Accent Chairs

Bergère Chairs

Sought after for its elegant French stylings, the Bergère is easily identified by its upholstered back, seat frame, and armrests, as well as its loose seat cushion, and exposed wood frame. Originating in the early 18th century, Bergères typically feature three types of backs: an arched back known as a Bergère Cabriolet, a straight back known as a Bergère a la Reine, and a tub back known as the Bergère Marquis.

Bergères have a classic style, which makes them excellent fits for traditional designs. They’re also frequently employed by designers in French country or shabby chic-style spaces. You’ll often find these elegant accent chairs upholstered in solid linens as well as playful prints like pinstripes, plaids, or florals. Like wingbacks, it isn’t common to find this style of accent chair with an ottoman, but they are fairly easy to find in pairs. Use a pair of the French accent chairs opposite a sofa or consider using one solo in a bedroom next to a bed.

Slipper Chair

Featuring short legs, an armless body, and a high back, the slipper chair is among one of the most compact modern accent chairs available. The slipper chair dates back to the early 18th century, where it got its start in ladies’ boudoirs. Its armless construction allowed women wearing voluminous hoop skirts to easily slip on and off slippers with the help of a maid kneeling at her feet. As women’s skirts slimmed down, the style fell off the radar for a time until being resurrected by legendary designer-to-the-stars, Billy Baldwin, in the 1950s.

Today, the slipper chair is a go-to for those shopping for a small accent chair. It’s lack of arms gives the slipper chair a slim profile, making it easy to slip one just about anywhere. Use one in a small entryway, or floated in front of a fireplace or the foot of a bed. You’ll likely discover when shopping for slipper chairs that the majority have a Hollywood Regency era vibe, but the style did persist into the Mid-Century, and those craving a more modern slipper chair may want to seek out slipper designs by masters like Jens Risom, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbins, and Milo Baughman.

Club Chairs

A more neoteric style than the wingback, Bergère, or slipper chair, club chairs are rumored to have gotten their start in French gentlemens’ clubs, which began cropping up at the turn of the 20th century. These modern accent chairs are identifiable by their sunken seat, low back, wide armrests, and amply-stuffed silhouette. The archetypal club chair is typically a large accent chair with arms, upholstered in cognac-colored leather. The backs of these chairs can be straight or curved, and their arms can be flat or rolled. In the 1920s and 30s, Swedish designers began taking a more streamlined approach to the club chair. These designers nixed the chair’s traditional squared-off arms and instead opted for swooping half-circle arms edged in exotic wood veneers. Rather than leather upholstery, they opted for mohairs and velvets that better showed off upholstery details like channel-tufting.

Today, club chairs assume a wide variety of forms, making it possible to find one to suit virtually any style. Among designers’ favorite club chairs are the Parsons club chair and the safari club chair. The Parsons club chair features open-side arms and legs that form a 90-degree angle, while the safari chair which consists of a simple wood frame outfitted with panels of leather to create the chair’s back and seat. The safari club chair also comes outfitted with leather straps that function as the chair’s arms. Either is a good bet if you’re looking for an accent chair with a matching ottoman.