How to Choose Dining Room Chairs

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1Determining the Chair Size and Amount

2Picking out a Chair Design

3Matching Your Chairs with the Dining Room

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Choosing new chairs for your dining room may seem like a daunting task, especially if you don’t have a specific chair design in mind. To make the process a bit simpler, take a few measurements of your current table so you have a better idea of what kind of chairs you need. As you shop, think about the design of the chair and what style would mesh with your dining room the best. While it may be a tough decision, focus on your own preferences and household needs to find a set of chairs that works well for your home!

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determining the Chair Size and Amount

1. 
   1
   Measure the height of your dining room table with a measuring tape. Position the tape beneath the apron, or lower wooden rim, of the table, then extend it to the floor. Note that many dining room tables are about 30 in (76 cm) away from the floor, which fits most chairs on the market. However, if your table has less than 25 in (64 cm) of clearance, you probably won’t be able to fit specialty seats like armchairs around it.
2. 
   2
   Check the length of your table to see how many chairs will fit around it. Take a measuring tape and extend it lengthwise across the table. As a general rule of thumb, note that most rectangular tables need 1 ft (30 cm) or so of space per person, while round tables don’t need to be as long.

   • For example, a rectangular 6-seater dining room table should be 6 ft (180 cm) long, while a round 6-seater table only needs to be about 5 ft (150 cm) long.
   • Keep the table length in mind as you shop for new chairs. For instance, if your dining room table is only 60 in (150 cm) long, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a 10-chair set at the furniture store.
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3. 
   3
   See if there is enough space between your table and wall for new chairs to fit. Hold a section of measuring tape in place along the edge of your dining room table, then extend the tape to the wall. Repeat this measurement on both sides of your table, making sure that there’s at least 3 ft (91 cm) of space for chairs and possible diners to fit. If you don’t have enough space between the walls and table, then your future eating experiences will be cramped and uncomfortable.

   • If your dining room has pieces of furniture against the wall, like a hutch, measure the distance between the table and the furniture items instead.
4. 
   4
   Choose how many chairs you’d like to have in your room. Think about the number of people in your household in addition to the number of guests you host each month. If you don’t hold a lot of parties or have an especially large household, you may only need 3-4 chairs. However, if you have frequent visitors or live with several people, you might want to invest in 10-12 new chairs.

   • If you have a full-sized dining room table for your small household, consider downsizing to a smaller, rounded table instead.
5. 
   5
   Double-check that each chair leaves 12 in (30 cm) of space between the seat and table. As you browse for new chairs, read the product information to determine the height of each seat. Next, subtract this measurement from the height of your dining room table. The difference between these 2 numbers isn’t at least 12 in (30 cm), your guests won’t be able to sit comfortably at your dining room table.

   • Check this measurement before looking into any other aspect of the chair. You don’t want to fall in love with a chair that ultimately won’t fit in your home!
6. 
   6
   Opt for chairs that are at least 17 in (43 cm) wide. Before committing to a purchase, check that the chairs are wide and comfortable enough to sit in for a long period of time. While you can fit more narrow chairs around your table, you may not necessarily be able to fit more people.

   • Think about how long it takes you to eat a meal. If you can’t stand the idea of sitting for 20-30 minutes minimum in a certain dining room chair, then you probably shouldn’t buy it.
   • Quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to dining room chairs.

   Tip: Try to leave around 2 ft (61 cm) of space between your dining room chairs so your diners have more freedom to move around.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Picking out a Chair Design

1. 
   1
   Invest in side chairs if you prefer a simplistic design. As you shop, look for basic chairs without any armrests or upholstery. Instead of using any type of cushioning, note that these chairs use spindles or balusters as a means of back support. While this style of seating is very plain, you might be interested in this chair if you’re on a budget, or if you care about function more than design.

   • Side chairs can be purchased online.
2. 
   2
   Choose an armchair if you want to relax around the table. If you’re trying to arrange your dining room table traditionally, you might want to place chairs with arm rests at the heads of the table. If you’d like to give your dining area a more cozy, tight-knit vibe, you could add armchairs all around the table. As you make this decision, keep in mind that armchairs are wider than most other chair styles, so you won’t be able to fit as many around your table.

   Tip: If you’d like to give your diners even more mobility, invest in adjustable seating that can be moved up and down.
3. 
   3
   Prioritize comfort with an upholstered seat. If you plan on using your dining room chairs often, upholstery might make your dining experience much more comfortable. If you’re on a budget, look for seats made with a cotton blend or an ultrasuede material, as these are especially easy to clean off after a meal. Leather is another luxurious upholstery option you can consider for your chair, though it will be a more costly investment.

   • If you want more flexibility in how you wash and clean your seats, you might want to consider removable cushions or upholstery.
   • When measuring an upholstered seat, be sure to measure up to the height of the cushion, and not just the wooden seat.
4. 
   4
   Select a Parson’s chair if you’d like firmer back support. If you don’t like the wooden spindles of a traditional side chair, you might prefer a seat that completely surrounds your back. While these seats don’t have any armrests, you can often find them with built-in cushioning and upholstery. Although these chairs aren’t incredibly fancy, they can help make your dining room look a bit more posh.

   • If your dining room has a neutral color scheme, considering selecting a set of white Parson’s chairs with dark wooden legs.
5. 
   5
   Opt for a bench if you’d like to serve multiple people. If you have an active household, a bench might better accommodate your meal times and busy routine. Additionally, a bench can give a relaxed, rustic vibe to your dining room and home.

   • You can always mix and match! For instance, try placing a bench on 1 side of the table, then place 3 chairs on the other.
   • Benches might be an appealing option if you plan on hosting a lot of children.
6. 
   6
   Opt for a wood or wicker frame if you’d like your chairs to be traditional and rustic. If you don’t have a particular preference for your chair’s material, you may like the versatility that wooden chairs offer to a room. You can choose between a variety of chair designs, ranging from spindles to moldings to a cross-back. If you don’t want a plain wooden chair, you can always look for seats that come with upholstery.

   • If you’d prefer for your chairs to have a laid-back, beachy vibe, then wicker might be another great chair material to consider.
7. 
   7
   Choose metal if you’d prefer a sturdy and reflective seat. Although not as common as wooden chairs, metal seating can make your dining room appear more sleek and modern. While many manufacturers only use metal to craft the legs of their chairs, you can still find several seating options that are entirely metallic.

   • The price of metal chairs can vary depending on the quality of materials used. In some stores, you can get a set of 4 metal chairs for around $100.
8. 
   8
   Invest in plastic seating if want to save money. While you don’t have to buy completely plastic chairs for your table, you might find cheaper seating that’s partially made with plastic. If you want to add some color to your dining room, look for plastic chairs with multi-colored frames. If you prefer a minimalistic color scheme, invest in clear or neutral-toned plastic seating instead.

   • Some plastic seating can be more upscale. For instance, some chairs are designed to look crystallized.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Matching Your Chairs with the Dining Room

1. 
   1
   Select new chairs that complement the dining room table. If you have a chair set that you’d like to invest in, first compare it to a picture of your dining room. While the seat doesn’t have to be an exact match, make sure that the chair’s frame matches the color of the table. If the chair doesn’t mesh well with the dining room table, then you may need to select a different chair for your room.

   • For instance, don’t pick tan dining room chairs to accompany a light brown table.
   • Shades of white go well with many dining room tables.
2. 
   2
   Choose seats that complement the vibe of your dining room. Study your dining room and decide if you’d like your room to give off an elegant, rustic, modern, or other type of vibe. As you shop for new seating, be on the lookout for chairs that contribute to the vibe that you’re trying to create in your dining space. If the chairs don’t match the decor and energy of the room, then you might want to expand your search.

   • For example, if you have a Victorian-style dining room, it wouldn’t make sense to set sleek, modern-style chairs around the table.
   • If your hutch has a rough, rustic finish, then you might want to choose chairs that also give off a rustic vibe.
3. 
   3
   Select upholstery or wood finish that match the decor in your dining room. Focus on any furniture, rugs, or other decor in your dining room. Note if these fixtures have any unique patterns or designs that could replicated or complemented in your new dining room chairs. Ultimately, choose some seating that helps to bring out these different features, instead of introducing confusing designs or colors into the room.

   • You can even reupholster your chairs. First, disassemble the cushion or the upholstered parts.
   • Then cover them with a new fabric using upholster glue or staples.
   • If you cannot dislodge the upholstered area of a dining chair, neatly tuck the fabric around the edges and use cording or fabric beading to conceal the seams.
   • For instance, if you have a black and white area rug in your dining room, consider selecting chairs that have black or white upholstery.

   Tip: This same logic applies to carvings and embellishments that you may find in your dining room. If you have roses carved into the legs of your dining room table, you could choose chairs with rose-patterned upholstery!
4. 
   4
   Opt for modern-style seating if you’d like your home to look sleek. Look for chairs that have curved back portions, as well as thin, minimalistic legs. Modern-style seating is great to consider if you’re looking to save space, or if you’re just trying to give your home a fresh new look.

   • Many modern-style chairs can be slid under the table easily, which adds space to the dining room.
   • Modern-style chairs can also be imitations of other chair styles. For instance, a modern Parson’s chair could have a thin, curved back portion with any extra cushioning.
5. 
   5
   Pick rustic or coastal seating to give your room a natural vibe. Search online or in a furniture store for chairs made with raw, unsanded wood or wicker. If you’re trying to give your dining room an earthy aesthetic, you might enjoy mixing and matching pieces of rustic furniture, which are often made with real or fake logs. If you’d prefer that your dining room feels relaxed and beachy, you might enjoy a set of coastal chairs, which tend to be a combination of wicker, wood, and upholstery.

   • “Rustic” and “coastal” are just general terms in the world of furniture. Check online or in a store to see varied examples of these chair styles.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What should I look for when buying dining room chairs?

  

  Emma Oberlander
  Interior Designer

  Emma Oberlander is an Interior Designer and the Owner of Otis Street Design in Boston, Massachusetts. She specializes in residential remodels, boutique hospitality design, project management, and budget design. Emma holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Northeastern University and an MA in Interior Architecture from The New England School of Art and Design. She has a combined ten years of project management experience in the design, marketing, and non-profit industries, both nationally and internationally.

  

  Emma Oberlander

  Interior Designer

  Expert Answer

  If you do choose dining chairs with arms, measure the height of the arms to make sure they'll fit beneath the table. If you have small children, consider a durable fabric like vinyl, or opt for a wood finish that's easy to wipe clean.

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• Question

  How do you place dining chairs on an area rug?

  

  Emma Oberlander
  Interior Designer

  Emma Oberlander is an Interior Designer and the Owner of Otis Street Design in Boston, Massachusetts. She specializes in residential remodels, boutique hospitality design, project management, and budget design. Emma holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Northeastern University and an MA in Interior Architecture from The New England School of Art and Design. She has a combined ten years of project management experience in the design, marketing, and non-profit industries, both nationally and internationally.

  

  Emma Oberlander

  Interior Designer

  Expert Answer

  Think about the size of the chairs in relation to the size of your table and your area rug. Make sure that when your chair is pushed out from the table, you have enough clearance so you're not sliding off the rug itself. That's usually 18 inches to 2 feet behind the chair.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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Things You’ll Need

• Measuring tape