An armchair is usually chosen for comfort and support, while an accent chair is often used to add colour, texture or shape to a room. Many designs work well as both, giving you practical seating with a stronger decorative presence.

Measure the available floor space as well as the chair’s overall width, depth and height. Leave enough room to walk around it comfortably and check the seat height and seat depth if the chair will be used regularly. A more compact accent chair may suit a bedroom or reading corner, while a wider lounge chair works well in a living room.

Rattan and cane bring natural texture, velvet adds softness and richer colour, leather develops character over time, and linen or fabric chairs are easy to pair with a wide range of interiors. Consider how often the chair will be used as well as the look you want to create.