BRB, Drooling Over These 17 Cozy and Compact Small Armchairs

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I live in New York City in a 500-square-foot apartment, so my in-unit dishwasher is the biggest brag in my life right about now. And while I've grown to love and appreciate my small space—especially the fact that snacks are only ever as far as a few steps away—I can't deny that it can be difficult to decorate. And I know the girls that get it (read: have similarly teeny homes), get it.

Luckily, the World Wide Web is full of places that offer compact but still chic furniture pieces—you just have to know where to look. And if you've been specifically seeking a petite seat to spruce up your space without overcrowding it, you've come to the right place. Since I've been there and done that, I went ahead and found 17 of the best small armchairs on the market right now, perfect for tight corners, low ceilings, and "does this even count as a one-bedroom?" square footage.

No matter your aesthetic, I promise there's a small armchair for you on this list. Honestly, your biggest challenge will probably be choosing just one! So, without further ado, scroll down and prepare to freshen up your space.

Noelie Rattan Lounge Chair with White Cushion

I can't get enough of this wood-and-rattan lounge chair from CB2. It's casual yet so elevated thanks to the sleek lines and high-quality materials. I mean, don't you just wanna plop down on that cushion?

Glowing review: "I’m obsessed with this chair. It is light, airy, COMFORTABLE, and a really great deal for the price. It is a beautiful rattan that fits into any space."

Albany Armchair

You know that viral cloud couch dupe that was allllll over TikTok recently? Well, that same brand (shoutout Albany Park!) also created an armchair that was specifically designed for small spaces. She's super cute (I mean, just look at her!), and comes in an apartment-friendly box, too.

Glowing review: "This chair is the perfect depth to curl up in, without being too bulky. Perfect book nook chair! It fits in a corner perfectly."

Leather Safari Chair

Jenni Kayne really popped off with this cute 'n' neutral chair, and you can't tell me otherwise. The vintage-inspired lewk is simple and show-stopping all at the same time, and the hand-oiled leather feels like butter.

Glowing review: "This chair is gorgeous and remarkably comfortable. The reclining back makes it surprisingly comfortable given the small footprint, which was perfect for the limited space we had for an accent chair. Elegant but approachable and definitely unique."

Darlington Wing Back Armchair

I love how versatile these upholstered armchairs are. I mean, I can't think of any space they wouldn't look good in??? You can style them in a living room (if you're like me, that's the arms-length space next to my refrigerator) or toss 'em around a kitchen table for some oh-so-fine dining.

Glowing review: "This chair is perfection! It’s great quality, the fabric is luxurious, and it’s comfortable. It really makes an impact in my office."

Modular Performance Armchair

Obsessed with the cloud couch (or our approved cloud couch dupes)? Then you *need* this low-profile armchair iteration from Anabei. The featherless down-stuffed cushions always bounce right back thanks to high-resiliency foam, and the super-soft fabric was designed to protect against stains (so yeah, it's pet- and kid-friendly!).

Glowing review: "I recently got myself a dark gray velvet armchair, and let me tell you, it's been the best purchase ever! I absolutely love it. The fabric adds a touch of sophistication to my living space, and the material feels sooo luxurious."

Upholstered Armchair

When I tell you this Wayfair armchair fits perfectly in small spaces, it's because I know firsthand. That's right, this cutie has squeezed into not one, but two of my New York City apartments—and rather comfortably, at that. Plus, it is super easy to assemble, which is always a bonus.

Glowing review: "I love these chairs! The seat cushion is thick and comfortable! Looks and feels well made. Just as they appear in the photos!"

Azma Upholstered Barrel Chair

I'm such a sucker for a good shearling accent chair, like this one from Wayfair. And while I've struggled in the past to find one that doesn't consume my small living space, this barrel chair is comfortable without feeling oversized. Plus, it comes with an ottoman for even better lounging.

Glowing review: "This chair was everything I hoped it would be! It is aesthetically pleasing, and perfect for my recently remodeled guest room. It was packaged well and extremely easy to put together—just had to add the legs!"

Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair

This bad boy has removable cushions—filled with comfy, high-density sponge, fwiw—which will def come in clutch after an accidental wine spill or simple wear and tear. They're legit so easy to clean I promise you don't have to worry about getting the white.

Glowing review: "Very nice piece for small spaces!"

Bouclé Upholstered Accent Arm Chair

Oops, here I am with another bouclé chair. But let's be real...you need this in your life. This baby is equal parts durable (you can thank its strong rubberwood frame for that) and cozy, and won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Glowing review: "This looks great in my living room!"

Viv Grand Swivel Chair

This round chair features 360-degree swivel capabilities and distressed velvet fabric. Plus, it looks like it belongs in a five-star hotel, and isn't that the aesthetic we're all after?

Glowing review: "Really enjoying my new cozy chair!"

Bouclé Upholstered Wood Accent Arm Chair

An armchair with a built-in headrest? Pure genius. It doesn't take up a lot of square footage, but it is plush and wide, making it perfect for curling up with a good book (or good FYP).

Glowing review: "This chair is beautiful and comfortable! The fabric feels lovely. It's very easy to assemble, only requiring one person and less than 20 minutes. It's nice and wide, so I'm guilty of sitting cross-legged in it on occasion."

The Essential Chair

If you're looking for an armchair with that "omg I just sunk right in" feeling, this one's for you. Sabai's iconic Essential Chair features two 100-percent-fiberfill pillows to keep you cushioned from both sides, and high-resiliency foam for extra bounce.

Glowing review: "Love the Essential Chair. The long legs and angled arm rests make it so modern and elegant. The velvet fabric is luxurious. And it's super comfy!"

Axel Upholstered Curved Back Chair

This Crate and Barrel pick will look perf no matter where you place it—around a table, at your desk, or in the living room. The curved back also gives you a cute lil hug every time you sit down, and couldn't we all use some more lovin' in our day-to-day?

Glowing review: "I needed a comfortable dining chair that gave me proper support and held me upright without leaning backward. The Axel Chair is perfect for that, and also has armrests at a good height. It is an extremely comfortable chair, and worth every cent that I paid for it."

Tyler Armmchair

This stunning velvet armchair might look like it would drain your entire savings account, but it's a much more budget-friendly option than similar luxury designs. Perigold also offers complimentary design advice if you can't decide where to put it in your home!

Glowing review: "Obsessed with this chair! Creates such a perfect balance in my office space."

Estero Wicker Accent Chair

This sturdy rattan chair, born out of the Opalhouse x Jungalow collection at Target, is such a chic addition to any space. (And it's actually really, really comfy despite not having any cushions!). It's basically a clean canvas—just add a pop of color with a cutie throw pillow or snuggly blanket.

Glowing review: "Beautiful chair. Received many compliments from guests."

Callan Armchair

This is *not* your weird uncle's old leather recliner. No, no, no—this hot armchair is giving cool, cosmopolitan (heh) woman. The leather is soft, and the contoured seat and back make it unbelievably comfy. Like, maybe a little too comfy if you're trying to do work in it.

Glowing review: "This chair feels like it's been in your home for years, fitting like a glove. I have it in my office and I love to read and relax there. The Urbino leather is durable and has a nice texture, and the wood is sculptural without being overbearing."

Brandt Upholstered Armchair

This looks like the armchair equivalent of your fave oversized, comfy sweatshirt. Don't ask me to explain, I know you know what I'm talking about. If I were you, I'd plop it in an office or library for instant old-school-chic vibes.

Glowing review: "Love the chair. Perfect size, swivel is a nice feature. Well constructed. [A] little firm but still comfortable, especially with a pillow behind my back since I’m short (5’2")."

How we chose the best small armchairs for any space

The Cosmo team dedicates hours to researching and testing products, scouting new finds, and scouring shopper reviews so that we can source the best of the best finds. TL;DR: we would never recommend something that we wouldn't buy for ourselves.

It's also *super* important that every single one of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and features products that are good for the planet, too.

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