This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.

Living in a small space can come with some challenges in your home design. Whether you live in a small apartment or working with a smaller living space in a home, there’s always room for one or two accent chairs.
Side chairs, otherwise known as accent chairs, are one of the best ways to add personality to any room in your home. If you’re looking for design inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Everything from cozy boucle living room chairs, swivel chairs for small spaces and some unique wooden arm chairs to add some charm. Below, we’re answering your most asked questions and help you find the right chair (or chairs) for your small space.
What are accent chairs used for?
Accent chairs are the perfect opportunity to add extra seating to your living room — no matter how small your space might be. Adding just one or two accent chairs to a space will make your space feel more intentionally styled.
Additionally, accent chairs make for a fun pop of color in a space. Opting for a fabric that has a bold pattern or eccentric color adds personality and character to your home.
Should an accent chair be lighter or darker than a sofa?
We typically recommend contrasting the color of your accent chairs with the color of your sofa. If your sofa is a light neutral fabric, opt for a couple of accent chairs that have a darker tone or more vibrant pattern — or vice versa to the latter statement.
How many accent chairs should you have in your living room?
Since you’re working with a small space, it depends on how much room you have to work with. You could have enough space for one larger accent chair or two smaller chairs.
In order to truly know if your accent chair will fit in your space, measure the dimensions on the floor of your apartment and create an outline with blue painters tape on the floor. This will allow you to visualize your space better and help you decide if you need something bigger or smaller.
To learn more on how to arrange your accent chair(s) in your living room, check out this living room area rug guide!
15 Accent Chairs for Small Spaces
Keeping all the tips above in mind, it’s time to have some fun and pick out an accent chair that you’ll love! These are our favorite accent chairs! We even included the one we just bought for our apartment living room!
4. Andes Chair
West Elm
The Andes chair is such a cozy option. The straight lines of the chair make this chair more modern. This would look great in a space if you love balancing more modern new pieces with old, antique pieces. The size of the seat on this chair is grand for a small space, but it’s so gorgeous we couldn’t resist adding it to the list.
5. Shay Woven Leather Accent Chair
Pottery Barn
We saw this chair in Pottery Barn several months ago and were drawn by the unique woven texture. We were intrigued by the comfort of the chair and gave it a test try in the store.
It’s surprisingly way more comfortable than you could imagine. This chair is expertly designed and is the perfect combination of comfort and elevated style.
6. Balboa Upholstered Swivel Chair
Pottery Barn
Doesn’t this swivel chair just invite you to curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea? Swivel chairs are amazing are one of our favorite styles of accent chairs.
We are obsessed with this one from Pottery Barn. The large round seat is amazing. It would be an amazing lounge chair in an office or tucked in a corner in your living room.
7. Ayden Square Arm Slipcovered Swivel Glider
Pottery Barn
If you’re looking for a smaller swivel chair that will fit better in your space, we recommend this one! The upholstered look is more traditional, and the clean lines of the arms are more modern.
We love how elegant and beautiful this chair would look in any living room or for a reading nook in your bedroom.
8. Hart Upholstered Armchair
Pottery Barn
Have you ever seen a cuter chair? This chair screams “teddy bear”, and we can only imagine that when sitting in this chair you feel like your enveloped in a cozy dream.
The heart-shape that’s emulated in the chair design is so unique. If you’re looking for a chair that no one else will have, this one is it!
9. Tufeld Wood Armchair
Target
Target is perfect for finding accent chairs that are more affordable. We had a couple from Target for several years, until we moved to a bigger place.
We love how simple and clean this chair looks. The rounded wooden arms are so special to the design of this chair. The cream cushioned seat and seat back are so beautiful as well!
11. Sadie Pepper Ivory Lounge Chair
Article
We love the casual look of this chair. It’s a perfect accent chair for a living room or bedroom, because it has such a timeless design. The neutral colors of the chair will fit any style of room or color scheme. Add a patterned pillow (we love this one…click here) for an extra touch of personality and interest.
13. Beta Cypress Green Modular Chair
Article
If you’re looking for a show stopping piece for your living room, this modular chair is a stunner. Not only do we love the deep cypress green color, but the ribbed detail also creates a cozy vibe. This is quite a large piece, so you may only have room for one of these in a small living space.
















3 Comments