- Table of contents
- What Are Accent Chairs?
- Types of Living Room Chairs
- Comfort Features for Accent Chairs
- Other Accent Chair Features
- Best Materials for Accent Chairs
- What Accent Chairs Are in Style?
- Matching Living Room Chairs
- Placing Accent Chairs in the Living Room
While accent chairs and armchairs serve a functional purpose in a living space, they can also create a focal point and add personality to an interior design. Selecting one for your living space can be challenging with so many accent chair styles. This guide on how to choose accent chairs explains the different types of living room chairs, how to place accent chairs in a living room, ideas for matching accent chairs, and more. Whether you’re looking for a statement chair with a bold color palette or extra seating in neutral colors, you’ll learn how to find the perfect accent chair for your living room.
Want some inspiration before diving into the details?
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
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.
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.
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 chairs have a wide seat, short legs, a low back, wide armrests, and a luxurious feel. Unlike a recliner, the back remains stationary.
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.
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.
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.
A corner chair has a diagonally set four-sided seat with an angled back that spans two sides.
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.
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
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 chairs have either a fixed or adjustable angled back to take pressure off the back and neck.
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-backed chairs provide more support for the back, helping you maintain good posture.
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
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.
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.
A slipcovered chair is handy for households with children and pets, as the covers can be removed and washed.
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 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 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 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 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.
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 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.
6. What Accent Chairs Are in Style?
Latest Trends
A few of the latest trends in accent chairs and armchairs for 2024 are:
- Curved silhouettes, as with barrel chairs and tub chairs
- Eco-friendly or recyclable materials such as sustainably harvested wood, bamboo, and rattan; organic cotton; and metal
- Performance fabrics with resistance to stains and fading
- Earth tones such as soothing shades of green and the warm colors of wood
Popular Styles
It’s better to follow your taste than trends that come and go. Ever-popular styles of armchairs, occasional chairs, and accent chairs include:
Modern: Modernism began in the late 1930s, influenced by postwar practicality and the desire to trim access. Modern accent chairs have clean lines, a lack of ornamentation, and a focus on functionality.
Contemporary: Contemporary style began in the 1970s but is continually evolving to fit the current time. Contemporary accent chairs nowadays tend to be curvilinear, upholstered, well-cushioned, and in solid colors, whether neutral tones or vivid hues. Brass, chrome, or acrylic frames are also popular.
Midcentury modern: Midcentury modern style evolved out of modernism in the 1950s and features clean lines. Midcentury chairs typically have a wide seat and a low profile with short legs and sometimes have a playful feel via a bright color. The combination of a wood frame and a fabric seat and back is popular in this style.
Coastal: In beachy colors that nod to the sand, sky, and driftwood, coastal-style accent chairs tend to feature bleached wood, natural fabrics, or nautical prints.
Farmhouse: Casual and practical, farmhouse style speaks to Americana. Wood and metal, especially distressed or painted, are popular chair materials, as are cheerful cotton prints. Colors lean toward nature and neutral, such as whitewashed wood, cream, shades of brown, and moss green, although gingham fabrics in brighter reds or yellows are popular too.
Traditional: This more formal style favors luxurious materials such as mahogany, leather, and velvet; floral prints or darker colors, such as rich green, and ornate details. Wingback chairs are popular for traditional-style rooms, as is a tailored look and nailhead detailing.
Industrial: Recalling factory settings, industrial-style chairs focus heavily on metal and wood, particularly distressed versions. Darker, neutral colors such as black, gunmetal gray, and slate are popular.
7. Matching Living Room Chairs
How to Match Accent Chairs with a Sofa
Accent chairs act as a visual counterpoint to a sofa, meaning they shouldn’t match exactly. However, they should complement and be similarly scaled to other furniture. With solid blue sofas, for example, you might have blue-and-cream striped accent chairs or an armchair that’s a shade lighter. Here are some ideas for other sofa colors:
- Solid gray sofa. Gray is neutral, meaning it goes with almost any other color. Try a gray print chair for a traditional look, a brightly colored chair for visual interest, or a chair in another neutral tone for cohesiveness
- Brown leather sofa. As brown leather is a warm material, you could create contrast with a cool black metal accent chair, go for a traditional look with a club chair or wingback chair in a complementary fabric, or go full-on rustic with a cowhide accent chair
- Solid beige sofa. A beige sofa is the perfect partner for any accent chair styles and colors. To make a bold statement, you could add a slipper chair in a vibrant hue or daring pattern. For a calming space, choose an armchair in a creamy or other organic tone. For contrast, go for a navy or black accent chair
Do Living Room Chairs Have to Match Each Other?
Side chairs, if they act as a continuation of the sofa, typically do match it. Choosing pieces in the same color family, such as shades of brown, creates a cohesive feel.
Accent chairs don’t have to match each other, but avoid creating an overly busy look by ensuring one common element among all your seating, such as color, print, frame style, or material. For example, you could use the same fabric print for all three pieces but in complementary colors instead of all the same colors.
8. Placing Accent Chairs in the Living Room
This depends on their function. Here are some popular ideas:
- Place two accent chairs with a sofa in a U shape to create a conversational grouping
- Place two accent chairs angled toward each other by a fireplace or in a corner to create intimate seating
- Place one large armchair or chair and a half at a 90-degree angle to the sofa, with a side table between them
- Place two accent chairs side-by-side at a 90-degree angle to the sofa, with a shared coffee table in front of all three pieces
- Place two accent chairs or armchairs across from a sofa with a coffee table between them
How many accent chairs to use? This depends on the size of your space and how many seating zones you want to create. In a very small space, you might have two accent chairs with a side table between them and no sofa. In a small space, two accent chairs and a sofa can work well. In a large space, you might have four or more accent chairs, side chairs, or occasional chairs in addition to the sofa.
Ideally, you want to have at least as many accent chairs as dining chairs, so all guests have a place to sit in the living room.
How to use accent chairs in a living room? Use accent chairs to create a visual counterpoint to other furniture, make a dramatic statement, add color, disguise an awkward corner, highlight a room’s palette, facilitate conversation, and more.
What to put between chairs in a living room? Having a spot for resting a drink or plate within arm’s reach of chairs and sofas is best. If you have a coffee table that serves all the seats, you could put a small table with decor, a potted plant, or a lamp between side-by-side chairs. If your sofa and chair are angled and your room is small, you might choose a side table over a large coffee table.