Is your dining room gathering dust? Or does it remain your pride and joy? Either way, you’re not the only one: recent trends show their popularity is dwindling, with 43% of millennials opting for an open plan kitchen-diner over the traditional dining room. And so, what better time to reclaim your dining space? Simply turn to our expert guide to the style and types of dining chairs to see which ones will meet your lifestyle demands and breathe some life back into this oft side-lined room.
The starting point: dining room dimensions
Now you’ve blown away the cobwebs from thoughts of your dining room décor, it’s time to pinpoint the place to start. Before you go about choosing your dining room chairs, you will need to plan for the space they’re going to occupy.
Will they have to fit into a narrow space or awkward kitchen diner layout? How many spaces does your dining table accommodate? Here looms the importance of dimensions – once you know your dining space like the back of your hand, you can build a better picture of what types of dining chairs will work best. To give you an idea of how much space you might need, we recommend leaving 15cm between each chair.
Choosing types of dining chairs
It goes without saying that there is a sea of dining chair types out there, set apart by their disparate styles, materials, designs and detailing. Here are just a few of the most common types to give you the knowledge required to make the most informed decision possible.
Side chairs
Side chairs offer a classic silhouette that works beautifully as a backdrop to gatherings large and small. Unassuming and simple, these chairs typically sit alongside a dining table and are seen with a wood frame and in both upholstered and all-wood varieties. Their straight back and armless design means you can also slide them quite far under the table and out of the way.
Arm chairs
It’s in the name – arm chairs are dining chairs that boast two armrests. Traditionally, arm chairs take position at the head and foot of the dining table and may be crafted with specialist upholstery or leather.
From a design perspective, they can either blend in with a set of side chairs or make up the set themselves, allowing for ample seating combinations to harmonise with your dining setup and colour palette. If you have a dedicated dining room, these old-timey chairs can create an irresistibly rustic atmosphere.
Parsons chair
It’s the duality for us. The parsons chair is a fully upholstered dining chair, featuring a seamless straight and armless design. The simplicity here is what makes it so versatile – you can customise a parsons chair with sleek modern fabrics, timeless leather or a traditional textile such as Harris tweed and each provides a distinct look.
Dining bench
If you’re looking for something a smidge more contemporary and a little outside of the box, a dining bench is another interesting choice that will instantly set the tone. Perfect for families with little ones, a dining bench can be two things at once – an ingenious storage solution and a statement piece.
What about your style of dining chairs?
Once the decision on chair type is made, it’s time to roll on to the style of dining chairs that catch your eye. Whether you sway towards timeless cottage charm or something more modern, there is plenty to look out for.
Farmhouse
Farmhouse seating features organic materials such as beech wood, cotton and weathered iron in elegant lines, setting the tone for a dreamy cottage-style environment. The rustic elements of our Amsterdam High Back Slat Chairs are a favourite for their ladder-back style, reminiscent of a country rocking chair you’d spy on a ranch porch.
Traditional
Staying with what you know is never a bad thing when it comes to making your house feel like a home. Our Hemlsley Oak wooden dining chair strikes the perfect balance between functionality and nostalgic appeal. Dress up or down with a handful of throw pillows for a more relaxed or stylish vibe.
Modern
Charge your dining area with style by adding some modern dining chairs into the mix. With a modern chair’s sweeping lines and silhouettes you can achieve a certain magnetism that will linger in the minds of your guests long after they’ve gone home.
Mid-century
If you can’t get enough of that retro feel, mid-century dining chairs will make you jump for joy. Known for their sleek and simplistic shapes, these retro dining chairs blend in beautifully with a range of design aesthetics and slot easily into smaller spaces thanks to their low backs.
Other important considerations
We’ve walked through the main style and design types of dining chairs, but is there anything else to keep in mind? There always is. Below are the key elements you should weigh up before making that big purchase.
Materials
When thinking about upholstery, we often talk about sofa materials or fabrics, but these considerations are just as important when selecting the ideal dining chair as they will affect the feel and comfort of your dining experience.
Dining chairs will make use of a whole host of materials that may add a pinch of that extra something to the overall design. Wood dining chairs exude a timeless and organic feel, whilst fabrics or leather can act as thoughtful additions to a wider colour scheme.
Top tip: make sure you are willing to put in the effort to upkeep them as fabrics have the potential to stain. If this is a concern perhaps a low-maintenance alternative is more suitable.
Intended use
The dining room of the present is more multipurpose than ever – it’s a space to congregate at mealtimes, a temporary (or permanent) WFH desk, a homework spot, a food prep area, the locus for diner parties, or any number of combinations from these. And this should be reflected in the seating arrangements. Ergonomic, comfy and practical dining chairs are a must!
Price points
Ostensibly, it’s not all about aesthetics. Furniture can be a pricey investment, so you will need to put time and dedication into your quest to find the right style of dining chairs that will best meet your criteria.
Although it is understandable to expect that the more you spend on your dining chairs, the higher quality they will be – this is not always the case. Some high street brands may be more expensive whilst failing to meet their promises on quality, so you will want to be careful here.
Equally, you won’t want to go too cheap and run the risk of a long-term investment being cut unexpectedly short. That’s why we suggest going to independents who really know their stuff and scanning through reviews before you make any purchases.
Matching tables
Should your dining chairs match your table? The short answer is no. While the argument for a neat and uniform dining set is a valid one, it isn’t the only way to go.
In fact, by contrasting two design aesthetics across your table and dining chair style you can add a real sense of character and authenticity. And if you are scared that your room might start feeling like a furniture catalogue, this is a brilliant way to break things up and create a compelling depth.
Add a touch of elegance with Evelyn Lily
Now we’ve come to the end of this whistle-stop tour of the main style and design types of dining room chairs, you can consider yourself a budding design aficionado. Apply what you’ve learnt here to enhance your space and you’ll be the envy of guests in no time – we promise you!
If you’re looking for more elegant design inspiration, why not check out the rest of our furniture and interiors blog?
