How to Find the Perfect Accent Chair for Your Living Room

Your living room is doing a lot of work. It's where your family hangs out, where guests settle in, and where you finally get to sit down after a long day. A great accent chair can pull a whole room together — or it can feel completely out of place.

The good news? Finding the right one isn't as hard as it looks. Here's what to think about before you shop.

Start With the Room, Not the Chair

Before you fall in love with a chair online or in the store, take a look at your living room first. How much floor space do you actually have? Is there a corner that feels empty or a spot next to the sofa that could use something extra? Knowing where the chair is going before you buy it saves you a lot of headaches later.

A good rule of thumb: you want at least 18 inches of walkway around any piece of furniture. So measure the space, write it down, and bring it with you.

Think About How You'll Actually Use It

This one matters more than people realize. Are you looking for a reading chair where you'll curl up for an hour at a time? Or do you need extra seating for when guests come over? Maybe it's more of a decorative piece to fill a corner and give the room some personality.

If comfort is the priority, look for something with good back support and cushioning that holds its shape. If it's more about style, you have a little more flexibility to go bold with color, texture, or shape.

Match It to Your Room's Personality

Your accent chair doesn't have to match your sofa perfectly — in fact, a little contrast is usually a good thing. But it should feel like it belongs in the same room.

If your living room has a lot of clean lines and neutral tones, a chair with a pop of color or a textured fabric can add some life without feeling out of place. If your space already has a lot going on, a simple chair in a solid color can help anchor the room instead of adding to the chaos.

Some styles that work in almost any living room:

Barrel chairs — Round and cozy, great for smaller spaces. They feel warm without taking up too much visual weight.

Wingback chairs — A classic look that works in both traditional and modern rooms. Taller back, lots of presence.

Swivel chairs — Super functional for living rooms where the conversation moves around. Especially good if the chair is between two seating areas.

Club chairs — Low profile, wide seat, and very comfortable. They tend to feel casual and laid back.

Don't Skip the Fabric

The fabric on your accent chair is doing double duty: it has to look good AND hold up to real life. If you have kids or pets, performance fabrics like Nuvella are worth every penny. They're soft, they look great, and they actually clean up when life happens.

If the chair is more for looks than daily use, you have more options: velvet, linen, patterned textiles — all of it works as long as you love it.

Legs Matter More Than You Think

It's a small detail, but the legs on a chair change how the whole piece feels. Wood legs with a warm finish feel cozy and grounded. Tapered legs give a mid-century modern look. Metal legs tend to read more contemporary and sleek.

Look at what other furniture in your room is doing with its legs and try to keep some consistency. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should feel intentional.

Come See Them in Person

Photos are helpful, but they don't tell you everything. The way a chair feels when you sit in it, how the color reads under actual light, how big it looks in context — that's all stuff you can only figure out when you're standing in front of it.

At Furniture HomeStore in Hanford, we carry a wide selection of accent chairs in styles and fabrics that work for real homes and real families. Our team is here to help you figure out what works for your space without making it complicated.

Stop in and take a look. Your living room is one chair away from feeling exactly right.

Furniture HomeStore Hanford | 900 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA | Open 7 Days a Week