Types of Dining Chairs (Dining Room Chair Buying Guide)
Find Chairs That Will Fit the Space You Have
The size of your dining room chairs is a pretty big deal, since you need them to fit perfectly around your table. The perfect dining chair style, then, will depend on the measurements.
Before you buy any chairs, measure the room where you’ll put them, as well as the table. You’ll need to take both width and height into consideration.
Wingback Chairs for Traditional Style Interior Design
Modern Home Decor Style Chairs With Arms
If your table is an odd size or shape, the rule of thumb is that you need at least 6 inches between each chair for some elbow room. And you need to leave 36 inches between the chairs and any walls or other dining room furniture, unless you’re prepared for your guests to get stuck every time they try to leave the table!
Think About Stack-ability
Storing a dining chair when you need to move it can be tricky. This is where stackable designs come in. Designed specifically for that purpose – to stack chairs on top of each other – most armless chairs and stools are stackable. It’s not just about lack of arms, though. Stackable chairs are also designed in such a way that the base of one chair will fit snugly into the seat of the chair below it. Factors such as open backs, slim legs and panels (to serve as handles, making it easy to pick the chair up) are common design considerations.
High Back Design + Slat Back Dining Chairs
Choose Material That Matches Your Needs
Select the Style You Want for Your Dining Room
After you choose chairs that are the right size and made of the material you most want for your dining room, focus on the design. This means paying attention to colors and patterns that best suit your home. If most of your furnishings and the paint on your walls are in neutral colors, you might want beige, white or light brown chairs for your dining room. Of course, this could also be a great time to add some color to the room with chairs that are teal, orange or any other bright hue.
Now is also the time to choose a pattern, if you’d like a little more personality from your chairs. Instead of going with a solid color, maybe pick a paisley print. You can even go a little further and show off your fun side with zebra stripes or a similar pattern.
Different Types of Dining Chairs
A few common types of dining chairs include:
- Parsons chairs, which are armless and upholstered, usually with visible metal or wood legs. Creative child and namesake of Parsons School of Design.
- Splat back chairs, in which the back of the chair is comprised of a vertical, centered rod or pane, spaced away from the sides and armrests. A mark of high-quality design, as splat backrests often involve detailed and intricate handiwork. Can be effortlessly incorporated into different styles, including Queen Anne dining spaces.
- Windsor chairs, which are wood or metal and feature a rounded-top backrest with exposed slats.
- Armless chairs, or any chair type without arms.
- With arms chairs, or any chair type with arms.
- Traditional chairs, which feature exposed legs, a rectangular backrest, arms and an upholstered seat.
Dining Room Chair Styles
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.
Side Chairs for Dining Tables + Dining Sets
Read the Latest
Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.
