Barrel Chairs Swivel

Chloe Hughes Interior Design Expert

Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.

Updated 27/04/2021

Give your home a rustic look akin to the saloons of the old west, with barrel chairs that swivel. Sure they didn't actually have swivel barrel chairs in the frontier at the turn of the 19th century, but it doesn't mean these won't complement your homes clever motif depicting the old west. So enjoy taking a load of after working on the dusty trail, with your barrel chairs that swivel.

Buying Guide

If your barrel chairs swivel, their efficiency is highly improved. You can’t really say that the swivel improves their comfort. A barrel chair is usually a snuggly, comfy place to sit. More than that, it is a versatile chair that can be matched to almost any décor. In spite of its one-time rustic origins, the modern barrel chair is a sophisticated furnishing worthy of any sort of interior design. With just a little browsing, you can find the chair that is just right for you.

What are the characteristic of modern barrel chairs?

Barrel chairs are shaped very much like old-time chairs that were made by cutting the side out of a barrel, but the modern chairs are much more comfortable and come in a variety of styles. They do, however, retain the high sides and back making them a comfortable place to curl up with a good book or in even in front of your computer. It is easy to add extras like throw pillows or an afghan or two for those winter nights, or even for those days when your spouse or roommate have cranked the air conditioning unit to the max. The tall back and curved sides make a cozy place in which to rest, relax or have a comfortable place to work.

What are the benefits of the swivel function in barrel chairs?

Barrel chairs are, by their very nature, rather big and unwieldy. If you have one pulled up to a desk or a table, it isn’t easy to pull in or push out. The swivel makes it possible to turn the chair to sit, then to “swivel” it around to the desired position. The ability of these chairs to turn also makes them a nice piece for a conversation corner. The chair can be turned to face a couch or another chair. The participant in the conversation can make eye-contact and read body language without getting a stiff neck.

What are the different styles and designs of swivel barrel chairs?

Swivel barrel chairs come in every type and style of upholstery available to other overstuffed furniture offerings, ranging from supple leather to posh brocades. In addition, the backs and sides also come in different heights and styles, so you are not stuck with a chair that deeply resembles a barrel that has had its side cut out. Styles range from that traditional barrel shape, often upholstered in leather and perhaps even studded with decorative nails, to thronelike plush chairs with a fan back to elegant desk chairs poised on a single adjustable pedestal leg.

Barrel chairs swivel for your comfort and convenience, making the most of a traditional design. They might once have been cut from used barrels, but the modern chairs are much more sophisticated. Regardless of whether you are putting together a shabby chic or ultra-modern décor, you can find a barrel chair that will fit with the rest of your furnishings. For super comfort, just add a matching ottoman so you can put your feet up.