In a bid to reduce my ever-spiraling screen time I’ve siphoned off a corner of my living room to transform into a reading corner. Whilst the rest of the UK is having a Brat Summer, I’m ready to slow down and have a Book Girl Summer.
After all, the rows of untouched novels gathering dust on my bookshelf need reading and my wired brain needs a break from the palm-sized computer in my pocket. I am not alone in craving a corner of calm: Google searches for ‘armchair’ reached 46K in March 2024 in the UK, as Brits seek to introduce solo-seating arrangements into their space.
But where to begin when choosing a statement chair? Who better to seek advice from than the team at the home of sofas and furniture, SCS.
Victoria Foster is SCS’ Interiors Stylist and a statement chair aficionado. According to Foster, the days of the co-ordinated sofas and armchairs are long gone; “In recent years we’ve seen a clear shift away from matching suites towards mismatched furniture, thoughtfully chosen together. An accent chair allows you to make a statement with your furniture and completely change up the feel of the room” she says.
Foster has three tips to consider when choosing a statement chair that will ensure it harmoniously fits into your interiors, and she’s shared them with YCB readers:
1. Choose a complementary colour scheme to your space
Whilst you might be tempted to pick out a bold statement chair to add drama and interest to a room, failing to consider how the colours will work in the rest of the space can run the risk of the chair looking out of place.
“An accent chair should feel like it belongs perfectly and makes sense in the room. A great way to ensure this is by choosing a statement colour which is in the same colour group of other accessories in the room – for example opting for a deep mustard colour, if your space already contains accents of gold,” Foster explains.
A simple hack to tie the chair into the rest of the room is to use decorative cushions and throws on the sofa in similar colours to it – this shows the chair clearly belongs to the space.
When SCS kindly offered to gift a chair for this feature, I was tempted to go for something loud and colourful (leopard print chairs just speak to me). However, having considered Foster’s advice I opted for the Lana Accent Chair in Pacific Blue Velvet colourway, as it complemented my existing colour scheme of primary green and blues, with pops of yellow and reds. On reflection, I’m pleased I steered away from leopard print, which would have fought for attention with the existing soft furnishings. I’ll stick to wearing leopard print instead.
2. Opt for a daring pattern for maximum impact
If you’ve been swooning over the interiors in Bridgerton, a patterned statement chair offers an affordable way to tap into the ‘regency-core’ trend popularised by Penelope Featherington and co’s interiors.
Whilst most of us do not have space in our homes for the ultimate regency staple – a chaise longue – an ornate statement chair offers the next best thing. Foster suggests opting for a chair with a patterned multi-coloured design that picks out shades in your existing soft furnishings to seamlessly integrate the statement piece into your space.
3. Style the chair with thoughtful accessories
Accessories can make or break your statement chair’s cohesion with the room, says Foster.
“If your accent chair is in a shade not otherwise represented in the space, make sure to dress the chair with scatter cushions or a throw that can tie it back to the rest of the room. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the exact same shade, instead opt for different shades within the same family as the chair colour.”
Be bold – that brightly coloured velvet chair can work in your neutral interior when styled with monochromatic cushions that reference tones already present in the room.
Taking Foster’s advice, I added a yellow velvet cushion to my SCS Lana Chair, which picks out the colours of the framed New Yorker cover that hangs on the wall behind. This simple styling hack ties the chair to the existing room aesthetic.
Thanks to SCS, a hastily purchased side table and an endless supply of cappuccinos from my coffee machine, my reading nook is complete. Book Girl Summer is in full swing – send your reading recommendations my way – I’m just getting comfortable.
