The 15 Best Accent Chairs for Your Living Room, According to Designers

Accent chairs are crucial elements in defining the style and comfort of a living room, serving as gathering spaces that reflect personal taste. Designers across the country offer their top picks for accent chairs, ranging from modern to traditional, emphasizing both aesthetics and functionality. Joyce Downing Pickens, principal of JDP Interiors, favors woven chairs like the Harbinger NY Rush and Oak Armchair, highlighting their ability to introduce character, warmth, and a collected feel to a room while breaking up upholstery. She notes its versatility, fitting into both contemporary settings by adding an organic touch and traditional spaces by providing warmth and casualness. Pickens also appreciates patterned chairs for injecting personality, suggesting a Nickey Kehoe Fireplace Pull Up Chair paired with a vintage 1950s Italian floor lamp for a winning juxtaposition of ornate upholstery and minimalist design. April Jensen of ADJ Interiors recommends the Roinn Lounge Chair by Baker+Hesseldenz Studio for its manufacturing simplicity, silhouette, and style, making it a versatile piece for various atmospheres. She points out its customizable upholstery options and bronze or stained arms, allowing for perfect tailoring to any living room. The chair's compact size (32.5 W x 30h x 33 D) coupled with its comfort and availability of custom finishes and sizes are significant advantages. Jensen also admires the Theodore Alexander Lafayette Chair for its arched back and unique leg design, which features rounded front legs forming the chair's corners and back legs integrated into the barreled back. This chair offers an Art Deco vibe, down-swept arms, and a loose cushion, making it comfortable and stylish for diverse body types, with customizable upholstery and stain finishes. Her third choice is the Shea Swivel Chair from Ray Booth's collection with Hickory Chair, valued for its elegant yet functional silhouette, ideal for creating intimate lounge spaces while allowing easy viewing of a television, and being fully customizable with various upholstery options. Nikki Klugh, founder of Nikki Klugh Design Group, champions the Jomo Tariku MeQuamya Chair for its clean lines, rich tones, and quality craftsmanship, suitable for African-inspired, modern, contemporary, and mid-century design styles. The chair's inspiration from the T-shaped prayer staff used in Ethiopian Orthodox Churches adds a layer of cultural interest. Bryan Frost, owner of Black Awning Interiors, stresses that an accent chair should be sculptural while also meeting personal functional needs. He advises considering the arms and back heights of existing furniture to ensure proper scale. For a reading chair, Frost prefers the Maxwell Accent Chair from Interior Define due to its width, length, and comfortable arm height for holding a book. He highlights its customizability in textiles, legs, and lumbar pillow, suggesting a bold marigold-colored velvet version to complement both colors and neutrals. For smaller spaces or occasional seating, Frost recommends the Blu Dot Buttercup Lounge Chair, a mid-century inspired bent plywood form offering comfort and style. Merrill Lyons, principal of Lyons Studio, praises The Bart Armchair by Mooi for its exceptional comfort, noting that while its simple form might not immediately impress, its impact with Mooi's luxurious fabrics makes it a statement piece. Lyons also highlights the Teddy Chair from Pieces by Aesthetic Pursuit for its significant visual impact and functional coziness. She appreciates its gestural quality, beautiful color selection, and versatility in complementing both modern and eclectic aesthetics. Lauren Lerner, founder of Living with LoLo, recommends the Nathan Anthony Embrace Cuddle Chair from Burke Decor for its comfortable, organic shape that pairs well with structured sofas and dark wood or leather furniture. She also selects the Darcy Chair in Ivory Sheepskin from Burke Decor, noting its sophisticated design and amazing texture, making it suitable for modern living spaces. Beth Kooby, interior designer at Beth Kooby Design, favors the Manet Chair from Bungalow Classic. She notes its smaller size, making it perfect for cozier spaces, while still being very comfortable and available in a wide range of fabrics. Its traditional nail heads and feet casters are balanced by clean lines that give it a modern feel. Kooby also recommends the Turn Around Swivel Club Chair by COUP STUDIO through R.Hughes, emphasizing its full customizability with wood or metal bases. She particularly likes the elegant walnut base and its comfort, as well as the swivel feature that facilitates conversation in larger rooms. The chair's blend of new upholstery with vintage flair makes it adaptable to both traditional and modern settings, and its American manufacturing is an added benefit. Molly Van Amburg, interior designer at Molly Van Amburgh Interior Design, expresses her admiration for Julian Chichester's pieces, specifically the Royere Lounge Chair and the Cow Lounge Chair. She values the curves these chairs bring, offering variation from typical upholstery. The Cow Lounge Chair functions as a cozy and approachable slipper chair, while the Royere Lounge Chair, reminiscent of Edward Wormley's designs with a modern twist, is a long-standing design crush for her. #AccentChairs #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesigners #HomeDecor #Furniture #ModernDesign #TraditionalDesign #CustomFurniture #DesignTips #AccentChairs #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesigners #HomeDecor #Furniture #ModernDesign #TraditionalDesign #CustomFurniture #DesignTips