17 Best Small Living Room Chairs That Make a Big Impact

Swivel chairs are the unsung heroes of the living room. Not only does this petite version from Wrought Studio blend cozy and modern, but the hidden compartment under the seat offers an added storage opportunity—a must in small spaces. Bonus: The cotton blend loop-yarn fabric comes in several different colors and adds an elegant, comfortable touch. “Works perfect in the corner behind the closet door,” says one happy buyer. “Perfect size. Stores 2 blankets nicely. Nothing to assemble!”

Grandmillennial fans will love this ruffled armchair from Anthropologie that’s as sweet as it is sophisticated. The wide seat promises ample comfort, while the charming pattern—a swirling combination of vines and leaves—melds easily with any other patterns or colors you incorporate into your space. Bonus: This would also make a very cute (and comfortable) desk chair!

Calling all modern design lovers! If you have a thing for unique silhouettes or furniture profiles that double as sculptural art, you’ll love this pick from Orren Ellis. With a comfortable barrel back and sleek tapered base, it can easily steal the show in your small living room. Choose one of the brown or rust hues for a particularly on-trend look.

With a cheeky shape and classic stripe pattern, this small-scale armchair from Urban Outfitters is as sweet as it gets. The swivel at the base is so inconspicuous, you won’t even know it’s there—until you can quickly pivot to join in a cool game of mahjong with friends, that is. The profile on this silhouette is even slim enough that it could double as a dining chair the next time unexpected company stops by.

Take the guesswork out of shopping for a coordinating set with this modern accent chair. Simply add on the matching ottoman from Anthropologie to make it your perfect pair. Each piece is finished in a high-end linen, and the shape itself is sculptural and comfortable without being cumbersome. The best part? The curved edges of the chair and ottoman match up like two pieces of a very satisfying puzzle.

With eye-catching wood panels on each side and a luxe wool-and-linen body, these chairs—a tribute to 1950s modernism and a now-iconic Italian design by Gianfranco Frattini—look more like a lucky vintage find rather than a brand-new buy. They’re armless and boast a low profile, making them the ideal choice for a more intimate vignette, like near a record player.

Many people like to style accent chairs in a set of two, and this pair from Red Barrel Studio at Wayfair makes doing so absolutely foolproof. Choose from a selection of linen upholstery (we think this blue flower print is so darling!), then offset the pair with a small loveseat or sofa to keep the room feeling balanced.

Who says small chairs can’t have big personality? This tiny-but-mighty design from Safavieh Couture has all the charm of a high-end custom piece, without the staggering price tag. The high curved back and boucle fabric offer maximal comfort while the cute ball feet—a very big trend in design right now—keep it feeling fresh.

If you’re looking to use your chair the instant you receive it, look no further than this preassembled option from Wayfair. In addition to the chic shape, multiple color options, and reasonable price tag, it also comes with an ottoman that you can store underneath its base. Use it for extra seating or a footrest when you want it, and stash it away when you don’t.

With an elegantly curved back and narrow base, this West Elm swivel chair is the ideal choice for making the most out of a tight corner. Even better, it’s just about as customizable as you can get. Choose from over 60 different fabric options, including nubby oatmeal boucle and a moss green performance linen that can handle anything you throw at it (or spill on it).

Plush lounge chairs are like having a giant teddy bear in your living room. Thousands of happy homeowners praise this cozy chair not only for its price, but also for its cocooning comfort and style. “We were looking for mid-century modern style chairs to fit our front room,” says one happy buyer. “We knew that we needed something easy on the budget that would not take up large amounts of space. I debated for quite some time if these were the right chairs and I am thrilled with the result.”

The silhouette of your accent chair can seriously make an impact. This beautiful chair features a unique hexagon silhouette that doesn’t take up too much room, as well as sophisticated button-tufted cushions and deep armrests for comfort. The seat itself is also wider than most other small-scale chairs on our list, making this a great option for anyone who likes to really spread out.

Barrel chairs have a reputation for being oversized and cumbersome, but the small footprint of this one means you can get the comfortable feel without sacrificing too much square footage. It comes in 10 colors, delivers fully assembled, and even swivels, adding to its functionality (something every small space needs!). “Love this chair,” says one buyer. “The color compliments a variety of room colors and accessories. Perfect swivel for enjoying the entire room. Well-made and comfortable.”

Looking to bring a bit of luxury into your living room? Snag this glam barrel chair, which boasts a gleaming metallic base that gives it a shiny and sculptural edge. The chair itself is exceedingly comfortable too, thanks to plush channel tufting on the back and a soft velvet finish.

When it comes to channeling a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic, leather is never a bad choice—and there are plenty of leather chairs for small spaces that won’t break the bank. This popular option from Wayfair features a perfectly worn faux leather body with a wingback design that would look very elegant next to a fireplace or in a home library.

Between the faux leather exterior and classic barrel shape, it doesn’t get more timeless than this small armchair from Andover Mills. Its smaller size provides a clean look next to built-ins, display cases, or other small living room decor, and customers love the natural-looking patina it brings to a space. “Solid little chair,” says one buyer. “Feels [like] good quality and fits perfectly. It is small, which is what I needed for the space.”

This luxurious piece features a stunning silhouette, deep cushion, and extra-soft fabrication. The bestselling chair is slightly wider than others on this list—but because it’s so plush, it makes the space around it feel cozy, not cluttered. Even better, West Elm considers this one of their “contract grade” pieces, meaning it can hold up the wear and tear better than other designs.