Every beautifully decorated room has one piece that makes you look twice, and very often it is a chair. Accent chairs add personality, extra seating and a hit of color or texture without the commitment of a new sofa. Tucked beside a window, angled by the fireplace or paired across a coffee table, the right chair turns an empty corner into the best seat in the house.
We researched leather club chairs, swivel barrels, mid-century loungers and classic wingbacks from respected furniture makers, then chose eight accent chairs across every budget, from a cozy sherpa find to heirloom-level leather. Here is our edit, plus a guide to sizing, comfort and style.
Accent Chairs at a Glance
- Best Overall: Poly and Bark Rowan Lounge Chair
- Best Heirloom Splurge: Hooker Furniture Blakeley Leather Club Chair
- Best Wingback: Uttermost Sandy Wing Back Armchair
- Best Leather Swivel: Signature Design by Ashley Leather Swivel Barrel Chair
- Best Fabric Swivel: Madison Park Swivel Barrel Chair
- Best Mid-Century: Lexicon Mid Century Modern Accent Chair
- Best Club Chair: Christopher Knight Home Tafton Club Chair
- Best Budget Pick: Yaheetech Sherpa Barrel Chair
The 8 Best Accent Chairs for Every Room
1. Poly and Bark Rowan Lounge Chair
The Rowan has the clean, sculptural lines of a mid-century design classic. The brand says it is upholstered in Italian leather, with full-grain pure-aniline leather in the Cognac Tan color, set on a kiln-dried solid ash frame with a walnut finish and tapered legs. The signature ribbed seat adds visual interest, and high-density foam keeps it supportive. It arrives fully assembled. A premium pick that looks far more expensive than it is.
Poly and Bark Rowan Lounge Chair, Leather, Cognac Tan
- Italian leather upholstery
- Solid ash wood frame
- Arrives fully assembled
2. Hooker Furniture Blakeley Leather Club Chair
Hooker Furniture is a long-established American furniture maker, and this club chair is a true investment piece. It is upholstered in aniline top grain leather, which develops a rich patina over time, in a traditional, formal style. If you want accent chairs that will still look handsome decades from now, this is the one to save for.
Hooker Furniture Blakeley Leather Club Chair
- Aniline top grain leather
- Traditional club silhouette
- Stationary design
3. Uttermost Sandy Wing Back Armchair
Designed by Carolyn Kinder for Uttermost, the Sandy reinterprets the classic wingback with a tall, enveloping silhouette. Wingbacks were originally designed to shield sitters from drafts by the fire, and they still create a cozy, protected reading spot. This is a premium pick for a library corner or a formal sitting room.
Uttermost Sandy 41.25 Inch Wing Back Armchair
- Designer Carolyn Kinder
- Tall wingback silhouette
- Comfortable seat height
4. Signature Design by Ashley Leather Swivel Barrel Chair
Swivel accent chairs are endlessly practical in open-plan rooms, letting you turn toward conversation or the TV. This barrel chair is upholstered in 100 percent top grain leather on a stable metal swivel base, with a 20-inch seat depth and a compact footprint for tight corners. It arrives fully assembled, which is a welcome bonus.
Signature Design by Ashley Top Grain Leather Swivel Barrel Chair
- 100% top grain leather
- 360 degree swivel base
- Fully assembled
5. Madison Park Swivel Barrel Chair
This upholstered barrel chair pairs a curved back with nailhead detailing and a thick seven-inch high-density cushion. It swivels a full 360 degrees and, according to the brand, needs no assembly. It is a mid-range favorite for reading nooks, bedrooms and media rooms.
Madison Park Swivel Barrel Accent Chair
- 360 degree swivel
- Thick high-density cushion
- Nailhead trim
6. Lexicon Mid Century Modern Accent Chair
A classic mid-century silhouette with clean lines and a warm walnut wood finish. The solid wood frame supports a textured linen-look upholstery, and the gently angled back with padded arms makes it comfortable for lounging. It is an affordable way to bring that Scandinavian-inspired look into your living room.
Lexicon Mid Century Modern Accent Chair, Walnut Finish
- Solid wood frame
- Linen-look fabric
- Angled back with padded arms
7. Christopher Knight Home Tafton Club Chair
Christopher Knight Home is known for approachable furniture with designer looks. The Tafton is a fabric club chair with a tailored, rounded profile in a soft light blue, a fresh way to add color to a neutral room. It is a reliable mid-range choice for apartments and family rooms.
Christopher Knight Home Tafton Fabric Club Chair, Light Blue
- Fabric club chair
- Tailored rounded profile
- Fresh light blue color
8. Yaheetech Sherpa Barrel Chair
Proof that accent chairs can be stylish and budget-friendly. This petite, sculptural barrel chair is covered in cozy ivory sherpa and is only 25.5 inches wide, perfect for small bedrooms, nooks and dorms. The tapered legs screw on without tools, so setup takes minutes.
Yaheetech Small Sherpa Barrel Accent Chair, Ivory
- Cozy sherpa upholstery
- Compact 25.5 inch width
- Tool-free leg assembly
How We Chose These Accent Chairs
We did not sit in these chairs ourselves. We compared materials, frame construction, dimensions, assembly requirements and brand reputation as listed by the manufacturers, and considered what buyers often mention about comfort and build quality. We chose accent chairs across styles and price levels, from a budget-friendly sherpa chair to a heritage leather club chair. Learn more in our editorial policy.
How to Choose Accent Chairs
Measure First
Before you fall in love with a design, measure your space. Leave about 18 inches between a chair and a coffee table, and around 30 inches for walkways. Check seat height too: most accent chairs have a seat height between 17 and 20 inches, and pairing chairs with a similar height to your sofa keeps conversations comfortable.
Comfort Versus Style
Some accent chairs are meant for perching, others for lounging. If you plan to read or nap in it, look for a deeper seat, a supportive back and arms. If it is mainly decorative, a slimmer, more sculptural chair works. Seat depth around 20 to 22 inches suits most adults for relaxed sitting.
Upholstery Options
Top grain and full-grain leather are durable and develop a patina; aniline leather is the most natural but shows marks more easily. Performance fabrics resist stains, which is helpful with pets and kids. Velvet feels luxurious and adds depth of color. Boucle and sherpa add trendy texture but can attract lint.
Frame and Construction
Kiln-dried hardwood frames resist warping and are a hallmark of better furniture. Check whether cushions use high-density foam, which holds its shape. Note whether the chair arrives assembled; heavier premium chairs often do.
Choosing a Style
Wingback accent chairs feel traditional and cozy; you can read about the history of the wingback chair and its fireside origins. Barrel and swivel chairs are relaxed and modern. Mid-century loungers bring clean lines and wood details. Club chairs are deep, low and inviting, perfect for libraries and dens.
Styling Tips for Accent Chairs
- Pair them. Two matching accent chairs across from a sofa create a balanced conversation area.
- Mix materials. A leather chair beside a linen sofa adds depth and contrast.
- Add a side table and lamp. Instantly creates a functional reading spot.
- Layer a throw. Drape a soft blanket over the arm for comfort. See our best throw blankets.
- Angle for flow. Placing chairs at a slight angle feels more welcoming than a rigid line.
Where to Use Accent Chairs Around the Home
Living Room
This is where a statement chair earns its keep. Place a pair opposite the sofa to close the conversation circle, or set a single lounge chair at an angle near a window. Larger, more substantial designs with arms suit this room best, since they will be used for long evenings of conversation and television.
Bedroom
A slim chair in the corner of a bedroom gives you somewhere to sit while putting on shoes, a place to drape tomorrow’s outfit, and a quiet spot to read before bed. Compact barrel shapes and armless slipper chairs work well when floor space is tight.
Entryway and Hallway
A small chair by the front door is surprisingly useful and instantly makes an entry feel furnished. Choose a durable, easy-clean upholstery here, because it will see bags, coats and the occasional damp umbrella.
Home Office
Adding a comfortable lounge chair to a home office creates a second place to think, take calls or read reports away from the desk. A swivel design is especially handy, letting you turn toward the window or toward a colleague on a video call.
Dining Room Ends
Upholstered host chairs at either end of a dining table add a layer of polish. Pick a style that complements, rather than matches, your side chairs for a collected, designer look.
Caring for Accent Chairs
Vacuum fabric accent chairs regularly with an upholstery attachment and blot spills right away. Condition leather once or twice a year with a product suited to its finish, and keep leather out of direct sun to avoid fading and drying. Rotate and fluff loose cushions to keep them even. For velvet, brush gently in the direction of the pile to refresh it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accent chairs should a living room have?
Most living rooms look balanced with one or two accent chairs alongside a sofa. Larger rooms can handle four in a conversation grouping.
Do accent chairs need to match the sofa?
No. In fact, contrasting color, material or shape often looks more designed. Repeat one element, like a color or wood tone, to tie them together.
Are swivel accent chairs comfortable?
Many are very comfortable, especially barrel styles with thick cushions. They are ideal for open-plan rooms where you face different directions.
What is the most durable upholstery?
Top grain leather and performance fabrics are the most durable choices for everyday use and homes with pets.
Final Thoughts
The best accent chairs balance personality with comfort. Our favorite overall is the Poly and Bark Rowan for its mid-century design and Italian leather, while the Hooker Furniture Blakeley is a true heirloom splurge and the Yaheetech sherpa chair is a budget-friendly way to add charm. For more ideas, read our guide to art deco interior design and browse the best coffee table books to style your new reading corner. Check the current price on Amazon before you buy.
