Decorating
13 Reasons to Love Occasional Chairs
An occasional chair is triple-threat addition that can give any room functionality, versatility and a style accent
Aware of their many benefits, interior designers often recommend including one or two occasional chairs in any living room setting, and often elsewhere in the home, too. They can vary in form, function and style but an occasional chair is generally a stand-alone piece of furniture that can rest apart from a set of furniture to either provide contrast in the form of a style exclamation point, tie the look of a room together, or provide a special place of comfort. It is worth noting that these qualities are not always mutually exclusive and some occasional chairs can exhibit them all. Let’s look at some examples of the occasional chair and examine its various benefits.
2. They can tie a room together
This occasional chair was principally chosen to be of a similar form to the sofa, essentially tying the look of the room together. Even so, the colour and the timber creates a nice contrast that makes it a great stand-alone piece.
This occasional chair was principally chosen to be of a similar form to the sofa, essentially tying the look of the room together. Even so, the colour and the timber creates a nice contrast that makes it a great stand-alone piece.
3. They can provide a focal point
Note how the twin occasional chairs balance this space. And because the chairs demand their own attention, they also draw the eye to the composition between them to create the focal point of the room.
Note how the twin occasional chairs balance this space. And because the chairs demand their own attention, they also draw the eye to the composition between them to create the focal point of the room.
4. They can boost the character of the room
The occasional chair in this room plays a supporting role, adding some personality to the room.
TIP: Consider chairs that are easily moved around the room and the house. Having chairs that take great effort to shift will diminish their practicality and versatility.
The occasional chair in this room plays a supporting role, adding some personality to the room.
TIP: Consider chairs that are easily moved around the room and the house. Having chairs that take great effort to shift will diminish their practicality and versatility.
5. Any chair can work
This interior demonstrates another good use of an occasional chair for a busy entranceway. The watchword here is simplicity. Occasional chairs need not be fancy or elaborate. A simple style often works best for the space and offers the right amount of function.
Must-know chair: the Windsor
This interior demonstrates another good use of an occasional chair for a busy entranceway. The watchword here is simplicity. Occasional chairs need not be fancy or elaborate. A simple style often works best for the space and offers the right amount of function.
Must-know chair: the Windsor
Speaking of function, the versatility of this occasional chair is that it offers stylish book storage and brings this corner to life.
6. They can enliven a dead zone
The role of a well-placed chair to breathe life into those dormant or dead spaces around the house is worth remembering. Here the chair does just that, in addition to providing a comfortable respite to view the world outside. Another role performed by this chair is to add softness, interest and perhaps some humanity to the minimal look of the home.
The role of a well-placed chair to breathe life into those dormant or dead spaces around the house is worth remembering. Here the chair does just that, in addition to providing a comfortable respite to view the world outside. Another role performed by this chair is to add softness, interest and perhaps some humanity to the minimal look of the home.
7. They can provide a style contrast
An occasional chair is an effective way to contrast the style of a room without disrupting it. Here the light tan of the modern leather chair breaks up the traditional identity of the room. Largely due to its simple design and the luxury of its leather, it doesn’t look out of place at all. It simply works to add a dash of modernity to an otherwise Old World environment.
So your style is: Traditional
An occasional chair is an effective way to contrast the style of a room without disrupting it. Here the light tan of the modern leather chair breaks up the traditional identity of the room. Largely due to its simple design and the luxury of its leather, it doesn’t look out of place at all. It simply works to add a dash of modernity to an otherwise Old World environment.
So your style is: Traditional
8. They can introduce a pop of colour
A boldly-coloured occasional chair can beautifully accent a room with an otherwise neutral palette. It serves to elevate the room and provide an eye-catching feature.
TIP: Choose your chair fabric with care. Part of your fabric calculations should include durability – especially in high household traffic zones – and exposure to the elements (the sun, in particular). If the chair resides outdoors, opt for synthetic fabrics to reduce fading.
A boldly-coloured occasional chair can beautifully accent a room with an otherwise neutral palette. It serves to elevate the room and provide an eye-catching feature.
TIP: Choose your chair fabric with care. Part of your fabric calculations should include durability – especially in high household traffic zones – and exposure to the elements (the sun, in particular). If the chair resides outdoors, opt for synthetic fabrics to reduce fading.
9. They can work well in pairs
These twin chairs work particularly well with the twin sofas. Matching pairs of occasional chairs – strategically placed – heighten the effect of bold and interesting patterns, as well as bring symmetry to the room.
These twin chairs work particularly well with the twin sofas. Matching pairs of occasional chairs – strategically placed – heighten the effect of bold and interesting patterns, as well as bring symmetry to the room.
10. Two different styles can work together
This space has two occasional chairs that are quite different – for good reason. The chair against the wall has a different function to the other more comfortable chair placed by the sofa.
This space has two occasional chairs that are quite different – for good reason. The chair against the wall has a different function to the other more comfortable chair placed by the sofa.
11. They take a bedroom upmarket
Bedroom chairs offer a lot of utility. They can bring elegance to the room, and offer another place to drape clothes or read a while.
TIP: Some great looking occasional chairs are reincarnated from older, often neglected, versions. Before getting rid of old chairs – of any size and shape – think about giving them a second life.
Give an old chair a new life
Bedroom chairs offer a lot of utility. They can bring elegance to the room, and offer another place to drape clothes or read a while.
TIP: Some great looking occasional chairs are reincarnated from older, often neglected, versions. Before getting rid of old chairs – of any size and shape – think about giving them a second life.
Give an old chair a new life
12. They can suit a purpose beautifully
Sometimes the greatest appeal of an occasional chair is that it exists to serve a single function – be it reading, luxuriating or otherwise. This occasional chair of faithful design is purpose-fit for reading.
Sometimes the greatest appeal of an occasional chair is that it exists to serve a single function – be it reading, luxuriating or otherwise. This occasional chair of faithful design is purpose-fit for reading.
13. Even the bathroom can benefit
Such is the versatility of occasional chairs that some may find their way into the bathroom.
TIP: If it’s an occasional chair you want in the bathroom, best to have fabric that dries quickly if it gets wet.
YOUR SAY
Do you have an occasional chair you love? Share yours through pictures or words in the Comments.
MORE
Must-Know Chair: The Egg
Must-know chair: the Butterfly
Must-know chair: the Chinese Chippendale
Must-know chair: the Wassily chair
Such is the versatility of occasional chairs that some may find their way into the bathroom.
TIP: If it’s an occasional chair you want in the bathroom, best to have fabric that dries quickly if it gets wet.
YOUR SAY
Do you have an occasional chair you love? Share yours through pictures or words in the Comments.
MORE
Must-Know Chair: The Egg
Must-know chair: the Butterfly
Must-know chair: the Chinese Chippendale
Must-know chair: the Wassily chair
Such is the versatility of the occasional chair that any space can serve as a good fit. Located by the entrance, it is both a welcome and practical addition to the hallway – ideal for laying a guest coat over or to sit on to lace up shoes.
TIP: Occasional chairs should not overpopulate a home. Having a chair that is a good fit for more than one space in the house is a good call so you can move it about as needed.