Should Accent Chairs Have A Pattern?

An accent chair is a chair that is used to “accent” or complement a room’s existing decor. It is usually a statement piece that stands out from the other furnishings due to its bold colors, prints, unique shapes, or luxurious materials.¹ Accent chairs serve both aesthetic and functional purposes in interior spaces. Their main purpose is to provide additional, casual seating while also adding visual interest and character to a room.

Accent chair fabrics frequently feature colorful prints, geometric patterns, floral motifs, or dynamic textures to create contrast with other more subdued furnishings. Patterns on accent chairs can establish a motif for the room, pull together disparate decorative elements, or simply enliven the decor. When choosing an accent chair, homeowners must weigh their style preferences and functional needs against the existing look of the space to determine if a patterned or solid chair is the best fit.

History of Accent Chair Patterns

The use of patterns and prints on furniture dates back centuries. Upholstered accent chairs emerged in Europe in the 17th century, often featuring lavish fabrics like brocades, velvets, and tapestries (Source 1). These ornate chairs were symbols of nobility and luxury. By the 18th century, the rise of the middle class created demand for more affordable accent chair options, leading to greater experimentation with printed cottons and chintzes.

In the Victorian Era, accent chair fabrics featured lively florals, stripes, and geometric patterns. The late 19th century Arts and Crafts movement favored simple rectilinear prints inspired by nature. Mid-century modern accent chairs ushered in abstract graphic prints in bold colors in the 1950s and 60s. Today, accent chair patterns run the gamut from traditional florals to contemporary graphic prints, providing endless options for personalization.

Benefits of Patterned Accent Chairs

Patterned accent chairs can provide a number of benefits in home decor. Adding patterns to accent chairs is a great way to add visual interest to a space. The variety of accent chair patterns available, from florals to geometrics and everything in between, allows homeowners to choose a pattern that reflects their personal style. This can be a unique way to inject personality into a room (The Importance of Accent Chairs).

Patterned accent chairs also complement other patterns used in a home’s design. A boldly patterned chair can balance out patterns used on throw pillows, area rugs, and window treatments. Mixing and matching patterns creates an eclectic, collected look. Using patterns in the same color family or with similar geometries and scales creates a cohesive feel even when using lots of patterns in a space (The Importance of Accent Chairs).

Downsides of Patterned Accent Chairs

While patterned accent chairs can add visual interest to a room, there are some potential downsides to consider:

Patterned chairs can sometimes clash with existing furniture and decor. If the patterns and colors don’t complement each other well, the look can end up feeling busy or mismatched. As one Redditor pointed out, “They’re called accent chairs because they are meant to compliment bigger furniture. You can draw the eye away from it by adding more darker…” (source).

Patterned chairs are also less versatile than solid colored chairs. A boldly patterned chair may only work well in certain decorative schemes, whereas a solid chair can more easily move from room to room. According to Spazefurniture.com, “The biggest drawback of accent chairs is the lack of function, these chairs only offer one position and with a limited living space this lack…” (source).

Finally, patterns and prints can go out of style over time. A chair featuring the latest trendy motif may end up feeling dated after a few years. Those looking for a more timeless look may want to opt for solid colored or subtly textured chairs.

Most Popular Accent Chair Patterns

When choosing a pattern for an accent chair, there are a few classic options that tend to be the most popular. These include florals, geometric prints, stripes, and plaid.

Florals

Florals are one of the most classic accent chair patterns. They offer a feminine and romantic flair that works well in traditional, cottage, or eclectic style homes. Popular floral accent chair styles include large-scale bohemian inspired florals as well as dainty rose prints. Florals come in a wide range of colors from bold brights to muted pastels (Modern & Contemporary Pattern Accent Chair).

Geometric

Geometric patterns like chevron, curves, and angles lend a tailored and modern look to accent chairs. They come in graphic black and white as well as colorful palettes. Geometric chairs work well in modern and contemporary spaces and can make a statement while also being practical (Patterned Accent Chairs).

Stripes

From thin pinstripes to wide statement stripes, striped accent chairs infuse color and visual interest into a space. They work well with nautical, preppy, modern, and eclectic aesthetics. Striped chairs look great on their own or mixed with complementing patterns and solids (Patterned Accent Chairs).

Plaid

Plaid accent chairs lend a classic, rustic, or cabin-chic vibe to a living room. They often feature earthy color combos like red, green, navy, and tan. Plaids look right at home in farmhouse decor but can also feel fresh and modern depending on the scale and colorway.

Pattern Considerations

When selecting an accent chair pattern, it’s important to consider the size and layout of the room, existing furniture, and personal style preferences.

In a small room, bold or large-scale patterns can overwhelm the space. Subtle patterns or solid colored chairs are best suited to small rooms. In a large room, bold patterns have more room to breathe without becoming overwhelming. Consider the scale and proportions of the pattern in relation to the size of the room.

Take stock of existing furniture and fabrics in the room. If your sofa or other chairs feature a striped or floral pattern, select an accent chair pattern that complements rather than competes. Mixing many large-scale or mismatched prints can make a space feel chaotic. Opt for an accent chair pattern that provides an element of surprise while still relating to other fabrics in the room.

Most importantly, select a pattern you love and that fits your personal style. An accent chair pattern in a beloved style or color can inject personality into a space. Trust your instincts on patterns and color pairings that appeal to you.

Pattern Pairings

When pairing accent chairs together or with other furniture like sofas, you have the choice to match or contrast the patterns. Matching patterns can create a cohesive, pulled-together look. For example, pairing two paisley-patterned accent chairs on either side of a sofa with a paisley throw blanket ties the whole seating area together. Contrasting patterns make the accent chairs stand out more and add visual interest through the mix of patterns. An ikat-patterned chair paired with a floral-patterned chair catches the eye but can still work together if the colors and styles complement each other.

Complementary patterns refer to patterns that have something in common and coordinate well, like a large and small scale of the same pattern. Tonal patterns also work well together, where the patterns share similar colors. Pairing a chair with a navy and white stripe and one with a navy and white damask pattern pulls the seating area together through the common navy blue tone. When mixing patterns, make sure to repeat some colors between the patterns and aim for overlapping style eras or themes.

Practical Tips

When selecting a pattern for your accent chair, it can be helpful to use fabric swatches. Bring home small swatches of fabric patterns you like to see how they pair with your existing decor. Lay the swatches on your sofa or floor rug to get a feel for how the patterns complement each other.

Layering patterns is a great way to add visual interest while preventing the patterns from competing. For example, pair a bold ikat or floral patterned accent chair with a subtly patterned area rug. The small-scale rug pattern helps ground the bolder chair pattern. You can also layer patterns by choosing accent pillows or throws that coordinate with the accent chair pattern.

Conclusion

So should accent chairs have a pattern? The research has shown that patterns can add visual interest, bring personality and style into a room, and help blend accent chairs with the rest of the décor. Patterned accent chairs stand out and make a statement. But plain, solid colored accent chairs are versatile and easy to coordinate. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal taste and interior design goals.

When choosing an accent chair with a pattern, select one that complements your existing furnishings without being overly matchy. Go for a small-scale pattern as opposed to an oversized, bold print, which can easily overwhelm a space. Stick to just one or two patterned accent chairs in a room for maximum impact. Place patterned chairs near plain surfaces and solids to allow the eye a place to rest. And don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns for an eclectic look.

Accent chair patterns allow you to infuse personality and visual interest into a space. When thoughtfully selected and properly positioned, patterned accent chairs can elevate the style of any room.

Sources

This article did not reference any sources.