Spruce Up Your Farmhouse Living Room With Cozy Accent Chairs

Farmhouse style living rooms exude cozy vibes with their natural, vintage-inspired decor. While anchors like sofas, coffee tables, and media cabinets make up the foundation, accent chairs infuse charm and additional seating into the space. When thoughtfully incorporated, farmhouse accent chairs can elevate your living room's comfort and appearance.

But with so many shapes, sizes, and design elements to evaluate, it helps to brush up on what defines the farmhouse chair aesthetic. Understanding these nuances allows you to curate pieces for the room that not only match your existing vision but feel uniquely you. We'll explore frame materials, upholstery options, and styling techniques to pull the look together seamlessly.

What Makes a Chair "Farmhouse" Style?

Farmhouse decor emphasizes natural textures, antique-inspired details, and neutral but warm color palettes. Accent chairs that align with the style mirror these touches through their materials and finishing. Often made of domestic hardwoods like oak or maple, they showcase visible wood grains and signs of natural distressing for a timeworn look.

Natural Materials Like Wood and Wicker

Exposed wood frames crafted from oak, maple, pine, or salvaged barnwood fit right into the farmhouse aesthetic. Spindle-back side chairs and arched barrel chairs often feature these durable, low-maintenance woods. For softer textures, woven wicker options in natural hues add inviting visual interest while remaining farmhouse friendly.

Neutral Color Palettes

Soft whites, tans, light gray, and weathered wood tones are mainstays of the farmhouse color scheme. Upholstered armchairs and lounge chairs generally stick to these muted hues so as not to distract from other decorative finishes in the living room. Neutral frames also allow accent chairs to seamlessly pair with existing furniture.

Vintage Inspired Details

Elements reminiscent of antique furniture keep accent chairs feeling nostalgic and charming. Carved frame accents, turned spindles, cast brass hardware, nailheads, and distressed legs all provide vintage farmhouse touches. Tufted upholstery and vintage fabric prints also nod to the early 20th century origins of this style.

Rustic or Distressed Touches

Visible nicks, imperfect wood grains, or oxidized metal finishes give farmhouse chairs undisputed character. Painted finishes in chippy whites or timeworn wood stains reinforce the rustic appeal. Exposed joinery styling and visible hardware also heightens this cozy, worn-in effect for both wooden and upholstered furniture pieces.

Comfortable Cushions and Upholstery

Given their smaller size, farmhouse accent chairs often incorporate plush cushions and padded arms for comfortable seating. Natural fibers like cotton and linen allow for breathability in tight chair quarters. Performance fabrics such as durable woven polyester and velvet-y rayon inject style while standing up well to everyday living.

Best Fabrics for Farmhouse Accent Chairs

The fabric covering your farmhouse accent chairs makes a powerful impact on their look and durability. While you can't go wrong with traditional textiles like cotton and linen, explore all your upholstery options before finalizing any furniture purchases.

Cotton

From durable duck cloth to soft quilted cotton, this natural fiber perfectly aligns with the casual farmhouse aesthetic. Its breathable weave and ability to take on charming distressed finishes cement it as a perennial decor favorite.

Linen

Understated linen upholstery in solids or subtle textured weaves gives accent chairs a refined appearance. As a durable plant-based fabric resistant to pilling and tearing, linen offers years of fearless use at a middle-of-the-road price point for most budgets.

Jute

Hand-woven jute brings an organic sensibility and pleasantly scratchy texture to farmhouse seating. Natural shades of off-white and light brown suit the color palette. Ideal for rustic spaces, jute does require vigilance to stains and sunlight exposure over time.

Velvet

Farmhouse decor embraces luxe velvet for its sheen and insulating properties. Look for durable polyester or rayon/linen blend velvets to prevent matting and wear. Deep jewel-toned shades or solid black inject welcome drama if your space feels uninspired.

Leather

Full grain, top grain, or high-quality faux leathers impart sophistication with their subtle sheen and supple hand. Opt for lighter tanned shades or distressed finishes in keeping with the farmhouse vision. As an easy-maintenance option with unbeatable longevity, leather checks all the boxes.

Choosing Durable Yet Cozy Materials

When finalizing upholstery choices, strike the right balance between technical performance and irresistible softness. Prioritize stain resistance and durability for high-traffic living rooms. But don't overlook the appeal of cozy brushed cottons and textured boucles that beckon you to curl up for hours.

Frame Styles That Work Well

Much like upholstery, farmhouse accent chair frames run the gamut from weathered wood to painted metal to woven wicker. Traditional shapes like barrel and slipper chairs fit right in, but don't limit yourself. Here are frame materials that mesh perfectly with rustic, vintage-style decor.

Exposed Wood Frames

Hardwoods like oak, maple and pine left unfinished or lightly stained allow beautiful wood grain to shine through. The layered distressing of salvaged barn boards also provides plenty of well-loved character. For painted wood frames, choose chippy off-whites or timeworn patinas to prevent crisp perfection.

Salvaged Barnwood

Reclaimed from old barns and structures, salvaged barnwood offers the ultimate distressed texture with nail holes, drying cracks, and natural weathering in tow. Farmhouse frames crafted from these recycled planks gain unmatched depth. Just prepare for higher price points due to specialized sourcing and labor costs.

Oak, Maple or Pine Wood

Domestic oak, maple and pine each bring durable and attractive wood grains primed for farmhouse-friendly finishes. Oak displays prominent figuring with yellow/red undertones. Hard maple offers creamy off-whites perfect for painted furniture. And pine contributes rustic whorls, knots, and golden highlights at budget pricing.

Visible Wood Grain

Part of the farmhouse allure lies within celebrating natural wood characteristics versus concealing them. Interplay between grain patterns along with mineral deposits and color variations tell a story, reinforcing vintage charm. Be sure to protect the beauty of open-grain woods like oak using sealants.

Carved Frame Accents

Frame details echoing antique wood furniture keep the farmhouse vision strong. Fluted carvings, lathed ball-and-spindle legs, cabriole shaping, and distressed edges all provide depth and visual interest. These ornate yet homespun touches suit both modern and truly antique accent chairs.

Turned Spindles and Legs

In keeping with cottagecore charm, many farmhouse chairs incorporate turned wood components in their construction. Lathed spindles, gently curved legs, and decorative stretchers reinforce old-fashioned silhouettes. The segmented details and tactile appeal turn these chairs into sculptural statements versus basic seating.

The Most Popular Silhouettes and Sizes

Farmhouse living rooms welcome accent chairs spanning the design spectrum. Feel free to mix classic shapes like slipper chairs with of-the-moment barrel silhouettes or modular cloud chairs. Just be thoughtful of your room's spatial limitations and seating needs before clicking purchase.

Classic Armchairs

Every living room needs at least one cozy, supportive armchair. Choose cushioned, low-slung models with padded arms, or opt for more upright, wingback armchair styles covered in soft woven textures. Place an armchair next to the sofa or use one to define a separate reading nook.

Spindle-Back Side Chairs

Spindle-back chairs hearken to traditional farm dining furniture in the best way. Featuring carved hardwood frames with vertical wood dowel details, they interface perfectly with coffee tables or as spare seating. Open-frame construction makes cleaning the undersides a cinch.

Barrel Chairs

The rounded barrel chair silhouette lands tons of farmhouse charm with little effort. Choose cushioned models with exposed wood feet or wicker bases complemented by removable T-cushions or skirted slipcovers. Arranging two barrel chairs facing each other promotes conversation in unused corners.

Slipper Chairs

True to their name, slipper chairs slide right into small empty spaces thanks to compact, armless profiles with low backs. Upholster them in natural linen, cozy wool textiles or durable vintage-look leather for endless farmhouse appeal. Keep legs exposed to prevent heaviness.

Lounge Chairs

Deep-set, lounge-around comfort makes upholstered lounge chairs ideal for relaxing stretches of reading or afternoon naps. Look for classic club chair shapes with block feet or more reclined, chaise-like silhouettes. Perfect beside windows or tucked away in a private nook.

Ottomans

Every accent chair appreciates an accompanying ottoman for propping up feet and enjoying optimal comfort. Look for neutral upholstered cube styles able to multitask as spare seating, or opt for woven leather poufs adding luxurious texture. Either way, don't overlook ottomans when curating your farmhouse chairscape.

Mixing and Matching

Creating a harmonious accent chair mix invites you to layer classic shapes with more modern profiles. Try pairing traditional roll-arm chairs with abstract slipper chairs upholstered in the same fabric family. Or flank a settee with sculptural wicker eggs for textural contrast. The key lies in cohesive colors and finishing.

Tips For Incorporating Chairs Into Your Decor

When sourcing accent chairs for your farmhouse living room, avoid sticking to a rigid style template. Follow your instincts instead, allowing pieces that truly speak to you to inform the evolving aesthetic. That said, adhere to some fundamental guidelines for a cohesive outcome.

Repeat Living Room Color Schemes

Tie new chairs into the overall look by selecting frame or upholstery colors already present within the space. For instance, opt for an off-white chair interior to coordinate with existing creamy walls or cabinets. This repetition promotes visual continuity from piece to piece.

Coordinate Patterns and Textures

Carefully mixing and matching patterns gives farmhouse decor depth and personality without competing vibes. Consider incorporating accent chair fabrics that subtly complement checkered throw pillows or window dressings. Pairing smooth wood frames with nubby linen upholstery also provides pleasing contrast.

Balance Dark and Light Pieces

Anchoring ultra-light chairs with darker wood coffee tables (or vice versa) grounds your furniture arrangement for a composed look. Using this same approach with your lighting choices also proves impactful. Flank ebony accent chairs with brass floor lamps or table lamps to lovingly illuminate their profiles.

Add Pillows for Pops of Contrast

While somewhat expected, throw pillows cynics can't ignore how well they build a complete space. Opt for pillows in geometric patterns or vivid solids (think: mustard or ruby red) that inject energy into neutral chairs. Velvet and wool textures in contrasting hues also ramp up coziness tenfold.

Arrange Seating Areas Conducive to Conversation

When plotting out your new accent chairs, group them into comfortable vignettes that promote quality time with loved ones. Angle chairs diagonally across from one another beside a table to make conversing natural. Or face two chairs toward a sofa to create an intimate gathering area anchored by a fluffy area rug underneathfoot.

Where to Place Farmhouse Accent Chairs

Truly successful farmhouse living rooms know how to showcase accent chairs as the jewels they are. That means dedicating real time to evaluating open floor space and moving pieces around to capitalize on their attributes. Dinner party or movie night, your chairs work overtime when thoughtfully placed.

Beside Sofas or Sectionals

Flanking a lengthier sofa with two accent chairs widens overall seating capacity for family movie nights and casual gatherings. Angle the accent chairs slightly inward toward the sofa to promote better conversation flow. Anchor them using a large area rug overlapping underneathfoot.

Around Coffee Tables or Ottomans

Gathering chairs around a central surface like an oversized square ottoman or substantial wood slab coffee table lets you comfortably rest drinks and prop up feet. The intimate yet spacious arrangement accommodates both larger groups and quieter one-on-one hangs.

In Unused Corners

Make the most of awkward yet spacious corners too narrow for bulky furniture pieces. Tuck a single lounge chair kitty corner for a secluded reading escape flanked by windows and natural lighting. Or fill the void with two chairs placed perpendicular, their pairing forming a new conversation hub.

Behind Furniture as Secondary Seating

Add a row of compact slipper or spindle-back chairs behind your primary sofa seating to boost occupancy numbers during parties and seasonal celebrations. The chairs cleverly obstruct less-desirable views of the backside of your main furniture pieces for a tidier look.

Against Walls to Define Spaces

Beyond their seating capabilities, creatively positioned chairs help delineate new zones within cavernous living rooms. Place two barrel chairs facing one another along a blank wall to carve out an impromptu work station or reading nook. The chairs' backs reinforce the boundary's visual impact.

Styling Your Farmhouse Accent Chairs

Even standalone statement chairs deserve a little styling and TLC. Embrace small yet impactful accessories and vignettes to make your farmhouse accent chairs shine brighter than ever before. Soon you won't want to rise from those plush cushions!

Layer Antique-Inspired Accessories

Vintage touches like etched glass lamps, monogrammed pillows, or distressed ceramic planters enrich farmhouse chairs with storied elegance. For wooden chairs, incorporate carved wood side tables hosting candles or books beside cushioned seats for an enveloping effect.

Incorporate Natural Greenery and Dried Florals

Woven wicker chairs dotted with plush pillows provide the perfect concrete base for displaying glass cloches of dried pampas grass plumes. Or adorn hardwood chair frames with trailing spider plants potted in macrame hanger planters boasting bohemian farmhouse edge.

Toss Sheepskin or Cowhide Rugs on Chair Frames

Natural hide rugs draped atop upholstered chair frames conjure images of cozy cabins in the countryside. Look for ethically sourced sheepskins and cowhides in organic shapes able to cascade down sides for an enveloping effect. Crisp white chairs prove ideal backdrops.

Don't Overlook Lighting Elements

Proper illumination transforms chairs from frumpy to fab. Install dainty string lights behind chairs to create a twinkling focal point after dark. Or splurge on anthracite-hued Bentwood floor lamps able to spotlight chairs while providing additional old-world interest.

Shopping Smart for Quality & Value

Your farmhouse chair options expand far beyond big box stores, with boutique furniture brands and Etsy artisans offering custom solutions. Get the lay of the land so you can make informed decisions balancing personal vision, quality craftsmanship, and budget realities over the long term.

Don't limit yourself to physical stores when deal hunting. Online-only boutiques pass incredible savings onto customers by eliminating pricey brick-and-mortar overhead. Plus, niche makers on Etsy boast short production runs and hyper-customization regional furniture stores simply can't match.