The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Commercial Accent Chair - Babmar

From a lobby to an office space to a hotel room, a commercial accent chair is an essential piece of furniture. Accent chairs are even important to outdoor decor. Sometimes called an "occasional chair," there are many styles of accent chairs, such as club chairs or lounge chairs. Finding the right accent chair for a commercial or a living space involves understanding where it will be used, then determining the best style, and choosing the right materials. It doesn’t have to be hard; here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

What is an Accent Chair?

Very simply, an accent chair is a unique, decorative seating piece that provides a visual point of difference in a space. It does this through its bold colors, design, size, or shape. Sometimes the accent chair is referred to as an "occasional chair."

Accent chairs come in many styles, from a wingback style to an armless chair, also called a "slipper chair." In a residential home, they’re often used in living rooms, bedrooms, or a home office. For commercial use, you’ll find them in an office, lobby, or hotel room, even in an outdoor setting such as a patio. Naturally, outdoor accent chairs are constructed differently to withstand the elements.

Why Should I Get an Accent Chair?

The perfect accent chair is a simple way to add a dash of style and make a statement in a living space. It can add color and texture. A beautiful fabric pattern on a wing chair or a distinctive frame on a club chair can serve as a focal point, almost as a piece of art. Designers often use an accent chair among other living room chairs as a way to pull the other elements or the overall decor in the space together.

Of course, it can also serve as extra seating in a living space. Accent chairs are also versatile, and easily moved to different rooms to provide an instant style refresh.

Babmar offers a wide range of commercial accent chairs in many different styles. They’re an easy way to add a pop of style, comfort, and visual interest.

Types of Accent Chairs

There are several types of accent chairs, meant to seat a single person and provide a dash of style in a room. They are often used as living room chairs. There are armchairs, styled just as the name says. An armless chair is often found in a dining room or bedroom, and is sometimes called a "slipper chair." These often function as side chairs set next to another piece of furniture. Wingback chairs have a dramatic tall back and sides like “wings” that envelope you. Club chairs are usually upholstered, and have a comfortable deep seat and rolled arms. An ottoman can be used for seating or as a footrest or small table. Lounge chairs, such as a modern chaise lounge, have a long seat and often, an adjustable back. A tub chair is an armchair with a high back that wraps around to use as armrests.

With all these options, it’s easy to find the right chair for any space and that will blend beautifully with existing furniture.

Armchair

An armchair is a cushioned, upholstered chair with armrests that support the arms. They come in many sizes, with some built as an oversized chair that's big enough to curl up in. Others are sized to work as dining room seating or fit at the end of a bed.

Armless Chair

Just as described, an armless chair has no arms and has clean lines. For home decor, they’re versatile and space-saving. An armless chair can be used in a dining area, bedroom, or office setting. Some armless chairs are described as "slipper chairs," useful in a small space.

Wingback Chair

A wingback chair has a classic silhouette with arms and a large back and sides that wrap around. It’s a very comfortable chair and looks great in a room, placed next to a side table.

Club Chairs

Club chairs are rounded armchairs that typically use a wrap-around design. Leather chairs are frequently designed in the club chair style. This classic style is a favorite when it comes to interior design. While club chairs often feature leather upholstery, they also use fabric coverings.

Ottoman

An interior designer may suggest an ottoman because it's so versatile. It can serve as a focal point, extra seating, a footrest, or a small coffee table. Some ottomans even have storage space inside.

Lounge Chairs

Lounge chairs are longer with backs that are often adjustable. Besides comfort, a lounge chair makes a dramatic visual statement in any room. It works well in a bedroom, living room, or even an outdoor setting. Babmar offers a modern chaise lounge perfect for a patio or pool. Shop our outdoor furniture store to see a full selection.

Tub Chair

A tub chair has a low, semicircular backrest that wraps around it to function as an armrest. It’s considered a more contemporary take on the classic armchair. Sometimes it's referred to as a "barrel chair."

Things to Consider While Buying an Accent Chair

Regarding how to choose accent chairs, keep these things in mind. While an accent chair is primarily chosen as a decorative piece, it’s still functional furniture. When choosing an accent chair, start by looking at your room and deciding what purpose you want the chair to serve. Do you want to be able to sit comfortably or will it mostly be a design element? What size will work best in the room: something like a wing chair, lounge chair, or a smaller club chair? Some designers like using multiple accent chairs, so consider how that will fit a room. Or maybe they'll primarily function as side chairs on either side of an accent table.

When choosing the best chair, your aesthetic will influence the style of the accent chair, its color, fabrics, and shape. And of course, the price. If an accent chair is being used in a busy commercial setting, it will require special construction and fabrics designed to hold up under heavy use. Spending more for a quality-built accent chair pays off in years of beautiful, comfortable use.

Understanding Your Space

How big is the space you’re working with? How will the accent chair work with the other pieces of furniture? Since the accent chair is meant to be a focal design point in the room, look at where it would be placed. Are there things like windows or shelves, and how will traffic flow around it? Will you pair two accent chairs or a single piece? Is there ample space in the room to accommodate a bigger piece like a lounge chair or wing chair? Or is a small chair a better option for visual appeal?

Material and Durability

Accent chairs are furniture pieces that are primarily used as focal points, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be used as furniture. So choosing quality materials, like wood frames, that will stay looking good and feel sturdy and comfortable is important. Commercial accent chairs use wear-resistant fabrics; if an accent chair will be used in an outdoor space, the materials must also hold up to weather elements.

Size

An accent chair that’s too big may overwhelm the space as well as any other pieces. One that’s too small will be hardly noticed, which is the opposite of what an accent chair is meant to do. Also, check to see if the height is compatible with other furniture in the room. For example, If you’re trying to match it to a sofa, the seat height should be within four inches of each other.

Style and Aesthetics

Consider whether you’re looking for something like a comfortable chair, a plush lounge chair, or a pair of minimalist club chairs for the room. As an accent piece, the style will add colour and influence other furniture around it.

Comfort

Consider the height of the seat and armrests (if any), the depth, and the firmness of the cushions. How is the backrest? Do you want a chair that reclines or swivels? Is a lounge chair something you crave?

Color and Pattern

How do the color and pattern fit in with the color scheme of the rest of the room? How does the chair look with the colors, patterns, and textures of the other pieces in the room? Does it provide the effect you’re looking for?

Price

A quality frame and upholstery result in an accent chair that will maintain its comfort and good looks for years. This is especially true if you’re shopping for a new accent chair that will be used in a busy commercial or outdoor space. The materials and construction are specific to the heavy use they get. Investing in quality pays off in problem-free performance.

Where to Put an Accent Chair?

Accent chairs are extremely versatile and can be used in many ways. A pair can be used opposite a sofa with a coffee table in the middle. A particularly striking chair can be placed in the sight line of the entrance to make a statement. Or set one by a side table.

In the dining room, an accent chair provides a design note and extra seating if needed. The same goes for an office. For a bedroom, place it by a window or in a corner.

Keep the shape of the chair in mind. See how an interesting shape contrasts with another main piece of furniture like a coffee table or dining table. Also, don’t put the accent chair anywhere in the room where it will get in the way of traffic.

Conclusion

Accent chairs do double duty. They're a perfect chair to provide additional seating such as when entertaining guests, but they also serve as a bold statement chair that can pull a room together.

There are many types of accent chairs, from comfortable wing chairs and lounge chairs to minimalist club chairs and armless chairs. They’re versatile pieces and can work in multiple settings, from a bedroom to an outdoor space.

Accent chairs are utilized in residential homes as a decorative element, but are also useful in commercial spaces. Whether it’s a corporate office, a hotel room, or a lounge, there’s a size and style for every need. Babmar offers a full line of well-designed accent chairs in their outdoor furniture store. Shop now!