Whatever your style, whatever shape, textures or colours you love, there is an occasional chair to suit.

An Occasional Chair may be named so, as it is only used occasionally.  However, it is an important statement piece for any room and deserves careful consideration.  The most fitting occasional chair often boasts clean, simple lines, invites comfort and style as well as having the ability to bring the entire space together.  Achieving this involves good quality design and manufacturing, as you will want to choose a chair that not only is comfortable and stylish but also durable enough to be fit for purpose.

In order to choose your occasional chair, there are a few things you first need to consider.

It may seem an obvious thing to do but is often overlooked – before choosing any furniture, but make sure you measure the room!  If you are considering more than one chair, you will need to ensure your chair/s both fit comfortably without creating a cluttered look.

Remember, size does matter! Your occasional chair should fit proportionately amongst the other pieces in the room. For instance, if you are pairing the chair with a sofa, you’re ideally aiming to have matching seat heights (the height of the seat from the floor), as well as matching the overall width of the seat and its arms.

Occasional Chairs may often have a visible frame, unliked fully upholstered living room armchairs, as well as either an upholstered seat or an upholstered seat and back. This contributes to a more dynamic environment and allows you to play with textures, finishes and combinations to brighten up the room. Finding a chair that matches your sofa, for instance, but selecting non-matching styles will help contribute to a more dynamic environment.

It is also worth considering the tone of the room.  Is your space formal or casual?
Formal rooms tend to style better with upright backs and full upholstery, often in luxurious textures and conservative or complementary solid colours or soft patterns.  A more casual area allows for a more relaxed look, lending itself to bright or bold patterns, contrasting or analogous colours, and perhaps a reclined seat, providing a range of options to suit your taste and personal comfort level. 

Often one of the trickiest questions is whether to use Fabric or leather, and which is better, longer lasting and more comfortable?   Often the construction of the chair will instruct you one way or the other and it’s always best to consult with the designer or manufacturer to see what they recommend for your chosen style.

If both are permissible, it can just boil down to a mater of personal preference, although there are a few important things you need to know.

Leather upholstery shows off a smooth finish and clean lines when chosen with a wooden frame and will give your chair a sophisticated but inviting feel.  Leather is very durable, but there are many different types to consider, so be sure to check the samples and ask a professional’s advice beforehand.  Leather can scratch and be susceptible to cracking or stretching if not treated or chosen correctly but it can outlast fabric when chosen appropriately.

If perhaps a more soft, casual look is desired or perhaps a flare of pattern and colour splash then fabric would suit this style better.  Again, you need to choose carefully, as fabric is made in different grades, each type undertaking ‘Martindale’ rub tests that will indicate their durability. Both fabric and leather can stain, but regular appropriate cleaning and treatment should see either choice last the distance.

There is plenty of places around the home that could benefit from an Occasional Chair, as they can be put to a variety of uses as a situation demands.  They are the perfect way to create a focal point in just about any room, and transition to other functions when required.  Not only do they provide functional seating, but they can add depth, interest, colour, style and purpose to your chosen space.