Kissing chairs are pearls in the interior design industry.
Hard to find, expensive and undeniably decadent, kissing chairs are the type of furniture that only appear on Architectural Digest’s Instagram feed or in prolific auction houses.
Few items of furniture exude the romanticism of these seats. A kissing chair is designed to take centre stage in the home and act as a pièce de résistance for antique collectors and hopeless romantics to marvel at.
Defined by a distinctive serpentine silhouette, kissing chairs encourage subtle courting and even the occasional bout of canoodling. The intimate design positions those who rest there close together, allowing for private conversations to take place as the party roars on in the background.
The lovers' perch was the pinnacle of taste during the Gilded and Victorian eras, yet was conceived in 19th-century France. Society’s elite would drape themselves across the curved benches during discreet discussions, allowing whisperings of sweet nothings.
The smooch-worthy seats have many aliases: love seats, conversation chairs, tête-à-têtes, courting benches, the vis-à-vis, chaperone chairs - even snuggle chairs. This makes the search for one even more complicated as names and formations vary from place to place.
They are also near-impossible to source new. While homeware brands have experimented with basic kissing chair designs in the past, the second-hand market remains the most fertile ground for unique one-offs. Originals are few and far between, so they come with a hefty price tag.
However, unlike popping to IKEA or John Lewis for a quick and easy buy, kissing chairs are an unlikely investment. If you have the disposable income to spend on a splendid chair whose value is set to increase, then you’ve potentially got a good deal on your hands.
The chairs also guarantee a magnificent focal point in the home. Available in two-seater silhouettes to more impressive three-or-four-seater carousel-like conversation pieces, the recliners are statement pieces for those with a penchant for Victorian aesthetics.
Discover where to source a regal kissing chair to add a unique touch to your shared spaces and shop the edit below.
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
A restyling of a classic Napoleon III armchair, this beautiful pale blue velvet tête-à-tête is a contemporary conversation piece. White bronze legs prop up the sleekly sculpted item, which can be shipped to your home from California.
Buy now £6630.80, 1stDibs
Penderyn Antiques Victorian Antique Confidante
A delightfully punchy piece of pink furniture, this statement conversation chair is a playful antique set to dominate a room. The Confidante features a three-section button-tufted shaped backrest with three spacious seats for lounging. Plus, the antique has recently been professionally reupholstered, meaning it can be enjoyed without risk of damage due to age.
Buy now £2550.00, Etsy
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Tête-à-Tête Lovers Seat
A rare English 19th-century Victorian mahogany kissing seat to punctuate the home, this pale lemon yellow piece will bring sunny colour into any space. It showcases rounded arched crests over curved arms complete with lion-head edges. The bright seat is raised on beautiful cabriolet legs ending in paw feet, adding an exotic touch to the elegant English item.
Buy now £6145.62, 1stDibs
Edra Large Round Red Velvet Tower Sofa
Designed by Mario Cananzi and Roberto Semprini for Edra in the 1980s, this curling design is upholstered in a striking cherry red velvet - its original upholstery. The rare piece takes inspiration from the Tatlin Tower, a symbol of constructivism created by Vladimir Tatlin during the early 20th century.
Buy now £6592.16, 1stDibs
Royal House Antiques Victorian Tête-à-Tête Sofa
Another radiant take on the kissing chair, this 19th-century beauty is a dopamine-inducing home purchase. Not only is the piece based in the UK already, but it features flapper-style fringing and a rich dark wood structure. Add to your online basket and inject some Gatsby glamour into your living room.
Buy now £2360.00, 1stDibs
Love Seat Barley Twist Bench
With a fairytale name like Love Seat Barley Twist Bench, how could love not blossom? This petite banquette love-seat by Piu hails from Italy circa 1980. Showcasing the palest of pink tones, the highly elegant piece features romantic barley twisted ironwork and metallic rose enameling. Place near a window and bathe in the spring sunlight while resting on this dainty design.
Buy now £2264.18, 1stDibs
American Eastlake Upholstered Walnut Tête-à-Tête
Searching for a more discreet design? This solid tête-à-tête exhibits a neutral colourway for minimalists to style as they wish. The rounded seats rest on eight turned legs which culminate in cast brass cup castors. A grey mohair velvet and wool satin cording trim adorns the chair, which has been recently upholstered and given a new lease of life.
Buy now £3632.02, 1stDibs
French Three-Seat Conversation Sofa
Available to ship from Los Angeles, this French three-seater conversation sofa is a floral feast for the eyes. The antiquated piece features three curved upholstered and tufted arms on a painted baluster arcade, primed for seating gossiping guests. A dark seafoam blue-green backdrop boasts sprawling pale pink florals and is bolstered by a white wooden structure.
Buy now £3638.86, 1stDibs
