20 Types Of Chairs For Interior Design

Given the importance of chairs in our daily lives, it is not surprising that they have a long and rich history. Although they help us with the most basic activities of our lives—eating, working, and sleeping—chairs are much more than that.

Types of chairs

Designers have placed a high value on creating one-of-a-kind chairs that can be used to add style and personality to our homes and businesses. The world of chair style is rich and varied, ranging from traditional wooden dining chairs to the modern egg chair.

This variety not only reflects the passage of time, but it is also a way to address the unique needs of different environments.

Types of Chairs

Chairs come in a wide diversity of styles, each crafted with specific purposes, functionality, and aesthetics in mind. Understanding the evolution of chair styles will teach you a little more about the symbolic relationship between form, function, and personal style.


Armchair

Armchair

An armchair is an upholstered chair designed for individual seating. An armchair design includes a seat, a backrest, and ample armrests. This shape allows armchairs to surround the user and provide a comfortable place for relaxing. Armchairs typically have plusher seat cushions than other chair types, making them ideal for long-term lounging.

Armchairs have a long history, so they can enhance a traditional design, but they are also available in modern and contemporary styles. Armchairs are excellent for creating a cozy reading nook, adding extra seating in the living room, or creating a cozy sitting space in a nursery.


Chaise Longue

Chaise Longue

A chaise longue (pronounced shayz long) is a chair that features an elongated seat. This elongated seat allows users to stretch out their legs for a more comfortable resting position. The key components of a chaise longue are a backrest, armrests, and a long seat. Some chaise longues feature an extended backrest along one side of the chair.

Chairse longues are available in many designs and feature different upholstery options, including velvet, linen, twill, and even leather. These chairs make the perfect addition to dedicated relaxation areas like bedrooms or reading nooks. They can also be useful in home office spaces if you enjoy taking a quick afternoon nap during your workday.


Wing Chairs

Wing Chairs

A wing chair, also known as a wingback chair, is a traditional chair style distinguished by wings that extend beyond the backrest and down to the armrests. This, combined with the high backrest and armrests, results in a partially enclosed design. The wings were originally intended to protect the occupants of the chair from drafts and to capture heat from a fireplace.

There are many modern wing chair designs available, but they still look right at home in front of a fireplace. In addition to being used as accent chairs in living rooms and dens, wing chairs are frequently employed as end chairs in dining rooms to add formality to the decor.


Dining Chair

Dining Chair

A chair intended exclusively for use at a dining table is called a dining chair. Available in numerous designs, dining chairs cannot be defined just by their shape, but there are some commonalities that can typify dining chairs. Dining chairs typically have an upright structure that promotes better posture for dining, four legs for stability, and a comfortable seat.

Many dining chairs have a backrest to provide additional support and comfort, though some modern dining chair designs may omit this feature or use a short backrest. Dining chairs are among the most diverse in terms of style and material composition.


Chesterfield Chair

Chesterfield Chair

A chesterfield is a distinct type of armchair known for its luxurious and comfortable design. A chesterfield chair features high rolled arms, a back that is either high or level with the armrests, and extensive buttom tufting.

Chesterfields may also have brass nailhead trim to add to the formality of the look. Chesterfields were traditionally upholstered in leather, but they can also be found in fabrics such as twill or velvet. Chesterfields have a traditional appearance that is popular in historic and classic design styles.


Club Chair

Club Chair

A club chair is a distinctive type of armchair that is characterized by its thick upholstery, deep seat, and distinctive low back. This distinct low back design contributes to the chairs’ relaxed and comfortable appearance. Club chairs were the ultimate lounging chair and were popular in nineteenth-century gentlemen’s clubs.

Traditionally, these chairs were upholstered in leather, but while leather club chairs remain popular, club chairs can now be found in a variety of fabrics, including velvet, chenille, linen, and cotton. Club chairs can be used anywhere an armchair would be but with a more casual and laid-back style.


Slipper Chair

Slipper Chair

A slipper chair is characterized by its low-slung profile and armless design. These are compact, upholstered chairs that were originally designed for bedroom and dressing room use. Slipper chair styles are still commonly used today because they give your space a luxurious and romantic look. They are still popular for bedrooms and dressing areas, but they are also useful as accent seating in living spaces, home offices, and entry halls.


Fighting Chair

Fighting Chair

A fighting chair is a type of chair that is designed to be used by fishermen. They provide the comfort and support that are necessary while reeling in large fish, particularly during deep-sea fishing.

The key features of a fighting chair are its sturdy construction, padded seat and backrest, adjustable design to support different angler bodies and preferences, footrest and bracing straps, rod holders, and swivel mechanisms.

These chairs do not just enhance the comfort of fishermen; they contribute to their safety by stabilizing them and preventing accidental falls and slips.


Cogswell Chair

Cogswell Chair

A cogswell chair is a historic armchair type that features a sloping back, open armrests, and outwardly curved, known as cabriole, front legs. These chairs have a relaxed yet formal style that works well in sitting areas like living rooms and for comfortable accent seating in studies, sunrooms, and bedrooms.


Easy Chair

Easy Chair

An easy chair, also known as a lounge chair, is a type of armchair with a heavily padded frame that is intended for relaxation. Most easy chairs have reclining backs and ample armrests to add to their luxurious comfort. Easy chairs are distinguished by their thick padding, but there are also modern interpretations of the easy chair that complement contemporary design styles.

These have more tailored armrests and sleek upholstery, but they still have a reclining backrest for comfort. Easy chairs work well in family spaces like dens or spaces designated for watching television or quiet reading.


Farthingale Chair

Farthingale Chair

A farthingale chair is a specific type of upholstered chair that was created in the 19th century to accommodate women’s wide-hooped skirts, known as farthingales. These chairs have a fixed upholstered seat and backrest, but no armrests.

This design allowed women with wide skirts to easily sit on the chairs. Historic versions of farthingale chairs have frames of ornate wood covered in luxurious fabrics like brocade, silk, and velvet. Modern interpretations of farthingale chairs include simpler and sleeker frame and fabric choices.


Fiddleback Chair

Fiddleback Chair

Fiddleback chairs are a historic wooden chair design. They have a characteristic backrest that features a wooden support in the shape of a violin. This shape is typically featured on the central splat. Some fiddleback chairs feature this as the primary back support, while others surround it with other rod-like wooden spindles. Fiddleback chairs are used most prominently in traditional design as dining chairs or in small sitting areas.


Director’s Chair

Director’s Chair

A director’s chair is a distinctive and practical folding chair style that is commonly used on movie and TV sets. This chair’s stability, comfort, and ease of mobility make it useful in these ever-changing settings. It features a simple cross-legged wooden frame, a canvas seat, and a canvas backrest.

The portability of the director’s chair has contributed to its growing popularity. Extra seating for guests at large parties, outdoor seating, and sports activities are all good uses for these chairs.


Egg Chair

Egg Chair

An egg chair is a distinctive modern chair type that resembles an egg in shape. Famed Danish architect Arne Jacobsen debuted this cocoon-like chair in 1960, and it continued to gain popularity throughout the mid-20th century. It has since become an iconic chair style.

The egg chair is characterized by its enclosed structure made from molded polyurethane foam. It has a swivel mechanism that allows the chair to turn and a pedestal floor support rather than legs. Egg chairs are popular in modern living spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and even commercial spaces.

The enclosed structure of the egg chair makes it ideal for creating privacy and comfort.


Louis Ghost Chair

Louis Ghost Chair

Louis ghost chairs are a modern design iteration of the famous Louis XVI armchair. Philippe Stark designed this chair in 2002 using transparent polycarbonate that is molded into the classic shape. These chairs combine a traditional design with a contemporary material to create a versatile and visually appealing chair.

These chairs are stackable and portable, making them popular in event and commercial settings. They are also widely used as dining chairs, accent chairs, and as outdoor seating.


Panton Chair

Panton Chair

The panton chair is a classic of mid-century design. Verner Panton, the Danish architect and designer, created this chair in the 1960s. He used a single piece of molded plastic to create the iconic “S” shape. The curved shape of the chair represents a departure from conventional chair shapes. Modern and contemporary design styles will benefit most from panton chairs. These are useful dining rooms, kitchens, home offices, and commercial spaces.


Rocking Chair

Rocking Chair

A rocking chair is typified by two curved bands or rockers attached to the bottom legs of the chair. This allows the rocking chair to move back and forth in a smooth motion. Rocking chairs have been popular for centuries because they have a noticeable calming effect.

Rocking chairs come in a variety of styles and shapes, but the majority have a comfortable backrest, both upholstered and bare, as well as arm rests. Some are specifically designed for the outdoors using weather resistant materials or coatings. Upholstered rocking chairs are popular in nurseries, bedrooms, and living rooms.


Tulip Chair

Tulip Chair

The tulip chair is a traditional mid-century modern chair with a single, flowing pedestal that supports a molded, upholstered seat. Eero Saarenin, a Finnish-American designer, created this chair in 1955. He designed the chair as a complement to the similar tulip dining table.

This chair diverges from the traditional chair shape, so it complements modern and contemporary interior designs. These chairs are most commonly used as dining chairs, but they are also popular in commercial spaces like offices.


Windsor Chair

Windsor Chair

Windsor chairs are a classic wooden chair style that features a solid, molded wooden seat and a spindle backrest. The windsor chair has a long history dating back to the 16th century, but its shape did not become standardized until the 18th century.

There are several common windsor chair shapes, including comb-back, hoop-back, sack-back, and continuous arm designs. Windsor chairs are often used in traditional or historic interior design styles, but there are current interpretations of the style that look fitting in modern farmhouse and transitional design styles. Windsor chairs are most useful in dining rooms and kitchens.


Zig-Zag Chair

Zig-Zag Chair

The zig-zag chair is an innovative chair design that features a minimalist shape with no legs. Gerrit Reitveld, a Dutch furniture designer, created this chair in the 1930s. The zig-zag chair is made up of three wooden slats connected in a “Z” shape for the ground support and seat, with one more wooden slat forming the back support. These chairs look stunning in modern and contemporary interior designs. They are best used as accent chairs in areas where you want to make a bold statement rather than as everyday dining chairs.