Decorating with occasional chairs

Occasional chairs are versatile pieces that can act as additional seating or the perfect design accent. We sat down with Sue Scott from Grafton Everest to find out all the ways in which this functional showstopper can add some “oomph” to any room in the home.

Choosing an occasional chair

1. It’s important to think about how you would like to use the chair in your chosen area, determining its function first and foremost.
2. Secondly, consider placement – randomly placing an occasional chair in a room without putting thought into it can make a space feel cluttered. Be sure to carefully consider the best position for your chair so that it adds to, rather than detracts from, the ambience of the room.
3. Make sure it’s as comfortable as it is good looking. You don’t want to spend money and take up valuable space on a piece that you never want to sit in.
4. Ensure that it’s relatively lightweight and easy to move around to different areas in a room, or even from one room to another. It should also look good from any angle, so that it’s appealing whether it’s up against a wall or taking center stage in the lounge.
5. Be colour conscious, and decide if you want a bold accent piece or something neutral that will look good in any setting.
6. Look at the style of your home or room, taking cue from existing furniture shapes and colours. In this way you’ll choose an occasional chair that compliments the overall look of your place, making it a versatile, rather than token piece.
7. Material choice is linked to style and function and is a vital element. A leather recliner might be the answer if your looking for a durable occasional chair for the lounge in which you can kick back and enjoy a beer and biltong over a sports game, whilst an elegant wingback occasional chair can add soft sophistication and glamour to a main bedroom.

A chair for any occasion

Whether it’s a bench tucked under your entrance hall steps, an armless set of chairs symmetrically positioned next to your dining room server, a funky ottoman that acts as extra seating and a coffee table in the lounge, or a chaise taking pride of place in your bedroom, an occasional chair is the perfect furniture friend.

In the lounge: An occasional chair in the lounge is the obvious choice, as they look great whilst creating extra seating and a conversation space. Says Sue:  “Ottomans also make for great accent pieces and they work double duty. Put you feet up on them, place a tray and some books to create a coffee table, or move them around for extra seating – they’re so versatile!” One of the latest lounge decor trends is the move away from the traditional 3-2-1 suite, rather opting for a 2- and 3-seater, and an occasional chair that has been upholstered in an eye-catching upholstery.

In the dining room: Matching chairs on either side of a dining room server or fireplace have classic appeal, and the chairs can be pulled up to the table when extra seating is required. “Just make sure the chairs you choose are firm and the correct height for your dining room table,” suggest Sue.

In the kitchen: The kitchen may not be an obvious choice for an occasional chair but if you have one it will most certainly get used frequently. Two pretty chairs around an eat-in breakfast table will make you feel like you’re having a hotel breakfast every morning, whilst also offering the perfect place for someone to perch and chat whilst dinner is being cooked.

In the bedroom: “An occasional chair in the bedroom is all about casual elegance – you want it to be comfy and beautiful,” points out Sue, who loves the idea of a glamorous chaise lounge as their low profile allows for great visual flow in a room, and they can double up as a spare bed.

In the study: “There is something so timelessly charming about a leather wingback chair in a study,” says Sue, who suggests placing one of these all-round good looking chairs near a window for a place to think, by a bookshelf for a place to read, or on the other side of the desk as a place for visitors to sit in grandeur.

In the entrance hall: Put a little bench below a row of coat hooks giving you a spot to sit and take off shoes, or on which you can lay your handbag on arrival. A comfy little armchair under the stairs creates a private nook in which to make a phone call.

In the children’s room: A timeless and comfortable recliner is the perfect accent piece in a baby’s room as they’re ideal for nursing. Once baby has grown up, your children can keep on using the recliner – they make the ideal viewing seating for reading, television viewing or gaming.