard armchair and smaller than a loveseat. Its wider, cushioned seat and back create extra comfort.
Slipper Chair
A slipper chair is a type of upholstered occasional chair with a simple form, dating to the Victorian era. It has a higher back, a longer seat, no arms, and sits low to the ground. Slipper chairs often come in a bold color and have wooden legs.
Corner Chair
A corner chair has a diagonally set four-sided seat with an angled back that spans two sides.
Side Chair
Side chairs typically don't have arms and come in many designs. They often can be seen on the sides of a sofa. In a small space, you might find two slipper side chairs in place of a couch.
Papasan Chair
Originally hailing from Asia, Papasan chairs are large, bowl-shaped chairs with a cushion that rests on a frame usually made of rattan or wood. The angle is adjustable.
Egg Chair
Arne Jacobsen designed the original Egg chair in 1959; it has a high, curved back and a rounded seat that curves up at the sides. However, "egg chair" now refers to any similarly shaped chair, creating a cocooning effect.
3. Comfort Features for Accent Chairs
Swivel
A swiveling side chair lets you easily turn to the right or left for conversation, to gaze at a fireplace or TV, or to see what's going on elsewhere. Only certain types of accent chairs, such as barrel and club chairs, or loungers and recliners, can swivel.
Arms
Armchairs provide support in maintaining posture so they are particularly comfortable for sitting for a long time. Styles include rolled arms, straight arms, and sloped arms.
Reclining
Reclining chairs have either a fixed or adjustable angled back to take pressure off the back and neck.
Tufted
With the tufting technique, stitching or buttons create sections in a chair's cushioning. Tufted chairs are more comfortable than standard upholstered chairs due to the extra cushioning.
High Back
High-backed chairs provide more support for the back, helping you maintain good posture.
With Ottoman
A chair with an ottoman (or footrest) lets you put your feet up with your legs straight out. Both pieces typically are made of the same material.
4. Other Accent Chair Features
Small Size
A small chair can help create an inviting atmosphere in a compact space. Interior designers sometimes use two small accent chairs in different styles or materials to create a striking effect.
Oversized
An oversized chair is a happy medium between a standard chair and a loveseat. It can be a chair and a half, a club chair, an extra-large tub chair or barrel chair, or a lounge chair.
Slipcovered
A slipcovered chair is handy for households with children and pets, as the covers can be removed and washed.
Wheels
A chair with wheels is easier to move from room to room, and handy for entertaining guests in a living space with limited seating. Some wheels have a locking feature.
Armless
Armless accent chairs are easier to fit into tight spaces and can be standout pieces, or occasional chairs that fit a neutral color scheme beautifully.
5. Best Materials for Accent Chairs
The perfect material for your new accent chair depends on who will be using the chair, the style of your room, and the style of other furniture pieces in the space. High-quality materials tend to cost more but are worth it for increased longevity.
The popular materials below can be used for the seat, back, frame, and/or legs.
Leather
Leather accent chairs, including cowhide and suede chairs, are hard-wearing and come in many sizes, styles, and types, from traditional large club chairs to modern armless slipper chairs. Smooth leather chairs can add a luxurious touch to living rooms, while cowhide adds a rustic feel. Although leather is durable, it is not ideal in homes with children or pets, as it scratches easily.
Fabric
Fabric chairs come in a wide range of colors, patterns, design styles, and materials, including wool, microfiber, cotton, linen, velvet, and polyester. They are an ideal way to add color and express your taste. You can choose fabric occasional chairs that match a room's color palette or pick up recurring colors in wall art or decor. If you have children or pets, look for performance fabric, treated for stain resistance.
Velvet
Velvet is a dense woven fabric that lends an elegant look. Soft velvet enhances comfort and comes in many shades so it's easy to find the right color for your room. An interior designer might choose a single new accent chair in a bright velvet to make an eye-catching statement or select multiple accent chairs in various shades to subtly complement other furniture.
Faux Leather and Faux Fur
Faux leather and faux fur accent chairs and armchairs are a more affordable alternative to real animal skin and fur. Faux leather is made of PVC or several materials that begin with "poly," or of natural materials such as cork and kelp, while faux fur usually is made of polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Faux leather is not typically as hard-wearing as genuine leather and tends to crack and peel more easily.
Wood
Wood chairs, such as mahogany and oak, are common to craftsman and traditional room styles. They come in a variety of natural warm colors or can be painted any color, and can add a visual counterpoint to soft furnishings or complement other natural elements in a room. Although wood accent chairs have a long history, they come in many modern styles as well.
Wicker/Rattan
Rattan is a material derived from palms, while wicker is a style of weaving. Wicker chairs can be made of bamboo, reed, and willow as well as rattan, and they add an organic touch. Rattan and other wicker accent chairs are durable indoors, but you might need to add a seat cushion for comfort. Note that a loose wicker weave can trap dirt.
Metal
Metal chairs are as durable as they come and are available in a wide range of colors and designs to work with any style. Consider a distressed finish for an industrial interior design, polished chrome for a contemporary look, or cool silver for a modern touch.
