I Didn’t Think I Had Room for an Accent Chair — Until I Found This Small-Space Gem

I’ve always considered lounge chairs to be an out-of-reach luxury — mostly because I never had the space to spare. The models on the market all seemed too bulky for my small apartment and making pieces work in my living room layout was a challenge. That all changed when I came across the Vela Lounge Chair by Cozey (the brand behind some of our editors’ favorite sofas!). With its refreshingly compact shape, a lounge chair didn’t seem so far-fetched after all! After putting it to the test in my own apartment, I can confirm that it’s exactly what I needed. Read on for my honest thoughts. 

Modular furniture is Cozey’s specialty, so I didn’t have to worry about getting the chair up my apartment’s narrow stairs. It arrived at my doorstep in two manageable boxes (one with the wood frame and one with the cushions) that I was able to carry upstairs without injuring myself. The ease of assembly also surprised me. While my husband is usually the resident furniture-builder in our home, I’m proud to say I was able to put the Vela chair together all on my own! The instructions were clear and easy for me to follow, nor did I need any tools aside from the included Allen key. 

Most importantly, the Vela chair is one of the more compact accent chairs I’ve found, at only 22.9 inches wide and 30.5 inches deep. Its armless silhouette doesn’t eat up a ton of floor space, yet it doesn’t make me feel like I’m sacrificing comfort, either. It has a surprisingly deep seat and an angled back that offers the ideal level of loungeable recline. Not bad for such a space-friendly chair! 

The Vela chair is also incredibly stylish, with a clean-lined mid-century modern vibe that’s rooted in Scandi simplicity. It features Ashwood legs and a plywood backrest and seat shells, which are laminated in a matching Ash veneer. You can choose between oak or walnut finishes (I opted for oak). The seat cushions adhere to the frame via a velcro backing, so they can be switched out with ease if you want to try a new color or fabric — how cool is that? I chose cushions in Midnight Blue, one of Cozey’s performance fabrics that’s pet-friendly and easy to clean. 

Cozey’s Vela Lounge Chair changed the way I think about having an accent chair in a small apartment. It can be done, all without sacrificing comfort or style. Our living room isn’t the largest, yet the Vela fits right in next to my coffee table without making the space feel cramped. It actually helps divide the living room from the dining area, without totally closing it off. My husband and I are in love with our living room layout now! Something we couldn’t say before. 

In terms of the sit, I’d classify the Vela chair as a classic medium-firm. The cushions are filled with 6 ounces of dacron fiber (aka polyester), which gives them a supportive feel that bounces back when you get up. It may not be the most pillowy plump chair, but it more than makes up for that with its ergonomic, contouring seat. The backrest has a soft give that leans back as you do for a comfy yet controlled recline. I don’t struggle to sit down or get up because it has the perfect angled position (not too deep but not too upright, either). 

The chair is also an ideal height for my coffee table, which is perfect for game nights, hosting, or eating. All of which I can feel comfortable doing while seated in the Vela, because its durable performance fabric easily wipes clean. 

If, like me, you have a small living room in need of extra seating, or want to round out a reading nook or home office, the Vela chair is definitely worth considering. It met all my requirements in terms of size, style, and comfort, and I’m convinced that it would work in most apartments, too. Plus, it’s easy to customize thanks to the interchangeable seat and back cushions, so it’s a chair that can change along with you. 

Buy: Cozey Vela Lounge Chair, $370