Hi cuties! Today’s KKH Guide is all about one of the hardest-working pieces of furniture in any home: The living room chair! I get asked by customers and clients all the time about my thoughts on the best living room chairs and how to choose them for living rooms of all sizes and styles.
“In all honesty, just about any chair can be a living room chair if you love it and have the right spot for it, but there’s something to be said about finding the perfect living room chair that is equal parts chic and comfortable.”
So, without further ado, I’m pleased to offer this handy guide to the best living room chairs—what some of the most popular types are, which key factors to consider when shopping for one, and how to style them in your space.
Shopping for the Best Arm Chairs & Occasional Chairs
Both “arm chair” and “occasional chair” are fairly broad terms. Put simply, these are the chairs that are probably coming to mind first when you think of living room chairs.
“The best arm chairs and occasional chairs are going to be nice and cushioned and are going to feature arm support on both sides, and usually they’re big enough to feel cozy, but lightweight enough to move around without too much assistance.”
If you know you need some comfortable seating in your living room but aren’t sure where to start, an arm chair assortment is going to have you covered with a large variety. The good news is that these stalwart chairs can be found in every design style and upholstery type and color. Personally, I love using an arm chair as a way to add a subtle pop of color or decadent texture to your space (I’m obsessed with the sage green velvet ones shown below)!
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Shopping for the Best Barrel Chairs
If you love curves and furniture that feels very full and organic in its shape, a barrel chair is a great living room chair choice! These rounded living room chairs live up to their name: You get a barrel-inspired shape, usually with a high back and usually upholstered.
What I love most about barrel chairs is that they can either look sleek and modern, or cozy and rustic, depending on their upholstery fabric, color, and design details. Nailhead trim, leather, and tufting reads traditional, while velvet, boucle, and asymmetrical curves reads modern!
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Shopping for the Best Swivel Chairs
Swivel chairs are a constant best-seller here at KKH! You may think a swivel is just for desk chairs, but think again—the swivel living room chair is here to stay!
“The best swivel living room chairs have a subtle swivel base that you might not even notice before sitting down; they also don’t sacrifice any of the comfort or style you’d expect from any living room chair!”
The advantage of a nice swivel chair is that they allow for a bit of movement and flow to a room—it’s easy to pivot between conversations at a gathering and easy to pivot your attention and your body from watching TV to greeting someone coming into the room. When shopping for a swivel chair, make sure the design and materials are high-quality so that the swivel mechanism is sure to last for years to come; beyond that, simply consider size, color, and style as you would with any other chair!
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Shopping for the Best Wing Chairs
Our final featured living room chair is the classic wing chair! A wing chair is a high-backed arm chair with side pieces on the top that flare backwards (like literal wings). Traditionally, the height and the winged silhouette were meant to protect against drafts, but these days it’s more a matter of style.
I love a wing chair for when I want to make a big design statement in a small space without going over the top. Wing chairs typically have a smaller footprint than plusher occasional chairs so you can easily bring in a set of two without it feeling like too much, or add one to a hard-to-use bit of space as a finishing touch.
“Thanks to their distinctive silhouette, wing chairs are often able to lend a bit of upscale formality and sophisticated structure to a room, so they’re perfect for elevating a space that is otherwise more laidback or casual.”
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