Before the days of central heating or triple pane windows, wing chairs offered an elegant, impressive refuge from the winter cold. As a “room within a room,” wing chairs keep out drafts, and help concentrate the warmth of a fire in the fireplace. Even with modern conveniences in place, wing chairs, with their expressive lines, can still offer a unique, inviting invitation into a room.

Not Your Grandmother’s Wing Chair

Call them wingback chairs, wing backs, or wing chairs, the modern version of this traditional stalwart is by no means obsolete. Over the years, styles have changed, and the current wing chairs—while they’ve inherited the basics from their predecessors—have changed to match the tastes of the times. As opposed to older pieces with exposed frames and cushions on the seats, armrests, and occasionally the wings, current versions are most often fully upholstered with exposed wooden legs.

Those expressive lines come in a range of styles. Most chairs you will find have “scroll wings” or “flat wings” but you can also find exotic shapes, like “butterfly wings” on some chairs. Upholstery can help add a modern touch as well, with bold geometric and floral patterns offering an extra dash of color. Leather can also complement the natural tone of the wood legs on some pieces.

Where to “Wing It” (and How)

As they always have, wing chairs work great in front of a fireplace. The added comfort from the padded back and sides, along with the heat the wings will catch make for just as hospitable a seat as they always have. You can also put a pair in the corner to create both a distinctive look, and comfortable nook, in any room.

The heights and patterns of a wing chair can vary greatly, and they can have an impact on how they ought to be used in your home. The right wing chair can go into just about any space in a home, not just a living or family room. Offices and bedrooms can also use a wing chair in the corner to add height and distinction to the room’s profile. A wing chair with a shorter back can sit well alongside other pieces in a living room, like a sofa. More statuesque wingback chairs work well on their own as focal points in a corner or hallway that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Final Thoughts

When selecting wing chairs for your home, keep variety in mind. The expressive lines of a wing chair can tie a room together, or provide the right touch of contrast to make a room really shine. No matter what, they make a statement. From the boldly exaggerated, to the angular, even the restrained, wing chairs are an excellent statement piece.

Come by the showroom at La Maison Interiorsto view a sampling of fabulous wing chairs suitable for your home.