How to Style an Armchair in Your Living Room
If making your living room beautiful is your idea of heaven, then placing a vanilla armchair or two near your granite fireplace or gauzy curtains is not going to make all your gorgeous furniture shine.
Remember: the job of your armchair is to double as extra seating and a design interest, introducing color to your space, adding a dash of neutrality to your color scheme, and filling awkward spaces.
So, how can you make your armchair pop in your living room? Let’s take a look at six ways you could style an armchair.
1. Add a Splash of Bold Color
Going bold doesn’t mean placing an overly bright chair in the middle of your room. You don’t want your armchair to clash against your color scheme.
So, here’s what to do: If your living room is an oasis of white, beige, and warm brown, toss in an olive armchair to liven up the atmosphere. The bold armchair will also act as your living room’s standout piece, attracting the eye whenever anybody walks in.
But if neutral tones aren’t your thing, and you like bling and shine, go for richer colors like aquamarine, maroon, eggplant, or burgundy. And if your living room is decorated in lighter neutrals, try colors like lilac, dusty rose, and sage.
2. Introduce Quirkiness with Patterns
Bold colors aren’t your thing. You like patterns, and the quirkier, the better. Unfortunately, quirky patterns look best in a vacuum. For example, if you have a neutral-colored living room, a quirky armchair is going to double as your extra seating and standout piece without clashing.
But if your living room is a riot of color and patterns from herringbone to French curlicues, adding an armchair with stripes — no matter how subdued — is going to make your living room look messy.
So, use patterned cloth on your armchair, but only if the rest of your living room has a neutral tone.
3. Experiment with Positions
We usually stuff armchairs where we have the space to fit them. If you’re doing that, you’re better off taking your armchairs out of your living room. They are not adding anything. But if you still want to keep your armchairs, get ready to compromise.
If your armchair looks good in front of the window, place it there. If it looks great under a lamp, create a small nook beside it.
4. Surround Your Coffee Table
Define the center of your living room by placing your armchairs around your coffee table. Two armchairs on either side of your coffee table create the best impact. If the space feels too empty, place your sofa on one side of the table to balance everything out.
You could also experiment with contrasting shapes. For instance, if your coffee table is round, you could go for more squared-off armchairs.
5. Create a Cozy Nook
If surrounding your coffee table with an army of armchairs isn’t your thing, find the most awkward-looking corner in your living room. It’s probably the one stuffed with miscellaneous items. Take everything out and place your armchairs over there.
If you already have an empty corner with a bookshelf, place your armchair by it to create a space for you to rest your legs, read a good book or two, and catch up on work.
6. Becomes Buddies with Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are the easiest way to add texture, contrast, and color to your living room because they come in all sizes and colors imaginable. They can also be made using any type of fabric. So, if you like velvet or brocade, you can get just that without any worry.
But how should you use throw pillows? That’s easy. Just follow the rule of opposites. If your room is made up of pale neutrals like cream, white, and beige, choose shocking and vivid throw pillows. You could even use embroidered or patterned pillows. Nothing’s too much.
However, if your room is darker toned, try using lighter, softer pillows. Also, here’s a tip to always remember: never pair patterned throws with a patterned sofa. Just don’t. You don’t want your living room to become an eyesore.
The Takeaway
Searching for and styling an armchair can feel like the biggest chore ever. Why? Because there are a million and one listings and finding the best can take a lot of time. Plus, walking around IKEA takes time.
Want to save some time? Searching for cheap armchairs or sofa sets online can make your life easier. Just hop on Google and type away!