Period Accent Chairs
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Side Chairs
Faux Bamboo, Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Armchairs
Leather, Rosewood, Satinwood, Teak
Antique 1840s British Regency Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Primitive Corner Chairs
Rush, Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Side Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Period Accent Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Period Accent Chairs?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- Are accent chairs good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, accent chairs are good additions to a seating area. Not only do they provide extra seating for your family and guests, but they also add interest to the decor. By carefully selecting accent chairs, you can incorporate new colors and textures into your room. Plus, accent chairs are designed for comfort and can help make living rooms and other spaces feel more inviting. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of accent chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023Although opinions vary, most people prefer that their accent chairs are comfortable. Accent chairs help to enhance the appearance of a seating area, but they also function as seats in many living rooms. As a result, when selecting one, you may want to keep in mind how it feels to sit in an accent chair as well as how it looks. Find a wide variety of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023In a bedroom, an accent chair is a decorative chair designed to provide comfortable seating. Some people create small sitting areas in their bedrooms and use accent chairs to furnish them. Alternatively, a single accent chair may be placed somewhere in a bedroom to offer a place to sit while putting on shoes and accessories. An accent chair may also be positioned in front of a dressing table or desk in a bedroom. Shop a wide range of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023An accent chair is called that because its purpose is to stand out in a space and add interest to a room. As a verb, accent means to emphasize something, and an accent chair emphasizes a particular spot in a room by drawing the eye to it. Shop a collection of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a boucle accent chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A bouclé accent chair is a chair that features a specific type of upholstery called bouclé. It is a combination of looped and woven wool that has a soft, cozy feel. The word "bouclé" means curl in French and refers to the looping wool fibers that make up the upholstery. On 1stDibs, find a selection of bouclé accent chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Whether an armchair is an accent chair varies from piece to piece. Any chair with arms is an armchair, while an accent chair is a decorative chair typically used in a seating area. Armchairs include dining chairs with arms as well as accent chairs, and some accent chairs don't have arms at all. Only a decorative seating area chair with arms can be called both an armchair and an accent chair. Shop a large collection of chairs on 1stDibs.
- What are accent chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Accent chairs are sometimes called occasional chairs. However, accent chair is also a commonly used name. People may also describe accent chairs by their type. For example, an accent chair with wings on either side of the backrest is a wingback chair, while a slipper chair is a chair without arms. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of accent chairs.
- What is a slipper accent chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A slipper chair is a chair that sits low to the ground and has no arms. They’re traditionally used as accent pieces or additional seating options. Most slipper chairs are not part of a set of furniture but are purchased separately. Find an assortment of slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Accent chairs are single-seat chairs that are used not only as an additional seating space, but also to add visual interest to a room. They are designed to be a focal point in a room — perhaps the color of the upholstery is offbeat or unconventional, perhaps the frame is especially ornate. These chairs are seating pieces that have a role beyond just their basic function. Find a collection of antique and vintage accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024Why it is called an accent chair relates to the function of this type of seating. In a living room or other seating area, an accent chair provides an additional place to sit while also enhancing the appearance of the room. An accent chair can introduce new colors, textures and lines to a space, acting as an attractive accent piece. Find a large collection of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024The difference between dining chairs and accent chairs is primarily their function. Generally, dining chairs are used in dining areas, where they provide comfortable seating for people to use while eating at tables. You'll normally find accent chairs in seating areas and other parts of the home, where users can sit on them while they read, make conversation or enjoy other relaxing activities. Shop a wide variety of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between an occasional chair and an accent chair comes down to usage. An occasional chair is a decorative chair that is placed in a room for its look rather than to function as an everyday seating solution. As a result, occasional chairs may be used infrequently. An accent chair is any decorative chair placed in a seating area. They can be used only occasionally or on a daily basis. Explore a wide variety of chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The difference between a lounge chair and an accent chair pertains to purpose. Typically, a lounge chair is wider and deeper than an accent chair and tends to have a thicker cushion. These stylistic differences owe to the fact that lounge chairs are meant to provide luxurious, comfortable seating for long periods of time, while accent chairs are more often intended to add visual appeal to a living room. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of living room chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023The difference between an accent chair and a dining chair comes down to function and design. An accent chair usually goes in a seating area, and makers craft them with comfort in mind. As a result, most accent chairs feature cushioning and upholstery and are characterized by generous proportions. The purpose of a dining chair is to provide a place to sit while enjoying a meal. Usually, dining chairs are lighter and smaller than accent chairs for easy maneuvering. While they may have padded seats and backrests, dining chairs generally aren't as abundantly cushioned as accent chairs. Explore a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, accent chairs are meant to be used. Although they enhance the appearance of a space, accent chairs can also serve as comfortable seats. In fact, many of the most iconic accent chairs like Charles and Ray Eames' Eames lounge chair and Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair were designed to both please the eye and comfortably support the contours of the human body. Explore a wide range of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There are many kinds of furniture you can use instead of accent chairs. Depending on the style of your room, a cushioned dining chair or desk chair may work to provide extra seating. You can also introduce a second sofa or a loveseat. Large ottomans may also double as seating. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of chairs and other seating options.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Yes, it's okay to have just one accent chair. There are no rules when decorating a living room, so you're free to place one accent chair along with a loveseat and/or sofa in your seating area. When choosing your living room furniture, consider how much space you have and how many people will typically be sitting in the room at one time. Use this information as a guide. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of accent chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023You can match sofas and accent chairs in a few different ways. One option is to choose sofas and chairs in similar solid colors. Alternatively, you can select a sofa in the primary color of your palette and accent chairs in the secondary hue. Another approach is to pair a patterned sofa with solid-colored accent chairs or vice versa. Find a large selection of sofas and accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Yes, an accent chair can be lower than a sofa. For example, you may place a low slipper chair beside a taller sofa in your seating area. To create a balanced look, limit the height difference between your sofa and accent chairs to no more than four inches. Find a large selection of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
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