When decorating a room, we’re often faced with a decision: do we opt for a statement table or a statement accent chair? Whereas sofas are virtually always nondescript, accent chairs and tables are smaller in scale, making a design risk, well, less risky. Designers will generally warn you off using two statement pieces in a room, however. Which leaves us with the question: adventurous accent chair or avant-garde accent table? Here, we give you tips on which one to go with based on your needs.
Is a Statement Accent Chair Right For You?
Given the popularity of designs like Philip Arctander’s Clam chair and Finn Juhl’s Walrus chair, it’s clear that statement accent chairs are always in vogue. However, selecting a statement chair does mean other pieces in your room will have to scale back in the drama department. Consider opting for a daringly-designed accent chair if you already own a more pragmatic coffee table or sofa. Doing so will ensure there’s no clashing.
Another time you might consider a statement accent chair? If anyone in your home is big on comfort, you might find them resistant to more unconventional seats. (Especially if they’re devotees of a classic recliner silhouette.) If you’re not up to convincing them otherwise, settling for a statement side table might be your best bet. That said, some statement accent chairs like Womb chairs and Eames loungers are comfort award-winners. So don’t count a sculptural seat out just because there’s a comfort connoisseur in the house.
Or Is An Accent Table Right For You?
Statement accent tables are ideal for anyone who wants a touch of drama — not a sweeping statement. Thanks to their size, statement accent tables can impart style without overtaking a room. Consider a statement accent table if you’re looking to add a dose of the unexpected to your living room, but you’re tight on budget. While a statement chair can easily cost several thousands of dollars, you can often score a statement accent table for a few hundred. Statement accent tables may also be better for those who prioritize function over design. Whereas statement details can dramatically alter the comfort of a seat, a table crafted of an eye-catching metal or rendered in an unsual shape is far less likely to impact its overall function.
Lead image: Design by Chauncey Boothby Interiors / Photo by Read McKendree
