Occasional Chairs

Accent and occasional chairs from £150 — the pieces that fill the corners, landings and bedroom nooks that a sofa cannot reach.

Why a room needs one more chair

Most UK living rooms are planned around a sofa, and most of them end up with a space the sofa cannot fill: the alcove beside a chimney breast in a Victorian terrace, the bay window nobody sits in, or the corner of an open-plan new-build where the dining area meets the lounge. An accent chair is made for exactly those leftover spaces. It adds a seat without adding bulk, and because it is bought on its own rather than as part of a matching suite, it is the one place in the room where you can bring in a different material, colour or shape.

That contrast is the point. Beside a fabric sofa, a moulded plywood chair puts real wood grain into the room; next to a leather three-seater, a coloured shell rocker lightens the whole arrangement. Set the chair at an angle to the sofa rather than square on, so the two read as a conversation group instead of a waiting room, and keep it close enough to share a side table or a lamp.

This collection covers two mid-century shapes: the LCW-style moulded plywood chair in Blackwood, Walnut, Rosewood and Ashwood, and the RAR-style rocking armchair on beech runners in Black, White and Light Blue. Both are inspired interpretations of mid-century designs, not licensed originals. Every chair here carries a 2-year manufacturer's warranty and qualifies for UK delivery only. Delivery is free on every product.

Two families, two jobs

Everything on this page falls into one of two groups, and they are not interchangeable:

• LCW plywood chairs — £199, four wood finishes. A low, armless moulded plywood chair for sitting up in. Light enough to move between rooms.
• RAR rocking chairs — £150, W62 × D60 × H70cm with a 42cm seat. A moulded shell with arms on beech runners, for nurseries and reading corners.

If you want to be still, choose the plywood chair. If you want to move, choose the rocker.

What counts as an occasional chair

These are chairs designed to be used for a while rather than all evening, and to look good doing nothing the rest of the time. That makes footprint and silhouette matter more than deep cushioning. The rocker measures 62cm wide, which is small enough for a landing or a bedroom corner without crowding it.

Matching the chair to the spot

• Bedroom corner — something you will drape clothes over as much as sit in. A firm seat and open frame keeps it from looking bulky.
• Hallway or landing — measure the walkway first. Leave at least 75cm of clear passage past the chair, which usually means picking something under 65cm deep.
• Beside a sofa — pick a chair with a seat height within about 5cm of the sofa's, or the grouping will look mismatched.
• Reading corner — this is the one case where you should consider a lounge chair with an ottoman instead.

Clearance for a rocker

The RAR-style rocking armchair needs more room than its footprint suggests — allow 30cm of clearance behind for the rocking motion. It is a proper nursery and living-room chair rather than a decorative one.

Delivery and assembly

UK delivery only. Delivery is free on every product. Dispatched in 1–3 business days, delivery usually takes 5–10 business days after dispatch. Part-assembled, typically under 10 minutes for the rockers and about 20 for the plywood chairs, with a 2-year warranty.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as an occasional chair?

A chair designed to be used for a while rather than all evening, and to look good doing nothing the rest of the time. That makes footprint and silhouette matter more than deep cushioning.

How much do occasional chairs cost?

From £100. Free UK mainland delivery applies on orders over £100, so most pieces in this range qualify.

How wide are they?

Most pieces here sit between 62cm and 79cm wide, which is small enough for a landing or a bedroom corner without crowding it.

What size chair fits a hallway or landing?

Measure the walkway first. Leave at least 75cm of clear passage past the chair, which usually means picking something under 65cm deep.

How do I choose a chair to sit beside my sofa?

Pick a chair with a seat height within about 5cm of the sofa's, or the grouping will look mismatched.

What are the dimensions of the RAR style rocking armchair?

W62 × D60 × H70cm with a 42cm seat. Allow 30cm of clearance behind it for the rocking motion — it needs more room than its footprint suggests.

Is the rocking chair suitable for a nursery?

Yes. It is a genuine nursery and living-room chair rather than a decorative one.

Are these genuine Eames chairs?

No. These are Eames-inspired chairs made by Habitat Furnishes. The authentic designs are produced under licence by Herman Miller and Vitra. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to those companies, or with the Eames Office.

What should I buy for a reading corner?

This is the one case where a lounge chair with an ottoman is the better answer than an occasional chair.

How long does delivery take?

Dispatched in 1–3 working days and delivered 5–10 working days later. Part-assembled, typically under 10 minutes, with a 2-year warranty.