Sofas & Armchairs: Make an Impact: How to Choose an Occasional Chair

Here’s your chance to add a pop of personality to your space in the form of a carefully chosen occasional chair.

What can an occasional chair bring to your space?

Not only will an occasional chair - also known as an accent chair - provide extra seating, but it can also add interest and colour to your room. The contrast with your other furnishings will make it an instant centrepiece, so take a chance and go bold.

Should I choose a fabric or leather armchair?

The ideal upholstery options will depend on how you plan to use the chair, and it’s location in your home. In a separate sitting area, library, master suite or study, you can go all-out on a luxe covering such as full-grain leather or velvet. In busy family zones where kids, pets and everyday wear and tear will likely make an impact on the chair, a durable, washable fabric such as linen, polyester or cotton could be the best choice. Alternatively, corrected-grain leather is a more budget-friendly leather upholstery that can withstand the daily rigour of kids and pets. For those looking for a particular colour or fabric to match your room, our chair gallery offers nine different styles of leather and fabric occasional chairs, including 16 fabrics and four leather types.

What style of armchair is right for me?

• Contemporary  Minimalist lines meet luxe Scandi-style comfort for a sleek, fuss-free look. Choose an armless ‘slipper’ shap e for an unobtrusive yet effortless elegant effect, or go bold with dramatic curves in a compact ‘tub’ form.
• Traditional  Featuring full arms and a pair of wings at head height, the traditional wingback chair  has been updated to suit contemporary tastes, while still retaining the high level of comfort and ease of relaxation the style is known for. Play up the fun factor with patterned upholstery or add a pop of colour with a bright throw cushion.
• Refined  Low arms, a curved back and all-over upholstery in luxe leather or fabric sets an elegant tone in modern, open-plan spaces. Narrow legs lift the piece up off the floor, keeping the look light and creating the illusion of space.
• Mid-century modern  Inspired by the classics of the 1940s-’60s, an organic timber frame with a low-slung seat  combines with clean lines and sleek curves to create the ultimate mid-century modern look. Contrast natural materials such as timber with leather, soft upholstery and metallic accents.

How to care for your fabric or leather armchair

Keep your new chair looking its best by attending to any spills or marks immediately - a well-placed cushion will hide a multitude of sins, but hopefully it won’t come to that! We provide a 10-year frame warranty and two-year upholstery warranty as standard. Freedom also offers tailored leather and fabric protection plans, which include five years of accidental damage cover for peace of mind, as well as cleaning and protection products specially designed for your upholstery.