We know that furniture is meant to be functional, but where's the fun if it doesn't align with your home's unique aesthetic? In our opinion, there's something so exciting about finding that unique piece that feels like a work of art — that you just know will make your guests say, "OMG, where did you get that from?" Accent chairs are no exception; they're perfect for styling in any room, whether complementing your bedroom furniture or leveling up your living room with extra seating.
As with all furniture, though, narrowing down thousands of accent-chair options to just one is challenging, to say the very least. To help decide what type of design is best for your space and unique style, we tapped Cameron Johnson, CEO and founder of the furniture rental company Nickson Living, along with Anita Yokota, a therapist turned interior designer and author of "Home Therapy." Keep reading for their expert insight.
With so many different types of chairs — two popular ones being accent chairs and lounge chairs — knowing their differences isn't exactly intuitive. Accent chairs are "generally more decorative with a straight back or narrow seat," Yokota tells POPSUGAR. "They're meant to be a spot to sit and talk or balance a space." Alternatively, lounge chairs often feature a "leaned-back posture and padded features, including a wider seat," she continues. "By design, they're meant to be comfortable — a place you could sit and relax." Take this with a grain of salt, though: there are plenty of comfy accent chairs, if that's what you're in the market for.
"In purchasing an accent chair for one's home, it's essential to consider location first and foremost," Johnson says. "Will the chair be used in an empty corner to create a reading nook? Or in the bedroom as a place to slip on shoes? There are so many different accent chairs that form should follow function to ensure a great fit."
Once you've identified your accent chair's ideal function, it's time to consider its style, he adds: "The other pieces in the home surrounding the accent chair should inform its overall aesthetic." For example, if you're an art-deco aficionado with a love for unique patterns and hues, you might want to invest in an accent chair with a pop of color. Or if you live and breathe Scandinavian-chic style, perhaps a cozy, textured design works best.
And lastly, Johnson warns that not all accent chairs are comfortable because they're "not typically intended to be used for extended periods," he says. That said, if comfort is a top priority, the pro recommends thinking about how much use it will actually get. (Will people sit in it often, or will it primarily function as a decor piece?) If you nodded your head at the latter, it might not be worth driving yourself wild trying to find a design that's perfectly plush.
"The primary consideration regarding material comes in the form of wear and tear," Johnson explains. "If the chair isn't going to be used much, then less-resilient fabrics like cotton and linen can be used versus, say, microfiber or canvas that will be more durable. Also, how much sunlight the chair will receive is an important consideration so that one does not inadvertently select a fabric prone to fading. Lastly, comfort once again comes into play, as accent chairs made of natural materials such as wood and metal, depending on how the materials are incorporated, may be less comfortable than chairs overindexing on the use of fabric and stuffing."
Ahead, we curated a list of the best and chicest accent chairs that work in any room of your home. There are options for all interior styles and choices from various online furniture retailers at different price points. Not only will these add style to your space, but having extra places for guests to sit is always a plus. From cozy bouclé accent chairs to glamorous velvet accent chairs, we're confident you'll fall in love with at least one. Peruse our top 13 picks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Kyley Warren
Unicoo Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair ($130)
For under $200, this midcentury modern accent chair is a steal. It's made of a natural rubberwood frame and beige fabric, but it also comes in a dark brown wood and gray fabric option if that's more your style.
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The Details: Width: 24.5" | Height: 28.8" | Depth: 30.3" | Material: Wood and fabric | Color Options: 2
Artechworks Velvet Modern Tub Barrel Arm Chair ($300)
This velvet accent chair comes with a matching ottoman so you can put your feet up to watch TV, read a book — you name it. The glamorous design comes in five colors: pink (pictured here), orange, emerald green, yellow, and gray.
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The Details: Width: 28.35" | Height: 28.35" | Depth: 28.35" | Material: Wood and metal | Color Options: 5
West Elm Isabella Chair ($799-$1,798)
Don't you just want to sink into this rounded accent chair from West Elm? Not only does it have a luxurious look and feel, but it's also made with sustainable FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests.
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The Details: Width: 28.75" | Height: 28.5" | Depth: 29.75" | Material: Various | Color Options: 50+
West Elm Cozy Swivel Chair ($699-$1,698)
This swivel accent chair is both comfy and modern. It features a wide, low-slung seat and a 360-degree swivel base.
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The Details: Width: 38.6" | Height: 28.7" | Depth: 35.4" | Material: Various | Color Options: 50+
Kelly Clarkson Home Centennial Accent Chair ($320, originally $450)
You can style this rustic accent chair in any room, whether as a dining-room chair, living-room fixture, or bedroom accent.
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The Details: Width: 25" | Height: 30.5" | Depth: 27.75" | Material: Solid wood and fabric | Color Options: 1
Crate & Barrel Clancy Leather Accent Chair ($999)
This leather accent chair is anything but traditional. Its welcoming contours and rich coloring pair seamlessly with the iron legs, and it's safe to say it's a midcentury-modern aficionado's dream.
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The Details: Width: 28" | Height: 32.75" | Depth: 30" | Material: Leather and iron | Color Options: 1
Crate & Barrel Harper Shearling Accent Chair ($1,299)
If texture is your one true love when it comes to interiors, check out the shearling accent chair. It's upholstered in feathery white shearling that'll become a focal point of your space.
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The Details: Width: 25.75" | Height: 28" | Depth: 25.75" | Material: Wood and natural shearling | Color Options: 1
Threshold Designed With Studio McGee Vernon Upholstered Barrel Accent Chair ($320)
Run, don't walk, to get this upholstered accent chair while it's still in stock. The cream linen is so classic, but it also comes in other shades like light brown velvet and olive green.
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The Details: Width: 29.3" | Height: 29.3" | Depth: 25.5" | Material: Wood and fabric | Color Options: 6
Sand & Stable Esme Upholstered Armchair ($570, originally $998)
This colorful accent chair comes in a set of two, available in seven colors. The tapered legs are the perfect touch to complement the rattan arms and linen fabric upholstery.
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The Details: Width: 24.8" | Height: 31.7" | Depth: 29.5" | Material: Rattan, wood, and polyester | Color Options: 7
Urban Outfitters Wally Curvature Chair ($450, originally $899)
This armless accent chair is an aesthetic-lover's dream, inspired by playful '80s design.
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The Details: Width: 26" | Height: 27" | Depth: 30.75" | Material: Polyether sulfone, nylon, steel, and plywood | Color Options: 2
AllModern Kearney Barrel Chair ($630)
If you love soft, round lines, then this barrel accent chair might be your perfect match. It is wrapped in velvet and comes in four colors: blue (pictured here), light gray, blush pink, and rust.
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The Details: Width: 35.43" | Height: 29.92" | Depth: 30.7" | Material: Wood and polyester | Color Options: 7
Threshold Higgins Sling Armchair ($270)
This sling accent chair is a top seller at Target. It features a wooden frame and seat and back cushions available in four colors: beige (pictured here), dark gray, olive green velvet, and light brown velvet. Shoppers say it's sturdy and easy to assemble (you can get the job done on your own in no time).
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The Details: Width: 25.5" | Height: 33.5" | Depth: 29.5" | Material: Wood and polyester | Color Options: 1
Etta Avenue Isabel Upholstered Armchair ($510, originally $1,250)
If your home has a lot of gold accents, consider this upholstered accent chair, which has a nearly perfect five-star rating on Wayfair's website and more than 1,000 rave reviews.
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The Details: Width: 33.5" | Height: 35.5" | Depth: 29" | Material: Wood and polyester | Color Options: 5
Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for POPSUGAR Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others