Ultimate Guide to Buying an Accent Chair: Everything You Need to Know

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Factors to Consider when Buying an Accent Chair
2. What Is an Accent Chair?
3. Start With Why
4. Know Your Space
5. Style Isn’t Just “Modern” or “Traditional”
6. Materials Matter More Than They Look
7. Color Choice Isn’t About “Pops”
8. Test for Comfort: Here’s How (Even Online)
9. Don’t Ignore Build Quality
10. Budget With Logic, Not Emotion
11. Delivery, Assembly & Return Realities
12. Final Thought

Accent chairs can be used in a home as extra seating and to shape a room’s personality, complement existing furniture, and to act as a focal point. You can keep an accent chair in a living room, bedroom, reading nook, entryway, and many other places. But the catch is finding the right accent chair. It requires attention to design, material, and practicality.

This guide will help you go through the options and select a chair that enhances both comfort and aesthetics.

Factors to Consider when Buying an Accent Chair

1. What Is an Accent Chair?

The word accent generally refers to something that stands out or adds emphasis within a larger arrangement. In home design, an accent piece is a furniture item or decor element chosen to contrast with, highlight, or complement other items in a space.

So, an accent chair is like a regular chair but with a design that grabs everyone's attention instantly. It adds visual interest to a room. Unlike simple dining or office chairs, it serves both a functional and decorative purpose. It can provide extra seating while introducing a new shape, texture, or color to your space.

They’re available in diverse styles, ranging from contemporary to traditional, making them versatile enough to be introduced in any home.

2. Start With Why

Ask one simple question first: Why are you buying this chair? This isn’t a trick question. Your answer shapes everything else.

Common Goals:

• You want a visual break in a neutral space.
  
• You need extra seating, but you still care how it looks.
  
• You want to bring warmth or softness into a hard or minimal layout.
  
• You’re furnishing a reading corner or nook.
  
• Don’t skip this step. People often do. And that’s why they end up returning chairs that looked good, but didn’t work.
  

3. Know Your Space

Before you even look at fabrics or legs, understand the space where this chair will live. Measure first. Use a tape measure, not a guess.

Key dimensions to consider:

• Width of the spot where the chair will go
  
• Depth you’re willing to allow without cutting into foot traffic
  
• Distance from walls or other furniture
  
• Chair height, especially if near windows, art, or other furniture

Here’s a quick measuring checklist:

• Floor space width and depth
  
• Height of nearby furniture (to avoid awkward mismatches)
  
• Walking clearance (30 inches is comfortable)

If your room is small, choose a chair with a lighter visual footprint—slimmer legs, exposed frames, or lower backs. It keeps the room feeling open.

4. Style Isn’t Just “Modern” or “Traditional”

Most guides throw a style chart at you. But you probably already know what you like when you see it. The better question is: What style will actually stay relevant in this room?

Instead of memorizing styles, break them down into shape, language and surface tone.

Shape language: refers to the types of shapes used in a design. Round vs. angular. Heavy vs. light. Symmetrical vs. organic. Each type of shape communicates different emotions or vibes. For example:

• Circles = friendly, soft
  
• Squares = stable, reliable
  
• Triangles = dynamic, energetic
  

Surface tone: refers to the texture, color palette, sheen, or material feel — basically, how something looks and feels on its surface.

• Matte vs glossy
  
• Light vs dark
  
• Natural wood grain vs polished metal
  
• Soft fabric vs hard plastic
  

So what's the takeaway?

Rather than trying to memorize what "Scandinavian" or "Art Deco" looks like, observe:

• What shapes are being used (straight lines, curves, symmetry)?
  
• What surface textures and color tones are dominant?

By breaking styles into these foundational elements, you can:

• Mix styles more intentionally
  
• Understand what makes a style feel the way it does
  
• Create your own look while still referencing familiar design languages

Quick Tip: If your room already has strong shapes like a square coffee table or a big rectangular sofa, go with a rounder or softer-accent chair to create balance.

5. Materials Matter More Than They Look

Materials affect not only how the chair feels but also how long it lasts, how easy it is to clean, and how it ages. Here's a comparison of popular options:

Think about your lifestyle. Have pets? Kids? Do you eat on this chair? Those answers eliminate certain options quickly.

6. Color Choice Isn’t About “Pops”

Color advice often boils down to “add a pop of color.” That’s vague and risky.
Instead, think in terms of integration vs. contrast.

• Integration: Choose colors that already live in your room, even in small accents like art, rugs, or books.
  
• Contrast: Use a single chair to introduce a deliberate break, but tie it back through texture or material.

Avoid chasing trends unless they align with your actual taste. The mustard-yellow chair might look great on Instagram today. That doesn’t mean it works with your oak floors and soft-gray walls.

7. Test for Comfort: Here’s How (Even Online)

Comfort is subjective. But some features consistently improve the seating experience, look for:

• Slight recline or angled back
  
• Padded arms (if you plan to use it often)
  
• Depth that lets your feet touch the floor fully
  
• Cushions that bounce back instead of sagging

Buying online? Check for real photos, videos, or reviews with people sitting in the chair. Look at how the cushion behaves under weight. Does the seat compress fully? Is the back upright or relaxed?

If dimensions are listed, compare them to a chair you already own. Sit in your dining chair and compare seat height, for example.

8. Don’t Ignore Build Quality

You won’t always see the inner frame, but it matters.

Signs of good construction:

• Kiln-dried hardwood frames (not particleboard)
  
• Corner blocks and reinforced joints
  
• Reviews mentioning long-term durability
  
• Made in regions known for craftsmanship (e.g. Italy, some parts of the US)

Also, check the return policy. A good brand is confident in their build—and lets you return with ease if it doesn’t meet expectations.

9. Budget With Logic, Not Emotion

Accent chairs range widely from $100 to over $2000.

• Instead of asking, “What’s a good price?” ask:
  
• How often will this chair be used?
  
• Does it need to last five years or just fill a guest room?
  
• Am I buying this to complete a space or as a future heirloom?

Budget Guidance:

Low-priced chairs can look good briefly but may squeak, fade, or break quickly. If the budget is tight, go for simpler designs with better materials.

10. Delivery, Assembly & Return Realities

Before hitting “Buy,” know what you’re getting into.

Ask:

• Does it come fully assembled?
  
• Will it fit through your doorway or hallway?
  
• What’s the return cost or policy?

Even the best-looking chair becomes a regret if you can't get it into your home, or return it without penalty.

Final Thought

An accent chair isn’t just about filling space. It’s about how you interact with your home. Take your time. Trust your instincts, but back them up with measurements, reviews, and logic.

A good chair supports more than your back; it supports your sense of space. Explore curated accent chairs at Jennihome.com, where you’ll find thoughtful designs that offer practical comfort.