How to Style a Statement Armchair

A well-chosen occasional chair can define the character of an entire room. It is one of the few pieces of furniture where you can be genuinely bold — with colour, with pattern, with fabric — without the commitment of a sofa. This guide covers everything from placement to fabric choice to room-by-room styling advice.

The case for being bold

The most common mistake with occasional chairs is playing it safe. A chair upholstered in a neutral that “goes with everything” often ends up contributing nothing in particular. An armchair is a relatively contained object — it occupies a defined space and makes a defined statement. A bold fabric choice is far less risky than the same choice on a sofa or curtains.

This is why we stock fabrics like Harlequin’s Boho in Glacier, Lewis & Wood’s Babington Check in Teal/Spice, and Linwood’s Wiggle in Cosmic — fabrics that make a genuine statement without overwhelming a room.

Placement: where to put your chair

The reading corner

A chair positioned at an angle in the corner of a room, with a side table and a lamp, is one of the most inviting arrangements in interior design. The key is the angle — at 45 degrees to the wall rather than flush against it, the chair feels inhabited rather than merely placed. A generous wingback like The Budmouth or The Sotherton works particularly well here.

Flanking a fireplace

Two armchairs flanking a fireplace is a classic arrangement — symmetrical, formal, and deeply comfortable. The chairs do not need to match: a pair in complementary but different fabrics can be more interesting than an identical pair. Consider using the same fabric in different colourways, or the same colourway in different but sympathetic fabrics.

The bedroom chair

A bedroom chair positioned at the foot of the bed or in front of a dressing table adds both function and character. In a bedroom, you can go slightly more adventurous with pattern — a botanical print or a rich velvet that you might hesitate to use in a more public space. Sanderson’s Hydrangea & Rose in Chintz or Casamance’s Nepal in Marine are both beautiful bedroom chair choices.

The hallway accent

A chair in a hallway is primarily a statement piece — it sets the tone for the rest of the house before a visitor has seen anything else. Here, boldness pays dividends. A striking print, a saturated velvet, or an unexpected colour. The chair in your hallway tells people who you are.

Fabric and colour: room-by-room advice

Living rooms — Think about what the chair needs to do: Does it need to work as part of a sofa grouping, or can it be a standalone statement? For a sofa grouping, choose a fabric that complements rather than competes — a different texture or scale of pattern in a related colour family. For a standalone chair, be braver.

Studies and home offices — A study chair should be considered and distinctive. GP&J Baker’s Westerly Stripe in Indigo/Red, or Romo’s Omega in Midnight — fabrics that convey character and intelligence.

Bedrooms — Softer, more intimate fabrics tend to work better: a Hinako velvet, a printed linen, a soft plain weave. Reserve the bold geometrics and checks for more public rooms.

The leg colour matters more than you think

All of our chairs are available with a choice of leg colours: Natural Oak, Walnut, and Black. This choice has a significant effect on the overall character of the piece.

Natural Oak legs give a lighter, more Scandinavian feel — good for contemporary interiors and rooms with pale floors. Walnut legs are warmer and richer — they suit traditional interiors and rooms with wood or stone floors. Black legs are graphic and modern — they work particularly well with bold fabrics where you want the overall effect to feel contemporary.

Start with a sample

The best styling decision you can make is to order free fabric samples and live with them in your room for a few days. See how the colour looks in morning and evening light. Hold the sample against your walls, floor, and curtains. The right fabric will become obvious; the wrong one will reveal itself.

Browse our full collection of 30 chair styles to start planning your perfect occasional chair.