We Tested (and Rated!) All the Accent Chairs at Interior Define — Here Are the Best for Every Space

If you think about the pieces that add personality to a room, ironically it’s often the smaller details, like rugs, lighting, and art, as opposed to large furniture like sofas and dining tables. That’s part of the reason why I enjoy looking at accent chairs for Apartment Therapy’s Personal shopper series so much. Yes, chairs can be big-ticket purchases, but accent chairs are more of an accessory than an essential. And that makes them extra fun to shop for — especially at a store like Interior Define.

I’ve already covered Interior Define’s stylish sofas, and during my store visit I also looked at accent chairs. (If you’re interested in other furniture categories, I’ve also written shopping guides for top retailers like Pottery Barn, Ashley, CB2, and Burrow.) Almost every chair I looked at can be described as cozy, but you’ll be able to see that for yourself when you scroll through the eight models below.

Interior Define’s philosophy is that every customer should get to customize and create their dream accent chair. You’ll notice this reflected in the shopping process when you click on a given model. In addition to having dozens of upholstery fabrics to choose from, you can also customize things like the size, leg style, and cushion fill. 

These big-ticket purchases are made-to-order, and you can see the estimated delivery time for each item on the product page. All upholstered items cost a flat-rate delivery fee of $279. The service includes in-home delivery, assembly, and cleaning up of packaging. As for returns, upholstered made-to-order items have a 60-day return window and a 50% processing fee that’s deducted from the final refund.

Most Comfortable: Fiona Accent Chair
Best Cozy Style: Perry Accent Chair
Best for an Entryway: Blake Accent Chair
Best Oversized: Alexander Accent Chair
Most Versatile: Savona Swivel Chair
Best for a Bedroom: Lawson Swivel Chair
Best for Small Spaces: Tegan Swivel Chair
Best for Lounging: Maxwell Accent Chair by Apartment Therapy

I judged every Interior Define chair in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5.

• Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
• Seat depth: How far do you have to scoot to meet the backrest? And when you do, are you in an upright or reclined position?
• Loungability: Can you spend hours on this chair? And would you want to?
• Durability: Is the fabric easy to care for and able to withstand daily use? Does it require frequent upkeep or spot cleaning? How sturdy is the frame?
• Appearance: What style does it suit best? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., rounded lines, tufted cushions, classic silhouette) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, swivel base, simple silhouette)?

What impressed me: The rounded silhouette and lumbar cushion.

The Fiona chair instantly grabbed me, with its curved shape and inviting feel. It has a normal depth and firm, bouncy seat. A soft lumbar pillow adds softness to the mid-tall back. I also appreciate the tall brass legs, which extend up past the chair’s base for a glam touch.

I would classify the Fiona chair as small-space-friendly, even though it’s not the smallest chair I saw. For its size, it’s supremely comfortable — the perfect balance of cushy and supportive. Because its seat juts out past the arms, you could also sit cross-legged on it if you wanted to.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 35″ long, 32.5″ wide, 31″ high
• 127 upholstery options
• See more styles here

What impressed me: The rolled arms and angled back.

Traditional silhouettes often look cozier than modern chair shapes, and that’s true of the Perry chair. I saw it upholstered in a gold velvet, although I think it would dazzle in a jewel tone, like “Royal” or “Berry.” In any case, the chair literally beckons you to sit with open arms, and because its back legs are slightly shorter than the front legs, you get an angled recline.

Even though this model has a normal height, I still felt like I was sitting in a low-profile chair as I scooted back on its firm, foamy seat. The back was also on the firmer side, so you could add a pillow for more support, although it’s not totally necessary. No matter where you place it, the Perry will add a relaxing vibe to the entire space.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 33″ long, 32.5″ wide, 31.5″ high
• 128 upholstery options

What impressed me: The tall seat and wooden frame.

Even from the front, the focal point of the Blake chair is its wraparound wooden frame. This detail gives it a homey yet artistic flair, which is part of the reason why I deemed this the best pick for an entryway. That being said, it’s a normal size, so not entirely small-space-friendly. The seat is tall, deep, and comfortable enough, but the short, firm back definitely needs a lumbar cushion.

Although the Blake would look great in a living room, you might want to showcase it in a less conventional spot, like a hallway or the spot under your staircase. Its mid-century silhouette and gold-capped legs deserve their own place to shine.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 32.75″ long, 34″ wide, 29″ high
• 129 upholstery options

What impressed me: The stately appearance and ornate legs.

Grandpa chairs have been having a resurgence in recent years, and after seeing the Alexander chair, I understand why. The first two words that I jotted down when I saw it were “big & tall,” so that’s the most important thing you need to know about this oversized piece. Because its wide seat offers the perfect amount of softness and support, however, I think the space this chair takes up is well-deserved.

In the store, the Alexander had a decorative accent pillow, which presents a fun styling opportunity and an easy way to create a more upright position if you’re eating or working. I also enjoyed its caster legs, which, coupled with the roll arms, add lots of charm. If you have the space for it and are looking to create a more loungey vibe in your family room, this is a foolproof pick.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 38″ long, 36.5″ wide, 36″ high
• 126 upholstery options
• See more styles here

What impressed me: The out-turned arms and smooth swivel.

I actually saw two minty green velvet Savona chairs around a small dining table on the store floor, which instantly made me see how versatile this style is. The Savona is on the compact side but still has all of the benefits of a regular accent chair, like a sophisticated wraparound back and smooth swivel. But you can use it in pretty much any room, whether you need a vanity chair, desk chair, or dining chair.

Savona’s seat cushion is removable, which always comes in handy for vacuuming up crumbs — especially if you do end up grabbing a set to put around the dining table. No matter what, this is a seat you can move around until you find the perfect spot for it, which might change over time — and that’s OK!

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 29.5″ long, 29.75″ wide, 33.5″ high
• 128 upholstery options

What impressed me: The prominent piping and deep recline.

Another swivel chair, the Lawson was part of a living room setup in the store, but its tall back and arms made me feel cocooned and gave me the same relaxed feeling I experience when lounging in bed. This made me think it would make the perfect reading chair for an empty bedroom corner; you could also drape your daily outfit ideas onto it, so it could come in handy while getting ready, too.

As is the case with all of the other Interior Define chairs, the Lawson is available in over 100 upholstery fabrics, but I liked the ivory bouclé version I saw. It’s a performance fabric, too, so it’s easier to spot-clean than regular bouclé. The chair’s swivel base did catch on a rug corner underneath when I tried to turn it, so just make sure you place it either completely on or off of a rug.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 33.5″ long, 32.5″ wide, 29.25″ high
• 127 upholstery options

What impressed me: The compact footprint and velvet upholstery.

If you like a more structured seat, the Tegan offers just enough space for you to sit upright, so it would work well in a pair for the living room or the foot of the bed. Despite its small size, I found its seat to have a perfect medium-firm feel, and I even sunk in a little. The back, however, is low and firm and definitely needs a cushion if you plan on sitting there for more than half an hour.

Looks-wise, the Tegan is very sleek precisely because of its cushion-less design. I found its swivel to be smooth but heavy; you need some elbow grease to get it turning. Thanks to its no-frills design, the Tegan would look good in any upholstery fabric and color, so you can play around and make it your own.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 30″ long, 24″ wide, 30″ high
• 129 upholstery options
• Also available as a pedestal swivel chair and a chair-and-a-half

What impressed me: The tall, soft back and wide seat.

In a way, I’ve saved the best for last because the Maxwell chair was actually designed by Maxwell Ryan, Apartment Therapy’s CEO. When I say this is the chair for lounging, I’m not exaggerating. The seat is super deep, so much so that I was practically lying down by the time I slid all the way back. It’s also on the softer side and nicely supplemented with a short lumbar pillow. The seat is also wide, so you can really spread out and sink into a variety of positions.

A tall back and roll arms differentiate the Maxwell from your standard lounger. These details, combined with the eye-catching legs, tip the chair over into the traditional aesthetic. The last thing I’ll say is that this model has a low profile despite its tall back, meaning you have to squat down to get into it. This is fine because once you’re sat, you’ll likely be there for a while, but it’s still something to consider if you prefer an easier liftoff. 

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 37″ long, 37″ wide, 31″ high
• 128 upholstery options
• See more styles here