Welcome the cradle and cushion of the classic wingback chair. Sporting high, protective sides, and a fully upholstered silhouette, wingback chairs are the perfect addition to any room. Traditional yet unconventional; sophisticated yet humble; cocooning yet inviting, wingbacks possess a dual dynamo. Here, we make a case for why this enduring seat makes an especially great choice for the living room.
RELATED READ: The Many Faces of the Wingback Chair
3 Reasons to Use a Wingback Chair in Your Living Room
1. It’s a Revived Classic
Although their form is truly time-honored, wingbacks have continually evolved since they were invented in the 1600s. Continuous takes on the wingback’s upholstery, curves, and wing and leg shapes have helped keep the chair exciting and fresh.
Originating in the 18th century, Queen Anne wingback chairs introduced exposed cabriole legs, which have since become a hallmark of the wingback style. Later adaptations, like the Chippendale wingback chairs that surfaced in the 1900s, introduced claw and ball feet, tufted upholstery, and pliable leather. All of these traits are still commonly found among modern-day wingback chairs.
Leather wingback chairs are still highly in-demand, due in large part to their durability and classic looks. Leather wingbacks appear perfectly at home in a living room, flanking a fireplace or stationed in a nook or annex. Of course, leather wingbacks aren’t the only option, and if you want to introduce a fun color or pattern in your living room, look no further than a wingback chair. With its large upholstered panels, the wingback form is especially well-suited to custom upholstery jobs.
Contemporary designers have merged the traditional wingback shape with more modern silhouettes. For instance, butterfly wingback chairs keep the traditional form, but showcase a dip on the top edge, which creates butterfly-like wings on each side. Other modern wingback interpretations include Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair and Hans Wegner’s Papa Bear Chair.
2. It Warms Up a Room—Literally
Wingback chairs’ cocooning silhouette makes them innately comforting. No wonder they were initially invented to capture the warmth of a fireplace and block drafts. Dressed in ultra-cozy upholsteries like mohair and velvet their comfort factor is upped even further.
In addition to their ability to physically cocoon your body, wingbacks also bring visual warmth to a space. In an open space like a living room, their dramatic wings distinctly section off a part of the room for sitting, creating a subtle room-within-a-room effect. When you’re physically seated in a wingback chair, the shielded sides provide a sense of privacy, even if you’re in a communal space like a living room.
If you’re a reader, wingback chairs can provide an insulating study corral effect. This makes a wingback an especially wise option in a living room where adults and children frequently co-mingle. A wingback chair can muffle outside noise for its occupant while making it clear to the rowdy and raucous set that whoever is sitting in the chair is effectively off-duty.
3. It’s a Space-Saver
Wingbacks’ heft can be deceiving. While they may look imposing, their upright silhouette means they don’t take up as much floor space as, say, a lounge chair. Their compactness makes them perfect for playing the supporting role to larger living room furniture. Balance a couch, sofa, or settee with a pair of wingbacks for a grand look. If you prefer your wingback chairs to be center stage, arrange a quartet of them around a coffee table like interior designer Bruce Fox does below.
Wingbacks’ space-conscious footprints also make them a great choice for fireside seating in a living room. Whereas lounge chairs or barrel chairs may be too large to tuck next to a hearth without obscuring it, wingbacks are slim enough that it’s usually no issue.
Lead image: Design by Crystal Blackshaw Interiors / Photo by Dustin Forest
