How to match your accent chair to your sofa

1. Form, meet function

Before choosing your new accent chair, ask yourself what it’s for. Do you want it to be an eye-catching statement piece, or does it need to be hard-wearing and functional? If it’s the former, nothing’s off limits. Bright colours and patterns give you the chance to have fun, and will add bags of character to your space. But if it needs to stand up against kids, pets or daily wear and tear, you’re best off going for something more durable, like Elvi’s sturdy weave.

2. It’s in the mix

To achieve a cohesive look, your accent chair should either complement the overall style of your living space, or the sofa you want to combine it with. A classic sofa looks great with retro designs like Cecil or Tobias, which amp up the  cosiness of the room, while more modern-looking chairs like Vento and Harlow fit best in cool, contemporary spaces.

3. Match point: colours

When it comes to choosing the right colour combination, a good rule of thumb is to pick a chair that’s a few shades darker (or lighter) than your sofa. Into all things neutral? A pared-back perch like Bonnie is the one for you, and makes the perfect partner to a Reisa’s cloud-like colourway. Or if your upholstery’s on the darker side, complement the moody tones with an accent chair in rich navy or teal.

4. The pattern(s)

You want to go extra with a little extra? Armchairs like Knox and Moby are real eye-catchers thanks to their bold patterns. But statement styles can be tricky to mix with existing upholstery. The trick to avoiding a clash? It’s all about matching the base colour to what’s already in your room. Clever.