Dining Chair Buying Guide
The types listed above come in an array of styles. Some of the more popular dining room chair styles include traditional (which is also a type, see above), modern, contemporary, farmhouse, industrial and rustic. Anything modern and contemporary will feature clean lines, minimal upholstery and a solid color palette; anything rustic and farmhouse will feature distressed surfaces and warm colors; anything industrial will feature lots of metal and exposed framework; and anything traditional will feature intircate patterns, curved edges and rich colors.
dining chair buying guide
If you are living with knee patients, toddlers, pregnant women or older people, having at least one arm chair at the dining table can be a boon as they provide support and protection when getting in and out.
Being a busy space, the dining room needs a clean movement area. So choose chairs which can easily slide under the dining table. A minimum of 12 inches between the tabletop and dining chair seat ensures relaxed seating while providing sufficient legroom.
High back chairs set the tone for formal settings while low back chairs easily create a casual ambiance. Also, delicately designed or open back chairs allow longer sightlines, making a small dining room look spacious. Similarly, well defined, voluminous chairs do well in large spaces. This thumb rule applies across themes whether it is traditional, contemporary, minimalistic or anything else.
You could also take the middle path and opt for extravagant end chairs and simple side chairs. This is easy on the pocket and creates a semi-formal dining setup that does not eat up visual or actual space.
It is always preferable to have dining chairs you can easily move around the house. This is especially important if they are pulling double-duty. It could be used for extra seating in the living room when entertaining guests. It might come handy when being used at your home office.
Chairs with open backrests can help do away with visual clutter while providing support. Slat back or plastic moulded chairs provide easy grip when moving in and out of the dining room and they are easy to use option for kids and pets too. Solid back or heavy-set chairs are comparatively difficult to maneuver.
Wooden dining chairs are a common favourite and offer durability like metal ones. Chairs that are made by skilled craftsmen using traditional joinery are likely to last longer. Glued pieces, splinters and snags are a definite no. Apply the same principle even if you are opting for a wooden bench for seating instead of individual chairs.
Your dining chair material can help evoke moods you want. Metal can add sheen and lightness. Rattan can render a tropical aura. Wood gives off a warm, organic feel. But each comes with its own set of maintenance requirements.
As upholstery experts, we love upholstered dining chairs. They elevate comfort and bring added warmth, color and texture to your dining room. That choice does raise the cost, however. So, if your budget is limited, we would recommend non-upholstered designs. If you have young children and pets, these chairs are easier to maintain as well, although our high-performance treated fabrics make cleaning up spills a breeze.
The backrest is very much a defining element of your chair and the dining environment it helps form. For a rather formal expression, choose a sleek and tall design, and double-down on the esthetic with luxurious leather. To give your space a more relaxed feel, go for welcoming organic curves like those of our bestseller, the Adelaide chair. Or create a striking counterbalance to a clean, pared-down table with a sculptural form like the Ottawa chair by Karim Rashid.
Matching dining chair sets have been the go-to for centuries. When done right, the look is effortlessly elegant and harmonious. But in recent years, more of us are breaking the rule and mixing designs. An easy way into the trend is to work with two sets. So, on a square table, you would place one set of chairs at opposing sides, and another set at the remaining. For even more individuality, play with different designs all round in a range of complementary colors.
We recommend visiting a store to try out your shortlisted designs. Take the chair and gently wiggle the backrest. The design should feel solidly constructed, without any bending. If buying a design off the shop floor, run your hands over the surfaces checking for imperfections or sharp edges. Finally, take a seat. Resist the urge to jump up after a few seconds. Stay for however long you need, to be sure that you have found the chair of your dreams.
The dining room is the heart and soul of every home. It's the place where the family gathers not only for meals but to spend quality time together. It's where you entertain and host formal or informal dinners for friends and family. The dining room furniture and decor should reflect your taste, personality as well as intended function. While the dining table is the focus of your dining area, the chairs are equally important. They should be comfortable and in line with your decor. When you plan to buy dining chairs - or an entire dining set for that matter - you need to do a little research. Determine what space and budget you have, what kind of style and material you want and what size will work well with the available space.
The Dining Table Should Come First : If you haven't already, then select your dining table first. The size, type, style and number of dining chairs that you need depend on your dining table. If you are buying dining chairs to go with an existing dining table, then measure the table so that you know the exact dimensions when calculating the number of chairs it will accommodate. You'll need to note the height of your table as well, as that will get factored in when you select the chairs. For more details on dining tables, please refer to our Wrought Iron Dining Table Buying Guide.
Make sure your chairs are not too small - or too chunky - to fit your available dining space. The number of chairs that will fit around your dining table depends on the size of both your table and the chairs. The dining table's shape can also affect the number of chairs it will accommodate.
Arm Chairs are provide support for everyone who may need assistance standing and sitting by allowing you to use your arms as support. Arm chairs are also provide a comfortable place for your arms to rest durring dining - This can help keep peoples elbows off the table. If space is an issue arm chairs probably wont work because they do take up more space.
Tip: Traditionally, rectangular dining tables are set with two armchairs: one at the head and the other at the foot of the dining table, while armless or side chairs are used on both sides. But you can choose to have armchairs all around or side chairs all around fi you like.
When choosing new dining chairs, you need to look for the optimal blend of style and comfort. The chair should go with your decor and taste but it is equally important that it is comfortable and allows your guests to linger over their meal, relax and have an enjoyable time. If you have plastic or acrylic chairs, they are very sleek and stylish to look at but the hard seat makes it uncomfortable to sit through an entire meal. You don't want your guests to abandon the table before dessert is served!
Wrought Iron chairs often come with upholstery to ensure comfort. When you are selecting a chair with upholstery, ensure there is ample padding on the back and / or seat. The dining chair should have at least 16"-17" of depth for comfort and if you are going for armchairs, try to find a design where the arms are 7"-9" above the seat.
The material you choose not only determines the durability and sturdiness of your dining room furniture but also creates the final look of the room. This is again a personal preference but also depends on budget. It should complement the dining table as well as other pieces in your dining room to create a visually balanced look. For instance, wood and wrought iron go very well together and can be used to create a timelessly elegant look. Popular options for chairs include wood, iron, plastic, vinyl, leather covered chairs and ones with upholstery. If you choose acrylic or plastic chairs, you can create a modern to retro or informal dining room. Plastic chairs often come in sleek, minimalist lines and work well for small spaces. Wooden chairs can be classic or rustic as per their design. Wood is a versatile material and can be used to create a varied number of looks. With different stains and finishes, you can color-coordinate your dining room very well. Make sure the wood is sturdy and the joints in the chairs bonded well together. Metal chairs are highly versatile as well and can be used to create different looks. You can go for sleek, minimalist designs in metal for that ultra modern look. Or you could go for a classically ornate wrought iron chair that fits well in a Victorian setting. You'll find simple rustic designs as well. Wrought iron dining chairs come in different finish and upholstery options so that you can create a perfectly color-coordinated dining room. Wrought iron chairs are often paired up with matching dining tables that have the same ironwork and finish to create a very elegant look without going through much trouble. Metal chairs also work well with a rustic dining table that has a distressed wood top to create a beautiful blend of different textures and materials. You can also opt for Rattan or wicker chairs for a textured and light option. These materials give your dining room an earthy, organic feel.
Your upholstery plays a major role in finalizing the overall look of your dining room. With the right upholstery, your dining room will look as formal - or as casual - as you want it to be. For instance, brocades, silks, and velvets will add a classy, formal touch to the dining set. Funky prints in microfiber or fabric will create an upbeat, casual look. Microfiber is a popular choice as it is durable and very stain resistant. If you are planning on buying leather upholstered dining chairs, then go for a full-grain leather chair. It is a bit expensive but durable and very beautiful. If you are on a budget, then suede leather or corrected-grain leather will work too. 041b061a72