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Comfortable, aesthetically pleasing accent chairs for small spaces are sometimes tricky to find, but they can really tie a room together. "Accent chairs make great conversation pieces, as well as giving extra seating if necessary without taking up a lot of space," says interior designer Andi Morse.
We researched compact designs of various materials that align with different decor styles.
Article Lento Leather Lounge Chair
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Mid-century modern aesthetic
High-quality, long-lasting materials
Arrives fully assembled
Minimal cushioning
When it comes to accent chairs for small rooms, you can't go wrong with a mid-century modern design—and Article has plenty of them. The brand's Lento Lounge Chair features a sturdy, long-lasting solid wood frame with a light walnut stain and slightly tapered legs. The full-grain leather upholstery comes in your choice of camel or black. Though this isn't the most affordable option we found, the wood and leather will stand the test of time.
While the backrest and seat feature some padding, this chair doesn't have very much cushioning. At just over 2 feet wide and deep, it takes up minimal space, but unlike many other compact designs, it has armrests. We also appreciate that the Lento arrives fully assembled—you don't even have to screw on the legs.
Roundhill Furniture Tuchico Contemporary Fabric Accent Chair
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Budget-friendly
Thick foam cushioning
Comfy yet stylish
Assembly required
The Tuchico Accent Chair is a great option for those on a budget. But don't let the affordable price tag fool you. This thoughtfully designed piece boasts a solid wood frame and legs, plus high-density foam cushioning throughout the seat, backrest, and armrests to provide support and plushness. With deep tuck pleating and thick padding, you can count on comfort without sacrificing style.
At just over 2 feet wide and less than 2 feet deep, the compact design takes up very little space in your home. Just a heads up, this chair calls for at-home assembly. The process should be pretty easy, but if you're not up for it and are buying from Amazon, you can add professional assembly to your order.
Anthropologie Velvet Elowen Chair
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Courtesy of Anthropologie
Boho-inspired elegance
Stick-built wood frame
Super-soft velvet upholstery
No armrests
Some assembly required
Anthropologie has lots of small accent chairs with elegant, boho-inspired designs. We're big fans of the Elowen Chair, which features a stick-built solid hardwood frame. This means it's constructed piece by piece in one place rather than being made of prefabricated components.
The low-pile velvet upholstery is made of woven cotton and features a super-soft, ultra-rich feel. You can choose from several colors ranging from emerald to navy to punchy peony, and the polished brass legs add a glamorous finishing touch. This chair has foam and fiber-filled cushions with webbing for extra support. Though it calls for partial at-home assembly, all you have to do is screw on the legs. It also comes with levelers to prevent wobbling on uneven floors.
Lulu & Georgia Heidy Accent Chair
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Boho-farmhouse aesthetic
Natural, sustainable materials
Carefully handcrafted
Expensive
May take weeks to ship
If you're open to spending a bit more on a chair, Lulu & Georgia won't disappoint. The Heidy Chair leans slightly bohemian with a down-to-earth farmhouse appeal. It has a naturally water-resistant solid teak wood frame with statement cone-shaped legs. The seat and half-moon backrest are wrapped with woven seagrass, a renewable resource and compostable material.
You could use this seat as a dining chair or an accent piece in the corner of your living room, bedroom, or studio. Since the Heidy is made to order by hand, involving a labor-intensive production practice to twist the seagrass, it may take a few weeks to ship after you purchase it. But if you can swing the steep price and don't mind waiting, you won't regret your investment.
Project 62 Harper Faux Fur Slipper Chair
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Victorian-inspired high back
Solid rubberwood frame and legs
Soft upholstery materials
Assembly required
Low-ish weight capacity
We're also fans of the Project 62 Harper Chair. Inspired by the luxurious designs of the Victorian era, this slipper-style seat features a slightly reclined high back and plush cushioning. The durable frame and splayed peg legs are made of solid rubberwood, and the backrest and seat are filled with supportive, high-density foam.
You can choose from three super-soft, glamorous upholstery materials, including ivory sherpa, gray fur, or off-white shag. We should note you'll have to assemble this accent piece at home, and it has a relatively low weight capacity of just 250 pounds. But all things considered, we think this accent piece is very reasonably priced.
Pottery Barn Shay Woven Leather Accent Chair
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Soft, flexible woven leather
Contrasting seat and frame
Industrial-modern appeal
No armrests or cushions
We also like the Shay Accent Chair from Pottery Barn. This stylish piece features basket-woven leather that curves from the backrest down through the seat to provide soft, flexible support. Sourced from genuine buffalo hides, it comes in your choice of four neutral shades. As for the frame, you're looking at exceptionally durable powder-coated steel with a contrasting blackened-bronze finish.
This handsome chair is the perfect addition to a studio, office, sun room, or living room, especially in industrial-modern or rustic-inspired spaces. The price is a little steep for a single chair, but with Pottery Barn, you know you're getting high-quality craftsmanship. And unlike many other furniture items from the brand, the Shay is ready to ship and should arrive within a couple of weeks.
Threshold by Studio McGee Ventura Upholstered Accent Chair with Wood Frame
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Reasonably priced
Plush, comfy cushions
Modern, rustic charm
Assembly required
Low-ish weight capacity
You don't have to be a fan of Shea McGee's Netflix show Dream Home Makeover to appreciate her charming, slightly rustic yet modern line of housewares at Target. The Ventura Accent Chair flaunts a sleek wooden frame with rounded corners and slightly flared legs. Loose upholstered cushions in a cream-colored fabric offer subtle contrast and plush, comfy support.
One thing to note is that you'll have to assemble this chair at home, and it doesn't come with any of the necessary tools. Also, the weight capacity is somewhat low at 250 pounds. Still, the compact size and endlessly versatile design mean it can be placed nearly anywhere in your home. And the reasonable price tag is tough to beat.
Grand Rapids Chair Co. Leo Chair
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Industrial schoolhouse vibe
Customizable
24 frame colors
Not plush
Takes weeks to ship
The Leo Chair from Grand Rapids Chair Co. has an 80s schoolhouse vibe with an industrial flair. It has a steel frame with hand-bended tubes that cascade from the backrest down to the legs and metal gliders on the feet to prevent it from damaging your floor or carpet. The steel frame comes in 24 colors ranging from bold hues, tasteful neutrals, and various metallic finishes.
Available in carved wood or upholstered leather, you can match the seat to the frame or opt for a contrasting hue. While the Leo has some cushioning on the leather option, it's not plush and isn't really meant for lounging. Also, on account of the customizable design, bear in mind this chair will take a few weeks to ship out.
Art Leon Mid Century Modern Swivel Accent Chair with Arms
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Budget-friendly
Spins 360 degrees
Comfortable bucket seat
Assembly required
Interested in a swivel chair? This comfy bucket seat from Art Leon spins a full 360 degrees in both directions. It has a durable wood frame with four splayed legs and padded upholstery in your choice of faux leather, microsuede, or fabric in a range of versatile colors.
While it's under 2 feet wide and deep, the compact design isn't uncomfortably narrow, and the armrests offer additional support. This chair is surprisingly sturdy, too, with a weight capacity of 330 pounds. You'll have to put it together at home, but if you're not up for it, you can add professional assembly to your Amazon order. Either way, the budget-friendly price tag is hard to beat.
AllModern Derry Upholstered Armchair
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Minimalist-modern sophistication
Durable and water-resistant
Arrives fully assembled
Pricey
AllModern's Derry Armchair is a sight for sore eyes. It has a durable hardwood frame and skinny powder-coated metal legs with criss-cross wire supports. The exceptionally plush backrest and seat are filled with cushy yet supportive foam while armrests enhance the overall comfort. Available in black to match the frame or contrasting cappuccino brown, the genuine leather upholstery features a water-resistant finish.
With a scaled-back silhouette and clean lines, the minimalist-modern aesthetic will add an air of sophistication to any space. The Derry is priced pretty steep for a single chair. However, it arrives fully assembled and will last several years under heavy daily use while the leather upholstery softens with time.
Crate & Barrel Rodin White Boucle Dining Accent Chair by Athena Calderone
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Neoclassical French-inspired design
Unique yet versatile
Contrasting colorway
Professional cleaning recommended
Looking for something that'll make a statement without taking up too much space? Check out the Rodin Accent Chair from Crate & Barrel. Inspired by French sculptures, this neoclassical piece has a handcrafted wrought iron frame with a black patina, a curved open back, and a round seat with nubbly bouclé upholstery in contrasting ivory.
Though this chair is undoubtedly unique with an eye-catching appeal, the neutral colorway makes it more versatile than you may initially think. While we wouldn't call it wallet-friendly, the quality is readily apparent. Thanks to the fiber-wrapped foam cushioning, it's comfortable too. The only potential downside is that Crate & Barrel recommends professional cleaning for the bouclé, but you can wipe down the iron frame as needed.
Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair
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Classic, iconic design
Customizable colors and legs
Reduces pressure on legs
No armrests or cushioning
Pricey
Originally designed by the industrial design duo Charles and Ray Eames as a prototype for the Museum of Modern Art's International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design in 1948, the Eames Chair has been in production ever since. This mid-century modern icon features the classic molded plastic seat in your choice of several colors ranging from brick red to mustard yellow to plain white.
In addition to the seat color, you can customize the Eames with powder-coated steel or wooden legs. This chair doesn't have armrests or cushioning, but according to the brand, the waterfall edges help reduce pressure on your legs. The price is steep for a single chair, but Herman Miller backs it with a five-year warranty—and it even comes with a certificate of authenticity.
West Elm Slope Leather Lounge Chair
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Sophisticated sloped design
10 upholstery colors available
Made in Fair Trade facility
No armrests
May take weeks to ship
West Elm's Slope Lounge chair is the perfect accent seat for your living room, home office, guest room, or bonus room. The simple yet sophisticated design features a solid, powder-coated steel frame with statement wire legs and smooth upholstery in your choice of genuine top-grain leather or vegan leather. There are 10 colors available, but bear in mind some hues are made to order and may take weeks to ship.
Though this chair doesn't have armrests, the sloped backrest and curved seat feature fiber-wrapped foam cushioning. It's handcrafted by skilled artisans in a certified Fair Trade facility, meaning the workers are ethically treated and paid a living wage. We also like that it arrives fully assembled.
It's hard to pick just one accent chair, but we found lots of excellent options suitable for small spaces. A few of our favorites include the mid-century modern Article Lento Leather Lounge Chair, the budget-friendly Roundhill Furniture Tuchico Accent Chair, the splurge-worthy Lulu & Georgia Heidy Accent Chair, and the iconic Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair.
What to Look for in an Accent Chair
Size
When buying an accent chair, the first thing to look for is the size. Check the overall dimensions before purchasing anything, as furniture pieces often appear smaller or larger online than they actually are. To minimize the overall footprint without sacrificing comfort, the chair should be roughly 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep, like the Article Lento Leather Lounge Chair.
Space
The size of your available space matters, too, so carefully measure and re-measure the area before ordering an accent chair. That said, scale is just as important as ensuring it fits in your home. This means an extra-small chair could look out of place in certain rooms, depending on factors like ceiling height, layout, and the size of the rest of your furniture.
For instance, the Project 62 Harper Faux Fur Slipper Chair may work best as part of a living room furniture arrangement, whereas the Grand Rapids Chair Co. Leo Chair might be a better fit for an office or studio.
Material
You should also consider the material. High-quality, long-lasting furniture pieces often feature solid wood frames, as with the Roundhill Furniture Tuchico Contemporary Accent Chair. Genuine leather upholstery will typically hold up the longest and soften over time, but that's far from your only option. You'll also find wipeable vegan leather, easy-to-clean performance fabrics, faux fur, sherpa, bouclé, and everything in between.
Style
Though you might be limited in terms of size, there's a wide range of accent chair styles to choose from. Morse recommends "an odd dining chair, a straight-back chair, or a chair that is not too deep or wide so as to not take up a lot of space."
For example, the iconic Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair features a classic mid-century modern design and measures less than 2 feet wide and deep. Other compact styles include bucket spinners, armless loungers, skinny armchairs, and slipper chairs.
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What is a good size for an accent chair?
For most accent chairs, 36 inches wide, 36 inches deep, and 34 inches high is a good size (give or take). But you'll want something more compact if you're working with limited square footage. The best accent chairs for small spaces are roughly 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 34 inches high.
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Do accent chairs have to match your room?
Accent chairs don't have to be an exact match to your other furniture, but they should complement the space and help tie everything together without clashing. "They need to coordinate with the room so they relate in some way," Morse says. "I wouldn't put a mid-century accent chair in a very traditional home, but I would put one in a more transitional setting."
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Where do you place accent chairs?
"Almost every space has a spot for an accent chair," says Morse. "It can be a corner, a small wall, or even a spot near the fireplace." In a living room furniture arrangement, you might place an accent chair adjacent to your sofa, one one each side facing inward, two side by side, or at an angle facing the coffee table or another focal point.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product tester specializing in home improvement and decor. For this story, she interviewed interior designer Andi Morse of Morse Design, who offered insight into the different styles of small accent chairs and where to place them. After considering dozens of models from myriad brands, she narrowed it down to well-made, durable pieces that stood out in terms of comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Theresa has been covering furniture, textiles, home decor, and organizational solutions at The Spruce since 2019. You can read more of her articles on Travel + Leisure, People, and Byrdie.