Buying guide · Living room · Modern Studio, Laguna Beach
The best swivel accent chairs: barrel, bouclé & sculptural.
A swivel chair turns from the sofa to the fire to the view. Here’s what to check (return, seat height, depth and base) and our picks from American Leather, Thomas Dawn, Conform, Soho Concept, Mobital, Moe’s and Modern Studio.
Before you buy
Four details separate a good swivel from a wobbly one.
Return. A swivel with return (or “return memory”) turns back to face forward when you stand up, so a pair always looks tidy. The American Leather Emma and the Conform Bravo have it; the Soho Concept Gazel offers it as an option.
Seat height. Seats in this guide run from 13″ (a low lounge) to 19″. Match the height of your sofa seat so the conversation is at eye level.
Depth. A deep seat, like the Kensington’s 26″, is for curling up. A shallower seat is easier to get in and out of.
Base. A round plinth or wood base reads like a club chair. A four-star or sword base looks lighter and shows more floor.
Trend forecasts point the same way: curved shapes and sculptural lounge chairs are among the furniture trends for 2027 (Interior Design Trends).
| Chair | Size (W × D × H) | Seat height | Swivel |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Leather Emma | 37 × 37 × 32″ | 19″ | With return |
| American Leather Kensington | 42 × 36 × 28″ | 18″ | Swivel |
| Conform Bravo | 25 × 34 × 42″ | 15.5″ | 360°, return memory |
| Mobital Duffy | 41 × 37 × 30″ | 18″ | 360° |
| Soho Concept Rebecca | 31 × 28 × 31″ | 16″ | Chrome pedestal |
| Soho Concept Gazel | 26 × 28.5 × 30.5″ | 13″ | Optional memory return |
Barrel & tub
The rounded swivel, for conversation.
A barrel back wraps around you, and it looks good from every side, which matters for a chair that turns. Place a pair facing the sofa, or one in a corner by the window.
American Leather · barrel swivel
EMMA SWIVEL ACCENT CHAIR
$2,520
37″ W × 37″ D × 32″ H · seat 19″ H
A rounded half-circle back with loose cushions on a metal swivel base with return. Made in the USA.
View details
American Leather · deep barrel
Kensington Swivel Accent Chair
$2,257
42″ W × 36″ D × 28″ H · seat depth 26″
Curved shelter arms around a deep 26″ seat, in leather, fabric, Crypton®, Sunbrella® or Ultrasuede®.
View details
Thomas Dawn · custom swivel
Cozy Swivel Chair
$1,181.50
36″ W × 31″ D × 30″ H · 360° swivel
A plush, fully upholstered tub chair on a 360° swivel. Thomas Dawn offers custom sizing.
View details
Moe’s · floating base
OSCY SWIVEL CHAIR
$1,117
31.0” W × 31.0” D × 28.0” H · walnut base
A cloud-like seat on a solid walnut base that seems to float, with a 360° swivel.
View details
Mobital · teddy swivel
DUFFY SWIVEL OCCASIONAL CHAIR CREAM TEDDY
$3,247.50
41″ W × 37″ L × 30″ H · seat 18″ H
Cream teddy fabric with a French reverse seam, on a 360° swivel.
View details
Modern Studio · barrel swivel
Marielle Cream Boucle Swivel Chair
$1,729
33″ W × 34″ D × 30″ H
A classic barrel back in cream bouclé, compact enough for a pair in front of a sofa.
View details
Bouclé
Texture you can see across the room.
Bouclé’s looped yarn softens a modern room, and its texture tends to disguise small marks. On a wood base, it feels warmer still. Check the fiber content on each product page: these chairs are mostly polyester blends, with acrylic for loft.
The Ercelle comes in two colorways, Ginger or Oatmeal, both on an ash veneer base.
Modern Studio · bouclé
Romelle Beige Boucle Swivel Chair
$1,183
34.5″ W × 35.5″ D × 29″ H
A soft, rounded shape in textured beige bouclé.
View details
Modern Studio · bouclé on wood
Ercelle Boucle Wood Base Swivel Chair
$1,729
36.5″ W × 35″ D × 31″ H · ash veneer base
Multi-tone bouclé on an ash wood base, in Ginger or Oatmeal.
View details
Modern Studio · bouclé on wood
Arbor Beige Boucle Swivel Chair
$2,015
38.5″ W × 35″ D × 27.5″ H
A low, wide shell in beige bouclé over a dark brown ash frame.
View details
Modern Studio · bouclé on wood
Eastlyn Ginger Boucle Swivel Chair
$1,885
35.5″ W × 37.5″ D × 34.5″ H
Chunky ginger bouclé on a rubberwood base: the warmest chair in this guide.
View detailsIn this season’s colors
Olive, sage, ochre and rust.
Green is having a moment: several paint brands chose greens as their 2027 colors of the year. A swivel chair is a low-risk way to bring in color, since it’s one piece you can move. These all come from our own collection.
Modern Studio · olive velvet
Tovin Olive Velvet Swivel Chair
$1,235
32.5″ W × 30″ D × 28.5″ H
Olive velvet in a compact, rounded shape.
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Modern Studio · sage velvet
Azurelle Sage Velvet Swivel Chair
$1,339
34″ W × 34.5″ D × 28.5″ H
A gathered back in Sapphire Sage velvet.
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Modern Studio · green chenille
Wilder Green Chenille Swivel Chair
$1,001
31″ W × 37.5″ D × 29.5″ H
A puffy, low-slung shape in chunky green chenille.
View details
Modern Studio · ochre chenille
Roslyn Ochre Chenille Swivel Chair
$1,521
33.5″ W × 35″ D × 30″ H
Ochre chenille with wood arms on a rubberwood frame.
View details
Modern Studio · rust chenille
Belara Rust Chenille Swivel Chair
$1,495
38″ W × 34″ D × 31.5″ H
A generous, enveloping shape in rust chenille.
View details
Modern Studio · rust woven
Faena Rust Woven Swivel Chair
$1,547
Rust woven fabric · swivel base
A rounded tub shape in a rust woven fabric.
View detailsSculptural
A swivel that reads as sculpture.
High backs, tufted shells and slim metal bases. These are reading and lounge chairs, and the Soho Concept Rebecca and Gazel are the most affordable in this guide, under $1,000.
American Leather · tufted
Petra Swivel Accent Chair
$2,468
28″ W × 32″ D × 32″ H · seat 16″ H
A sculpted, buttonless-tufted shell on a metal base in antique brass, burnished bronze or polished nickel.
View details
American Leather · winged
Arno Swivel Accent Chair
$2,625
34″ W × 32″ D × 36″ H · seat 19″ H
A winged shell on a sculptural metal base, made in the USA.
View details
Conform · high-back swivel
Bravo Swivel Chair
From $2,817
W 25″ × D 34″ × H 42″ · Seat H 15.5″
A high back in a veneered wood shell on a molded-aluminum base, with a 360° return-memory swivel. Made to order in Sweden.
View details
Soho Concept · sword base
Barcelona Armchair Sword Swivel Lounge
$1,536.30
H 37.5″ W 29.5″ D 34″ · Seat H 16.5″
A high back on a polished stainless steel sword base, with a matching ottoman available.
View details
Soho Concept · chrome pedestal
Rebecca Swivel Armchair
$731.70
31″ H × 31″ W × 28″ D · seat 16″
A chrome-plated solid steel swivel base under a seat in leather, PPM or wool.
View details
Soho Concept · four-star base
GAZEL LOUNGE 4 STAR SWIVEL ARMCHAIR
$676
30.5″ H × 26″ W · seat 13″
A low lounge seat with an optional automatic memory swivel and a removable cover.
View details
Placement
Give it room to turn.
Leave space behind and beside the chair so it can rotate without hitting a wall or table, and keep a side table within reach. A pair of swivels opposite a sofa makes a conversation group that also turns to the TV or the fireplace. On hard floors, a rug under the front legs of the group keeps it anchored.
Custom upholstery takes time: American Leather, Conform and Thomas Dawn build to order, so check lead times on each product page if you want a chair for the holidays.
Swivel chair questions
Frequently asked
What is a swivel chair with return?
A swivel that turns back to face forward when you get up. It keeps a pair of chairs aligned. The American Leather Emma has a swivel base with return, and the Conform Bravo a 360° return-memory swivel.
What seat height should a swivel accent chair have?
Close to your sofa’s seat height, usually 16–19″. The chairs in this guide run from 13″ (Soho Concept Gazel) to 19″ (American Leather Emma and Arno).
Is bouclé practical?
Bouclé’s texture hides small marks, but loops can snag on pet claws. Check the fabric content and care notes on each product page, or choose a performance fabric for a busy room.
What’s the most affordable swivel in this guide?
Can I customize the fabric?
Yes on American Leather (leather, fabric, Crypton®, Sunbrella® and Ultrasuede®), Thomas Dawn and Conform. Order swatches first; see our American Leather collection.
Can I try them in person?
Visit our Laguna Beach showroom, and call ahead to ask what’s on the floor.
Sources
- Curved and sculptural seating for 2027: Interior Design Trends, Furniture Trends 2027
Dimensions, materials and swivel details are from manufacturer specifications on our product pages.
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