There’s a lot to love about accent chairs, from function to fashion. At the forefront, a good accent chair provides the seating you desire—whether it’s used every day in a spot of honor or only when an extra seat is needed for guests. Of course, accent chairs also add style to a room. An accent chair can be a neutral piece that will complement and subtly enhance your space; or a bold accent chair can be a focal point in your room, adding the hint of pizazz that your space needs.

An oversized or petite accent chair. A bright and bold pattern or a neutral design. Soft and traditional style, or bold and modern fashion. The choices are almost endless, and the “right” accent chair just depends on your preferences. Of course, it’s important to know what’s available before you can select the ideal accent chair or chairs for your space. Let’s start with the different categories of accent chairs.

Types of Accent Chairs:

An accent chair is defined as a place for a single person to sit. However, it has a role outside the scope of mere functionality. Accent chairs are meant to complement the furnishings and décor in your home; either drawing out an existing color or style, or adding a new style element to your room. There are many types of chairs that fit into the accent chair category. Here are some of the most popular varieties.

1. Club chair: A generously sized, upholstered armchair, the club chair is known for its deep seats. It’s built for comfort, making it a great pick for a laid-back living room, family room or a cozy reading nook anywhere in your house. (We think an accent chair in a master bedroom is a perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee—how cozy!) Club chairs often feature luxurious leather. They can be used in pairs to create an idyllic conversation spot.
2. Barrel or tub chair: These accent chairs feature a continuous piece, which makes up the back and arms of the chair. Constructed to resemble an old-fashioned nail barrel, they feature a higher back and arms, along with back padding that makes these accent chairs with arms a comfortable option. What’s more? Many barrel or tub chairs are also swivel chairs. They are often used in casual living rooms and can be used around dining tables as well.
3. Swivel chair: Chairs with a seat that is able to be turned on its base to face different directions, or swivel, are very popular today and available in a range of styles. They are a convenient addition to your living room, allowing the user to swivel back and forth as they join conversations and enjoy entertainment; and they are a great addition to dining rooms as well.
4. Occasional chair: An occasional chair is characterized by its distinctive style. These chairs are typically light and armless. They make a good fit for traditional to modern living rooms; and they can be a good fit for more formal spaces.
5. Wingback chair: This tall accent chair is known for its signature tall back and winged sides. The large scale of the back makes it a good companion for large sofas and sectionals—it won’t look diminutive paired with larger pieces. This chair can also be used in the dining room. It makes impressive host chairs, positioned at both ends of the table.
6. Chaise lounge: One part chair and one part built-in footstool, chaise lounges are long chairs that are meant to accommodate a person who is lounging with their feet up. Accent lounge chairs can be both stylish and comfortable, adding a romantic touch to your living room or bedroom. Additionally, you can choose a modern style for a contemporary look.
7. Corner chair: These unique chairs feature a two-sided back, with a seam in the middle. Their distinctive shape gives them a square seat. Corner chairs are a great fit for creating a cozy nook in the corner of your living room, family room or even a bedroom. They can also be used away from a corner, even in pairs, making a unique seating arrangement anywhere in your home.
8. Oversized chair: An oversized chair is built for one and a half, although two love birds can usually snuggle in. These large accent chairs typically work best in casual spaces, such as a laid-back den or family room.
9. Settee chair: A settee chair looks like a small sofa or loveseat, and it can seat one or two people. Like a sofa, it features a back and arms, and comes in a range of styles to suit your traditional to modern space.
10. Rocking chair: There are many reasons to choose a rocking chair. Moms and dads may choose a rocking chair as a way to soothe a crying baby; and older family members may still like the gentle relaxation you can achieve through the rocking motion. Rocking chairs are typically wooden, although some have cushions; and upholstered options are also available.
11. Gliders: While rocking chairs rock in an arc, gliders move smoothly back and forth. Often featuring a wood frame and loose cushions, glider chairs with matching ottomans make a great addition to nurseries, and they can also be used as an accent chair in living or family rooms.
12. Slipper chair: This minimal accent chair is armless and typically features a seat that is lower to the ground. It’s a great fit for smaller spaces, or may be favored by anyone who prefers the minimal style—whether their space is large or small.

What Size Accent Chair Should I Select:

While you may lean towards different styles and sizes of chairs based on appearance alone, the size of your ideal accent chair depends on several factors. First and foremost, it depends on the size of the room, or other space, that you have available. While you may love the idea of a chaise lounge or oversized chair, a small accent chair or slipper chair may be a better fit for your less-spacious spots. In addition to the room size, you should consider the scale in comparison with the other furniture in your room. If you have a large sofa and other large-scale furniture and accents, a large accent chair will look best. If your sofa is on the smaller side, you’ll want to choose a medium to small accent chair that won’t look oversized and out of place.

Another important consideration that shouldn’t be overlooked is how you want to use your chair. For instance, if you envision curling up on a chair to read, you’ll want to pick a chair that’s deep for lounging, wide to sit on comfortably and has arms to rest your own arms. If you want a chair that suits your formal style and seats an infrequent guest, an occasional chair may be your best fit. And don’t forget an ottoman to get the most relaxation out of your accent chair. Many chairs have complementary ottomans, or you can mix and match with your favorite ottoman style.

Where to Use an Accent Chair:

There are many places to use an accent chair, from your living room to less traditional spaces. You may just need more than one to serve all the roles and fit all the spots like only an accent chair (or two) can do.

1. Living room: Perhaps the most common place to add an accent chair is your living room. Accent chairs for living rooms can be positioned with your sofa and loveseat, completing your seating arrangement. In a large space, you can even create a separate seating area by pairing a couple of accent chairs with a chairside table in between. Or place an accent chair in a corner to create a cozy spot for one.
2. Family room: If you are placing an accent chair in a room that’s used frequently by your family, you’ll want to choose a good quality piece that will stand up to wear. Comfort is usually foremost in selecting a family room chair, and a casual style chair will blend in with a wide range of family living and play spaces.
3. Bedroom: An accent chair isn’t just for your family living quarters. It can also be very functional in your bedroom. Place an accent chair in a corner of your master bedroom, and you’ll have a private space to relax with a book and a hot cup of tea. You may also find yourself using it as an easy place to sit while you put on your socks or consider your outfit for the day.
4. Dining room: An accent chair in the dining room? Why not! Some accent chairs make great host chairs. Combine them with a bench and other chairs to create a personalized, mixed-and-matched look that can appear surprisingly sophisticated.
5. Office: Gain a space for guests to sit in your home office by incorporating an accent chair into your design. Whether you are hosting client meetings or simply need a spot for kids to sit and color quietly while you get a few minutes of work done, an accent chair can be just the spot.
6. Nooks: A cozy corner is just an accent chair away! You can create a comfy reading nook or a cute little conversation area by placing an accent chair in an under-utilized corner or under a window. Try creating a nook in your living room or bedroom. You can even dedicate a spot for an accent chair in spacious hallways or other less conventional areas.

No matter where you decide to put the accent chair, you’ll want to take a look at the layout and make sure that it makes sense. You don’t want to add another piece of furniture that will just take up space and make your room look cluttered. You want it to serve a purpose—whether it’s going to be used every day for seating or just be utilized when you have company and pushed to a corner during your day-to-day activities.

Fabrics and Fashions

Accent chairs come in a wide range of materials, including soft velvets, classic leather and leather-like looks, and a range of performance fabrics. As with any piece of upholstered furniture you buy, you want to consider the function of the fabric along with the design. It helps to think about how the chair will be used, and by whom it will be used. Will it be used lightly by adults, or will kids be using (and sometimes abusing) the chair? Do you have any pets that may make the chair their “spot”?

The types of fabrics are surpassed by the styles, colors and patterns that are available. While choosing a color and pattern may seem like a difficult task, it helps to break it down a bit. First, it’s important to decide whether you want a neutral piece or something that will grab attention and act as a focal point in your room. For neutral accent chairs, there is a wide selection of black, brown and beige chairs that can add subtle interest through different fabric or subdued patterns. Grey is a popular neutral that can bring a current look into your transitional to modern space.

If you want to make a statement in your room, choose an outgoing color, like a bright blue, teal or even yellow. Colorful accent chairs can be surprisingly versatile and work well with neutral sofas and sectionals. To make the bright chair look at home in your room, choose a color that is used in other places throughout the room. For instance, a bright teal accent chair or a blue accent chair in your favorite shade will look sleek and sophisticated in a room that features teal or blue on an area rug and piece of wall art or sculpture as well.

Additionally, the pattern of the accent chair will greatly impact the chair’s overall affect in your space. Accent chair patterns range from subtle to bold. Consider the style of your room, as well as the additional pieces in your room when you are deciding what’s right for your space. A geometric pattern can bring a bold and current look to your modern room; while a floral pattern can bring a rich and interesting feel to your traditional space.

As you can see, there’s more to choosing an accent chair than simply finding one that you like. You should consider the style, construction, ottoman options and, of course, the color and pattern in order to find the perfect chair for you and your guests.