What are living room chairs called?

Most living rooms are built around a sofa, but the chairs around it do a lot of the work. They add seats for guests, give one person a favorite spot, and help shape how the room looks and feels. The trouble is that shops use a lot of overlapping names. This guide sorts out what the common living room chairs are called and how to pick one that suits your space.

The main living room chair types

• Armchair. The everyday standard: one upholstered seat with arms on both sides. Many other types on this list are armchairs with a particular shape. See our guide to the different types of armchairs.
• Accent chair. A chair picked to add style, such as a bold fabric, an unusual frame or a sculptural shape. It may be fully upholstered or have a visible wood or metal frame. Some are very comfortable; some are mostly for show.
• Recliner. A chair whose back tilts back while a footrest rises, either by a lever or handle (manual) or a button (power). Good for watching TV, napping and putting your feet up.
• Club chair. A low, deep, rounded armchair with thick padding, traditionally in leather. It invites you to sink in and stay a while.
• Wingback chair. A tall-backed armchair with side panels, or “wings,” near the head. It feels sheltered and private, which makes it a favorite for reading.
• Chaise longue. French for “long chair”: a seat long enough to stretch your legs out without an ottoman. Read more in our guide to what counts as a lounge chair.
• Loveseat. A small two-seat sofa. It sits between a chair and a sofa and is useful where a full sofa will not fit.

Other chairs you will see

You will also see slipper chairs (small, armless and low), barrel chairs (with a curved, wraparound back), rocking chairs and the roomy “chair and a half,” which is wide enough to curl up in.

How to choose for your room

Start with how you will use it. A chair for long evenings in front of the TV needs a different build from one that only gets used when guests come over. If comfort is the priority, look at recliners, club chairs and deep armchairs. If the chair is mostly there to finish the look of the room, an accent chair may be enough.

Measure the space. Note the width and depth you have, plus room to walk around the chair. Recliners need clearance behind or in front when they open, and chaises need length. In a small room, armless or slim-armed chairs take up less visual and physical space.

Think about conversation. Chairs placed at an angle to the sofa, close enough to pass a cup, make a room feel friendly. A high wingback is cozy for one person but closes you off a little from the group.

Pick a fabric for your life. Leather can last a long time with care. Tightly woven fabrics and microfiber are often easier to keep clean in homes with kids or pets. Light colors show marks sooner.

Sit before you buy, if you can. Seat height, seat depth and back angle vary a lot. A chair that suits a tall person may leave a shorter person’s feet dangling. For more on this, see what makes a chair comfortable.

Mixing chair styles

You do not need a matching set. A pair of identical chairs facing a sofa looks calm and balanced, while two different chairs that share a color or material feel relaxed and collected over time. The guides below go deeper into each type, from couch chairs and armchairs to lounge chairs and small chairs for tight corners.