I'll be honest with you – I spent three months looking for the perfect accent chair for my tiny Brooklyn apartment. Every chair I liked was either too big, too expensive, or looked great online but terrible in person.
Sound familiar?
After visiting countless furniture stores and returning more chairs than I'd like to admit, I finally figured out the secret to finding accent chairs that actually work in real homes. And today, I'm sharing everything I learned so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did.
Why Your Living Room Probably Needs an Accent Chair
Here's the thing about living rooms – they're never quite finished, are they? You've got your sofa, maybe a coffee table, but something's missing. That's where accent chairs come in.
Think of an accent chair as the exclamation point in your living room's sentence. It adds personality, extra seating when friends come over, and honestly? It's just nice to have somewhere to sit that isn't the couch.
My neighbor Sarah added a blue velvet accent chair to her neutral living room last month, and suddenly the whole space came alive. It's amazing what one good piece of furniture can do.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make (I Made Them All)
Mistake #1: Buying Before Measuring
I ordered a gorgeous farmhouse-style chair without measuring my living room. When it arrived, the chair was so big it blocked the hallway. Learn from my pain – measure first, fall in love second.
Here's what you actually need to measure:
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The spot where the chair will go (obviously)
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The doorways it needs to fit through (yep, learned this the hard way)
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The space around it for your legs (18 inches minimum, trust me)
Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Existing Furniture
That mustard yellow chair looked incredible on Instagram. In my brown and grey living room? Not so much. Your accent chair should work WITH your existing furniture, not fight against it.
Mistake #3: Choosing Style Over Comfort
A chair that looks amazing but feels like sitting on a wooden plank isn't worth it. I don't care how gorgeous it is – if you can't relax in it, what's the point?
How to Actually Choose an Accent Chair (The Real Way)
Step 1: Figure Out What You Need It For
Be honest about how you'll use this chair:
Reading and relaxing? You'll want something comfortable with good back support. Maybe even a chair with arms to rest your book on.
Extra seating for guests? A lighter chair you can move around easily makes more sense.
Just for looks? Then go wild with the design, but at least get something comfortable enough to sit in occasionally.
I use mine for reading every morning with my coffee. Sounds basic, but knowing that helped me rule out half the chairs I was considering.
Step 2: Consider Your Space (Like, Really Consider It)
Small living room? Join the club. Most of us aren't working with magazine-worthy square footage.
For small spaces, here's what actually works:
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Chairs around 28 inches wide (anything bigger starts to crowd)
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Light colors that don't visually weigh down the room
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Exposed legs that let you see more floor space
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Armless or slim-arm designs if you're really tight on space
I live in a 600 square foot apartment. My accent chair is 29 inches wide, and it's perfect. Any bigger and I'd be bumping into it constantly.
Step 3: Pick Your Style (But Be Smart About It)
If you have a modern living room: Go for clean lines, simple shapes, maybe some metal legs. A grey or navy chair would look sharp. Check out our modern furniture collection for inspiration.
If farmhouse is more your vibe: Natural fabrics like linen or cotton work great. Stick with warm, neutral colors. Wood accents are your friend.
Love bohemian style? Rattan chairs, bold patterns, and jewel tones are calling your name. Just make sure the rest of your room can handle the personality.
Not sure what your style is? Stick with a neutral color in a classic shape. You literally can't go wrong with a cream or grey chair with wooden legs.
Step 4: Think About Real Life
Do you have kids? Maybe skip the white velvet.
Got a dog who sheds? Dark colors or patterned fabrics hide fur better.
Eat in your living room sometimes? (No judgment, we all do it.) Look for fabrics that wipe clean easily.
My cat thinks every piece of furniture is a scratching post, so I went with a fabric that hides little snags. Best decision I made.
The Best Accent Chair Styles Right Now
Modern Accent Chairs
These are having a moment. Clean lines, often with velvet upholstery and metal legs. Colors like navy, emerald green, and blush pink are everywhere.
Who they work for: If your living room is contemporary or you want something that feels current without being trendy.
Average price: $250-400
My take: They photograph beautifully and actually look good in person too. The velvet ones feel more expensive than they are.
Shop our modern accent chairs →
Farmhouse Accent Chairs
Think linen fabrics, natural wood frames, and colors like cream, beige, and soft blue. They have that cozy, lived-in look that never goes out of style.
Who they work for: Anyone who wants their living room to feel warm and welcoming.
Average price: $300-450
My take: These are the chairs you'll still like in five years. They're not trendy, they're timeless.
Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Angled wooden legs, button tufting, and that iconic silhouette. Usually in grey, tan, or brown.
Who they work for: People who appreciate classic design. These work in both modern and traditional spaces.
Average price: $300-500
My take: If you can't decide on a style, this is your safe bet. Mid-century modern goes with everything.
Bohemian Rattan Chairs
Natural materials, open weaving, often with a cushion. They bring that breezy, relaxed vibe.
Who they work for: Beach houses, sunrooms, or anyone who loves plants and natural textures.
Average price: $250-350
My take: They're surprisingly comfortable and make spaces feel lighter and airier.
Color Psychology (Or: How to Not Mess Up Your Color Choice)
I'm not a color expert, but here's what I've learned from trial and error:
Neutral colors (grey, beige, cream):
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Work with literally everything
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Won't date quickly
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Easy to switch up with pillows and throws
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Can feel boring if your whole room is neutral
Bold colors (navy, emerald, mustard):
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Add instant personality
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Make a statement
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Can tie together other colors in your room
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Harder to match if you redecorate later
My advice? If you're nervous about color, go neutral on the chair and add color with a patterned pillow. You can always swap the pillow out.
What About Materials?
Velvet
Pros: Feels luxurious, looks expensive, comes in great colors
Cons: Shows wear patterns, can be tricky to clean, pets love to scratch it
Real talk: I have a velvet chair and love it, but I also don't let my cat near it.
Linen
Pros: Breathable, casual but elegant, ages well
Cons: Wrinkles easily, can stain if you're not careful
Real talk: Great for farmhouse style, but treat it with fabric protector if you actually plan to use the chair.
Leather
Pros: Gets better with age, easy to wipe clean, durable
Cons: Expensive, can feel cold or sticky depending on weather, not everyone likes the look
Real talk: If you're buying real leather, it's an investment. But it'll outlast any fabric chair.
Rattan/Wicker
Pros: Lightweight, airy, on-trend
Cons: Not as comfy without cushions, can loosen over time
Real talk: Perfect for a casual space, but add a good cushion.
The Money Talk (Because Budget Matters)
Let's be real about pricing:
Under $300: You can find decent chairs, but be picky about quality. Check reviews carefully.
$300-500: This is the sweet spot. Good quality, lots of options, won't fall apart in a year.
$500-800: You're getting better materials, more comfort, and it'll last longer.
Over $800: Better be the chair of your dreams because that's a serious investment.
I spent $329 on my accent chair. It's been two years and it still looks new. Worth every penny.
Where to Actually Buy Accent Chairs
Online shopping tips:
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Read ALL the reviews, especially the ones with pictures
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Check the return policy before buying (30 days minimum)
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Look for free shipping (furniture shipping is expensive!)
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Zoom in on photos to see fabric texture
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Check dimensions against furniture you already own
In-store shopping tips:
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Sit in the chair for at least 5 minutes
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Bring fabric swatches from your home if you can
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Take photos to see how it photographs (trust me on this)
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Don't let salespeople rush you
At House of Avana, we offer free shipping over $100 and a 30-day easy return policy. Every product page has real customer photos so you can see exactly what you're getting.
Styling Your Accent Chair (The Easy Way)
You don't need to be an interior designer to make your accent chair look good. Here's the formula I use:
The Basic Setup:
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Accent chair in corner or beside sofa
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Small side table next to it (for your coffee, phone, etc.) - check out our coffee tables collection
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Lamp for reading (floor or table lamp)
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One throw blanket draped over the arm
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One or two small pillows (max)
That's it. Don't overthink it.
Pro tip: Angle the chair slightly instead of pushing it flat against the wall. It looks more intentional and creates better conversation flow.
Want extra seating? Pair your accent chair with an ottoman for a comfortable reading nook or extra guest seating.
Quick Answers to Questions Everyone Asks
Q: Do I really need an accent chair?
A: Need? No. Will it make your living room better? Probably yes.
Q: Should it match my sofa?
A: Definitely not. It's called an "accent" chair for a reason – it should complement, not match.
Q: How do I know if it's too big for my space?
A: If you can't walk around it comfortably, it's too big. You need at least 18 inches of clearance.
Q: Can I put two accent chairs in a small living room?
A: Yes! Two chairs facing each other (with a small table between) actually works great in small spaces.
Q: What if I hate it after it arrives?
A: This is why return policies matter. Buy from places that do easy returns.
My Final Thoughts
After all my accent chair adventures, here's what I wish someone had told me from the start:
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Measure everything twice. Seriously.
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Comfort matters more than you think. A beautiful chair you never sit in is just expensive decoration.
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Your first choice might not be the right choice. And that's okay. Returns exist for a reason.
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Trust your gut. If something feels wrong about a chair, it probably is.
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One good chair is better than two cheap ones. Save up if you need to.
Look, I'm not saying finding the perfect accent chair will change your life. But coming home to a living room that feels complete and comfortable? That's worth something.
My blue velvet chair (the one I finally kept) cost more than I wanted to spend. But every morning when I sit down with my coffee, I'm glad I didn't settle for something cheaper that I'd have replaced by now.
Your living room deserves furniture that makes you happy to be home. An accent chair might seem like a small thing, but sometimes it's the small things that make the biggest difference.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Chair?
Browse our complete collection of accent chairs, modern furniture, and complementary pieces at House of Avana.
Free shipping on orders over $100 | 30-day easy returns | Real customer photos in every review
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below – we read and respond to every one.
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This guide is based on real furniture shopping experiences and is updated regularly with the latest trends and recommendations. Last updated: January 2026.
