Slipper Chairs for Living Room – Styling Tips and Ideas

The slipper chair is a modern, stylish-shaped furniture piece that’s perfect for any living room.

But what exactly is a slipper chair, and what makes it different?

Slipper chairs are pretty standard, and you’ve probably seen bunches of these around in areas like waiting rooms, or maybe your grandparents had one.

In simplest terms, a slipper chair is a low-seated, upholstered arm-less chair with a low back. It got its name from its original purpose: to offer a comfortable place to slip on one’s shoes.

The slipper chair’s short legs (that sit low to the ground), lightweight construction, and sleek design make it different from other types of trendy chairs on the market.

Excited to know more about them, how to use them stylishly in your living room, and what to look for when buying them for your space; let’s dig deeper into all these…

Slipper Chair History

The slipper chair was first created in 18th-century Europe for a specific reason: ladies could easily sit down and have their maids put their shoes or silk slippers on.

With all the heavy layers of dresses Victorian upper-class women usually wore, it would’ve been quite a struggle to do such a simple task themselves.

However, one designer eventually brought the chair out of the boudoir and into the rest of the people’s homes. And that’s where it all started – styling the room with uniquely designed slipper chairs.

Slipper Chairs Modern Day Usage

Though it was meant initially as a more functional piece of furniture, it has since become more appreciated for its aesthetic value in contemporary homes with mid-century modern designs.

Nowadays, slipper chairs are typically used as accent chairs in living rooms, bedrooms, and relatively small spaces as integral and functional pieces of furniture.

These chairs can provide additional seating for when the company comes over or act as a stylish and elegant place to put on shoes in the morning when you are wearing socks or tying the shoe laces.

Choosing the Right Slipper Chair for Your Living Room

When used as an accent chair in your living or bedroom, it’s essential to choose a design that compliments the rest of the room’s décor.

Do not confuse slipper chairs with other armless seating pieces like armless sofas. It’s just a sofa without armrests; some of them can also function like a sofa bed.

If your home is more modern, go for a victorian style slipper chair with clean lines and a simple design. However, if your style is more antique, go for a slipper chair with intricate details and carvings.

a) Size Matters

When picking out a slipper chair for your home, take accurate measurements of the space you want to put it in.

Especially if you want to put more than one, you don’t want them to overcrowd the room, so make sure you have enough space.

You should also consider how many people will visit your place and use the chair.

If you often have large groups of people coming over, get a slipper chair set that can accommodate more than one person.

b) The Comfort Level

As with any other chair, slipper chairs’ comfort level varies depending on the style.

Some are comfortable and can be sat in for long periods, while others aren’t meant to be sat in for more than a few minutes.

So, it’s good to consider seat cushion size, fabric type, and ground clearance when determining which slipper chair will provide the most comfort.

c) Slipper Chair Styles

Since there is a variety of different styles of slipper chairs on the market, it’s recommended that you try out different styles before deciding which one is right for you.

Consider where you will use them in your room and how you will style them in your home. Here are some of the most popular slipper chair styles to choose from…

• The chesterfield slipper chair is one of the most classic styles that has a tufted backrest and deep buttoned detailing on the arms and legs.
• The club slipper chair is similar to the chesterfield style but has less tufting and no buttons.
• The wingback slipper chair has tall wings on either side of the backrest, and the style is perfect for a cozy reading nook or an accent chair in a living room.
• The barrel slipper chair has a round backrest and a shorter seat. It’s a more contemporary take on the classic slipper chair and is perfect for a modern home.
• The french slipper chair has a curved backrest and seat. This style is perfect for a more formal living room or bedroom.

Decorating Your Space With Slipper Chairs – Tips and Ideas

Slipper chairs are versatile, chic, and space-saving because they have many uses and can be made to fit almost any decor scheme

The good thing is updating the look of your old chairs is pretty simple, with just a change of upholstery and some finishing touch (if there are any dull wood parts that need refinishing).

When decorating a larger living space, you can create a more functional and luxurious touch by placing two accent chairs and putting certain items between them, which may include a small end table, ottoman, bookcase, floor lamp, storage credenza, etc.

Here are some ideas on how to use them even more beautifully in your house:

For an inviting conversation area, style a slipper chair with open legs across from your sofa and coffee table. It’s easy to move if someone wants to sit closer during a discussion.

Upholstered chairs in a fab accent color (like the dark green below) will liven up the living room areas or your boudoir.

Use an upholstered slipper chair with exposed legs in a small corner, accompanied by a tiny side table. This seating arrangement works well in both living rooms and bedrooms.

Cover the chair completely in a solid color fabric, add throw pillows in prints, and arrange them, so they lean against the straight back of the chair for a dramatic effect and unexpected focal point.

Slipper chairs with legs covered, thick oversized seat cushions, and a throw pillow at the back is an exciting minimalist living room arrangement.

If you want a more formal look, match the fabric on the chairs.

Or, for a more eclectic look, cover one chair in a stripe or print and the other in a solid that is one of the colors in the other chairs’ covering.

With its gentle curves and romantic contours, this slipper chair is the perfect marriage of comfort and style.

The tufted upholstery looks luxurious and can be added in calming colors such as oatmeal, cream, yellow, and green.

This deep red, velvet tufted slipper chair is designed to add nothing but luxury to your home. The jewel tone is all the rage, and the hairpin legs provide an elegant touch.

This piece would make a great addition to any room as a beautiful accent when matched with some stylish colorful accessories nearby.

The bottom line

Victorian-style vintage slipper chairs are becoming a trend in living spaces, bedrooms, and boudoirs.

But, as you can see, there are many ways to style your slipper chairs; it can be tricky to use them all together.

The tips above will hopefully help to add the modern finishing touches to your home decor – with a bit of creativity and passion, you can make slipper chairs work in any space.