12 Best Accent Chairs That Are Packed with Personality (2026)

The Best Accent Chairs Are So Much More Than a Place to SitIconic shapes and sculptural statements galoreLeft to right: Knitting chair from Audo Copenhagen, Loopy Chair from Nik Bentel, Wiggle Chair from Vitra, Voido Rocker and Hem Experiment Lounge Chair from Lichen NYC, Willo Peron Bun Chair from Design Within Reach.It’s funny how an iconic chair can wiggle its way into your heart—just think of the statement-making Arne Jacobsen or the Eames. The best accent chairs are more than simple seating, showering a room in personality. No matter the tone of a space, there’s a special seat to help define it.If you weren’t already aware, design-forward chairs are abundant in the marketplace. And we’re talking an overwhelming amount⁠: More than 50,000 results come up when you search “accent chairs” on Wayfair. Anyone who’s accidentally purchased an especially stiff chair to flank a set of coffee tables knows first hand accounts are much better for assessing an accent chair’s prowess than staged imagery. Here at Architectural Digest, we really wanted to sit and marinate to find the greatest options out there. So over the last few years, we have rounded up 12 chairs, then reclined, assessed, scrutinized, and graded them. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable piece to add to your living room or a sculptural conversation starter, keep scrolling to find out which chair styles made it to the top of our list.Featured in this articleMost ComfortableKnoll Willo Perron Bun ChairRead moreA Sculptural StatementWiggle Side Chair by Frank Gehry for VitraRead moreBest for Reclined RelaxationAudo Copenhagen Knitting ChairRead moreOur Top PicksMore AD-Approved PicksFAQsMost ComfortableKnoll Willo Perron Bun ChairDimensions: 29"H x 45"W x 38"DMaterials: Metal base with fabric upholsteryRead the full review hereWith a pillow-y, plush build and sleek chrome legs, the Bun chair by Willo Perron (known for St. Vincent music videos and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour sets) combines high design with unmatched comfort. “The AD team tested the Bun in the Condé Nast offices, where it attracted plenty of admirers among our fellow staffers,” says reviewer and associate commerce director Lori Keong. “Everyone who came by to sit on it remarked on just how cushy and comfy it was, with some of our team spending hours working there. Something I love about the seat is just how big it is, too, with room for two people on it at one time.”We tested this chair in its white upholstery, which isn’t entirely practical for homes with pets or kids, as it stains quite easily. However, the seat is available in five colorways, and the darker ones would easily mask any marks. “The seat feels like a natural progression from the bean bag chairs of yore, so I could picture it in a celebrity child’s playroom or a very grown-up adult’s entertainment room,” says Keong. “Just imagine gaming while perched on it or settling in for a movie—it would easily be the best seat in the house.”A Sculptural StatementWiggle Side Chair by Frank Gehry for VitraDimensions: 14"W x 24"D x 34.25"HMaterials: Corrugated cardboardRead the full review here“When you hear ‘cardboard furniture,’ the idea of luxury likely doesn’t come to mind, but I truly believe any space would be instantly elevated with the Wiggle Side Chair,” said reviewer and commerce editor Audrey Lee. Inspired by a pile of cardboard and constructed using the same material, Frank Gehry’s luxe Wiggle chair functions as the perfect compact statement piece that will slot right in next to a library bookshelf or stand on its on in an ultramodern space. It holds up surprisingly well over time (though you’ll probably want to keep food and drinks away from it), and you can purchase a stool with it if you want a matching ottoman.Best for Reclined RelaxationAudo Copenhagen Knitting ChairDimensions: 28.125"W x 26.75"D x 35.75"HMaterials: Waxed solid oak frame, plywood seat and back, sheepskin or leather upholsteryRead the full review hereWhile certainly larger in person than our tester anticipated, this Knitting Chair from Copenhagen-based design brand Audo provides “midcentury modern at its very best,” according to contributor Dan Howarth. The construction of the seat feels low and relaxed, while not venturing too far into feeling too reclined. Looking for something more minimalist? Skip the sheepskin and go for a classic leather. While it’s not the most ideal for small spaces, Dan notes that it could fit right into the living space of a midcentury-modern or Japandi-style loft.Most IconicHerman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and OttomanDimensions: Height: 31½"H x 33½"W x 35"DMaterials: Wood veneer shells, Die-cast aluminum back brace and swivel base on chair, stationary base on ottoman, Polyurethane foam cushions, stainless-steel leveling floor glidesRead the full review hereFurniture fads come and go, but the Eames Chair? That’s not going anywhere. The lounge chair was first made by iconic designer duo Charles and Ray Eames and debuted with Herman Miller in 1956. The two envisioned a 19th-century club chair when crafting it, and the result is this ergonomic and dramatically tilted swivel chair that looks like the best recliner and most luxurious office chair ever. “I wanted this chair to be bad,” tester Elise Portale said in her review. “The Eameses built the impossible: A chair that’s comfortable no matter how you want to sit in it.” Try to hate this timeless piece, we dare you.For the MinimalistKnoll Wassily ChairDimensions: 29"H 31"W 27"DMaterials: Tubular steel frame and leather upholsteryRead the full review hereAs contributor Erika Owen writes in her review, you probably already know about the Wassily chair, even if you haven’t sat in it yourself. Inspired by a bicycle frame and first made in 1925, it’s stylish and especially ideal for a Scandinavian-style home while still staying durable and practical. “I do think this is a conversation piece, so if you drop it into a super casual space, it’s quickly going to become the focal point of a room,” says Owen. Plus, the negative space of the chair means it won’t feel like it takes up as much real estate in your home. It’s a true icon of modern design, though one that may be better suited to the grown-up corner of the house.A Budget-Friendly OptionIKEA POÄNG ArmchairDimensions: 39.375"H x 26.75"W x 32.25"DMaterial: Bent wood frame, birch veneer, polyester cushionFirst launched in the late 1970s, IKEA’s POÄNG armchair has remained a best seller ever since. With its bent-wood frame and curved, high back, this chair serves as a supportive living room companion. Thanks to the low arms, this chair is almost a rocker that gently flexes back and forth as you lean. Contributor Zoe Sessums resisted this chair for years; she worried it was too simple or too boring, but what she came to realize was that it was actually the ideal reading chair. “I came to love it even more when I learned about the idea behind the chair, which was originally called the Poem,” she says in her review. “The creator, Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura, who collaborated with IKEA’s director of design Lars Engman in the 1970s, wanted the Poäng to swing in an elegant way. Noboru didn’t want the chair to be a static seat; he wanted it to be for ‘emotional richness,’ for swinging to let off steam.”A Leather LoungerKnoll MR ChaiseDimensions: 37"H x 23"W x 47"DMaterials: Tubular steel frame and leather upholsteryRead the full review hereIf you’re looking for a chair that floats more into reclining territory, then the MR Lounge chair is right up your alley. Described by Fletcher as the “Birkin bag of chairs,” this design classic offers beautifully crafted and ultra-plush leather that curves in just the right way to mold to your body. Much to Fletcher’s surprise, the chair rocks slightly when you recline due to its cantilever design. “Comfort-wise, this chair is a dream. My only complaint is that you can really feel it rocking—a bit of a surprise for me when I was trying to work with my laptop in my lap and started getting a little queasy,” she says. Those who prefer a little more control can opt for the adjustable version, which lets you fine-tune both the height and the angle of the seat. Its elongated profile demands a fair amount of breathing room, so we wouldn’t say this is an apartment- or small-space-friendly piece unless you’ve lucked out with a sprawling floor plan. On the upside, the premium leather will positively perfume the air while you’re luxuriously suspended in space.A Cocooning PickKnoll Womb ChairDimensions: Width 40", Height 35.5", Depth 34",Materials: Seat shell is foam-covered molded fiberglass, base is steel rod with polished chrome or black paintRead the full review hereWhat do you get when an American architect directs a Finnish-American designer to create a chair that feels like a “basket full of pillows”? The Womb Chair. Made by Eero Saarinen in 1946, it delivers exactly what its name promises: enveloping comfort. Contributor Collier Sutter says in her review that “It was not designed to be stuffed to the brim with cushions, but has its comfort components in its structure,” as opposed to excess cushioning. Sure, on a purely surface level, the overall design and aesthetic are pretty simple. It is the sensation of actually sitting in this chair that’s helped it maintain its place in the canon of iconic chairs. You can practically feel yourself slowly lowering into the seat just by looking at it. “You can lounge in every way you would dare to, and the Womb will have your back: Sprawl out, curl up, extend sideways, or bring out your crisscross applesauce pose,” she says.Best High BackEgg Chair by Arne JacobsenDimensions: 43”H x 34”W x 31”DMaterials: Molded fiberglass frame, leather or fabric upholsteryRead full review hereMaterial and color aren’t the only ways to make a statement. You can also do it through shape, like the Egg Chair by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. This modern interpretation of a wingback chair was first created by Jacobsen in 1958 for the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Royal Copenhagen Hotel in Denmark. It was manufactured in Poland by Fritz Hansen, which continues to produce the chair today. “I felt nothing but sturdy support to back me up while lounging for hours,” said our contributor Collier Sutter. “I definitely won’t be taking any lengthy naps in this chair, but each time I retreat to my living room, the winged lounge chair is still shockingly inviting to nestle into with a cup of tea in hand or to curl up into with a good book.”Knoll Barcelona ChairDimensions: 30.25"H x 29.5"W x 30"DMaterial: Bar-stock steel frame with hand-ground and hand-buffed chrome finish, cacron-wrapped high-resiliency urethane foam and fiberfill cushions, and leather, suede, or fabric upholsteryPolished chrome legs and tufted leather cushions define Knoll’s Barcelona chair. Originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929 for the Spanish royal family, the chair remains a symbol of sophistication to this day. The curved frame creates a natural recline without the sinking-in effect of overstuffed upholstery, making this less of a movie-marathon chair and more of a seat for life’s smaller pauses.. Whether that’s for the morning newspaper or a post-work cocktail, it carves out a little time for yourself amid a hectic lifestyle.Carl Hansen & Søn CH25 Easy ChairDimensions: 28.25"H x 28"W x 28.75"DMaterial: Lacquered oak, oiled oak or walnut frame, paper cord seatHans J. Wegner may be best known for his Wishbone dining chair (and the countless dupes it inspired), but his accent chairs deserve equal notoriety. The Easy Chair is just that: easy. It’s a design chameleon, equally at home in a Swedish farmhouse or a New York City loft, seemingly taking on a new personality with the swap of an accessory or setting. An oiled oak wood frame and tightly woven paper cord seat create a low-slung, gently reclined silhouette that’s more structured than your average lounge chair, yet naturally ergonomic. Should a quick catch-up run a few hours longer than planned, there’s no need to relocate.Varier Ekstrem ChairDimensions: 34"H x 29"W x 29"DMaterial: Steel frame, polyurethane foam, knit fabric (90% wool, 10% polyester)The Ekstrem chair, designed by Terje Ekstrøm in 1984, is almost otherworldly, looking more like a set piece from a sci-fi flick than a chair. The twisting and turning silhouette immediately draws the eye, but it’s the vibrant colors and secretly plush upholstery that beckon you to sit down and give it a try for yourself. The frame, even with its negative space, supports your back as you recline. There’s even a place to rest your elbows as you chat late into the night.How We Chose These Iconic Accent ChairsWe don’t use the word icon lightly. Each of these chairs has left a lasting impact on the design world while maintaining their relevance today, which is no easy feat. But good looks and design pedigree weren’t enough to make the cut. We sat in these chairs for at least a month, assessing quality and comfort along with how well they held up over time in the wear and tear of our homes and office. The tested chairs were all given a grade, and only the ones with a high enough score made the cut. Of course, we look at design prowess, but seeing as these are all iconic silhouettes we spot time and again in our home tours, we already knew each accent chair was up to the task of carrying a room’s design scheme.FAQsAn accent chair, or occasional chair, is a piece of furniture designed to be, well, an accent in your living room’s design scheme. Think of it as a bit of flair. These chairs often make a statement and contrast with your sofa or other living room furniture; they’re slightly more sculptural or upright than reading chairs or lounge-ready seating. An accent chair, whether solid or patterned, upholstered or wooden, isn’t necessarily a seat you’ll lounge in every day. You’ll use it occasionally, or more likely, your guests will.What Makes an Iconic Chair?The word ‘icon’ gets thrown around a lot in culture, but here at AD, we have some parameters. Not every iconic accent chair will be a mid-century marvel. Some are 21st-century best-sellers and silhouettes we feel have true staying power. Does the chair still serve as a cultural touchstone for the era in which it was designed? Does it persist in contemporary conversation as a lasting trend? Is it instantly recognizable and unmistakable? Chairs like the Eames lounger and Aarne Jacobsen Egg chair may have been designed in the mid-twentieth century, but we all know they remain as relevant as ever. These seats are coveted, lusted after, and bid for on secondhand retailer sites.What are Some Iconic Accent Chairs that Can Elevate my Living Room Decor?It’s important to first consider what kind of role you want an accent chair to play in your living room. Are you looking for a cozy place to read after a long day, or a statement piece that visitors will instantly gravitate toward? All of these accent chairs give any space a step up to the level of a design insider. Whether you’re devoted to the likes of Knoll and Herman Miller, or prefer something new, like the vibrant works of HAY, each of these chairs serves as a status symbol of those in the know. The Audo Copenhagen Knitting chair offers a laid-back, Scandinavian style, while the Wiggle side chair is for the modernist who prefers their seating to lean more sculptural than comfortable.Kate McGregor is the Shopping Market Editor at Architectural Digest, doing what she loves best, curating the new and noteworthy across all categories. Previously, a design editor and market assistant for the likes of Domino and ELLE Decor, Kate has nearly seven years of shelter magazine experience. When not obsessing ... Read More