Choosing the Perfect Accent Chair
There are tons of ingredients that go into creating the perfect room. A little bit of sparkle, a whole lot of comfy couch, cozy rugs, tasteful decor, and about a thousand other things that the majority of folks don’t even know how to begin to think about!
One of those special ingredients that us regular, non-interior design folks can forget about is an accent chair. An accent chair can do so many things for a room. It can be used for an added pop of color or funky upholstery, it helps change the flow of a sitting room, or it’s great to toss your jacket on when you walk in the door.
Now I am no accent chair expert, but I know some people who are. We’ve asked a fantastic group of interior designers for their valuable intel on what the best brands are around the world when it comes to buying an accent chair. They talked, we listened, and so this article was born!
We’re actually creating an entire interior-design series of articles where we ask those same folks their opinions on all sorts of different furniture pieces, including: The Best Sectional Sofa Brands, The Best Modular Sofa Brands, The Best Reclining Sofa Brands, The Best Coffee Tables Brands, The Best Ottoman Brands, The Best Dining Table Brands, The Best Home Office Chair Brands, and The Best Office Desk Brands.
How to Pick the Perfect Accent Chair
Now to get your hunt for the perfect accent chair started, there are a few questions that you should be asking yourself first. This is because there are so many different types out there in different styles and sizes, and there are certainly going to be better options than other for your space.
Which room will it be in?
The room in which you will be putting your new accent chair in will determine so many others things. For one, it will determine the size that the chair should be. If it’s in a room that has more foot traffic than actual lounging happening, maybe it should be smaller and more upright.
If it’s in your reading nook, maybe the chair should enable the appropriate posture for reading. If it’s in the living room, maybe it should be deeper and more laid back so it can be a viable comfortable seat along with the rest of the furniture.
The accent chair should also nicely compliment the rest of the furniture in a room. If a lot of the furniture in a room is more on the vibrant side, maybe the accent chair should be more subdued. If a room needs a little livening up, an accent chair is the perfect opportunity to do so!
Who will be using it?
Knowing who and how the accent chair will be most frequently used will help determine some things too, especially when it comes to materials. If it will be receiving a lot of traffic – especially from young ones and pets – maybe choosing something more durable and easy to clean will be a better option than something lightly colored and delicate.
What is your budget?
This is the most important question to most people when it comes to decorating. If you’re redecorating the entire room, it may be wise to spend more money on a sofa than any other item, and an accent chair can be an area where you penny pinch.
Accent chairs can get really pricey, too! If money is no issue for you, you are sure to find something that is glorious and will last the rest of your life. Knowing how much you are willing to spend will really help narrow down all the options out there.
What is your aesthetic preference?
When I am decorating the first thing that I prioritize is how it looks. This may not be the most wise, but my approach to interior decorating is having a cohesive and curated look. If you don’t know what your style is, just pick one item that you know you really like and go from there. Or, you can be directed by a color scheme, a certain era of furniture styles, or maybe even something that you saw in a movie! Inspiration can come from anywhere!
The Best Accent Chair Brands (According to Budget)
As was just mentioned, we appreciate that for a lot of folks, the first and most important thing to consider when purchasing new furniture is staying within a certain budget. That’s why we’ve organized the following section according to 3 different budget types, so that everyone can find their perfect chair.
We have some wonderful people to thank for providing us with the following recommendations. We’ve hired a marvellous group of interior designers to provide us with their valuable opinions on The Best Furniture Brands. If you want to get to know them or their projects better, we’ve introduced them all more thoroughly in our article: The Best Sectional Sofa Brands. Check it out!
The Best Low Budget Accent Chair Brands
VidaXL
VidaXL is a pretty interesting company model that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before! They have online assistants that can help you with your interior designing needs, and they even have an “auction” option, where folks will start low bids where you have the opportunity to get a fantastically cheap piece of high quality furniture.
Ahmet Can Ozkara is an interior designer who we have been working with for a little while now, and he always does a great job of recommending furniture companies that I have never heard of before. To boot, they always have really unique designs and prices that one would find hard to beat. Here is what he has to say about VidaXL:
“I like the Butterfly Chair model from VidaXL the most. It is colorful and the fabrics used are completely genuine and of superb quality. The price is quite cheap (just the way we like it) and it is highly preferred. It is completely handmade and the legs of the seat are copper color plated stainless metal.”
I got really excited when I looked at this model of accent chair because it reminds me of a chair I used to have when I was a tween! It was the same butterfly fold out model but of course with a really tacky upholstery rather than gorgeous leather.
Jysk
Along with Ikea, Jysk is one of those really really helpful companies. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve moved and had to start from scratch, and Jysk has always been a reliable, one-stop shop when I need to get everything from new curtains, to pillows, to a broom, to an accent chair!
What’s more, is that Jysk offers competitively low pricing that many other companies struggle to compete with. Andrea Zivic is an interior designer who works for Infinity Interiors, and she has experience working with all sorts of different clients will all sorts of different budget restrictions, and Jysk is a no brainer when people want something that is great quality and very affordable. Here’s what Andrea has to say:
“A brand like Jysk is something that is appropriately adapted to a broad market. The quality and design is good and something that will last for a few years. It follows a modern and contemporary style and is easily integrated into the interior.”
Anthroliving
Mairead Belcher has been with us during this entire article series, and she’s recommended Anthroliving a handful of times at this point. This furniture brand is obviously a go-to for her projects, and it is very clear why that is the case.
Firstly, if you’ve never heard of them before, Anthroliving is the homeware counterpart to Anthropologie. They do everything that is boho-chic and gorgeous, and their furniture pieces are incredibly unique. They’re never afraid to be funky and have items adorned with beautiful and exciting upholstery and other special details.
Since an accent chair is a great opportunity to bring something fun into a room, Anthroliving should be your number one choice in order to achieve that. They’ve got so many different sizes, styles, and colors, but Mairead has helped us out with recommending her favorite accent chair model:
“Anthroliving’s Dhurrie Petite is the perfect chair for us small ladies who love reading books. The pattern design, inspired by Turkish rugs, is upholstery in velvet combined with a mid-century style leg.
This piece is a beautiful addition if you want to create that boho style. Situated by a window for reading, this accent chair is definitely on the smaller and firmer side. So if you are 6ft and looking for comfort, I would not recommend it.”
Kouboo
Ahmet Can Ozkara has given us a really cool recommendation in Kouboo. You wouldn’t usually expect an accent chair to be made from rattan, but this company does strictly that. All that Kouboo does is create gorgeous homeware and furniture out of rattan and other amazing natural materials.
Rattan is such an awesome material to work with. It can be interchangeably used indoors and indoors, it’s lightweight, it lasts a long time, and it brings a really airy and organic look to a room. You can’t really go wrong with rattan, especially one that swings?! Here’s what Mr. Ozkara has to say about Kouboo:
“The products of this brand are quite unusual and beautiful. It makes its products entirely from natural rattan wood by hand. It can be used outdoors easily and lasts for a long time, so you can choose any space you want to place an accent chair, including a sun room!”
Valyou Furniture
Anaïs is the type of interior designer who understands that a beautiful and ergonomic not only makes your home better, but it makes your life better in general. A home should be a sanctuary, and that type of thing should be affordable for everyone.
That is why Anaïs recommends Valyou Furniture has her favorite affordable brand for accent chairs. Valyou is the best choice if you want things that are comfortable, fun, and coming in at a totally reasonable price. Here is what she had to say about their furniture pieces:
“Valyou Furniture is my favorite affordable brand for furniture. They have great ‘designer-like’ options (like a take on an Eames lounge chair for instance). Their selection is smaller, so I’m not always sure to find exactly what I’m looking for, but they have an original selection that you won’t find anywhere else.”
The Best Moderate Budget Accent Chair Brands
Lulu & Georgia
There is a full on laundry list of reasons why Lulu & Georgia is a great furniture brand, but I’ll just give you a few, as that should be all that you need for convincing. They have a huge selection of home good and designer furniture to choose from, and they have a very flexible 60 day return policy!
They’ve got a ton of positive reviews on their website, they have a giant sale section that is always jam packed with in season items, and the majority of their stuff is made to order which a far more sustainable furniture production model. We love sustainability! We have Tina Martindelcampo to thank for this brand recommendation, and here is her statement regarding Lulu & Georgia:
“Lulu & Georgia is my go-to brand for accent chairs because the options are always unique and abundant. There is a sense of originality paired with luxury within all of their accent chairs. From custom upholstery, or swivel or woven, they offer it all. The fact that you can find a chair in the shape of a hand, made of solid wood or purchase a traditional upholstered armchair within the same brand is pretty cool.
I think an accent chair is intended to make a statement in your home. Usually clients will go with a more safe, traditional sofa or sectional in their living room but then often opt for a more bold statement with an accent chair, whether it’s in the color or shape. The idea of an accent chair allows you to be more daring with design, while still adding function to your home.
Right now swivel chairs are all the rage in the design world, and rightfully so because they are so utilitarian. Lulu & Georgia offers many swivel chair options and in many different colors and shapes. My favorite is the Rue Swivel Chair because of its rounded shape and plethora of fabric color options. It’s fun and functionality all upholstered into a beautiful seat.”
Anaïs is another interior designer who is based out of Brooklyn, NY. She also recommends Lulu & Georgia, and we know we can trust someone from Brooklyn to have absolutely excellent style (her website is Design by Anaïs! Go check it out!) Here’s why she loves them:
“Their selection is amazing and very original. They have beautiful shapes, and I always look on their website when I’m decorating a more neutral home.”
Kare Design
Kare Design is a furniture brand that is not afraid to be bold. They have furniture in really strange shapes, lamps with decorative lips all over them, I even saw a statue of a crow holding a light bulb. Though it may not be the style for everyone, the weirdos out there are going to absolute love it! (I’m one of them).
Andrea Zivic has such a diverse sense of style. She knows where to find the classic and sleek items, the funky and strange items, and the nothing but comfy items. Choosing Kare Design for the moderate budgeted people was the perfect recommendation! Here is her description of her favorite accent chair model from them:
“You will fall in love with their furniture models at first sight. The Fauteil Water Lily Accent Chair model whose backrest is inspired by a shell in green velvet contributes to the fact that when you sit in it you feel like a pearl.”
Which is exactly what you should feel like when you sit in a chair! Like a perfect little treasure! That’s what interior designing is all about: making you feel as comfortable and special as possible in your perfect home.
West Elm
West Elm is truly a top contender when it comes to incredible furniture at a fair price. This is a furniture brand that has been recommended dozens of times to us so far, and you need only to read the reviews on their website to understand why.
Mairead Belcher is an interior designer who loves working on project where the looks are modern and contemporary, and West Elm is a go-to when it comes to that. She was even kind of enough to include her favorite accent chair that they make. Here’s what she has to say about it:
“West Elm’s Sophie’s chair meets design and comfort. This sculpted piece incorporates winged arms and contrasts with its slim solid wood leg design. I love using this classic design accent chair. It brings luxury into the space.
This deep-seated accent chair is great to sink into and paired with an ottoman to stretch out those legs. West elm also has an extensive material library to choose from to create the perfect fit for your design.”
Anaïs (the French interior designer who we mentioned earlier) also love using West Elm for projects for these reasons:
“West Elm is definitely my go-to brand for accent chairs. It’s pretty affordable and they have a ton of options. Also, for each item, they have tons of fabric options with varying colors and textures…”
West Elm was recommended a third time by another fantastic interior designer named Grace Baena. We love Grace because she runs Kaiyo, which is not only an interior designer firm but they provide a “stress-free, sustainable way to buy and sell pre-loved furniture”. This is what Grace had to say about West Elm:
“West Elm is one of my top accent chair brands, simply due to the variety in their selection. It’s easy to find the perfect match for any decor or room vibe, and everything they offer is high quality and stylish.
You can find almost any color, style, and fabric option in their catalogue, from creative and modern to more subdued and traditional.”
Karat Home
Karat Home is a really cool furniture company run by a couple folks who have travelled the world, and brought the inspiration from the things they’ve seen into their designs. That’s a guarantee that you’re going to find not only the perfect accent chair, but a piece that is one of a kind.
We have David Clark to thank for this recommendation. David Clark has worked as a contractor, as a home improvement expert, and is also an expert on everything basement-designs. Here’s what David has to say about Karat Home:
“This brand provides accent chairs that are both aesthetically appealing and functional. It adds a glamorous appeal and makes your guests ask you, ‘where did you get that from?’ This is the classic and contemporary style accent chair with a wingback made with premium velvet fabric, comfortable for skin touch.”
Crate & Barrel
Kate Diaz is not only an interior designer, but she’s a real estate expert and co-found of Swanky Den. So, obviously, this is a recommendation that we can trust. You’ve definitely heard of Crate & Barrel before, so let’s just let Kate explain why they are one of the best companies to use for furnishing:
“When deciding on an accent chair, I always recommend my clients to consider the brand’s quality, style, and material. Each of these factors is important when deciding which chair will be the perfect addition to a room.
Quality is ket when it comes to accent chairs. You want to ensure that the chair will last over time be able to withstand daily use. Look for brands that use high quality materials int heir chairs, like wood or leather.
Style is also important. You want to find a chair that will complement the existing decor in the room and not clash with it. Some brands are known for their unique styles, while others offer more classic designs.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the material of the chair. Some materials are better suited for certain climates or rooms than others. For example, leather might be a good choice for a bedroom but not a living room where it would be exposed to constant sunlight.
Some of my favorite brands include West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel. I especially love Crate & Barrel because they offer a great selection of both classic and modern designs made with high quality materials. Plus, they have various price points to suit any budget!”
The Best Luxury Budget Accent Chair Brands
Fendi Home
Fendi Home has designs that are so precisely the exact thing I like. Their displays look like only Al Pacino would be worthy of sitting in them. This type of Italian luxury style is really hard to beat in my opinion, and everything that they offer is just oozing with style and elegance.
Artur Baja really covers all the bases with his recommendations. Artur is an interior designer who knows where to find the stuff that is funky and unique, and pieces that will become talking points in your home. This is what Fendi Home offers.
Fendi Home has an absolutely incredible group of designers who work for them, and they get their inspiration from everything from architecture, to food, to flowers. This type of curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking can create nothing but the absolute best furniture out there. Here’s what Artur has to say about them:
“Fendi Home is one of my favorite brands as the products are very well designed and made with detail in mind. They provide so many supreme choices, mainly of modern style choices but always paying homage to the classics. One of the products that attracts me the most to Fendi is the accent chair.”
Lexington
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Lexington is the brand for you if you are into looks that are clean, minimal, tasteful, and classic. This is a company that dedicates itself to only using the best of the best for materials. This is because Lexington understands that good furniture means longevity, and you can only get longevity when you use high quality fabrics, wood, metal, and all other materials.
Ahmet Can Ozkara is an experienced furniture designer and interior design expert who has his finger on the pulse when it comes to finding furniture that is of genuine high quality, and he didn’t hesitate in recommending Lexington. Here’s why:
“The products of Lexington home furniture company are of very high quality because they use stainless metal, real brass, and genuine velvet in their products. All the materials used are of first quality and real. The woods they use in the skeletons of the furniture are oak and hornbeam. While the products of the Lexington brand have a contemporary and modern style, these looks are backed by amazing craftsmanship and materials.”
Natuzzi
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Italian’s just know what they’re doing when it comes to the finer things in life. They know about food, about beauty, about rest, and they certainly know about designing an absolutely gorgeous and timeless piece of furniture.
This is where I introduce Natuzzi, which was a great recommendation from Andrea Zivic who we mentioned earlier. Natuzzia is a furniture brand that makes the combination of elegance and comfort look effortless. Everything they design is perfectly modern but taking from classic furniture designs. The fact that they responsibly source their high quality materials makes them all the more appealing. Here is what Andrea has to say about her favorite accent chair model:
“The color green should be the new synonym for luxury (though it does already signify money, I suppose). I like the boldness that comes from the combination of colors. This is a new trand that has started to be preferred in interior designs. Well, now you will often see in interiors that contrasts are created with furniture of more striking colors – which is great! We show the Poli Chair in a modern style interior where it is the focus of the entire design.”
Burke Decor
It is so fun to find a furniture company that is being imaginative about designs and shapes, and that is exactly what Burke Decor is doing. I’ll bet you’ve never seen an accent chair that looks like a croissant from space before! (And I mean that in the best way possible).
Mairead Belcher is always so good at recommending companies that are doing things that are fun and unique. We need more color in this world, don’t you think? An accent chair can make you want to sit up straight, but this one just entices you to cuddle up and read a good book. Here is what Mairead has to say about the Embrace Cuddle Chair:
“The name of this chair depicts the overall design of this piece perfectly. Visually, the design portrays an embrace between two forms, the back and the seat. The designer has the arms wrapped around the core, creating a hug-like feel to the design. Immediately, you want to curl up in it.
The Embrace Cuddle Chair is a super comfortable 1 1/2 chair design with a choice of boucle style fabric gives its user an extra snug and soft feel. This contemporary mid-century-inspired accent chair is just irresistible. But as mentioned before, boucle-style materials are harder to clean, and owners need to be careful about spillages, so I try avoiding using them in family and pet households.”
Pasargad Home
Pasargad Home is a luxury furniture company that specializes in gorgeous rugs, lighting, accessories, and of course, superb furniture. What’s great is that they design their own pieces, and also have an amazingly curated section of vintage and antique pieces. There is nothing I love more than anything vintage.
We got this awesome recommendation from someone named David Clark. David is a home improvement expert who also runs Basement Guides, which is a superbly cool resource that helps people to improve and utilize their basements. “We have a fascination for all things underground and basement-related”, and apparently accent chairs, too! Here is what David has to say about them:
“If your home requires a classic and luxurious wing chair, then this is the brand you should go for. This armchair adds an aura of luxury and class to any room and is a must have addition to any home furniture collection.
Upholstered in 100 perfect genuine vintage cigar leather, it featured rolled arms and elegant nailhead trim, while its wood frame provides durability and a sturdy base.”
Pottery Barn
I dare you to find someone on this earth who doesn’t love Pottery Barn. My love affair started as a child, when my mom used to drag me along on her hunts for throw pillows. Pottery Barn just brings comfort not only in theory, but in all of their designs.
Laurice Constantine is reminding us why Pottery Barn is wonderful. Laurice is the founder of Casadar, which is an online marketplace that connects buyers with sellers and consultancy service providers in the field of decoration, architecture, interiors, and space remodelling. Laurice was so generous to provide us with three of their favorite accent chair models made by Pottery Barn:
“An accent chair, in addition to providing additional seating, complements the surrounding decor and helps to tie the look of a room together. The Pottery Barn Chair-and-a-Half Slipcover Accent Chair is one of my favorite chairs.
It’s one of the most customizable options on the market, making it a popular choice among arm chairs. The Pottery Barn Chair-and-a-Half is a good buy for someone looking to invest in a piece that will last for years.
I recommend the Esters Wood Chair if you’re looking for an affordable accent chair that can fit into a mid century modern aesthetic. The wooden frame adds structure to the rounded cushions, which come in a variety of colors.
Finally, the AERI Lounger is technically capable of living outdoors, but I think it would also be a fun addition to a boho-inspired living room. You can choose between a traditional rattan frame with fray cushions and a modern black rattan frame with white cushions.”
***
And that’s all, folks. I’ve been looking at accent chairs for so long now I’m half on the verge of getting rid of all of my other furniture and filling my home with only accent chairs, but I’m sure all of these interior designers would not approve one bit if I did that!
I’d like to thank all of those wonderful interior designers on behalf of all of us folks who don’t know what they are doing when it comes to their homes. We need your help! Y’all are making the world a better place one bedroom, sunroom, and bathroom at a time.
Hopefully you readers feel just as inspired as I do, and I hope that you have either find your own absolutely perfect accent chair, or you’ve gotten inspiration to continue on the hunt! Stay cozy, and happy lounging!
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