Dining Chairs Buying Guide
Helpful info on dining chair styles, types, materials, and sizes
Style
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Traditional dining chairs are most often formal dining chairs made from wood with a medium or dark finish. When upholstered, they usually feature leather or white/off-white fabric. Some of the most popular styles of wooden traditional dining chairs are:
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Contemporary dining chairs are distinguished by simpler, cleaner designs and greater use of materials such as steel, iron, wicker, rattan, microfiber, leather, and faux leather. Open-backed designs are less common; though lines are often functional and simple, they can also be sleek or stylized a la modern or Art Deco furniture.
Country dining chairs are more casual dining chairs that would be right at home in a country, cottage, or shabby chic decor. The simplicity of the Mission/Craftsman style is a good example of what you'd find in a country dining chair. Ladder-back or Shaker dining chairs with straight legs and wide horizontal slats on the back would also fall under the country style.
Type
Side chairs are likely what you would picture when you think of a dining room chair or chair set. They're straight-backed, armless chairs that come in a wide variety of styles. The side chair is by far the most predominant type of dining chair.
Dining room arm chairs can be as simple as a side chair with arms, but they're often more decorative than this, e.g.: an upholstered French country-style arm chair or a Chippendale arm chair with a beautiful cherry finish. Dining arm chairs are an excellent choice if you want a room where guests can comfortably linger after a meal.
If you need a conversation piece for your dining room, dining benches are well worth considering. The dining bench is always a unique look, and it's not solely a traditional style, as some tend to think. Many of our dining room benches offer contemporary style and a beautiful leather or dark wood finish that would be perfect for a modern or vintage-style dining area.
The parson chair originated in the 1930s and takes its name from the famous design school in New York City. Parsons chairs are recognizable by their extremely clean and functional lines and lack of ornamentation. Wood may be used in their construction, but they are usually upholstered in leather, fabric, suede, or other materials. They're armless and feature a closed-back design.
Material
Wood is the classic material choice, whether you're looking for a casual or formal dining chair. It's elegant, easy to decorate around, and will provide low-maintenance durability.
If you decide to go the upholstered route, choose your materials wisely. Suede will be less expensive but also less durable than aniline or top-grain leather. Leather is an excellent choice overall, despite its often higher cost. Leather dining chairs are very durable, and will acquire greater character over time as the leather softens.
If you need a low-maintenance dining room chair material that's relatively stain-resistant, microfiber might be your best choice. Metal dining chairs are also sturdy and durable. For comfort, you'll probably want a metal dining chair with an upholstered seat.
Size
Start by sizing things up: First, measure your dining area, then measure your dining room table before you buy dining room chairs. Some numbers to note:
- Factor in 18 to 24 inches of space from the table as room to sit in your chair and pull it up to the table
- Once you're comfortably seated, you'll want about 12 inches of space between the chair seat and the table
- For a well-centered table and chair ensemble, allow 4 to 5 feet of space between your table and the walls
- There should be about 24 to 30 inches of space between each dining chair
If you want to be able to tuck the dining chairs in when they're not in use, then side chairs or chairs with low arms would be best. On a different level, think about counter height dining chairs, a popular alternative to standard-size dining chairs.
- A typical dining chair seat height is about 16 or 17 inches
- The standard counter height dining chair seat is 24 inches high
Counter height chairs can be used with a larger dining room table, or at a kitchen bar, or a taller bistro-style table.
So you've got your dining space parameters figured out, now focus on seat dimensions for an overall comfortable dining experience. You'll want to make sure your table and chair heights accommodate each other. Keep in mind these basic seat measurements:
- Armrest height (over seat): 7 to 9 inches
- Seat depth: 16 to 16.5 inches
- Seat height (from floor): 16 to 17 inches
- Seat width: 15.5 inches (back) to 18 inches (front)
Now that the math is done, pull up a chair and see how it all adds up!
