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Real Homes
Punteha van Terheyden

Sculpted and statement chairs can transform rooms in an instant. I'm a homes editor and here are my top picks

Farmhouse open style kitchen with three spindle back black chairs at the island which are striking statement chairs.

When you're putting together your first home, or starting to hit your interior style stride, there aren't many furniture pieces that deliver as much impact as a gorgeous and fun sculpted or statement chair.

I'm a homes editor and perpetual bargain hunter, so a good looking chair is my all-time top furniture buy. It instantly serves serious style into any room, plus creates a great opportunity to bring in function — one of my top tips for small space living.

I've handpicked a few chair styles that make my heart sing and asked a brilliant interior designer for her best accent chairs, including picks from her own home. I've also tracked down alternatives you can grab at a big discount if the designer prices are out of budget.

Designer tips for picking statement chairs

Nina Lichtenstein, principle designer and founder of Nina's Home Design says when selecting a sculpted chair for your space, ensure its size fits comfortably and complements the existing decor without overwhelming it. 

She explains, "Pay attention to proportionality, especially if the chair needs to slide under a table. Consider the chair's height and design to seamlessly fit under the table, taking into account legroom and table height."

She also advises to make sure the chair complements the overall scale and proportion of the room, as this can affect both visual harmony and practical functionality. 

Nina adds, "This attention to detail ensures the chair enhances, rather than disrupts, your room's design aesthetic and usability."

The scalloped chair

(Image credit: Wayfair)

I'm a sucker for a shell or clam-shaped statement chair. It gives a nod to my favorite era where Art Deco reigned supreme, but also gives any space, however plain, a touch of interest. My velvet scalloped statement chair, pictured below, worked well with my plain white vanity and was the first furniture item I purchased for my newly-built home to give it a spot of life.

I only paid around $100 dollars for it, the foam held its shape well, the upholstered material didn't show signs of wear despite three years of daily use and house guests always comment on how nice it is.

I live in the UK so my navy one is from Dunelm (and no longer stocked), but in the US, there are plentiful uncanny lookalikes, including the Hendrix Velvet Barrel Chair from Wayfair,  which comes in 14 colors, is rated 4.8/5 stars by customers, and available with one-day delivery.

The shell shape works for other areas of small home design, making a great addition to a kitchen island or dining area. Alternatively, glam up your home office with a scalloped chair on wheels such as the VANITII Accent Chair Swivel Vanity Chair from Bed Bath & Beyond, which comes in three colors.

My navy blue clam chair in front of my vanity (Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden)

As you can see in the image above, my newly-built home was as plain as they come, with white everything. So, the first thing I did when we moved in was add a chair I loved to the space to tide me over until I had the time and resources to paint, add in window treatments, change my mirror to the cheaper alternative of the viral Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose gold mirror, and add a rug.

I've handpicked three other scalloped designs I love below, and though I haven't tried these out myself, I've compared and contrasted features, colors, materials and spent hours reading through hundreds of customer reviews to understand what was great about them from shoppers who bought and loved them.

The rocking chair

Nina's gray rocking chair (Image credit: Brian Madden/Nina's Home Design)

Have you ever sat in a rocking chair? If not, you're missing out. There is something intrinsically soothing and lovely about the simple pleasure of being rocked, making this chair style a favorite of mine.

Whether you're in your parenting era, racing through your reading list in a cozy nook, or simply enjoy the gentle and welcome motion of a rocking chair, this comfortable pick is a winner.

Nina agrees, emphasizing how crucial it is to consider comfort when picking a sculpted or statement chair. She says, "Look for ergonomic designs that provide adequate support for prolonged sitting. Additionally, consider the maintenance requirements of materials used — choose fabrics or finishes that are easy to clean and maintain to ensure long-term usability and aesthetic appeal."

The beauty of a wooden rocking chair is the option to have it indoors or out.

Nina's gray rocking chair, pictured above, is the Eleya Dark Gray & Stega Gray Fabric Outdoor Rocking Chair from Article.

Nina says, "Crafted for the outdoors with high-performance fabric, this chair seamlessly transitions indoors, making it an ideal addition to any home. Its specially coated legs prevent floor scratches and ensure quiet rocking, enhancing its usability both on my wrap-around deck and in my sun room."

The Eleya is made from powder-coated aluminum and teak wood which are both durable for outdoor use, but also versatile and light if you want to bring it indoors.

Nina adds, "This spacious rocker is perfect for shared moments, comfortably seating two people — be it a parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, or two children. To style this versatile piece, place it beside an end table to hold your favorite book and a refreshing drink. Enhance its comfort and aesthetic appeal with a draped throw. Choose a neutral textured one for a cohesive look or a colorful one for a striking contrast. 

"Pair it with a complementary ottoman to maximize comfort and functionality. Its supreme comfort, combined with indoor-outdoor versatility, makes it a standout piece. I love it for its comfort, versatility, durability and stylish adaptability both indoors and out."

Nina's guests consistently praise its comfort and functionality, making it a fab pic for social-heavy spaces in the home, or a nice seating option for guest rooms. 

She recommends this sleek style of statement chair for homes with a modern farmhouse, Scandanavian, transitional (mix of classic and contemporary), rustic, coastal or mid-century modern look. 

If you prefer a glam, Art Deco, maximalist, Victorian, or an industrial look, this one probably isn't for you but hang tight for options that will suit.

The spindle-back chair

(Image credit: Brian Madden/ Nina Lichtenstein)

Nina has the above striking dining chairs in her open plan farmhouse style kitchen, and the structured lines of the Jace Modern Upholstered Nettlewood Dining Chair from Kathy Kuo Home are divine to look at. 

She says, "The timeless silhouette of this chair is updated with unexpected details. The chair boasts a honey brown-finished nettlewood frame paired with speckled beige performance upholstery, ensuring exceptional durability. Gunmetal-finished iron spindles elevate the seat back with an industrial touch, adding to its unique charm."

Nina recommends pairing this chair with a wood dining table to create an inviting and stylish dining area. She adds, "Enhance the dining experience with complementary table linens and centerpieces that complement the chair's warm tones and natural materials."

Nina loves this style of chair for its supreme comfort, affordability, and its earthy color palette that fits perfectly within a cozy, nature-inspired aesthetic.

Constructed from iron and solid oak and finished in brown and grey, this chair is highly adaptable, fitting into various home aesthetics thanks to its neutral colors and eye-catching design. It’s priced at $549, currently on sale for $440.

The Kathy Kuo Chair pictured above in Nina's home would fit beautifully in various design aesthetics, including bohemian and Scandinavian, but give it a wide berth if you love art deco, which is known for its bold geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and lavish materials. 

The sculpted chair

(Image credit: Crate and Barrel)

It's the sort of beautiful design you might see in a hotel lobby, but there is no reason you can't bring this shape into your home, rented or otherwise. The curved lines and and interesting seat shapes combine to make a visually striking focal point for any room. 

You can add one to the ends of a dining table or pop a gorgeous chair with a side-table and foot rest in your living space to welcome guests in style. My personal favorite is a sculpted barrel chair because the smooth, curved lines are quite simply, gorgeous to look at and instantly give a high-end feel to any space.

Real Homes content editor and resident trends expert Eve Smallman says, "Sculptured barrel chairs are a sophisticated way to add style to a small space quickly. Whether you put yours next to a bookcase to create a reading nook, pair it up with your couch to add dimension to your living space, or use it as an alternative study chair, the beauty of this sort of seat is that it can be used most anywhere in your home.

"While they have striking silhouettes by themselves and work well with neutral tones, I like the idea of going for jewel tones or soft textures such as boucle, to make even more of a contemporary impact in your home. Pair these up with matching decor to create a cohesive scheme that’s tied together and centered around this eye-catching furniture piece."

Meet the expert


If other spaces in your home need some chair TLC, our guide on the best Amazon office chairs, or best folding chairs for small spaces will send you in the right direction. If you're still stumped for ideas, Hilary Duff's accent chair is sure to bring some extra chair inspiration.

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