Chairs are one of those things where we mix high and low finds. On the low end, we’ve scored gems like a $30 thrift-store egg chair, $32 school-supply stools, and $35 secondhand office chairs.
On the higher end, we’ve invested in a few pieces too: a $230 leather chair from Target that lives in our office, a $199 armchair from Joss & Main in our bedroom, two $118 Dolce lounge slipper chairs from Target now in the guest room, and most recently, a kitchen chair.
We couldn’t resist free shipping and a sale price of $298 (originally $498) from Joss & Main, so we ordered a chair for that little corner of the kitchen that had been occupied by a too-short white Ikea chair we’d thrifted. That white chair had been shoved in “just for now” after we moved and ended up staying there for a year and a half. It’s a fine chair, just not the right scale for that spot.
Up close the new chair shows clean tailored lines, modern tufting on the cushion back, and sleek legs.
We thought it would work well for several reasons (we usually think purchases through before hitting “buy”):
#1. The dark color hides spills and sticky kid fingers better than a light chair would.
#2. The taller back makes it visible from across the room—unlike the short Ikea chair that practically disappeared during the kitchen reveal.
#3. Its rounded shape looks good from multiple angles, which matters since the chair sits between two doorways and is visible from the sides as well as the front.
#4. The neutral color and clean silhouette mean it could easily move to another room—the playroom, office, or bedroom—if it didn’t work in the kitchen.
When it arrived, it was just right. The dark tone grounds the corner, ties into the darker floors, and prevents the room full of white counters and cabinets from feeling washed out. The fabric closely matches the dark gray of our nearby sectional, which gives an unexpected but welcome connection between the kitchen and living room. That fabric has held up well with a kid and a dog, so we’re hopeful it will do the same in the kitchen.
Now Clara can eat Jammy Sammies—like fig newtons with peanut butter and jelly—in the chair without us holding our breath every time she carries one in. The taller back means you can actually see the chair over the peninsula, so the corner no longer looks like an empty oddity from across the room.
It’s a small upgrade that improves both form and function and makes our cozy fireplace zone feel more intentional. The ottoman we paired with the chair came from Marshall’s and has been with us since our first house. We initially tried a white pouf that travels around the house, but it was too low; the taller ottoman turns the setup into something close to a recliner, and the chair’s back comes up over my shoulders—perfect for kicking back.
This new chair quickly became my favorite reading spot—at least until Clara interrupts and I end up reading board books. Even so, a comfortable chair and a big ottoman make those repeated reads more enjoyable. I’m convinced a good chair can make almost anything better—maybe dentists should add plush armchairs and overstuffed ottomans in their waiting rooms.
That’s the first small change for our fireplace corner. We have more plans for this often-neglected area and will share them soon. How do chairs function in your home? Do you mix budget and splurge pieces too? Any recent chair updates on your end? As for the old white Ikea chair, we’re planning to move it to the sunroom to pair with the white daybed when we get around to finishing that space.
Psst—check out our river adventures on Young House Life; Burger’s stick-chewing skills are unmatched.