The Cocktail armchair was born in the 1950s and quickly became a key piece of post-war design. Its look, both generous and compact, gives it a very particular style, which can fit into any decorative atmosphere, especially in small living rooms. Discover everything you need to know about these retro armchairs, our tips for adopting them and our selections.

Elegant and retro: the cocktail armchair

A key piece of modern design from the 1950s, the Cocktail Armchair inspires with its elegant shapes, comfortable seat and vintage look. Benefiting from the renewed interest in vintage in recent years, it will elegantly embellish your living room or your wardrobe.

How do you recognize a cocktail chair?

A cocktail chair can be recognized by the following 3 characteristics:

• Thin and light feet. “Compass shape”, characterized by slightly longer legs at the front than at the back, which allow the seat to be tilted and, therefore, a very pleasant installation.
• Wide and curved seat, to leave a range of movement to the legs.
• Massive, rounded and domed backrest, for an enveloping sensation.

Note that this vintage armchair was designed for small spaces. As for the variants, some have armrests, but this is still rare. Finally, some contemporary models are fixed on a single very low base.

What materials for your cocktail chairs?

Cocktail armchairs are traditionally presented in velvet. This noble, soft and elegant material gives them a cozy and warm style. In addition, the velvet offers interesting reflections depending on the brightness projected on the armchair. Mustard, wine red or pine green, the Cocktail Chairs are available in muted shades to create a lounge spirit. The compass feet are made of turned wood, sometimes with gilded or metallic inserts. These models are ideal in an art deco-inspired atmosphere.

In their trendier version, the cocktail chairs are now also available in fabric. They become even more enveloping and warm. They then find their place in a Scandinavian or cocooning living room.

Cocktail armchairs and coffee table

For a vintage-style decoration, don’t hesitate to combine your cocktail-style armchair with a 1950s-style coffee table, oval or bean-shaped and with compass feet.

If you adopt the Scandinavian or contemporary style, a white coffee table in a round shape with clean lines will go perfectly with your decoration.

Use cocktail chairs in pairs

Historically, cocktail chairs come in pairs. With this retro two-piece set, you can easily recreate a typical 1950s atmosphere. For a fairly large living space, this decorative combination allows you to create a small secondary living room, conducive to more intimate discussions. For a smaller space, these decorative pieces are central and infuse the general tone of your room.

At first glance, the pair of cocktail armchairs presents two similar pieces, whether in terms of the colors of the upholstery, but also the compass feet. Go for models at Homary here! This creates visual unity and consistency, especially if you are creating a secondary intimate corner in your large living room, in an office or library.

However, you can choose two completely separate armchairs and create a unique atmosphere that suits you. In this case, prefer a plain and sober coffee table to soften the whole, or a plain rug that harmonizes everything.

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