These 12 West Elm Accent Chairs Would Transform Any Room Into a Designer Paradise — Wingback, Swivel, and More
West Elm accent chairs are the answer to our every styling prayer. Style Editor Brigid Kennedy has collated 12 of the very best here for you to peruse (and hopefully experiment with yourself!)


Show me an interior design problem and I will show you a West Elm accent chair to solve it. I know that sounds hyperbolic, but for the most part, it's true — chances are you'll find something that fits what you need among the hundreds of product listings, varied and accessible but not overwhelming, as some online retailers tend to be. And an accent chair is, more often than not, the missing piece in a living room, particularly if that living room is quite large and under-decorated. An accent chair in the corner or offsetting the couch might be just what the doctor ordered.
Now that I've already professed my love for West Elm with a West Elm editor's choice round-up, it makes it much easier to gush over their accent chair selection, seeing as I just generally love accent chairs as an interior design tool. 'Extra seating is always needed, and accent chairs look great in pairs,' says Beth Martin, founder of Beth Martin Design. 'Complete the look by adding a little table for drinks, and your room will feel polished and thoughtfully designed.'
That sounds easy enough, right? If you agree, let's take a quick look at some of the best accent chairs West Elm has to offer. Who knows maybe an edit of coffee tables (perfect for your drinks!) will be coming down the pipeline soon ...
Best West Elm Stationary Accent Chairs
Best West Elm Armless Accent Chairs
Best West Elm Wingback Accent Chairs
Price: From $749
Its exaggerated shape and tall siding are a bookworm's dream. And this ivory shearling, the piece de resistance for this white accent chair, looks as cozy as could be.
Best West Elm Swivel Accent Chairs
Can't get enough West Elm? Lucky you. Check out (then bookmark) our round-up of the best of the West Elm sale section for easy access when inspiration strikes.
How should I style an accent chair?
Well, that depends on the kind of accent chair you're working with! For a small accent chair, you should 'highlight only one bold design feature,' or 'you risk overpowering the petite size,' says Beth Martin. 'A typical upholstered chair can stand up to a daring fabric, or if your chair's overall structure is unusual, opt for a solid hue.'
If you're working with a modern accent chair, you could try a 'simple, natural approach' or a 'bold, eccentric approach,' adds Jamie Mitri, founder and CEO of Moss Pure. With the former, use 'solid or neutral colors such as white, black, or gray.' With the latter, go for 'bold colors' like blue, green, red, or even metallic gold.
With a minimalist accent chair, stick with neutrals or light-colored wood, and with a mid-century accent chair, go with 'neutral tones and natural materials,' Jamie continues.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletters are your inside source for what’s shaping interiors now - and what’s next. Discover trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration that brings design to life. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve.

Brigid Kennedy is a freelance writer and former style editor for Livingetc.com, where she scoured the internet for the best and most stylish deals on home decor and more. She also served as the website's in-house sofa expert, completely revamping and reworking Livingetc's expansive sofa buying guide by interviewing a total of 17 interior designers and sofa experts at top brands like Article and Benchmade Modern; sitting on upwards of 50 sofas across both Pittsburgh and New York City; extensively polling her friends and family for their own sofa-buying anecdotes and product recommendations; and traveling to Dallas, Texas, to tour the floor of a couch factory. In total, she estimates she has spent 40+ hours (and counting!) reading, writing, and talking about couches with accredited sofa connoisseurs o then pass that knowledge on to you. She describes her personal design style as colorful and clean, and in her free time enjoys reading, watching movies, and curating impossibly niche playlists on Spotify. She recently relocated from Manhattan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she's decorating and DIYing a new home downtown.
-
I’m an Interior Designer, and This Is How I’ve Made Budget Kitchens Look Expensive in My Projects
Starting with a budget kitchen frame, I've transformed my fair share of spaces into luxurious-looking, elevated design schemes
-
The Most Innovative Anti-Aging Secret Might Not Be a Serum — It Might Be This Cleverly-Designed Pillow
This unusually-shaped pillow promises to stop sleep wrinkles before they start — taking the pressure off in more ways than one
-
This Outdoor Rocking Chair Actually Looks Cool and Modern — And It's Budget-Friendly Too
Rocking chairs might seem like an outdated outdoor furnishing, but this one from Walmart proves that they can be a top choice for modern outdoor living
-
12 Cane Accent Chairs That Won't Ever Go Out of Style — Including a Highly-Rated Design for Under $140
Cane accent chairs are back and once again proving that coastal cool is forever. Prepare to sink into an endless summer
-
Recliner Chairs Don't Have to Be Dated — This Shopping Editor Has Found 12 of the Most Modern Designs
Forget what you know about comfort — these modern recliners prove that you can have comfort and good looks
-
I'm a Style Editor, — These are the 12 Most Stylish Modern Swivel Chairs for Every Type of Design Scheme
Swivel chairs are great for a lot of things, including space-limited design schemes. Which one of these 12 will you choose? The options will make your head spin.
-
12 Modern Wingback Chairs for Relaxing in Style — Structured, Sumptuous, and Oh-So-Chic
You know wingback chairs for their showstopping and tell-tale design. Now, it's time to highlight a few of Livingetc's favorites, all hand-selected by Style Editor Brigid Kennedy
-
These Director's Chairs Are a Clever Way to Do Extra Outdoor Seating When You're Short on Storage
Director’s chairs are an on-set staple, and these 12 are ready for their close-up. See why our style editor says they're the next big thing
-
The Best West Elm Furniture Has Left Our Style Editor Stunned (in a Good Way!) — 'Can I Buy it All?!'
It's hard to narrow the best West Elm furniture down into one 15-item edit, but for you, dear reader, we had to try. Shop Style Editor Brigid Kennedy's round-up now
-
This Edit of West Elm Outdoor Furniture is Every Summer Lover's Dream
It's true what they say: West Elm outdoor furniture and an incredible summer go hand in hand. Act now to make the most of these amazing pieces, handpicked by our style editor