How to Choose a High Back Accent Chair

On this page (10 sections)

1. What should you look for in a high back accent chair?
2. How do you measure for a high back accent chair?
3. Which seat and arm measurements matter?
4. What back shape suits your room?
5. Which high back accent chair should you compare?
6. How do fabric and color affect your choice?
7. How do you choose a high back chair for a small room?
8. What are common mistakes when buying a high back accent chair?
9. How should you set up and care for your chair?
10. Which high back accent chair is the right choice for you?

A high back accent chair can make a reading corner or living room feel more settled, but the right choice depends on more than back height. Compare its footprint, seat and arm fit, back shape and upholstery with your room and the way you plan to use it.

Start by measuring the spot and the path into the room. Then compare those measurements with the full chair dimensions and consider whether you want a chair for reading, conversation or occasional sitting.

For a broader overview of chair shapes and sizes, see our accent chair guide. If you’re drawn to the side panels of a wingback, compare options in our best wingback accent chairs.

What should you look for in a high back accent chair?

Look for a chair that fits your space, seated position and routine. Compare its full size, seat, arms, back shape and upholstery before deciding.

• Overall height: Check whether the back will overlap a window, shelf or artwork.
• Width and depth: Make sure the chair fits its spot with enough room to walk around it.
• Seat height and depth: Consider how easily you can sit down and stand up, and whether the seat suits an upright or more relaxed position.
• Arm height and shape: Arms affect how the chair sits beside a desk, sofa or side table.
• Back shape: A plain, tufted or wingback design changes the chair’s outline and how enclosed it feels.
• Fabric and color: Choose upholstery that suits the room and fits the care you’re willing to give it.
• Assembly and access: Check whether assembly is required and measure the route through doors and hallways.

Overall height tells you how tall the chair is, but not exactly where the back will meet your shoulders or head when seated. Compare backrest measurements when available, along with seat height and shape.

How do you measure for a high back accent chair?

Measure the floor space and delivery route before choosing a chair. A chair can fit its intended spot and still be difficult to bring through a narrow doorway.

Measure the width and depth of the area where you plan to place it. Mark that footprint on the floor with painter’s tape, then check that you can walk past, sit down and reach nearby doors, drawers or switches.

Check the height against the ceiling, windows and any low shelves above the chair. Consider how the back will sit relative to wall art or a view, since a tall outline can cover part of the space behind it.

Finally, measure the narrowest doorway, hallway and turn along the route into the room. Compare those measurements with the chair’s full dimensions and the position needed for assembly.

Which seat and arm measurements matter?

Seat height, seat depth and arm height help you judge how a chair will fit your body and routine. If you already have a comfortable chair, use its measurements as a comparison.

Seat height is the distance from the floor to the sitting surface. Our guide to accent chair seat height explains how to compare this measurement with other seating.

Seat depth affects how much room you have from the front edge to the backrest. A shallower seat may suit someone who likes to sit upright, while a deeper seat may feel more accommodating if you prefer to lean back.

Arm height and shape matter when the chair sits beside a desk or table. A tall or rolled arm can interfere with a low surface, so compare the measurement with nearby furniture before you buy.

Arm shape also changes how much visual space the chair takes up.

What back shape suits your room?

Choose a solid, tufted or wingback design based on the outline you want and the room around it. Back height describes how tall a chair is; it doesn’t determine whether the back has wings or buttons.

A solid back gives the chair a simpler outline. Tufting adds visible detail, while wingback sides create a more enclosed shape and call attention to the chair.

If you want a winged silhouette, our guide to wingback chairs explains its defining shape. For more options, compare the main types of accent chairs.

Which high back accent chair should you compare?

These four chairs offer different footprints, materials and back styles. Use them to narrow down which features fit your room and sitting habits.

Karl Home High Back Accent Chair

The Karl Home chair suits someone who wants a mid-century look with a solid back and flared arms. Beige linen, a rubberwood frame and a matching extra pillow give it a coordinated appearance for a living room or reading corner.

It measures 34.6 in deep, 25.6 in wide and 36.6 in high, with 22 in high arms. The included pillow can add support or serve as a cushion behind you.

Choose it if you have more depth than width available and want neutral upholstery with wood. Skip it if your floor space is shallow, or if the chair needs to fit under a low table.

Assembly is required, so leave room to work and check the route into the room.

Yaheetech High Back Chair, Rolled Arms

The Yaheetech chair suits a buyer who wants a tufted back, rolled arms and dark gray upholstery. Its 37 in height and traditional arm shape give it a distinct presence in a bedroom, office or living room.

It measures 28 in wide and 19.3 in deep, with 24.2 in high arms. Polyester fabric, foam cushioning and metal zigzag springs form the seat, arms and backrest.

Its stated maximum capacity is 300 lb.

Choose it if you like the button-tufted look and want a chair with a relatively shallow footprint. Skip it if you need low arms to slide beneath a desk or table.

Assembly is required, and written instructions and an assembly video are available.

BELLEZE High Back Linen Chair

The BELLEZE chair suits someone who wants a wingback shape and a stronger color accent. Its blue coral upholstery, padded arms and wood legs create a more pronounced look than a neutral solid-back chair.

It measures 28.3 in wide, 29.13 in deep and 36.6 in high. The wide, dipped back and cushioned seat are designed for relaxing, while the wingback sides give it a traditional outline.

Choose it if you want the wings to make the chair a focal point or help define a reading corner. Skip it if you prefer a visually open frame or need a shallow footprint.

Assembly instructions are included, and its wood legs have rubber inserts intended to help prevent floor scratches.

High Back Mid-Century Reading Chair

The choairy chair suits a buyer looking for a green mid-century style chair with detachable cushions. Its curved arms, linen-cotton fabric and wooden legs give it a softer outline than the tufted or wingback options.

It measures 26 in deep, 26.4 in wide and 36.2 in high. The maker gives a maximum weight recommendation of 350 lb and says assembly can be completed in 15 minutes.

Choose it if green upholstery and a compact depth suit your room. Skip it if you want a plain neutral color or need a chair with stated arm measurements before checking fit beside a desk.

Compare the seat and back shape with your usual reading position, since overall height alone won’t tell you where the back will meet you.

How do fabric and color affect your choice?

Pick upholstery that works with your room and your cleaning routine. These examples include linen, polyester and linen-cotton in neutral and more noticeable colors.

Linen has a woven look, polyester has a different surface and feel, and linen-cotton blends both fibers. These material names alone don’t tell you which chair will be easiest to care for, so check its care tag and follow those instructions.

Beige and dark gray can sit quietly alongside other furnishings. Blue coral and green create more contrast, so consider the color of nearby walls, rugs and larger pieces before choosing.

For more on upholstery, browse our looks and fabrics guide. If you’re considering velvet instead, our velvet chair cleaning guide explains why fabric care instructions matter.

How do you choose a high back chair for a small room?

For a small room, prioritize width, depth and the space you need to move around the chair. A tall back can draw the eye upward, but it won’t reduce the floor space the chair occupies.

Tape out the chair’s footprint and check whether you can approach it, sit down and pass it comfortably. Include space for an ottoman or side table only if you plan to use one.

A simple frame or open arms may look less bulky than rolled arms or broad wings. Compare actual dimensions instead of relying on style names, since two chairs with similar labels can take up different amounts of floor space.

See our best armchairs for small spaces for more compact options. If you’re building a reading corner, our guide to choosing a reading chair covers seat fit and room planning.

What are common mistakes when buying a high back accent chair?

The most common mistake is choosing by appearance before checking fit. A chair may look right online but leave too little room to walk, sit or reach furniture around it.

Avoid these missteps:

• Measuring only the wall space: Measure the floor footprint and delivery route too.
• Treating total height as back support: Look at the back shape and measurements, then consider how they line up with you when seated.
• Ignoring the arms: Check their height against a desk, side table or sofa.
• Assuming every chair suits reading: Compare seat depth and back shape with how you prefer to sit.
• Picking a color without considering the room: Check it against nearby furniture and textiles.
• Skipping care details: Follow the chair’s care tag instead of assuming all upholstery can be cleaned the same way.
• Leaving no room for assembly: Check the assembly needs and allow enough clear floor space to work.

Measure first, then decide which compromises you’re comfortable making. A chair with the right look but the wrong depth or arm height can be awkward in daily use.

How should you set up and care for your chair?

Set up the chair on a clear, level floor and follow its assembly instructions. Keep the hardware and parts together while you assemble it, and check that the chair sits evenly before using it.

Move it into the room only after checking the route and finished footprint. Place it where doors, drawers and walking paths remain clear, and check the floor beneath its legs before shifting it into position.

For routine care, follow the care tag for the upholstery. Avoid choosing a cleaner until you know what the fabric instructions allow.

If you move the chair, lift it with help as needed rather than dragging it across the floor.

Which high back accent chair is the right choice for you?

Choose the Karl Home chair if you want a beige linen look, flared arms and have room for a deeper seat. The Yaheetech chair fits a narrower, shallower space if its taller rolled arms and tufted style suit the room.

Choose the BELLEZE chair if a wingback shape and blue coral upholstery match your plan. Pick the choairy chair if you prefer green fabric, detachable cushions and a shallower depth.

Before deciding, compare the full footprint, seat and arm fit, delivery route and care instructions. A high back accent chair works best when its shape suits your room and its proportions suit the way you’ll use it.

Frequently asked questions

What makes an accent chair high back?

A high back accent chair has a taller back than a low-back style, but there is no single height that defines every model. Compare overall height, back shape and the seated position so you can judge where the chair will reach behind you.

Seat height and backrest shape both affect how the chair feels when you sit.

How do I know if a high back chair will fit my room?

Measure the space for the chair, then mark its width and depth on the floor with tape. Check that you can walk past it, sit down and reach nearby doors or drawers.

Measure the delivery route too, including narrow doorways and turns, and compare it with the chair dimensions.

Are high back accent chairs good for reading?

They can work well for reading if the seat, arms and back fit your sitting position. Compare seat depth and height, arm height, and whether the back shape reaches where you want support.

Leave room for a separate ottoman only if you plan to use one and have space for it.

Is a wingback chair the same as a high back chair?

No. High back describes how tall the back is, while wingback describes sides that extend forward near the head and shoulders.

A chair can be both high back and wingback.

Other high back chairs have a solid or tufted back without wings.

What should I check before buying a high back accent chair?

Check the full dimensions, seat height and depth, arm height, back shape, upholstery material and assembly needs. Measure the floor space and route into the room, then compare the color and shape with nearby furniture.

For cleaning, follow the chair’s care tag before using a cleaner.