Accent Chair Buying Guide

The crowning jewel of all occasional chairs, the accent chair was designed to turn heads and make a statement. Versatile, comfortable and oh-so-fancy, the best accent chair will draw the eye, add a pop of colour, strike an interesting pose and have all your guests vying to take a seat!
Whether you’re searching for an accent chair to complete your room design, need a statement piece of furniture for your bedroom or simply want an extra special seating space for hosting guests, look no further. From what to consider when buying, style inspiration and more, our accent chair buying guide contains everything you need to know.

What is an accent chair?

Put simply, an accent chair is a type of occasional chair that adds a little flair to your interior design. Not used as your day-to-day sofa or armchair, an accent chair is chosen to add a certain je ne sais quoi to your aesthetic, whether that be via a vibrant pattern, bold colour palette, striking profile or unique upholstery. 

Just as comfy as they are quirky, an accent chair could be a single bucket chair, wingback armchair or even a rocking chair – the only requirement is that it must create a focal point in your room and add a little extra something to your space.

Is there a difference between an accent chair and an occasional chair?

Yes, there is a difference – but it’s more of a subtle nuance as an accent chair is a type of occasional chair. 
While sharing the same function as an occasional chair in that it isn’t used all the time and serves a specific function (such as to sit and read, or to relax in a small nook), an accent chair is different to other occasional chairs due to its appearance. They are bold, unique and designed to catch your attention as the focal point of the room it’s placed in. 

What are the different types of accent chairs?

The beauty of the accent chair is that they come in all shapes and styles. From colour pops to slipper chairs with footstools, we’re sure to have the perfect accent chair to take your interior design skills to the next level!

Armchairs

An accent armchair is a little different to the armchairs of old. Rather than matching the same design as your sofas as part of a traditional set, accent armchairs are instead designed to stand out. This could be in the form of a contrasting fabric material or clashing colour print.

Wingback Chairs

High-backed, wingback chairs are a majestic sight to behold. Harking back to the regency era and beyond, these elegant pieces of furniture have stayed popular across the centuries due to their classic style, comfortable frames and stunning upholstery.

Recliner Chairs

Nothing feels quite as luxurious as a recliner, let’s be honest. After a long day at work, nose to the grindstone, a cheeky snooze on your fancy recliner accent chair sounds pretty tempting, doesn’t it?

Slipper Chairs

Traditionally created for posh ladies to perch on while they popped their slippers on, armless slipper chairs are a fantastic accent chair option in rooms that lack lots of space as they are more compact and low to the ground. If you have a bedroom in need of a pop of colour in the corner to finish off your aesthetic, look no further!

Swivel Chairs

Yes, you heard us correctly – swivel chairs. Models such as our Southwold Ivory Boucle Upholstered Swivel Chair are perfect for hosts with the most looking to add a touch of glamour to their boudoir or entertaining space, as its plush bouclé fabric both looks and feels incredibly sumptuous while its swivel mechanism allows you to effortlessly turn and face different directions. Now that’s what we call making a statement!

What to consider when buying an accent chair?

Purpose

Before you get to choosing which style of accent chair to buy, you need to decide what function you want it to perform. Will it be a cosy spot for reading? A fancy client chair for your home office? A stylish slipper chair for your dressing room? Once you’ve planned its purpose, choosing the type of accent chair you’re after will be so much easier!

Available Space

Another key consideration for choosing the best occasional chair with flair is size. If the room you plan to use it for is tight on floorspace, something smaller like a bucket chair or slipper chair may work best so as not to dwarf your room. Or, if you have space to play with and corner to fill, a regal wingback chair could be just the centrepiece you were searching for.

Style 

While we want our accent chairs to stand out and make a statement, it’s important they also complement the space. Contrast is good but unplanned, unintentional clashes are not. Take in your interior scheme and think what it’s lacking to pull your design together and make the room sing. Does it need a pop of colour? Could a different fabric add some warmth and interest? Play around with it and have some fun!

Material

As these pieces of furniture are so versatile, they can come in all sorts of different materials. From wood to leather and upholstery, the material you opt for needs to be considered before you buy. Velvet accent chairs for example will wear more easily than wooden accent chairs, so they may be best for spaces where the chair is to be used less frequently and away from spaces such as the kitchen where they could easily get stained. Whereas if you’re trying to make a bedroom cosier, a bouclé fabric could be a much better choice than a leather chair to add some warmth and texture to the room.

Where to place an accent chair?

One of the main benefits of having an accent chair is that they are extremely versatile. They look just as fabulous in the home office as they do in a lounge or a bedroom.
Accent chairs typically look best in curated spaces that need that little something extra to make it sing. For example, a cosy reading nook, beside a coffee table, in the corner of a bedroom next to a lamp or to the side of a fireplace. For larger rooms, we’d also recommend using accent chairs to help you zone your spaces. Two accent chairs could be used side by side behind the main sofa area for instance to zone off a small area to chat and have coffee.
It’s important to move things around and see what works here. You won’t know until you try and there’s great joy in curating your own little cosy corner or socialising section!

How to choose the right colour accent chair?

Take a step back in your room and take in your colour palette. Are you after a statement piece that is bold and pops out to the eyes, or would you rather a chair that picks out a certain colour that already exists in the decor? Some people love to tie their accent chairs into the room by complementing it with matching throws or pillows on the other furniture pieces in the room. 
For colour pops, consult the trusty colour wheel! Opposite colours attract so play around with the different combinations to see what works in your space. We love pink and green pairings in botanical theme rooms.
Or, if you’d rather something more subtle in the colour department, go for a neutral shade and let the shape or material of the chair do the talking instead!

Want to explore our full range of accent chairs?

No problem! Check them out our accent chairs here and get your moodboard ready – you’re about to make a super stylish and comfy statement.