Frugal Friday: Accent Chairs under $252

Way back in 2007, I purchased my first pieces of furniture from an actual store. Not from a thrift store, a garage sale or friends of the family, but an honest-to-goodness furniture store. The purchase? Two accent chairs to go with my red vintage couch.

Fast forward 9 years (what?!), and those chairs now flank either side of the TV stand in the living room. Unfortunately, the chairs are starting to show some wear and tear. One chair in particular is in rough shape. It was the chair that my dog liked to lay on top of in order to see out the window in my old condo. As many people are aware, animal claws and leather (or fake leather in this case) don’t go well together. The strategically placed blanket and pillow do a good job of hiding a fairly large tear, but there’s also a spot on the front.

The good news is that in the nine years since I purchased the original chairs, there is so much more to choose from! Seriously, where were all these cute accent chairs for under $252 in 2007? The fun aspect of accent chairs is they don’t always need to be super functional and you can err more towards pretty. At least in our house, the accent chairs aren’t used unless guests are over. You can also look for something on the more budget-friendly side since accent chairs are often more decorative. No one is sitting in these chairs for hours on end, so comfort isn’t quite as important, as say, a sofa.

Accent Chairs Under $250

I rounded up a few of my favorites after searching online. The reason for the $252 price point is that I found a great one for that price 😉 In full disclosure, some of these were on sale when I searched and may not be anymore. I also looked at a mix of stores and included a few more options for similar chairs too.

1. American Signature: I started at the store where I purchased the original chairs in 2007. The swoop arms and nail head make it a modern classic, but add a little glam to a traditional living room. And at $199 per chair.
2. Target: I have a serious crush on wing back chairs, and this stately chair caught my eye. It’s pretty traditional, but the lines are oh so pretty for $252. A similar one, with tufting and a lower back is also available at Target for $237.
3. Pier 1: I have a lot of pattern in my living room, but this subtle stripe is neutral and won’t overpower the other patterns in the room. This one also looks the most comfy with its big pillows. It’s currently in clearance from Pier 1 for $130, which is a great deal.
4. Overstock: The scroll back on this one caught my eye. Simple clean lines that works with various styles for $135. If you’re worried about stains or dirt, the darker charcoal is a great option.
5. Wayfair: The tufted back and seat bring some interest to this chair, and it’s navy, so of course I love it. Again, simple lines with no arms work well in tight spaces too. The price on this one is $209, but Target sells a similar version for $149, currently on sale.
6. World Market: Tufting and nail head trim? Yes, please! World Market does a great job of mixing styles and this can work in anyone’s house. The more modern legs and shape give a clean look, while the details add some traditional elements.

I love the fact that I can buy new chairs and not break the bank. And there were so many more great options that I came across. Happy chair hunting!