10 Reasons to Love Wingback Chairs
This cozy, versatile and forever-classic chair style makes itself at home in every room. Here’s why
If you’re looking for a chair that checks all the right boxes, a wingback might be in your future: It brings drama to the dining room, provides coziness in fall and winter, and looks at home with any design style. Read on for all 10 reasons to love this classic, versatile chair design.
2. Wingback Chairs Are Extra Cozy in Fall and Winter
When wingback chairs were first being made, the wings that give these chairs their name were created to help capture the warmth from a fireplace and block drafts.
Your heating system may do a perfectly admirable job of keeping you warm, but you can still enjoy curling up in your wingback chair with a cuddly throw and a book on a blustery day.
When wingback chairs were first being made, the wings that give these chairs their name were created to help capture the warmth from a fireplace and block drafts.
Your heating system may do a perfectly admirable job of keeping you warm, but you can still enjoy curling up in your wingback chair with a cuddly throw and a book on a blustery day.
3. Wingback Chairs Can Be Elegant
Not all wingback chairs are hefty affairs — contemporary and modern versions of this classic shape can be sleek and light. Emphasize the clean lines with simple upholstery in natural linen.
Not all wingback chairs are hefty affairs — contemporary and modern versions of this classic shape can be sleek and light. Emphasize the clean lines with simple upholstery in natural linen.
4. Wingback Chairs Bring Drama to the Dining Room
With a dramatic shape and cushy seats, wingback chairs can make a good choice for leisurely dinners. Some wingback armchairs intended for the living room can provide enough of an upright posture for dining, but you’ll need to make sure the arms fit below the table for tucking in. These subtle wingback dining chairs in plush velvet would make a luxurious (and comfortable) seat at the table.
Find wingback dining chairs
With a dramatic shape and cushy seats, wingback chairs can make a good choice for leisurely dinners. Some wingback armchairs intended for the living room can provide enough of an upright posture for dining, but you’ll need to make sure the arms fit below the table for tucking in. These subtle wingback dining chairs in plush velvet would make a luxurious (and comfortable) seat at the table.
Find wingback dining chairs
5. Wingback Chairs Can Be Surprisingly Compact
With a more upright shape than most traditional rolled-arm chairs, a wingback takes up less floor space than you might expect. Consider putting a wingback in the foyer, bedroom or anywhere you have an empty corner begging for a comfy spot to sit.
With a more upright shape than most traditional rolled-arm chairs, a wingback takes up less floor space than you might expect. Consider putting a wingback in the foyer, bedroom or anywhere you have an empty corner begging for a comfy spot to sit.
6. Wingback Chairs Look Great in Leather
Wingback chairs and leather upholstery go together like tacos and Tuesdays. Think of leather as the blue jeans of the upholstery world — it’s tough, classic and goes with anything. If you know you want a wingback chair but are on the fence about upholstery, I’d make a case for leather.
Find leather wingback chairs
Wingback chairs and leather upholstery go together like tacos and Tuesdays. Think of leather as the blue jeans of the upholstery world — it’s tough, classic and goes with anything. If you know you want a wingback chair but are on the fence about upholstery, I’d make a case for leather.
Find leather wingback chairs
7. Wingback Chairs Provide Privacy in Open Spaces
The high backs and enveloping curves of wingback chairs make them ideal for cozy chats. Place a pair facing a fireplace or focal wall in an open-plan space, and they will create a natural room divider. For even more coziness, add a big space-defining rug.
The high backs and enveloping curves of wingback chairs make them ideal for cozy chats. Place a pair facing a fireplace or focal wall in an open-plan space, and they will create a natural room divider. For even more coziness, add a big space-defining rug.
8. Wingback Chairs Pair Well With Color and Pattern
If you want to play with color and pattern in your upholstery choices, one great way to do that is by building on a timeless shape.
A wingback chair is a classic piece of furniture that you can keep for many years, so why not experiment with patterned sides or a fun stripe down the center?
Find an interior designer to help you customize your upholstery
If you want to play with color and pattern in your upholstery choices, one great way to do that is by building on a timeless shape.
A wingback chair is a classic piece of furniture that you can keep for many years, so why not experiment with patterned sides or a fun stripe down the center?
Find an interior designer to help you customize your upholstery
9. Wingback Settees and Sofas Look Smart Too
Wingback shapes look refined on a slender sofa, a settee or even an upholstered headboard. When you want elegance and coziness in one neat package, go for a wingback.
Wingback shapes look refined on a slender sofa, a settee or even an upholstered headboard. When you want elegance and coziness in one neat package, go for a wingback.
10. Wingback Chairs Look at Home With Any Style
Whether your style leans toward midcentury modern, traditional, farmhouse or something else, a wingback is nearly guaranteed to work. These design chameleons just seem to feel right at home no matter where you set them down.
Your turn: Do you have a beloved wingback? Please tell us about it in the Comments.
More
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Shop for wingback chairs
Whether your style leans toward midcentury modern, traditional, farmhouse or something else, a wingback is nearly guaranteed to work. These design chameleons just seem to feel right at home no matter where you set them down.
Your turn: Do you have a beloved wingback? Please tell us about it in the Comments.
More
Must-Know Furniture: The Wingback Chair
Picking an Accent Chair: What’s Your Design Personality?
Shop for wingback chairs
Wingback chairs (also called wing chairs) have a high, solid back, winged sides and wooden legs. If you’re struggling to choose the right armchair for your space, going with this classic can boost your confidence. And wingback chairs — which have been around since the 17th century and are still popular today — definitely fit the bill.