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An accent chair is a bit of a show off.
It's main aim isn't really to blend in with your grey carpets and white walls. Instead, it is meant to make a statement (e.g. I'm not a boring person). You might be looking to bring a pop of colour or even prompt visitors to say "that's a nice chair". It's certainly possible that they don't like your bright orange accent chair at all, but it gives them something to say. You'll know they definitely don't like it if they say something vague like "that chair is eyecatching".
Of course, the other option to choose an accent chair that is the same colour as your exciting furniture. In this instance, you are only subtly telling everyone that you are an interesting person.
Accent chair prices vary considerably. You can pick up a bargain accent chair for less than £100 or spend several hundred pounds on one with a fancier label and more robust materials.
Let's go on with our pick of the UK's best accent chairs. We've aimed to include a big range, depending on your budget.
It's main aim isn't really to blend in with your grey carpets and white walls. Instead, it is meant to make a statement (e.g. I'm not a boring person). You might be looking to bring a pop of colour or even prompt visitors to say "that's a nice chair". It's certainly possible that they don't like your bright orange accent chair at all, but it gives them something to say. You'll know they definitely don't like it if they say something vague like "that chair is eyecatching".
Of course, the other option to choose an accent chair that is the same colour as your exciting furniture. In this instance, you are only subtly telling everyone that you are an interesting person.
Accent chair prices vary considerably. You can pick up a bargain accent chair for less than £100 or spend several hundred pounds on one with a fancier label and more robust materials.
Let's go on with our pick of the UK's best accent chairs. We've aimed to include a big range, depending on your budget.
1. JOHN LEWIS HENDRICKS ACCENT CHAIR - £499
The John Lewis Hendricks Accent chair comes in 39 different colours.
We chose this Hendricks accent chair from John Lewis for our own home. I'm sure you are itching to find out why.
First of all this accent chair is a winner on reviews, with an average of 4.5/5. Reviewers comment on the style, the beautiful craftsmanship, the quality and the range of colours and materials available. That wasn't particularly relevant for us, as we saw it in store rather than buying it online.
We also liked the Hendricks accent chair because it comes in a choice of 39 different colours and fabrics and a choice of two shades of oak wooden legs. This is part of the John Lewis, 'design your own' service and you can match your accent chair to your current sofa or arm chair, or you can choose something completely different. We chose to have our Hendricks accent chair made from the same blue velvet material of our John Lewis sofa (even though they weren't in the same range). The exposed oak frame is stunning and we couldn't be happier with the comfort and look of it (and no, we didn't get it free).
You order a sample swatch of the material and colour you are considering, before you buy.
As with all John Lewis sofas and armchairs, you'll get a 15 year frame guarantee included. The seat itself is made from foam and fibre but also has webbing to help it retain its shape.
You can buy a matching footstool, sofa and armchair from the Hendricks range as well as a high backed version of this chair. You'll pay an extra £100 - £300 for that version.
Overall this is a very stylish looking accent chair, made with quality materials. The good support and the large range of colours available makes it good value for money.
First of all this accent chair is a winner on reviews, with an average of 4.5/5. Reviewers comment on the style, the beautiful craftsmanship, the quality and the range of colours and materials available. That wasn't particularly relevant for us, as we saw it in store rather than buying it online.
We also liked the Hendricks accent chair because it comes in a choice of 39 different colours and fabrics and a choice of two shades of oak wooden legs. This is part of the John Lewis, 'design your own' service and you can match your accent chair to your current sofa or arm chair, or you can choose something completely different. We chose to have our Hendricks accent chair made from the same blue velvet material of our John Lewis sofa (even though they weren't in the same range). The exposed oak frame is stunning and we couldn't be happier with the comfort and look of it (and no, we didn't get it free).
You order a sample swatch of the material and colour you are considering, before you buy.
As with all John Lewis sofas and armchairs, you'll get a 15 year frame guarantee included. The seat itself is made from foam and fibre but also has webbing to help it retain its shape.
You can buy a matching footstool, sofa and armchair from the Hendricks range as well as a high backed version of this chair. You'll pay an extra £100 - £300 for that version.
Overall this is a very stylish looking accent chair, made with quality materials. The good support and the large range of colours available makes it good value for money.
2. JOHN LEWIS AND SWOON ENVILLE ACCENT CHAIR - £749
John Lewis and Swoon Enville accent chair comes in 8 different colours.
We've chosen another John Lewis accent chair to appear in our top 5. This Enville accent chair is a collaboration between John Lewis and Swoon Editions (a trendy furniture brand, according to my wife).
It is certainly at the upper end of what most of us would consider spending on an accent chair (you might expect to get a three-seater for this sort of money). However, it is well made and has plenty of customisation options.
You get a choice of eight different colours with the lighter coloured legs. If you go for the darker chair leg colour, then there is a choice of five different colours. Most of the materials available are velvet and it comes with some real trendy wendy colours with names like 'damson purple velvet'.
Now to the finer details. The Enville chair has a 1920s scallop pattern across the back and brass capped feet, for a bit of a classy flourish. The seat is made from foam and fibre which should make the chair last longer and retain its shape.
This particular model (because it is a collaboration with Swoon), only comes with a 10 year frame guarantee rather than the 15 year guarantee included with the other John Lewis sofas and armchairs.
The reviews for the Enville accent chair are good at 4/5. One reviewer mentioned that the chair is rather heavy and clumsy to move around the room, but I personally see that as a sign of good quality materials. I would be concerned if it was knocked over by a light breeze.
Personally, I think the Enville accent chair makes a bit more of a statement than the Hendricks chair. The materials and quality are pretty similar, so I would choose between those two based on which one you like the look of.
It is certainly at the upper end of what most of us would consider spending on an accent chair (you might expect to get a three-seater for this sort of money). However, it is well made and has plenty of customisation options.
You get a choice of eight different colours with the lighter coloured legs. If you go for the darker chair leg colour, then there is a choice of five different colours. Most of the materials available are velvet and it comes with some real trendy wendy colours with names like 'damson purple velvet'.
Now to the finer details. The Enville chair has a 1920s scallop pattern across the back and brass capped feet, for a bit of a classy flourish. The seat is made from foam and fibre which should make the chair last longer and retain its shape.
This particular model (because it is a collaboration with Swoon), only comes with a 10 year frame guarantee rather than the 15 year guarantee included with the other John Lewis sofas and armchairs.
The reviews for the Enville accent chair are good at 4/5. One reviewer mentioned that the chair is rather heavy and clumsy to move around the room, but I personally see that as a sign of good quality materials. I would be concerned if it was knocked over by a light breeze.
Personally, I think the Enville accent chair makes a bit more of a statement than the Hendricks chair. The materials and quality are pretty similar, so I would choose between those two based on which one you like the look of.
3. MARGO ACCENT CHAIR FROM DUSK - £145
The Margo accent chair from Dusk scores great reviews.
I love the style of this natural, linen look chair from Dusk. It lacks rather in detail, but we can make a few assumptions based on price (and the absence of information, which usually gives a few clues).
The button design is a popular one and tends to work well as a chair in bedrooms or dressing rooms (if you're posh enough to have one).
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of detail about how the chair is made but we are told they are 'oak look' legs. This suggests a cheaper material such as rubberwood has been used - you tend to shout about higher quality materials and omit details when you are using cheaper alternatives.
There also isn't any information on the material contents of the seat. For this price, I would imagine foam has been used. The outer seat material is 100% polyester.
The Margo chair is only available in one colour, natural linen, which wouldn't be the best choice of colour if you have children or pets in the house. However, it would look lovely for those of you who like a neutral home palette and is less likely to get ruined if it's hidden away in a bedroom.
It scores well in customer reviews, scoring 4.8/5 from about 30 customers.
The button design is a popular one and tends to work well as a chair in bedrooms or dressing rooms (if you're posh enough to have one).
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of detail about how the chair is made but we are told they are 'oak look' legs. This suggests a cheaper material such as rubberwood has been used - you tend to shout about higher quality materials and omit details when you are using cheaper alternatives.
There also isn't any information on the material contents of the seat. For this price, I would imagine foam has been used. The outer seat material is 100% polyester.
The Margo chair is only available in one colour, natural linen, which wouldn't be the best choice of colour if you have children or pets in the house. However, it would look lovely for those of you who like a neutral home palette and is less likely to get ruined if it's hidden away in a bedroom.
It scores well in customer reviews, scoring 4.8/5 from about 30 customers.
4. DAVIS LEATHER LOUNGE CHAIR - DUNELM - £749
The Dunelm Davis leather accent chair is made from real leather.
This Davis leather accent chair is new to Dunelm. Now, this means at the time of writing, there aren't any reviews. So why did we include it in our top 5?
It is a higher priced accent chair but you'd expect that if you're looking for a genuine leather chair. This one has a light wooden frame made from solid oak and plywood. The leather seat cushions are filled with a mix of foam and fibre. The fibre means the seat should hold its shape and remain comfortable and supported for a long time.
The seat comes ready assembled so there's no messing around, trying to add legs, and due to the nature of leather, the chair will be easy to wipe clean.
The Davis accent chair is only available in the one rich brown colour.
Yes, it's expensive but the specification is excellent. When customer reviews do arrive, we think they will be positive due to the quality materials used, the easy maintenance of leather products and the style it will add to any room.
It is a higher priced accent chair but you'd expect that if you're looking for a genuine leather chair. This one has a light wooden frame made from solid oak and plywood. The leather seat cushions are filled with a mix of foam and fibre. The fibre means the seat should hold its shape and remain comfortable and supported for a long time.
The seat comes ready assembled so there's no messing around, trying to add legs, and due to the nature of leather, the chair will be easy to wipe clean.
The Davis accent chair is only available in the one rich brown colour.
Yes, it's expensive but the specification is excellent. When customer reviews do arrive, we think they will be positive due to the quality materials used, the easy maintenance of leather products and the style it will add to any room.
