Armchairs & Accent Chairs

An armchair is built for comfort, with padded arms and a deep seat for long evenings. An accent chair earns its place through form or color, such as a sculptural silhouette or bold upholstery, and is sometimes smaller or armless. Many chairs manage both. If it will be a regular reading or lounging spot, prioritize seat depth and back support over shape.

It should coordinate rather than match. Contrast in color, texture or shape, and connect with the couch through another detail, such as leg finish or arm style. Keeping the seat height within about 2 inches of the couch's makes the grouping feel intentional. A rust or burgundy chair beside a neutral couch is an easy way to bring warmth into the room.

Look for a seat height of 17–19 inches, 20–22 inches of seat depth and a back that reaches at least your shoulders. Wingbacks and high-back club chairs remain classic choices because they support you for hours. Position a floor lamp just behind and to one side of the chair, so the light falls across the page without glare.

Plan for the chair's footprint plus about 18 inches of legroom in front, and 30 inches if a walkway passes it. Most armchairs are 28–36 inches wide; slipper chairs from about 24 inches work well in bedrooms and compact spaces. Recliners and swivel chairs need extra clearance, so check the full reclined depth before ordering.

Leather and tightly woven performance fabrics handle the most use and wipe clean easily. Velvet is more durable than it looks, though it shows crush marks. Bouclé and loose-weave linen feel inviting but snag on pet claws and zippers. For a chair used every day, choose a removable cover or a fabric rated 15,000 double rubs or higher.

Expect roughly $500–$1,500 for a well-built armchair and $1,500–$4,000 for designer pieces. If the chair is mostly decorative, save here and invest in the couch instead. If it will be your everyday reading chair, spending more on the frame, springs and cushion fill pays off, because that is what determines how it feels a year from now.