What Is an Occasional Chair?

We've all been stuck with too many guests and not enough chairs. To save the event, we pull out the old, metal, rusted folding chairs and plop Aunt Pearl down in one.
There must be some way to combat the old "folding chair" scheme without cluttering up the space around the dining table with more chairs. Well, there is. Occasional chairs are large enough to be comfortable and small enough that they don't add to the chaos.
Why not invest in an occasional chair and throw those old, metal folding chairs to the curb? Aunt Pearl will thank you.

Function

Just as occasional tables are used occasionally, the function of occasional chairs is the same: You pull them out only when you need them. An occasional chair is typically light enough to carry and small enough to use at the dining table for extra seating.

Considerations

Your occasional chair should match the style of your home's personality without looking like all the other furniture. It is an accessory piece that sits quietly to the side while the main pieces take the floor on a regular basis. It should complement your home's main furniture without copying it.

Hiding Places

The size of your home and how much empty space you have will largely determine the hiding place for your occasional chair(s). Entryways are good options, especially if they are large and have nothing else in them. You can put two extra matching chairs in there and hang a nice framed mirror above them.
Kids' bedrooms are also great places to put occasional chairs. Use them as your son's desk chair, then bring them out when you have company.
Large, wide hallways and guest bedrooms are other options for small occasional chairs.

Types

An occasional chair can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a refinished desk chair that used to be in your grandmother's attic or a cushioned chair with your favorite upholstery on it. It also can be an armchair with nothing more than a seat cover tied to the back.
See the Reference below for examples of different styles of occasional chairs.

Where to Find Occasional Chairs

Because occasional chairs are not part of your home's main furnishings, there's no need to spend a lot of money on them. Some great places to find good deals on occasional chairs are garage sales and secondhand stores. These two options are particularly good if you want to refinish an old piece with some natural character to match your personality. (It's amazing the treasures that others will give away.)
You can also find great deals on occasional chairs at stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Ikea.