Accent chairs are chairs that are placed strategically in a room to provide additional seating. There are two approaches to making use of an accent chair. One approach is to place the chair in a position that complements or accents the colors and textures of larger pieces, such as a sofa. A second approach to the use of this type of chair is to create a secondary seating area within the room.
An accent chair can come in just about any design that can be imagined. The chair may be a simple straight-back chair with arms, such as a rocking chair. The chair can also be a larger piece, such as a chaise lounge. The idea is to have the chairs work in conjunction with the rest of the furniture in the room so the overall look is harmonious even while the space is given an additional purpose or function.
A good example of the use of a strategically placed chair would be in a large living room. A main conversation area may be grouped around a focal point, such as a fireplace. However, it may be practical as well as attractive to create a secondary seating area for reading or other purposes. This is where the concept of an accent chair comes into the picture.
By placing one or two chairs in a corner or under a window in the room, it is possible to create a secondary seating area where two people could carry on a private conversation, or where one or two people could settle in with a good book. Thus with the use of accent chairs, the room can easily accommodate more than one function.
The use of this type of chair to multipurpose a room is very common. In addition to secondary seating in a living room, chaise lounges are often placed in bedrooms to provide comfortable and relaxing seating. Grouping two chairs with a table in a corner of a den creates a great area for cards and board games, while the main seating in the room is grouped around a television. A comfortable chair tucked into a corner with a lamp and small side table makes a great reading area.
One of the important factors to keep in mind with an accent chair is that the furniture must work in harmony with the rest of the room. That means the color, texture and general design of the chair must be in harmony with other furnishings and color schemes present in the room. The idea is to use the chair to expand the function of the room while still obviously being an intentional part of the overall look.