Occasional chairs are style meets function. They’re a place to get comfortable, but they’re mainly just for show. Often a room’s accent piece or finishing touch, occasional chairs look great almost anywhere in the house. And unlike standard or three-seater upholstery, they are not lounge-room-exclusive items.

Before we go any further, heed our disclaimer: just because occasional chairs can go in any room doesn’t mean you should plonk them anywhere. In fact, to add an occasional chair is to make a deliberate styling choice. So how do we arrive at a decision? Let’s walk through the steps. Here is your how-to guide for styling an occasional chair.

Location, Location, Location (and Function)

Before choosing a chair, we must decide its location and function. Upholstered or fabric chairs give a soft, comforting touch to entranceways, lounge rooms, and even bedrooms and home office setups. Chairs without the plush outer layer, such as wooden or rattan models, may better fit a tiled bathroom or even undercover outdoor spaces, such as a balcony or courtyard.

…or, you could go hybrid and bring your upholstered chair to the balcony on occasion. Image: Barcelona Chair by 1825 Interiors

Once you’ve decided your location, think about function. What do you hope to get out of this chair? Will it become the focal point (aka the accent piece) of the room, or will it complement the space and blend in? Moreover, will it be a place to kick back and relax, or will it be a place to maintain erect posture and alertness? Answer these questions, and you’ve already got the creative juices flowing.

Occasional Chairs as Accent Pieces

There is overlap between occasional and accent chairs. They aren’t necessarily the same thing, but they can be. Both types of chairs finish a room and exist for—let’s face it—exhibitionist reasons. So you might as well accentuate the occasion with a chair that ‘pops out’!

Image: 1825 Interiors

Take 1825 Interiors’ own Vermont Chair above, for example. It’s the perfect accent chair for this Hamptons setup because it simultaneously complements and sets itself apart from the navy blue houseplant pot and wall art. Thanks to its unflinching devotion to navy blue, it becomes the boldest point in the room. Its cushions play into the decor’s Blue Willow colour theming, but it is the Vermont Chair’s deviation from texture that solidifies it as the accent piece.

There’s more to the accent piece than bold colouring. If, for example, the Vermont Chair were part of a colour-matched lounge set, it would not be the accent piece. Imagine, however, how it would stick out like a navy blue thumb beside a white or neutral lounge set. It could then reclaim the title as the room’s focal point. Buy two Vermont Chairs, set them across the room from each other, and you’ve got twin accent chairs, which are fabulous for symmetry.

Occasional Chairs that Blend in

Just because it’s an occasional chair doesn’t mean it needs to stand out. Occasional chairs stand alone, yes, but there is beauty in the understatement. See 1825 Interiors’ New Glenmore Chair below:

Image: 1825 Interiors

This chair matches the neutral theme of its surroundings, and yet somehow still establishes its independence as an occasional chair. It winks at us through blue-grey diamond patterns with the noticeable subtlety of an introvert. Crowd a living space with any more Glenmores and the effect would be lost. This chair needs to stand alone, and this is what the occasional chair really stands for.

Occasional Chairs to Lose Yourself in

When you think of a chair, you think of comfort. You want your guests to feel at home in your occasional chair! As a rule, the more cupped or cushioned a chair’s back is, the more comfortable it will be. Recliner chairs have a similar effect, especially if they come with an ottoman.

Image: 1825 Interiors

If you want to engulf yourself in comfort, sink yourself into 1825 Interiors’ Rarotonga Lounge Chair. Its cupped back and reclined stance render this rattan dream the next-best thing to a banana lounge. The Rarotonga Lounge Chair may lack a plush exterior, but it can hold enough cushions to compensate for softness many times over. It’s basically a blank canvas for cushion arrangements, which add texture and emphasis to this occasional chair. Experiment with colours that complement or contrast the room.

Occasional Chairs for Alertness

Finally, if your occasional chair is for reading or focused conversation, you’ll want something with armrests, an erect back, and seat padding that supports rather than relaxes. 1825 Interiors’ West Hamptons Chair is a textbook example:

Image: 1825 Interiors

Just imagine sitting upright in this chair, sipping from a china teacup and nibbling biscuits from that three-tiered serving stand. The West Hamptons Chair somehow combines leisure with perfect posture. Its distinctive damask detailing sets it apart from any lounge set, solidifying it as an occasional chair.

Occasional Chairs for you

So, what’s the best occasional chair for you and your living space? It really depends on what you need and want from your chair. Do you want one that will blend in seamlessly or do you prefer a pop of colour? Is comfort a key consideration or would you rather have an occasional chair that can double as a focus spot in your room? With so many options available, it’s easy to find the perfect occasional chair to fit both your needs and your style. Check out some of our favourites online now!