The “Swinging 60s” were all about go-go boots, “mod” attire and those groovy swivel chairs that graced cocktail lounges and cruise ships.
While the go-go boots are gone, the swivel chair is making a comeback.
As a designer, I always have a few questions to ask my client as we discuss their design needs. Most importantly, as I have stated before, I must know how the room is going to be used.
That can sometimes be an easy answer and some rooms are forthcoming with their use. However, many rooms these days have multi functions for a variety of family and guests.
One furniture item that I feel is very underrated is a swivel chair. This motion chair can make my job so easy as I add it to our plan.
In a living room setting, a swivel chair can be directed toward the TV, it can be directed toward the sofa or it can swivel and be directed toward the kitchen area, if you have such an open floorplan. No one has to move a heavy stationary chair in order to be a part of the action.
In a bedroom, a swivel chair can be a great place to sit and put on your socks and shoes. You can sit and have a conversation with someone in bed, or maybe you could swivel it around to view the TV or look out the window.
Maybe there is an ottoman and you can direct the chair in a way so that you can have more of a chaise as you read a book.
I have used swivel chairs in dining rooms. These are usually more modern in the overall decor. These swivel chairs make it easy to get in and out of the chair without having to pull a chair out.
Swivel counter and bar stools are terrific on a kitchen island. Again, it makes it easy to enter and exit the chair so that you don’t have to move a heavy stool in and out. It can be directed toward someone working in the kitchen or maybe toward a TV or into a living room should; again, that is if your floor plan will be more open.
I see many outdoor furniture companies that are now offering swivel options with their chairs and stools. This is really great as patios seem to be getting bigger and bigger. You can easily swivel to be part of a conversation with someone sitting on a sofa, or spin around and enjoy a fireplace, grilling area or pool.
I have a lot of clients that don’t know what to do with their formal living rooms. They no longer use these types of rooms because the fancy furnishings are not conducive to everyday living.
A lot of times I like to suggest four swivel chairs with a tall round coffee table in the center. This gives a more casual lounge feel to the room. It can give what once was a stodgy tea-sipping room to a more inviting place to play games, work puzzles and even for your children to do homework or entertain their friends.
Swivel chair seating gives a nice secondary living group that is much more user friendly!
Here is a project I recently installed in a hospitality home that will be rented by a corporation for the Masters Tournament. There was an area on the second-floor landing that was perfect for such a transitional furniture group.
And just when we thought swivel chairs could not get any cooler with a ton of options of styles and fabrics….they can sometimes glide! This is terrific for nurseries or for anyone desiring to rock in their chair!
