What do Michelle Obama, Drew Barrymore and Kourtney Kardashian have in common? They know the power of a good accent chair.
These powerhouse women prove that a statement piece of furniture does not always have to be about wild colours. The former First Lady went for a subtle, cream accent chair with a unique shape. It manages to be the focal point of a calm living space.
The Beautiful Drew Chair by Drew Barrymore has gone viral for being the dream chair for Booktok girlies. And can you blame them? It’s a cosy swivel accent chair! Then there’s Kourtney’s Instagram post on the cloud-like Alpha Club Chair from Paulin Paulin Paulin. Furniture with sculptural elements and soft curves — need we say more?
What can we conclude? Accent chairs are the ultimate design flex. They might be small in size, but when chosen well, they can completely transform a room.
So, what are accent chairs exactly?
Statement makers. Mood lifters. Space fillers. Accent chairs do a lot more than sit in the corner looking pretty. They are single-seaters that add contrast, style or focus to a room. It’s there to make a visual statement — whether through colour, texture or shape — while still offering a cosy place to sit.
And what’s the difference between an accent chair and an armchair? It mostly comes down to purpose. Armchairs are typically designed for everyday lounging and usually match your main seating set. The right accent chair is more about adding flair and function — they’re the unexpected heroes that tie a space together or give it a little edge.
But with so many shapes, styles and fabrics out there, picking the perfect one can feel a bit… overwhelming. Should it match the rest of your furniture? Can you have two in the same living room? And how do you actually style one?
Spill the tea: Comfort Works’ expert tips on choosing & styling accent chairs
To answer your burning questions, we turned to two of our in-house design experts — Suki Chan, Comfort Works’ Art Director, and Hazirah Hamidi, our Social Media Specialist. From how to choose an accent chair that works for your space, to tips on pairing, layering and dressing it up, they’re here to help you get it just right.
How to choose the right accent chair?
An accent chair is a deliberate choice, one that marries function and design. “It’s a design decision that adds character and contrast that elevates a space, drawing your eyes straight to it,” explains Suki.
You must first consider your space and ask yourself, is the chair meant to be the star or the supporting act?
“Once they’ve figured out the chair’s intention, everything else should fall into place — shape, colour, placement,” she adds.
Suki’s top tips:
- It’s all about balancing the contrast. I’ll go for a chair with a curvy silhouette if the other elements in the room are super structured — just to keep it from feeling too flat.
- I think it’s also important to think about negative space – those “empty” areas actually do a lot of work in highlighting an accent chair, letting it shine.
- Size matters. You can have the most beautiful piece, but if it’s too bulky for the space, it’ll feel too cramped and heavy. On the flip side, if it’s too small, it’ll look like it’s floating awkwardly like a lonely island.
Can you have two accent chairs?
“It depends on the size of your living room,” says Hazirah. If you’ve got space for two accent chairs, why not?
Note that space is not just about floor space, but rather allowing for your living room to still have an open feel. It shouldn’t make it cluttered or suffocated.
Pro tip: How to prevent clutter? Pre-plan your furniture. While decorative items can move around, your furniture needs a designated space.
If space is an issue, consider creating little sections in your home, like a reading nook or a coffee station with said accent chair. Then if you do need an extra seat for a party, you can move things around.
As a self-professed mismatch girlie, Hazirah doesn’t believe that you accent chairs need to be the same. She does explain that there are ways to embrace the maximalist mismatch while maintaining a cohesive space.
Pick one colour story. “For example, you can go for all bold colours or just pastels. If you’re choosing pastels, pick a pastel green for one chair and a pastel yellow for another.”
This way, you are free to explore different shapes, styles and patterns within that colour story. Its a great tip to ensure your space stays cohesive without too much effort or a trained eye for design.
“In 2025, people are embracing mismatching,” Hazirah says. This is partially because of an uptick in thrifting furniture, a trend we can definitely get on board with.
How would you dress up an accent chair?
The obvious answer would be pillows and throws, but we want to dig a little deeper to explore the best ways to pick the right pillows and throws for your star seat. Our style experts have slightly different approaches.
Suki has a minimalist approach. She plays with textures to compliment your accent chair, but keep it simple.
“Even with neutrals, contrast still works,” she says. “I like to go in with a rich, bold colour to compliment a neutral coloured accent chair to break the monotony. Just pick one thing that plays against the main colour and keep the rest chill.”
A planner at heart, Suki suggests creating a mood board with your desired colours and textures and styles so you can visualise the look you want to create. Her styling techniques are guided by fabrics themselves.
“In cooler months, I’ll go for chunky knits, soft wools or faux fur throws — something super cosy and adds a bit of weight and warmth to the space,” she adds.
“Deeper tones also adds to the fall or winter vibe. When it starts warming up, I switch to lighter fabrics like linen or cotton, and work in soft neutrals with warm tones like terracotta or sage green.”
Hazirah, on the other hand, is more guided by colour. “Whatever the accent chair is, do the opposite,” she says. “If it’s already a striped accent chair, go with a solid colour pillow. Pillows are the easiest way to dress up your living room.”
True to her maximalist styling, Hazirah says more pillows the better. They are an economical way of switching up the style in a room, as you can quickly (and affordably) switch the colours, patterns and textures of your cushions to suit what you feel.
Something both our style queens agree on is that your accent chair must be comfortable. Style should not trump your comfort, in fact you can find pieces that meet both needs.
“It’s all about doing a little homework — especially if you’re shopping online and can’t sit in it first,” says Suki. “The design might be gorgeous, but if it feels like sitting on a rock, that’s a hard pass for me.”
Accent chair shopping made easy: 5 places to check out
Looking for the perfect accent chair but not sure where to start? Whether you’re after something modern and sculptural, vintage and full of character, or just a solid stylish piece that won’t cost a fortune — we’ve got you covered. Here are five go-to spots to help you kick off your search:
1. Design Within Reach (DWR)
If sleek silhouettes, iconic designers and heirloom-level quality are your thing, DWR is your playground. Expect modern shapes, bold fabrics, and investment pieces that make a statement.
Our picks of accent chairs from their collection:
2. Castlery
This one’s a fan favourite for a reason. Castlery hits that sweet spot between style and affordability, offering on-trend accent chairs with great materials and clean, timeless lines. Perfect if you’re after that elevated but accessible vibe. They also have some of the most fun swivel chairs.
Our top choices from their collection:
3. PAMONO
If vintage European modernism makes your heart flutter, PAMONO should be your go-to. This marketplace specialises in rare, curated finds from across the globe — think Bauhaus, Scandi, and retro cool. Bonus: many listings are one-of-a-kind, so your space stays unique.
Our choice of standout accent chairs from their archives:
- Vintage Orange Slice Chairs by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
- Mid-Century Teak Bravo Lounge Chair by Sigurd Resell for Rastad & Relling, 1957
- Mushroom Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1990s
4. Chairish
Chairish is packed with pre-loved charm — and a little bit of everything. From colourful boho to polished traditional, you’ll find endless options (and price points) with serious personality. Plus, shopping secondhand is a win for sustainability.
Our favourites from their range:
- Pumpkin Chair by Pierre Paulin for Ligne Roset
- 1990s Pair of Floral Vladimir Kagan for Directional Nautilus “Corkscrew” Swivel Club Chairs
- Late 19th Century New Scalamandre Upholstery Restored Antique Louis XV-style Carved Giltwood Bergere Open Armchair
5. IKEA
No surprises here — IKEA is still a solid go-to for simple, functional chairs at wallet-friendly prices. While the styles tend to be minimal, they’re a blank canvas for your creativity. And when you’re ready to level it up, our Comfort Works slipcovers can give your IKEA piece a whole new look without the guilt of replacing it.
Our choice of top IKEA accent chairs:
Before you sit down: Final tips from Suki and Hazirah
What’s your go-to styling tip to make a corner feel both comfy and post-worthy?
Hazirah: Number one, is the lighting. The lights are important. If you have an accent chair, I would definitely put a light over it.
I hate white lights because its a bit more harsh and actually doesn’t warm up the space.
How do you make sure an accent chair is comfortable, not just stylish?
Suki: Always, always check the dimensions. You wouldn’t want something super shallow or ridiculously deep that leaves your feet hanging in the air. Also, look out for the cushioning material and make sure it’s not just a thin layer of foam.
Any layout tips to make a living room feel more connected and welcoming?
Hazirah: No sofas against the wall. I feel like that makes the living room more cohesive. You want to have a space where you can go from one end to another end. Definitely have a really good coffee table or a snack table.
What’s one piece of styling advice you’d give someone who wants their accent chair to reflect them?
Suki: Don’t overthink it! There’s no right or wrong way, just make it feel like you. It’s actually the perfect time to break the rules a little.
Hazirah: I think the accent chair really needs to fit your living room, not your living room to fit your accent chair.
Summary
- Accent chairs are statement-making single-seaters that add personality, contrast and comfort to your space.
- Choose one based on its purpose: star of the show or subtle sidekick? Shape, size and fabric matter just as much as style.
- Yes, you can have two — just make sure they feel intentional and don’t overwhelm your layout.
- Dress it up with texture, colour and seasonal layers — but don’t forget comfort is key.
- Our top picks for where to shop? Design Within Reach, Castlery, PAMONO, Chairish — and IKEA if you want a great base to customise with a Comfort Works slipcover.
Style it your way, make it cosy, and let your accent chair do the talking.