Furniture is a popular investment for many people. If you’d like to give your home’s interior a little pick-me-up, but you don’t want, or even need a new set of furniture, consider adding a fashionable accent chair. Both practical and decorative, an accent chair can complete the overall design of any room.
Accent chairs come in many different designs and colors, so no matter your preference and style, there’s something for everyone. With that said, picking the perfect chair (or chairs) can take a great deal of thought and consideration. Make the right choice, and you’ll have a piece whose beauty will transcend the years. Make the wrong choice, and you’ll be stuck with a piece that sticks out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you end up with just the right accent chair for your home.
Define Your Style
There are a variety of accent chairs out there, so it’s important that you have a definite style–traditional, transitional, contemporary, rustic, etc–set in place before you start shopping. The good news is that there seems to be just as many (if not more) styles of accents chairs as there are decorating styles themselves. Club chair, chaise lounges, recliners, and wingback chairs are just a handful of styles to choose from. While each has its own unique beauty, they don’t complement every design style equally.
Consider How it Will Be Used
How will the chair be used and who will be using it most? Will it be used more as a comfort piece for lounging or will it be a more formal or unique statement piece? If your chair will be getting a lot of use, it’s important that it has a sturdy construction, including fabric that will hold up to wear and tear. If the chair is mostly decorative, then, by all means, opt for something more decorative and stylish rather than putting a lot of emphasis on construction. For example, a leather or oversized chair would serve well in both comfort and durability while something like a wingback or other high-back chair would make an impression when situated in an entryway, dining or bedroom.
That’s the great thing about accent chairs–there are so many styles to choose from, there’s no reason you can’t showcase different varieties throughout your home based on the purpose of each individual space.
Take Note of Your Existing Décor
The right accent chair won’t overpower the space, but rather enhance your existing décor. There’s no need to change your decor to suit the chair. Instead, pay attention to other colors that can be found throughout your home on items such as window coverings, wallpaper, lampshades, and rugs, and then look for woods and fabric patterns that will complement or enhance some of those secondary colors you love.
Put Thought Into Size and Placement
Accent chairs come in a variety of sizes, so knowing how much room you have to work with is key. What does that mean? Measure, measure, measure! To ensure accuracy, jot down the dimensions of the room as well as the furniture you already have. The size of your chair(s) should be proportional to the existing furniture, as well as the space itself. In regards to placement, the accent chair should make the space look inviting, rather than cluttered. Take your traffic flow into consideration, making sure to situate the chair in a place that allows for comfortable navigation throughout the room.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Not all, but many accent chairs–especially custom made ones–can be pricey. It may be hard to justify the cost, but a quality accent chair can be a wise investment. Setting your budget will cut down the number of chairs you have to browse through, making it easier to find what you want quicker. If you can’t settle for something that falls within your initial budget wait it out as you save up a bit more money. You might find a great deal, but if you don’t love it, you won’t be happy in the long term.
Picking Fabric for Your Accent Chair
Accent chairs give you the opportunity to bring in fabrics rich with color and pattern that you don’t currently have in your home. If your home is in need of a little pick-me-up, an accent chair can be just what you need.
Pattern and color are two ways you can spice up the look of a room, especially if the existing pieces in the room are neutral in color. The right mix of pattern and color can create a dynamic focal point that’s sure to impress.
In addition to color and pattern, it’s important to consider fabric durability and cleanability, which goes back to how the chair(s) will be used. Not every fabric is designed for every circumstance, so it may take some deliberate consideration. For example, you might love suede or velvet, but if you have children and pets, microfiber or durable cotton may be better choices since they don’t require nearly as much caution. Or, you may be having a hard time finding a fabric that suits your different his-and-her styles. Something like a sensible and stylish leather might leave you both feeling happy. Whatever you decide, just make sure to read labels so you’ll have an idea about how much maintenance your accent chair will require.
No matter what you choose, your new accent chair should look great and provide a heightened level of style and comfort to your space. To get started on finding the perfect accent chair for your home, please browse through our collection. And don’t forget to stop by Cutting Corners or Interior Fabrics showroom to see our designer fabrics in person. You will find a variety of upholstery fabrics along with fabrics for other all your other interior design projects.
