Wingback Living Room Chairs

A classic feature of wingback chairs, tufting is an upholstery technique that was originally used to keep the padding from shifting inside furnishings. In modern wingback chairs, tufting is primarily a decorative detail that lends visual interest to the expansive seat back. To create a tufted seat back, upholsterers pass thread through the upholstery fabric and part of the padding to create a depression in the back's surface. A spare pattern of shallow tufts can provide a tailored look that gives wingback chairs a sense of modernity, while deep tufts surrounded by plump padding can be suitable for chairs used in either luxurious interiors or relaxed, country-influenced decor, depending on the choice of fabric. Upholsterers frequently add a button to cap the tuft, although tufts with exposed stitching are also common and complement a clean, simple aesthetic.

Many wingback chairs feature nailhead trim that outlines the chair's wings, adding emphasis to their curvy shape. It can also be used along the bottom edge of the chair to create a finished appearance. Although brass-finished or goldtone nails are commonplace, polished silver-tone nailheads can provide a fresh, modern alternative.

Welting refers to the use of cording along the cushion seams and edges of wingback chairs and other furnishings. It may be strictly decorative or serve to conceal staples or nails employed in the chair's construction as well as the raw edges of the upholstery fabric. The cord is covered in a piece of fabric that usually matches the upholstery material, although a contrasting or complementary fabric can also be wrapped around the cord for added interest. Most wingback chairs feature a single row of welting, but some have double rows of cord that are glued together and affixed to the bottom edge of the chair.

Variations in leg design help establish the overall aesthetic of wingback living room chairs. Traditional wingback chairs may feature either straight legs or curved legs. Graceful cabriole legs can offer a fitting design detail in Queen Anne, French country, or shabby chic interior designs. Turned legs are another common design option for wingback chairs that lend old-fashioned charm and help create the impression that the chair is an antique. Contemporary wingback chairs may display wooden peg legs for a touch of mid-century style or metal legs to produce a lighter feel or to add a bit of modern glamour.