Add an accent chair, to boost your homes decor
Something as simple and practical as a chair, can be used as an eye-catching décor element at home. Read on, for tips on transforming this practical piece of furniture, into an accent piece
A stylishly crafted chair, with an eye-catching colour and design, serves to create a unique style statement in a home’s décor. “An accent chair, can add a dash of glamour and elegance. With an apt piece, you can add character and depth to a room, or contribute to a theme, besides providing a functional seating option,” says Pooja Malhotra, co-founder of The Fuchsia Lane (Mumbai), who works with her partner Gopika Parekh.
Accent chairs are available in a variety of designs – from contemporary to classic to eclectic, like chaise lounge chairs, royal chairs, quirky chairs, winged chairs, chairs with graphic illustrations or printed photo and regal silver ones or opulent gold-painted ones, encrusted with semi-precious stones.
How to choose the best chair
Before choosing a chair, one needs to identify its purpose and utility. “For example, a winged chair is ideal as the main dining chair, or it can be used as a reading chair too. You can also add a foot stool, for extra comfort,” suggests Parekh. A winged chair or a rocking chair can also be combined with a sofa set.
“These pieces can be made quirky or bold, with bright-coloured fabrics or prints that match a particular theme,” adds Parekh, whose firm has designed chairs with swan-shaped backrests and seats with Burma teak and a chair where the seat is painted by an artist.
In the living room or entertainment room, depending on the space available, one can also opt for recliners, which are available in manual and automated options, in different colours. Fancy chairs need not be to be kept, only in corners or in the entertainment area. Rather, one should experiment with different options, feels Punam Kalra, and interior designer from Delhi.
“For example, in a dining space, all the chairs can be of different colours. To add a quirky touch, various fabrics (plain, patterned and striped) can be patched together and used for upholstering a chair,” Kalra offers.
Mix and match
Even a simple chair can be given a refreshing new look with upholstery. The seat and back can be in different colours – either plain, or striped, or with floral motifs. Choose the scale of the pattern, according to the size and style of your room. Light-coloured fabrics look classy but they may become soiled easily.
An accent chair, should also fit into the existing theme of your room and make it aesthetically appealing.
Mahima Shah, a homemaker from Mumbai, shares how: “The sofas in my living room, are beige in colour. To add contrast, I have two ornate maharaja chairs, with bright orange upholstery. In my bedroom, I have an armless wooden chair with a high backrest, which has my wedding photo imprinted on it.”
Tips to choose stylish chairs
Choose an accent chair, according to the size and the dimension of the room where it will be placed. A huge, ornate chair, with a high back, will look unappealing in a tiny space.
The chair should stand out in your home’s décor and be an enjoyable aspect at home.
Besides its design, ensure that the chair is comfortable, in terms of the height and depth of the seat and the inclination of the backrest.
For a rich look, choose velvet or silk, with embellishments or brocade cushions.
Chenille, cotton and jute are practical fabrics that are easy to maintain. Leather ages beautifully but is not easy to maintain and can be expensive.