It’s funny how an iconic chair can wiggle its way into your heart—just think of the statement-making Arne Jacobsen or the Eames. The best accent chairs are more than simple seating, showering a room in personality. No matter the tone of a space, there’s a special seat to help define it.
If you weren’t already aware, design-forward chairs are abundant in the marketplace. And we’re talking an overwhelming amount: More than 50,000 results come up when you search “accent chairs” on Wayfair. Anyone who’s accidentally purchased an especially stiff chair to flank a set of coffee tables knows first hand accounts are much better for assessing an accent chair’s prowess than staged imagery. Here at Architectural Digest, we really wanted to sit and marinate to find the greatest options out there. So over the last few years, we have rounded up 12 chairs, then reclined, assessed, scrutinized, and graded them. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable piece to add to your living room or a sculptural conversation starter, keep scrolling to find out which chair styles made it to the top of our list.
Featured in this article
Most Comfortable
Specs
- Dimensions: 29"H x 45"W x 38"D
- Materials: Metal base with fabric upholstery
With a pillow-y, plush build and sleek chrome legs, the Bun chair by Willo Perron (known for St. Vincent music videos and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour sets) combines high design with unmatched comfort. “The AD team tested the Bun in the Condé Nast offices, where it attracted plenty of admirers among our fellow staffers,” says reviewer and associate commerce director Lori Keong. “Everyone who came by to sit on it remarked on just how cushy and comfy it was, with some of our team spending hours working there. Something I love about the seat is just how big it is, too, with room for two people on it at one time.”
We tested this chair in its white upholstery, which isn’t entirely practical for homes with pets or kids, as it stains quite easily. However, the seat is available in five colorways, and the darker ones would easily mask any marks. “The seat feels like a natural progression from the bean bag chairs of yore, so I could picture it in a celebrity child’s playroom or a very grown-up adult’s entertainment room,” says Keong. “Just imagine gaming while perched on it or settling in for a movie—it would easily be the best seat in the house.”
A Sculptural Statement
Specs
- Dimensions: 14"W x 24"D x 34.25"H
- Materials: Corrugated cardboard
“When you hear ‘cardboard furniture,’ the idea of luxury likely doesn’t come to mind, but I truly believe any space would be instantly elevated with the Wiggle Side Chair,” said reviewer and commerce editor Audrey Lee. Inspired by a pile of cardboard and constructed using the same material, Frank Gehry’s luxe Wiggle chair functions as the perfect compact statement piece that will slot right in next to a library bookshelf or stand on its on in an ultramodern space. It holds up surprisingly well over time (though you’ll probably want to keep food and drinks away from it), and you can purchase a stool with it if you want a matching ottoman.
Best for Reclined Relaxation
Specs
- Dimensions: 28.125"W x 26.75"D x 35.75"H
- Materials: Waxed solid oak frame, plywood seat and back, sheepskin or leather upholstery
While certainly larger in person than our tester anticipated, this Knitting Chair from Copenhagen-based design brand Audo provides “midcentury modern at its very best,” according to contributor Dan Howarth. The construction of the seat feels low and relaxed, while not venturing too far into feeling too reclined. Looking for something more minimalist? Skip the sheepskin and go for a classic leather. While it’s not the most ideal for small spaces, Dan notes that it could fit right into the living space of a midcentury-modern or Japandi-style loft.
Most Iconic
Specs
- Dimensions: Height: 31½"H x 33½"W x 35"D
- Materials: Wood veneer shells, Die-cast aluminum back brace and swivel base on chair, stationary base on ottoman, Polyurethane foam cushions, stainless-steel leveling floor glides
Furniture fads come and go, but the Eames Chair? That’s not going anywhere. The lounge chair was first made by iconic designer duo Charles and Ray Eames and debuted with Herman Miller in 1956. The two envisioned a 19th-century club chair when crafting it, and the result is this ergonomic and dramatically tilted swivel chair that looks like the best recliner and most luxurious office chair ever. “I wanted this chair to be bad,” tester Elise Portale said in her review. “The Eameses built the impossible: A chair that’s comfortable no matter how you want to sit in it.” Try to hate this timeless piece, we dare you.
Best for Small Spaces
Specs
- Dimensions: 27"H x 25"W x 26"D
- Materials: Molded plywood
Described by commerce director Rachel Fletcher as “a lovely little lily pad of a seat with a slight recline,” Hay’s Chisel Lounge chair is especially ideal if you’re in need of some extra seating that doesn’t compromise on character or space. Rachel found she could easily move the Chisel around her apartment throughout testing. With no seat cushion (unless you go for the upholstered option), it’s certainly not a reclining chair meant for you to spend hours on—but the wood softens the modern design just a bit and allows it to inject plenty of personality into a space.
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Specs
- Dimensions: 30"H x 25"W x 30.4"D
- Materials: Oak and engineered hardwood frame, foram and fiber fill, velvet upholstery
“Despite its striking, architectural look, the Lara is genuinely comfortable. The velvet upholstery and foam-and-fibre fill make it supportive without feeling stiff. It’s not a sink-in, movie-marathon chair, but it’s ideal for lounging with friends or reading an article in the latest New Yorker,” says senior digital editor Zoë Sessums. Sessums also praised the seat’s sturdiness and high quality construction, though noted that Lara is a bit of a diva. “The velvet upholstery does require a bit of care—professional cleaning only,” she says. “But as an accent chair, it’s practical for a modern home where comfort and aesthetics need to coexist.”
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Specs
- Dimensions: 29"H 31"W 27"D
- Materials: Tubular steel frame and leather upholstery
As contributor Erika Owen writes in her review, you probably already know about the Wassily chair, even if you haven’t sat in it yourself. Inspired by a bicycle frame and first made in 1925, it’s stylish and especially ideal for a Scandinavian-style home while still staying durable and practical. Plus the negative space of the chair means it won’t feel like it takes up as much real estate in your home. It’s a true icon of modern design, but you might want to keep it away from kids and pets.
Specs
- Dimensions: 37"H x 23"W x 47"D
- Materials: Tubular steel frame and leather upholstery
If you’re looking for a chair that floats more into reclining territory, then the MR Lounge chair is right up your alley. Described by Fletcher as the “Birkin bag of chairs,” this design classic offers beautifully crafted and ultra plush leather that curves in just the right way to mold to your body. Its longer profile lends itself to larger homes with big spaces that allow the piece to spread out. Plus, the premium leather will positively perfume the air while you’re luxuriously suspended in space.
Specs
- Dimensions: Width 40", Height 35.5", Depth 34",
- Materials: Seat shell is foam-covered molded fiberglass, base is steel rod with polished chrome or black paint
What do you get when an American architect directs a Finnish American designer to create a chair that feels like a “basket full of pillows”? The Womb Chair. Made by Eero Saarinen in 1946, the comfort level of the Womb Chair is right in the name—think of any verb that’s associated with sitting in a chair, add “like a baby” to the end of it, and that’s what the feeling of sitting in the Womb Chair is meant to be. Sure, on a purely surface level, the overall design and aesthetic is pretty simple. It is the sensation of actually sitting in this chair that’s helped it maintain its place in the canon of iconic chairs. You can practically feel yourself slowly lowering into the seat just by looking at it.
Specs
- Dimensions: 43”H x 34”W x 31”D
- Materials: Molded fiberglass frame, leather or fabric upholstery
Material and color aren’t the only ways to make a statement. You can also do it through shape, like the Egg Chair by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. This modern interpretation of a wingback chair was first created by Jacobsen in 1958 for the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Royal Copenhagen Hotel in Denmark. It was manufactured in Poland by Fritz Hansen, which continues to produce the chair today. “I felt nothing but sturdy support to back me up while lounging for hours,” said our contributor Collier Sutter. “I definitely won’t be taking any lengthy naps in this chair, but each time I retreat to my living room, the winged lounge chair is still shockingly inviting to nestle into with a cup of tea in hand or to curl up into with a good book.”
More AD-Approved Picks
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Specs
- Dimensions: 34"H x 29"W x 29"D
- Material: Steel frame, polyurethane foam, knit fabric (90% wool, 10% polyester)
The Ekstrem chair, designed by Terje Ekstrøm in 1984, is almost otherworldly, looking more like a set piece from a sci-fi flick than a chair. The twisting and turning silhouette immediately draws the eye, but it’s the vibrant colors and secretly plush upholstery that beckon you to sit down and give it a try for yourself. The frame, even with its negative space, supports your back as you recline. There’s even a place to rest your elbows as you chat late into the night.
Specs
- Dimensions: 39.375"H x 26.75"W x 32.25"D
- Material: Bent wood frame, birch veneer, polyester cushion
First launched in the late 1970s, IKEA’s Poang armchair has remained a best seller ever since. With its bent-wood frame and curved, high back, this chair serves as a supportive living room companion. Thanks to the low arms, this chair is almost a rocker that gently flexes back and forth as you lean. Contributor Zoe Sessums resisted this chair for years; she worried it was too simple or too boring, but what she came to realize was that it was actually the ideal reading chair. “I came to love it even more when I learned about the idea behind the chair, which was originally called the Poem,” she says in her review. “The creator, Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura, who collaborated with IKEA’s director of design Lars Engman in the 1970s, wanted the Poäng to swing in an elegant way. Noboru didn’t want the chair to be a static seat; he wanted it to be for ‘emotional richness,’ for swinging to let off steam.”
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Specs
- Dimensions: 27"H x 27"W x 32"D
- Material: Stainless steel
When all of the Seat Week chairs arrived at the AD offices, this was by far the one that editors most gravitated toward. A singular loop of powder-coated metal, this chair was inspired by bike racks. More of a visual statement than a cozy place to sit, Nik Bentel’s Loopy Chair is a true conversation piece. You can sit in it, but our staff gave it highly mixed reviews—commerce market editor Kate McGregor loved it, while commerce editor Audrey Lee liked the look, but didn’t appreciate the feel of the seat. That said, there is a cloth-covered iteration if you want to better prioritize your comfort.
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Specs
- Dimensions: 22.8"W x 44.9"D x 30.7"H
- Materials: Molded polyethylene with matte finish
Waterproof and ready for summer nights spent rocking on a porch, this pebble-shaped accent chair is a highly durable place to lounge. Comfortable and surprisingly soothing to sit in, our editors remarked that a pair of these overlooking a view would be an ideal setting for these textured, plastic seats. The rocking is quite meditative and a welcome departure from the traditionally hard, wooden chairs that tend to creak.
FAQs
What is an Accent Chair?
An accent chair, or occasional chair, is a piece of furniture designed to be, well, an accent in your living room’s design scheme. Think of it as a bit of flair. These chairs often make a statement and contrast with your sofa or other living room furniture; they’re slightly more sculptural or upright than reading chairs or lounge-ready seating. An accent chair, whether solid or patterned, upholstered or wooden, isn’t necessarily a seat you’ll lounge in every day. You’ll use it occasionally, or more likely, your guests will.
What Makes an Iconic Chair?
The word ‘icon’ gets thrown around a lot in culture, but here at AD, we have some parameters. Not every iconic accent chair will be a mid-century marvel. Some are 21st-century best-sellers and silhouettes we feel have true staying power. Does the chair still serve as a cultural touchstone for the era in which it was designed? Does it persist in contemporary conversation as a lasting trend? Is it instantly recognizable and unmistakable? Chairs like the Eames lounger and Aarne Jacobsen Egg chair may have been designed in the mid-twentieth century, but we all know they remain as relevant as ever. These seats are coveted, lusted after, and bid for on secondhand retailer sites.
What are Some Iconic Accent Chairs that Can Elevate my Living Room Decor?
It’s important to first consider what kind of role you want an accent chair to play in your living room. Are you looking for a cozy place to read after a long day, or a statement piece that visitors will instantly gravitate toward? All of these accent chairs give any space a step up to the level of a design insider. Whether you’re devoted to the likes of Knoll and Herman Miller, or prefer something new, like the vibrant works of HAY, each of these chairs serves as a status symbol of those in the know. The Audo Copenhagen Knitting chair offers a laid-back, Scandinavian style, while the Wiggle side chair is for the modernist who prefers their seating to lean more sculptural than comfortable.
