Furnish Your Living Room Like The Pros With These 12 Chair Styles

A living room should be more than just a place to sit--it should provide both style and comfort. The right selection of chairs can transform an ordinary space into an inviting oasis for relaxation and conversation. From plush armchairs perfect for reading nooks to sleek and modern accent chairs that spice up neutral decor, chairs provide the foundation for an expertly-furnished living room.

Whether you prefer a traditional look with rolled arms and turned legs or a contemporary minimalist aesthetic, there's a chair that will meet your needs while showcasing your design sensibilities.

Armchairs

No living room is complete without the cozy embrace of an armchair. With soft, cushy upholstery and armrests for added comfort, armchairs are ideal for curling up with a book on a quiet evening. They come in a variety of styles to complement any decor.

Styles and Key Features

Some popular armchair styles include:

• Tub chairs: Rounded, with short backs and arms
• Wingback chairs: Tall backs flanked by protruding "wings"
• Club chairs: Low arms and back with squared frame
• Slipper chairs: Short, armless chairs with an oval-shaped back

When choosing an armchair, consider its scale in relation to your room size as well as features like removable/cleanable fabric and embedded cushion support for durability.

Best Fabrics and Colors

Look for chairs upholstered in easy-to-clean synthetic blends or durable microfiber if you have kids or pets. For a more refined look, velvets, textured weaves, and leather offer elegance. Neutral tones like beige and gray provide flexibility in coordinating with existing decor, while pops of color through accent chairs enliven a space.

Placement and Arrangement

Flank a sofa with matching armchairs, or tuck one into the corner by a window to create an inviting reading nook. Allow ample room for entering and exiting the chair when positioning it, and angle slightly towards the center of conversation to facilitate intimacy.

Shopping Tips and Recommendations

For quality armchairs handmade by skilled artisans, check companies like Omnia Leather, Lee Industries, and Hancock & Moore. Crate & Barrel, West Elm, and Arhaus also offer stylish mid-range armchair selections in various fabrics.

Recliners

When you think comfortable living room seating, a recliner chair likely comes to mind first. With an easy push-back mechanism, you can kick your feet up and relax after a long day in sublime contentment.

Mechanisms and Reclining Positions

Recliners come manual (lever-activated) or power-operated in a range of positions, from partially tilted all the way to fully flat and horizontal.

• Manual: Allows reclining positions in incremental leans
• Power: Buttons control smooth transitioning for precise comfort

Leather vs. Fabric Comparisons

Buttery soft leather offers an elegant look and cradles body contours, while durable, cleanable fabrics like microfiber provide budget-friendly options suitable for families. Fabrics come in more diverse colors/patterns to match home style.

Incorporating into Room Layouts

Anchor recliners near side tables for convenient beverage/book access. Floating models allow flexibility in placement to switch up room configurations. Add pops of contrasting colors through accent pillows and throws to keep things visually interesting.

Top Brands and Where to Buy

La-Z-Boy, Ashley Furniture, Lane Home Furnishings, and Hooker Furniture manufacture high quality recliners spanning a range of budgets. Find reputable furniture stores near you offering brands you like and test out models in person prior to purchase.

Round Chairs

Far from taking a backseat to more popular squared chair styles, contemporary round chairs make an exceptional style statement. With their soft, organic shapes and clean lines, they add aesthetic flair and plenty of seating options without harsh corners or edges.

Unique Look and Appeal

The curved, circular frame of a round chair provides a distinctive silhouette engaging the eye. Instead of conforming to the cube shapes found throughout most indoor spaces, they provide curvy contrast.

Working with Small Spaces

Compact and less obtrusive than bulkier pieces, round chairs tuck nicely into corner spots while avoiding a cluttered appearance. Nestle one beside an arched floor lamp and round side table to continue the theme.

Ideal Round Chair Dimensions

Look for round chairs with a diameter around 32-36 inches across and a seat height of 16-18 inches. Low backs accommodate visibility across the room for social gatherings.

Complementary Furniture Pairings

The exposed base of round chairs presents opportunities for creative coordination. Try matching chairs upholstered in a colorful print with steel legs painted the same bold hue.

Loveseats

Slots perfectly between an armchair and three-seater sofa, loveseats offer intimate two-person seating ideal for close conversation. The perfect piece for smaller living rooms, loveseats free up valuable square footage while providing a roomy, comfortable perch.

Scaled for Two People

By design, loveseats fit snugly together for drinks, TV binging or curled-up reading sessions. Measure their footprint in your space during planning to ensure adequate room to walk around them.

Ideal Loveseat Size

Look for loveseats around 4-4.5 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep. This leaves about 20 inches of leg room when two people occupy the loveseat. An 18-22 inch seat height hits the sweet spot between ease of sitting and standing.

Styling and Accessorizing

Have fun with loveseat styling by playing with color combinations through accent pillows and throws. A bold patterned loveseat grounded by neutral solids prevents clashing. Consider a central ottoman for propping up feet.

Perfect for Conversation Areas

Orient loveseats diagonally across from armchairs to facilitate an intimate yet spacious conversation area. Float facing loveseats with a cocktail table between to optimize socialization.

Accent Chairs

Accent chairs provide the perfect punch of personality by showcasing unique style elements compared to more ordinary seating in a space. Options like barrel chairs infused with texture or slipper chairs sporting an unexpected print add eclectic flair and visual interest while offering secondary comfy seating.

Making a Statement

Vivid colors or fabrics and shapely silhouettes easily set accent chairs apart as focal points against more neutral backdrops. They present opportunities to layer patterns, textures and materials more boldly than larger furniture typically can.

Types of Accent Chairs

Some stylish accent chair varieties include:

• Wingback chairs
• Club chairs
• Slipper chairs
• Ottomans
• Papasan chairs

Mixing and Matching Patterns/Textures

Don't shy away from combining complimentary patterns and textures that share colors through different scale plaids, florals and herringbone on accent chairs and accent pillows.

Positioning Guidance

Thoughtfully place accent chairs near focal points like fireplaces or artwork while maintaining adequate traffic flow/seating room. Angle toward other chairs or sofas to promote conversation.

Lounge Chairs

When all you want is a comfortable recline, deeply cushioned lounge chairs invite full-body relaxation. Lounge chairs feature ergonomic shapes supporting the neck, spine and thighs whether sitting up or lying back. They adapt well to a variety of living spaces.

Prime for Relaxation

Lounge chairs encourage casual lounging with lightly angled backs and extended leg rests. Kick back with a glass of wine or curl into its plush softness with a good read.

Adjustable and Fixed Varieties

Many lounge chairs include adjustable features to customize comfort levels on demand. Look for swiveling bases, flexible headrests/lumbar supports and retractable leg rests when shopping.

Sectionals vs. Individual Chairs

Sectional couches with attached chaise lounge seating provide a more substantial anchored piece while individual lounge chairs maximize mobility based on users/room function.

Outdoor Considerations

Light, highly weather-resistant frames coupled with fast-drying mesh outdoor wicker or all-weather wicker fabricated from vinyl and resin fibers allow lounge chairs suitable for covered/uncovered patios and pool decks. Search for fade- and mold-resistant cushions.

More Chair Inspiration

While the previously outlined living room chair styles encompass classic and contemporary favorites, designers continuously push conceptual boundaries when dreaming up creative new ways to rest our weary bones. Here's a preview of additional options making their way into modern homes.

Additional Living Room Chair Options

Look out for cutting-edge designs like:

• Egg chairs: Futuristic oval pods suspended on a stand
• Smart chairs: Powered seats with heating, cooling and massage capabilities
• Hanging chairs: Lightweight suspended swinging seats
• Inflatable bubble chairs: Quirky, transparent air-filled orbs

Creative Decorating Ideas

Have fun playing with height variation by incorporating a hanging rattan chair or modern acrylic ghost chair alongside lounge chairs and standard armchairs. Or craft a niche reading corner from floor pillows and a Moroccan pouf.

Galleries of Beautifully Furnished Living Rooms

Stay tapped into the latest interior design trends by browsing sites like Bocadolobo and Design Milk showcasing gorgeously curated living rooms with bold mix-and-match chairs nestled among complementary furnishings in creative vignettes.

Choosing living room seating extends far beyond plopping down the first couch or La-Z-Boy you see. Thoughtfully furnished spaces artfully balance design aesthetic, functionality and personality. Keep these tips in mind while exploring chairs showcasing your unique style for a warm, welcoming ambiance guests will enjoy lingering within.