The living room is often considered the heart of a home—a space where life unfolds in all its forms, from quiet evenings with a book to lively gatherings with family and friends. Typically, this room is furnished with the essentials: a sofa, a coffee table, perhaps an armchair or two, all oriented toward a television or a focal point like a fireplace. While these pieces form the backbone of the living room, there’s one element that can elevate the space beyond the ordinary—a chair. Far from being just another seat, a chair can transform a living room’s aesthetic, functionality, and personality. Interior design expert Nate Berkus, a celebrated figure from HGTV and a frequent sharer of wisdom on social media, has long championed the chair as a versatile and sculptural addition that can redefine any living space.
Berkus believes chairs are more than functional objects; they’re design statements. With the right chair, you can introduce texture, shape, and character to a room, making it feel more intentional and lived-in. Whether it’s a sleek modern piece, a cozy upholstered gem, or a vintage treasure, a chair has the power to enhance a living room in ways that go beyond mere seating. In this exploration, we’ll dive into how Berkus uses chairs to create dynamic living spaces, why they’re essential for zoning and personal expression, and how you can apply his insights to your own home—proving that one unique addition can indeed make all the difference.
The Sculptural Power of Chairs
Nate Berkus has a clear stance on chairs: they’re the most sculptural furniture in a room. This perspective shifts the way we think about them—no longer just utilitarian, chairs become art pieces that shape the visual narrative of a space. Berkus often showcases this idea through his designs and social media, highlighting how different chair styles can serve distinct purposes. Take, for example, a stacked plywood chair with clean, minimalist lines. Its bold geometry adds a striking focal point to a reading nook, turning a simple corner into a design moment. Contrast that with a plush boucle club chair, which exudes warmth and invites relaxation in a cozy den. Or consider a leather-and-chrome vintage piece, like the iconic Barcelona chair, which brings a retro edge to a modern living room. Each chair tells a story, reflecting both the designer’s intent and the homeowner’s personality.
This sculptural quality makes chairs incredibly versatile. They can stand alone as statement pieces or complement existing furniture to create harmony. Berkus emphasizes that the chair you choose doesn’t have to follow a rigid design trend—it should resonate with your aesthetic. “If it’s true to your taste, it will fit in no matter where you live or how your decor evolves,” he has said in interviews. This philosophy frees homeowners from the pressure of chasing fleeting fads and encourages them to select pieces that feel authentic. A sculptural chair, then, becomes a long-term investment in both style and self-expression.
To illustrate this, consider the variety of chairs Berkus admires. A modern plywood design might appeal to someone with an artistic bent, while a vintage find could suit a lover of nostalgia. A cushioned club chair, meanwhile, prioritizes comfort without sacrificing elegance. The key is to match the chair to your lifestyle and decorating goals. Do you want a bold accent or a functional seat? A conversation starter or a quiet retreat? Berkus’s approach proves that chairs can fulfill any of these roles—or all of them at once.
Table: How Different Chair Styles Influence a Living Room
| Chair Type | Design Impact | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sculptural (Plywood, Egg Chair) | Adds avant-garde appeal; acts as a standalone art piece | Modern, minimalist, or eclectic spaces |
| Bouclé/Upholstered | Softens the room; adds warmth and comfort | Cozy, transitional, or Scandinavian interiors |
| Vintage Leather | Brings heritage and sophistication | Mid-century, industrial, or masculine spaces |
Berkus explains:
“Chairs are the most sculptural furniture in a room. They can define a space’s personality—whether you want it to feel cozy, edgy, or timeless.”
Creating Zones with Chairs
One of the most practical ways chairs enhance a living room is by defining zones within the space. Whether you’re working with a compact apartment or a sprawling open-plan area, zoning helps a room feel purposeful and organized. Berkus demonstrates this technique masterfully in his designs, using chairs to carve out distinct areas for different activities. In a small New York City living room he shared on Instagram, a vibrant green chair sits beneath a window, paired with a side table. This setup creates a perfect spot for reading or sipping coffee, separate from the nearby sofa where others might chat or watch TV. The chair doesn’t just add seating—it establishes a micro-environment within the larger space.
In larger rooms, zoning becomes even more critical to avoid a cavernous, empty feel. Berkus and his husband, Jeremiah Brent, tackled this challenge in a spacious living area featured in a Real Simple YouTube video. They positioned a sofa toward the center of the room, then placed two substantial chairs behind it, accompanied by a small table and an ottoman. This arrangement formed what they called a “coffee area”—a cozy nook within the broader layout. Without these chairs, the space risked feeling disjointed or underutilized. Instead, the room gained depth and functionality, proving that chairs can anchor a zone and make even a vast area feel intimate.
This zoning strategy is adaptable to any home. In a small space, a single chair can delineate a reading corner or a spot for quiet reflection. In a larger one, multiple chairs can create a secondary seating area for entertaining or relaxation. The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity—by adjusting a chair’s placement or angle, you can redefine how the room works. Berkus’s designs show that chairs aren’t static; they’re tools for shaping how we experience our living spaces.
Breaking Design Rules for Better Results
While furniture arrangement templates offer a helpful starting point, Berkus encourages homeowners to think beyond them. Sticking too closely to conventional “rules” can stifle creativity and leave a room feeling predictable. In one Instagram video, Berkus shared a story about a chair he and Brent bought in Paris. Initially, Brent positioned the oversized, dark piece facing a fireplace—a logical choice. But Berkus had a different vision. He moved it near a wall, angling it away from the surrounding furniture to create a fresh dynamic. This unconventional placement added intrigue and broke the room’s symmetry, making it more engaging.
This willingness to experiment is central to Berkus’s philosophy. “A well-crafted space feels assembled and layered over time,” he told Homes & Gardens. “The only way to achieve that is to break what feels like ‘rules.’ These rules are just constructs that make us think we can’t do certain things unless we do them ‘right.’” For chairs, this might mean placing one in an unexpected spot—floating in the middle of the room, turned away from the TV, or paired with an unconventional sidekick like an ottoman or a stack of books instead of a table. The goal is to create a space that feels personal, not formulaic.
Breaking rules also applies to mixing styles and sources. Berkus suggests borrowing a chair from another room—like a dining chair or a den accent—to shake up the living room’s vibe. This cross-pollination can refresh the space and reveal new possibilities. A wooden dining chair, for instance, might bring a rustic touch to a sleek modern setup, while a plush den chair could soften a minimalist living room. The result is a collected, eclectic look that feels uniquely yours—proof that chairs can bridge different areas of the home and defy rigid design boundaries.
“A well-crafted space feels assembled over time. The only way to achieve that is to break the so-called ‘rules.’” – Nate Berkus
Matching Chairs to Your Lifestyle
Beyond aesthetics, chairs should align with how you live. Berkus highlights this by showcasing options that cater to different needs. A cozy boucle club chair, part of his collection with Brent for Living Spaces, is ideal for lounging—perfect for movie nights or curling up with a book. Its boxy shape and soft fabric strike a balance between comfort and chic, customizable in various colors and materials to suit your decor. Meanwhile, a sculptural plywood chair might not be for sitting at all—it’s an artistic statement, best suited for filling a corner or sparking conversation. And a vintage Barcelona chair? It’s both a stylish perch and a nod to design history, blending form and function for those who value both.
This adaptability makes chairs essential for tailoring a living room to your habits. If you’re a reader, a cushioned chair by a window with good light is a must. If you entertain often, a pair of sleek chairs can expand your seating without crowding the space. For collectors or art lovers, a striking sculptural piece can double as decor. Berkus’s designs with Brent, like their Voyage collection for Living Spaces, emphasize this practicality. Inspired by coastal living and global travels, the collection features neutral-toned chairs that prioritize comfort and versatility, complementing any existing setup while adding a touch of timeless elegance.
Practical Tips for Incorporating Chairs
Ready to enhance your living room with a chair? Here are some actionable insights inspired by Berkus:
- Choose a Statement Piece: Opt for a chair with a bold shape, texture, or color to draw the eye. A sculptural design can stand alone, while a vibrant hue can energize the room.
- Define a Zone: Position a chair to create a specific area—angle it toward a window for a reading nook or pair it with a table for a conversation spot.
- Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to pull a chair from another room or combine styles. A vintage piece next to a modern sofa can create a compelling contrast.
- Prioritize Comfort: If you’ll use the chair daily, ensure it’s cozy and supportive. Test fabrics and shapes to find what feels right.
- Break the Mold: Experiment with placement—move the chair away from walls or traditional layouts to see how it reshapes the space.
Table: Chair Styles and Their Impact
| Style | Best For | Visual Effect | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculptural (Plywood) | Art lovers, focal points | Bold, modern, artistic | Stacked plywood chair |
| Cozy (Boucle Club) | Relaxation, daily use | Warm, inviting, chic | Boucle club chair |
| Vintage (Barcelona) | Retro enthusiasts, dual use | Sleek, timeless, stylish | Leather/chrome chair |
| Minimalist (Wood) | Small spaces, versatility | Simple, clean, understated | Dining chair crossover |
Why Chairs Matter
Nate Berkus’s love for chairs underscores a broader truth: small changes can have a big impact. A single chair can transform a living room’s look, feel, and function, turning a standard setup into a space that reflects who you are. It’s not about overhauling your decor—it’s about adding one unique piece that speaks to you. Whether it’s sculptural flair, cozy comfort, or vintage charm, a chair brings personality and purpose to the room where you live the most.
Berkus’s work, from his HGTV projects to his Living Spaces collections, shows that design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about creating a home that tells your story. A chair might seem like a minor addition, but as he proves time and again, it’s a powerful tool for enhancing your living room. So next time you’re rethinking your space, don’t overlook the humble chair. It might just be the one thing that ties it all together.
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