Names of various furniture shapes don't come any more interesting than the "slipper chair." It sounds feminine and romantic and seems like something that would be in a bedroom, but what exactly is a slipper chair? It's ubiquitous, and you've almost certainly seen bunches of these in your lifetime. A slipper chair is simply an upholstered chair without arms that has short legs so that it sits closer to the ground.
When it first made its appearance in the early 18th century, this low-slung chair was typically used in women's bedrooms as seating, and it was often used when maids helped them put on their shoes, or slippers, as they were then often called. Hence the name.
Slipper chairs are often found in mid-century modern designs, with a tight back and no box pleats so that the geometric form of the legs is prominent. Since the 1950's, slipper chairs in a variety of styles have been integral to furniture used in both bedrooms and living areas and especially in spaces that are relatively small.
Slipper chairs don't take up as much visual or physical space as other types and still provide a place to sit. Slipper chairs are virtually always upholstered, and the term now refers to a chair that features a wide, tight rectangle for seating and another tight rectangle for the back. These highly versatile chairs have a multitude of uses and can be made to fit almost any decor scheme with a change of upholstery. There are many ways to use these chairs in the modern home.
You could place a pair of slipper chairs, so the legs are showing, in front of the windows, perpendicular to the sofa, in a smallish living room arrangement. These minimalist chairs allow the windows to be seen and accessed but make use of the space for seating. Match the fabric on the chairs for a balanced and more formal effect or cover one in a stripe or print and the other in a solid that is one of the colours in the other chair's covering for a more eclectic look.
Alternatively, put an upholstered slipper chair either with the legs showing in a small corner with a tiny side table. This is a useful placement in either a living room or a bedroom. Cover the chair in a solid fabric and dress it with a couple of throw pillows covered in prints or stripes stacked up to the straight back for a dramatic effect and unexpected focal point.
A further option may be to place a slipper chair with exposed legs opposite a sofa and coffee table arrangement for good conversation―the chair is easy to move and can be brought closer to the sofa if desired during an intense discussion. Cover the chair in an accent colour to add a spark to the room and give the small chair presence.
So, something that was created for a very limited use in modern times can have a multitude of uses in the contemporary home.
