Have You Heard of the Slipper Chair? This Very Vintage Design Is Making a Comeback for 2026 and It's the Perfect Accent Piece for Small Spaces
The low-profile vintage seat designers are loving again
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Have you heard of the slipper chair? The oh-so vintage slipper chair comeback is gathering pace, and if you’ve spent the last few years struggling to navigate oversized sectionals and deep armchairs, its 2026 return could feel like a refreshing and super chic option.
Once dismissed as old-fashioned, this low-slung, armless chair is emerging as one of the most talked-about furniture trends of the moment.
The Return of the Slipper Chair
In this dark and moody living room by Studio Duggan, a pair of chunky striped slipper chairs on ball feet help to bring in some print and texture.
What makes the slipper chair’s return to living room trends feel so relevant now is its sense of ease. With its low profile and pared-back shape, it offers extra seating without interrupting sightlines or overwhelming a room's layout.
Traditionally designed as bedroom seating in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was made to be easy to sit on while dressing, and unlike an armchair, it sits closer to the ground and forgoes arms altogether, which gives it a lighter look. Many classic versions are fully upholstered and skirted to the floor, though more tailored, leggy iterations exist, too. The common thread is proportion: they're neat, unfussy, and a little restrained.
In smaller living rooms, as well as bedrooms, and even nurseries, a slipper chair provides structure and softness in equal measure. And is the perfect way to introduce a new pattern or color into your scheme, yet with a more streamlined silhouette.
Personally, I’ve started eyeing up a pair for my living room's bay window as it's the kind of spot that calls for somewhere to perch that isn't too bulky, but that still feels like a special design moment.
Designed by Yellow London, this cozy break-out lounge area in a kitchen has been defined by the flatweave rug and two slipper chairs to zone the space.
As Jodie Hazlewood, founder of The House Upstairs, notes, people are moving away from overly bulky furniture and towards pieces that feel timeless and sit lightly in a room.
'I think the slipper chair is so elegant, understated, and incredibly versatile, and that’s why it is always on trend. When we designed our version, the Nikki chair, we wanted to honor the classic slipper chair silhouette but give it a modern softness and flexibility so it works just as beautifully in a bedroom corner as it does in a living space or dressing room,' she continues. 'It’s low, inviting, and unfussy, but still feels special, a piece that elevates a room without shouting.'
Designers also point to a broader shift in how we want our spaces to feel. 'Slipper chairs work for how people are living right now,' says Jen Dean of Jede Interiors. 'Homes are more layered, rooms are doing double duty, and no one wants furniture that visually takes over a space.'
'A slipper chair gives you extra seating without interrupting the flow of the room,' Jen continues. 'It feels intentional but not precious. I also think there’s a shift away from furniture that’s trying too hard to be a moment. Slipper chairs are quiet, functional, and supportive, and that restraint feels really current.'
With a more traditional English look, this soft pink living room by Sean Symington uses a pair of soft blue slipper chairs with skirted bottoms for extra seating options.
Sophie Salata, head of brand at Vinterior, agrees, observing that slipper chairs offer a rare combination: well-proportioned and practical, yet understated, with a presence that anchors a room.
'At Vinterior, we’re seeing a growing appreciation for these pieces because they strike a balance between form and function,' says Sophie. 'They don’t dominate a room, but they still add structure and intention.'
'The slipper chair doesn’t try to be a statement, yet it subtly changes the mood of a room,' she continues. 'It’s the kind of design that feels lived-in rather than styled, which is exactly what people are drawn to right now.'
And as Sophie suggests, if you're working with a compact space, a slipper chair's slight silhouette helps to keep sightlines open.
Sean Symington agrees, adding: 'They’re incredibly versatile pieces, compact enough to sit comfortably in bedrooms or bathrooms, yet characterful enough to work as an accent chair in a living space. Their low, elegant profile makes them ideal for tighter spots where a full armchair would feel too dominant, and they bring a softness to a room without overwhelming it.'
Seen at last year's WOWhouse, designer Nicola Harding teamed up with Drummonds to create this moody powder bathroom with a soft slipper chair to perch upon.
That sense of visual lightness is key. Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design Co. explains that because the slipper chair occupies less vertical and horizontal space than a traditional armchair, it helps maintain flow, too.
'It allows sightlines to remain open,' she explains. 'Its low seat height and armless silhouette make it ideal for layered interiors, particularly in rooms that already carry visual weight from deep sectionals, built-ins, or heavy millwork.'
Designers also see it as an ideal canvas for upholstery experimentation. 'The form also lends itself well to upholstery experimentation; tight tailoring in performance linen feels architectural, while a skirted version in a small-scale print leans classic,' Kailee continues. 'The success of the slipper chair today lies in proportion and restraint: clean lines, intentional fabric selection, ornate bases, and fun trims.'
Taking its cue from antique furniture designs, this petite slipper chair, designed by Studio Squire for one of our best-loved living rooms of 2025, packs a big punch for a small piece.
Of course, if you're after a new chair to sink into, this isn't the style for you.
'I love incorporating vintage slipper chairs into my projects because they are so elegant and really show off a beautiful upholstery fabric,' says designer Bethany Adams. 'They're definitely for more formal seating areas – you're not going to curl up with a good book in a slipper chair – but still quite comfortable guest seating.'
'I particularly love a slipper chair that comes all the way to the floor without feet,' she suggests. 'They have a more sculptural quality that is a lot of fun in a formal living room.'
The beauty of the slipper chair is that it comes in many guises, from vintage and ornate to modern, tailored styles and skirted editions that lean classic and romantic. Vintage examples, Sophie Salata adds, are particularly appealing for their considered proportions and quiet craftsmanship.
'What’s really driving the return of the slipper chair is how easily it fits into more relaxed, layered spaces,' she adds. 'It works just as well alongside contemporary furniture as it does with vintage pieces, creating contrast without feeling forced.'
Created for her own line, NiX by Nicola Harding, the designer's beloved Perch slipper chair can be seen here in a combo of mix and match stripes.
If the slipper chair’s return has you rethinking that awkward corner or bay window, the good news is there’s a style to suit almost every scheme. Today’s most stylish designs range from classic, skirted silhouettes that nod to their vintage roots to cleaner, more architectural takes with tailored upholstery and concealed legs.
Whether you’re drawn to a timeless upholstery or a print-forward piece, here's an edit of my favorites below.
A refined take on a classic, this striped slipper chair balances softness with structure. The skirted base enhances its romantic appeal, while the neutral coffee-toned stripe keeps it feeling current and easy to style.
Proof that great design doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, this Studio McGee for Target design offers timeless shape and everyday comfort. The armless silhouette and subtly curved back keep it compact, while the textured blue upholstery adds depth.
A chic reimagining of the classic slipper chair, the Perch pairs compact proportions with bold character and extra-deep cushions. Available in a myriad of prints, it is the perfect way to add some color confidence to your reading nook.
The bold geometric fabric breathes new life into this pair of vintage slipper chairs with classic low-profile frames, creating a striking yet modern look. Compact and armless, they’re perfectly suited to smaller spaces that need some extra personality.
With its softly arched back and slightly taller, tailored legs, the Sterling chair brings a touch of heritage charm. Available in over 150 different fabrics, including this gingham upholstery, which adds warmth and pattern without overwhelming the silhouette.
The Midbury chair embraces the slipper chair’s old-fashioned roots with its low seat and ruffled skirt. The ochre blockprint fabric introduces subtle pattern and depth, making it a playful addition to a cozy living room, sunroom, or bedroom.
The return of the slipper chair isn’t about bringing in more of Grandma's favorite old pieces. It's actually more of a comeback of a forgotten silhouette, reimagined for modern schemes in fun, playful silhouettes and prints that add instant impact to a room without taking up a vast amount of space. And for a vintage design, they feel refreshingly new and achingly chic.
