What Is This Chair Called?

August 28, 2020 11:42 AM

I like the style (shape and size, basically) of this chair. I know the description says club chair, but when I search that term there are lots of different styles, and only one or two other ones are similar to this one. Are there other search terms I should be using?

I'm also open to suggestions of other styles. The space is small and I would like two chairs to normally sit at a small bistro-type table (inside), but will sometimes be used for seating in the living room, or for reading (possibly with an ottoman). These ones are small and seem like they would work well for all of those activities. I like some of the higher-backed ones as well, but they might be too big, or too big-seeming for the space (although they look comfier for reading).

This style is also nice for both reading and the living room, but I don't think it would work well for the table, and again, probably too big.

(Links are just general examples of style, not neccesarily what I'm looking for in color/material/price point).

Thanks!

posted by sillysally to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

The first one, I would look for mid century modern dining chairs. I have a couple of varieties of that sort of thing - they're stylistically linked but not terribly similar to what you've found, so expect some variety - and they've not necessarily terribly expensive. Check wayfair/AllModern and friends, west elm, crate and barrel to give you a range of piece/quality options.

The second is a very modern take on a wing back chair, and I wouldn't expect to see that at a dining table, it's more a chair to go with a sofa in the living room. The third is also in that category. Check for accent chairs, there's a lot of variety and you might find something better suited. Ikea can certainly supply this sort of thing, though I've never found their upholstered chairs especially comfortable.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 11:54 AM on August 28, 2020

I agree about your first choice being more midcentury modern, and to use that term. For your second example, try "slipper chair" for armless variations on that which would more easily do the double duty of being at the table and also in the living room (but watch the height - they can run low which would make them bad for the table). And definitely "club chair" for your third example.

Check Ikea for options similar to your vibe, both in their dining room furniture and their general chairs department.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:31 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

These could be examples of upholstered Evans chairs, named after the mid-century furniture designer, Paul Evans.
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 1:05 PM on August 28, 2020

To my mind, a club chair is usually bigger and blockier than those; I would try "accent chair" and include MCM as others have said.
posted by assenav at 1:24 PM on August 28, 2020 [3 favorites]

You're right that the second one might be a bit large for the contexts you're thinking about, but they are certainly comfortable for reading. Search for 'papa bear chair' and you'll see lots of MCM examples.
posted by homesickness at 1:32 PM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

Mid-century Modern accent chairs at Wayfair. If you plan to move the chairs often, 'accent' chairs, even with padding, weigh less than traditional club chairs. (Always check the seat height.) Upholstered MCM side or dining chairs.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:47 PM on August 28, 2020

Seems derivative of some of Eero Saarinen's midcentury chairs. You might like this one from Ikea.
posted by pinochiette at 2:02 PM on August 28, 2020

Try modern barrel chair as a variation as well.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:05 PM on August 28, 2020

I've often seen such chairs described using the word 'Scandinavian', as in Scandinavian style, Scandinavian inspired.
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:08 AM on August 29, 2020

Short answer: If you want high-quality and have money to spend, look for "mid-century modern". If you are on a budget and don't need something to last for decades, then "modern Scandinavian design" is the search term you want. These two design schools are not the same, but in terms of type of chair you are looking for, there is a huge amount of overlap.

Add "upholstered" to both searches too, if you want cushions. Otherwise, you'll find a lot of plastics and wood mixed in.
posted by Anoplura at 11:00 PM on August 29, 2020