High Back Chair, Club Chair or Tub Chair? How to Choose the Right Accent Chair
The right chair can completely change how a room feels.
Some chairs create a quiet place to read. Others invite conversation. Some simply add a sculptural element that balances the room.
When choosing a leather accent chair, three silhouettes stand out for their timeless appeal: the high back chair, the club chair, and the tub chair. Each offers a different experience, from structured support to relaxed comfort.
Understanding the character of each design makes it much easier to find the one that fits your space.
The High Back Chair: Elegant and Supportive
A high back chair brings presence to a room.
With its taller profile and supportive backrest, it naturally creates a more upright and refined seating position. The extended back also gives the chair a sense of architecture - it draws the eye upward and adds vertical balance to the room.
In leather, high back chairs often feel especially distinguished. They work beautifully in studies, libraries, and living rooms where you want a chair that feels both comfortable and slightly formal.
Many people choose a high back chair when they want a dedicated spot for reading, relaxing, or enjoying a quiet moment.
A high back chair is ideal if you want:
Strong back and shoulder support
A chair that feels elegant and traditional
A striking accent piece in a living room or study
A comfortable reading chair
It’s the type of chair that feels personal - a place that naturally becomes yours in the room.
The Club Chair: Relaxed and Inviting
Club chairs are all about comfort.
Originally designed for gentlemen’s clubs in the early 20th century, they were created for long conversations and extended lounging. That relaxed character remains their defining feature today.
With their lower backs, generous armrests, and deeper seats, club chairs encourage you to settle in rather than sit upright. In leather, they develop a rich patina over time, making them feel even more welcoming with age.
They’re also incredibly versatile. A pair of club chairs can anchor a conversation area, complement a sofa, or create a cozy corner in a living room.
Choose a club chair if you want:
A comfortable chair for everyday lounging
A relaxed but timeless look
A seat that works naturally in conversation areas
A classic leather chair that feels warm and substantial
Among leather chairs, the club chair is often the most universally comfortable.
The Tub Chair: Compact and Effortlessly Stylish
Tub chairs offer something slightly different.
Defined by their curved back and compact proportions, they feel lighter and more flexible than the other two silhouettes. Their rounded shape softens the lines of a room and adds a subtle modern touch.
Because they’re smaller, tub chairs are often used where space is limited — in bedrooms, offices, entry areas, or as additional seating in a living room.
Despite their size, they’re surprisingly comfortable, especially for shorter sits and casual conversations.
Tub chairs are a great choice if you want:
A smaller chair that fits easily into a room
A softer, more contemporary silhouette
Flexible seating that can move between spaces
A chair that complements larger furniture without competing with it
They’re often the chair that completes a room rather than defines it.
Which One Is Right for You?
Each of these silhouettes serves a slightly different purpose.
A high back chair offers structure, support, and visual presence.
A club chair brings relaxed comfort and warmth.
A tub chair provides flexibility and compact style.
The best choice comes down to how you want to use the chair — whether it’s a quiet place to read, a comfortable seat for conversation, or a finishing touch that brings balance to the room.
In leather, each of these designs gains character over time, becoming not just a chair in the room, but a piece that naturally becomes part of how you live in it.