Statement Seating - How To Style An Accent Chair

A staple statement piece for many homes, accent chairs can be used to add colour, height or texture to any landscape in your home. From the living room to the bedroom, a well-placed accent chair can take a space from simple to stunning. Selecting and styling such an out-there piece of furniture can seem like a daunting task, but we’re here to help you through the process. 

Before you even start looking for your accent chair, it’s important to define its purpose in your home. Are you going to have it in the bedroom as a place to pop your outfit options, or perhaps you want an extra place to perch in the living room? Maybe you’re buying it strictly as an ornamental piece, in which case comfort won’t factor into the equation. Whatever you choose, having a base idea of your chair’s location and purpose can help inform your decision. 

The clue is in the name — an accent chair should work with your existing decor as opposed to sticking out like a sore thumb. Abandoning your taste for one piece will make your space look confused. Don’t try to reverse-engineer your decorating scheme based on the chair — if you’re not sure which direction you want to go in for a room, work on a theme first and pick your chair later. 

This is where reading the room comes in handy! Take a look at the overall tonal scheme of the space where you want to place the chair. Is it full of warm, golden tones or cooler hues? Do you favour pastels or primary colours? Once you’ve figured out your vibe, use a colour wheel to play with potential clashing combinations for your accent chair. By getting a quick visual snapshot of how tones work together, you can have a better idea of what colour family to focus on when shopping for your chair.

There’s a fine line between a piece of furniture being complementary or overpowering — so be mindful not to cross it. If a loud print is what your heart desires, you can go for it. However, something like a subtle floral or a sporadic polka-dot print gives a nod to prints without becoming too much to handle. Opting for a bold block colour will make it easier to work your accent chair into your existing decorating scheme. 

When it comes to making your accent chair really tie in with the rest of your decor, the right accessories are key. Using cushions or throws that connect with the colour scheme of your sofa can make the overall look more cohesive. Another benefit of throw pillows is being able to swap out the covers to change looks according to your whims — you can play with colours, textures and even comfort levels if your chair is serving a more practical purpose.

An accent chair is an opportunity to get outside of your comfort zone, so don’t be afraid to make a splash! You can use your chair to add some colour to a more muted space or even further saturate a bright landscape.

Our Soho Casina Chair Large is the perfect accent chair and oh so comfy!