Let's Have a Seat

The dining room table is the main social gathering place in the home, from long Sunday mornings to big dinners, it is where family and friends gather. Traditionally, dining room tables and chairs were purchased as matching sets. However, today's market is open to endless combinations of styles. Mixing and matching is much more interesting than the conventional matching set, but it also requires more thought and thought to put them together. Therefore, before you rush to buy, it is important to consider the following points when choosing a dining chair for your home.

The size of the chair:

It is important that the chairs in your dining room fit perfectly around the table, the height and width must be measured. An average chair needs about 6 inches of space on both sides for customers to move freely in their chairs. The limited space around your dining table can make your guests bump elbows and feel cramped.

Narrow chairs tend to be uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time, while wide chairs fit around the table. Dining chairs should also have enough space behind them so that guests can freely slide their seats back without bumping into other furniture or the wall. Finding the right balance between size and aesthetics is key to an enjoyable dining experience. Round or square tables usually fit either 4, 6 or 8 diners, whereas rectangular or oval tables seat 6, 8, or 10 diners.

Maneuverability:

For example, portability is an important factor when choosing a dining room chair. Heavy clunky chairs may be comfortable to sit in, but are awkward to pull to and from the dining room table, especially for children, the elderly and pregnant ladies. High back chairs with solid upholstered backs can be less easy to get a grip on and move around, whereas chairs with a slatted back are generally easier to maneuver

How to style them in:

Having established the approximate dimensions of the chairs needed, you will now be in position to choose the style and design. Regardless of whether you choose matching or non-matching, there should be a common design element linking the chairs to the table – whether it be the material or the form and lines of the furniture.

A traditional hardwood polished table will not suit ultra-contemporary plastic chairs for example, and mixing different types of bare wood does not usually work either. Having said that, there is much successful matching to be done, especially when it comes to fabric upholstered dining tables where the combinations of color and prints are endless. Dining chairs can help form the style and the mood of your home décor, whether the look you are trying to achieve is traditional country rustic or modern clean lines.

High backed dining chairs and low backed dining chairs:

Dining chairs with high backs create a more formal and traditional dining experience. They are suitable for large spaces, where smaller chairs are swallowed by the space and dining chairs with high backs take up more space visually.

On the contrary, low back dining chairs offer less formality, have more relaxed dining and are great for smaller spaces. Recommended for houses with young children.

How about the armrests?

Chairs with armrests also provide more comfort, but they also take up more space, which can be a disadvantage as it prevents customers from moving freely.

Will I be comfortable?

Consider how much you and your guests will use your dining room chairs. Choosing upholstery fabric with armrests, provided you have the space, will inevitably provide more comfort.

The material:

Which material you choose and whether or not you choose upholstered dining chairs depends on personal style, taste and lifestyle preferences. Wooden chairs give a more rustic feel. rattan a more tropical look. Upholstered chairs speak of comfort and luxury and depending on the color and print, they can offer anything from a classic traditional look, to modern and contemporary with bold designs. Most upholstered dining chairs have wooden legs in a variety of designs, this is also worth considering when choosing your dining chair combination. Metal and plastic chairs are often modern and minimalist and work well in urban dining rooms that offer limited space.

Check the quality:

Do the chairs feel sturdy? Regardless of the price, chairs should feel stable and not wobble - a sturdy chair lasts longer. A high quality chair should be well made using only the best materials. Look under the chair to check how well it is built, taking into account joints and any fittings. Fabric upholstery must have stain, wrinkle and fade resistant properties, be easy to clean and maintain and of course be fire resistant. All higher quality chairs should also come with a warranty.