In all settings, you need to consider how you can move around the furniture and other scale issues. If you’re up for mixing and matching your chairs, make sure they share a few characteristics, such as color or design that will suit the space they’re in, and have the same seat height, so no one will be sitting lower or higher than anyone else at the table. Cristina Lunt, a Houston-based interior designer and owner of Principal of CLCL Design, agrees, telling Better Homes & Gardens, “You want to think about the relationship between your table height and your chair height and who will be sitting there.” We researched a wide array of dining chairs, factoring in chair dimensions, material, care, weight capacity, and the number of chairs included in the price when making our selections. Our best overall dining chair is the Shaker-inspired Design Within Reach Salt Chair. Available in eight colors, the chair’s simple lines and timeless appeal enhance a variety of décors. It’s well-constructed, durable, and sturdy enough to handle family, pets, and entertaining needs. Keep in Mind: The chair is pricier than other options and on the smaller side. With its lightweight and compact size, you can effortlessly slide into and out of even in tight areas. To maintain this chair, wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth, keep it away from direct heat and sunlight, and dust it regularly with a damp cloth and wipe it dry. The brand also recommends using waxes and oils periodically to protect the finish. While it is one of the more expensive options on this list, the Salt Chair has a two-year warranty to protect your purchase. Price at time of publish: $275 Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 33.2 x 18.5 inches | Material: Solid European beech wood from FSC-certified sources | Weight Capacity: 253 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe clean with a damp cloth Keep in Mind: On the smaller side, it may feel too kid-oriented, and assembly is required. Price at time of publish: $45 Product Details: Dimensions: 18.12 x 31.5 x 21.25 inches | Material: Polypropylene seat, steel frame, epoxy/polyester powder coating on cross rail and round bar | Weight Capacity: 243 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe clean with mild soap, and dry with a soft cloth; re-tighten the screws about two weeks after assembly and when necessary Keep in Mind: It’s designed for indoor use only. Price at time of publish: $218 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 35 x 23.5 inches | Material: Manau (a premium, sustainably sourced rattan) | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth, and avoid using cleaners and abrasives, which will damage the rattan Keep in Mind: Price varies based on color selection, it requires some assembly, and the armrests take up more room. Price at time of publish: $386 Product Details: Dimensions: 27 x 40.25 x 25 inches | Material: Rubberwood frame, natural cane backs, polyester fabric seat | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Gently wipe clean Keep in Mind: This chair is expensive, delivery time can vary, and the quilted design is at a higher price point and only available in three colors. Price at time of publish: $349 Product Details: Dimensions: 20.5 x 32.25 x 23.75 inches | Material: Faux leather, wood frame with solid beechwood legs, walnut finish | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe clean, keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources Keep in Mind: Despite its single-price listing, Article only sells and ships this chair in pairs, which require some assembly and should be stored out of direct sunlight to preserve color when not in use. Price at time of publish: From $69 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 34.5 x 20.5 inches | Material: High-quality molded polypropylene, powder-coated metal | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Wipe down with a damp cloth Price at time of publish: $272 Product Details: Dimensions: 16.75 x 34.75 x 17.75 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 600 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Wipe clean with a damp cloth Keep in Mind: Keep this chair, which requires some assembly, away from direct sunlight or heating or cooling vents to prevent the fabric from fading, or the frame from cracking. Price at time of publish: $400 Product Details: Dimensions: 26.77 x 40.94 x 22.24 inches | Material: Cotton, linen upholstery, foam filling, solid wood legs | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Remove stains with mild soap and water using a damp cloth Keep in Mind: The arms are short, and the back legs are slanted to create the angular Z-shape. Price at time of publish: $269 Product Details: Dimensions: 30 x 21.5 x 22.5 inches | Material: Rubberwood, semi-aniline leather, foam padding | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe down Keep in Mind: This smaller-scale chair requires some assembly, and there is color variation in the natural wood grain. Price at time of publish: $200 Product Details: Dimensions: 19.5 x 31.5 x 19.5 inches | Material: Rubberwood frame, polyester upholstery, foam padding | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap-and-water solution Keep in Mind: This chair is expensive and requires more maintenance, and the hardware may loosen over time, which would mean periodically checking and re-tightening connections as needed. The espresso-finished solid wood frame’s sturdy construction with a weight capacity of 275 pounds will take years of wear. The kiln-dried wood helps prevent warping, splitting, cracking, and mildew growth. For spills, blot immediately, and wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Price at time of publish: From $399 Product Details: Dimensions: 21.5 x 41 x 29 inches | Material: Kiln-dried solid wood frame in espresso finish; fabric upholstered seat, slipcover, foam padding | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Blot spills on slipcovers immediately and wipe with a clean, damp cloth, dust frame with a soft dry cloth, and do not apply abrasives or household cleaners Keep in Mind: You may need to add padding to bolster seat comfort, and some assembly is required. Price at time of publish: $290 Product Details: Dimensions: 19.5 x 33.5 x 21.5 inches | Material: Velvet with foam-cushioned seat, polished metal frame | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Spot-clean Keep in Mind: This chair is expensive and should be kept away from direct sunlight and excessive temperatures. Price at time of publish: From $349 Product Details: Dimensions: 22 x 37 x 23.5 inches, seat height: 18 inches, back frame: 37 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Number of Chairs: One | Care: Blot spills immediately, wipe with a clean damp cloth, and do not apply abrasives or household cleaners Keep in Mind: The black lacquered legs contrast with the upholstered seat, and the chair requires some assembly. Price at time of publish: From $152 Product Details: Dimensions: 21 x 38.5 x 26.5 inches | Material: Polyester fabric, solid wood, foam padding | Weight Capacity: 286 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Gently wipe clean Keep in Mind: Some assembly is required, and the seat fabric is a nubby bouclé that is highly textured and may require extra care. Price at time of publish: $304 Product Details: Dimensions: 19 x 33 x 19 inches | Material: Steel frame, wood and wicker/rattan cane back, fabric upholstery, foam fill | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Number of Chairs Included: Two | Care: Clean with a damp cloth Keep in Mind: It’s pricier than other options and is only available in one color. Price at time of publish: $224 Product Details: Dimensions: 21 x 33 x 24 inches | Material: Leather, solid wood | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number of Chairs Included: One | Care: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth
What to Know About Dining Chairs Before Shopping
Lunt says, “You want to think about the relationship between your table height and your chair height and who will be sitting there.” You should also think about practicality. If you have kids, you’ll want an easy-to-wipe-down chair. If you own pets, you’ll want to pick materials that will stand up to their paw work. If you want something with pizzazz for entertaining, you’ll want a knockout silhouette. According to Emily Henderson, interior designer and author of “The New Design Rules,” another factor is functionality. “Unless you are trying to buy vintage, which I would be wary of if you can’t sit in them first, I would focus on the measurements, materials, and, of course, reviews.” Both Lunt and Henderson recommend family seat-testing before buying to see how comfortable a chair is or ordering just one chair to try it out before ordering a complete set.
Table Dimension
Before you buy any chair, you first need to know whether it will work with your table’s height and scale. A tape measure is your best friend when it comes to picking a chair, to see how many will fit around and under your table. Henderson suggests several key measurements to take. Begin by measuring your tabletop’s overall dimensions and the height between the underside of the table and the floor. If your table has a lip or an apron, measure from the bottom of it to the floor to find out what size chair will fit. Most standard dining tables range between 28 and 30 inches tall, but some are closer to counter height or 34 to 36 inches tall. A dining chair’s seat height (from the floor to the seat) is typically between 17 and 23 inches. For an armless chair, there should be 12 inches of space between the chair’s seat height and the underside of the tabletop or bottom of the apron. When measuring a chair’s arm, there should be seven inches between the top of the arm and the underside of the table. Wider chair seats tend to be more comfortable and provide more wiggle room, but they also take up more room around the table, so fewer chairs will fit.
Chair Dimension
Find out the chair’s overall size to see how much space the legs will take up under the table. Note the seat height and arm height if it has arms, and then compare it to your tabletop measurements to determine whether the seat will comfortably fit under the tabletop or apron. The seat’s depth dimensions will also tell you whether the chair will feel less roomie or cushier when you’re sitting. Look for a chair that supports your back and allows you to maintain your posture while you’re eating. Cristina Lunt says, “Most people may not think there’s a huge difference between a dining chair with a 17-inch seat height and an 18-inch seat height, but that one inch can make a big difference in terms of comfort.” Chairs without arms require less space but might not be as comfy for longer lounging. Keep in mind that chairs with arms can vary in how comfortable they feel to different family members. Henderson says, “I personally want comfort first, so I will opt for a seat width of 18 to 22 inches and depth of 20 to 24 inches. I’m also a big fan of arms, because if you’re like us and host dinners, it will allow you to truly relax, because you can rest your arms, making it easier to lounge.” Look to see whether the chair’s seat back is several inches taller than your tabletop so it won’t look too small and out of scale in comparison with the table.
Material and Care
Care will vary by material. Molded plastic chairs are the easiest to wipe down. Upholstered chairs are usually the most comfortable, especially ones with padded seats, but they require more upkeep to stay clean. You can ask an upholstery room whether it can add new padding when needed. Faux leathers are not made from animal hides, so they are easy to wipe clean, but they can split over time and may need to be re-upholstered. Leathers require more maintenance, including special leather cleaners to tackle any scratches or stains that occur and to help prevent cracking. Unless directed in the owner’s manual, do not use household or kitchen cleaners on dining chairs. (They can cause damage to frames, seats, and upholstery.) Clean plastic chairs with a soft cloth and mild soap mixed with warm water. Avoid using abrasive kitchen or household cleaners. Wipe wood furniture down with a damp microfiber cloth, and dust regularly. Polish twice a year with a wood-furniture cleaner. Avoid any waxes or polishes that contain silicone, which can scratch. Keep humidity consistent to prevent cracking. It’s also helpful to store table leaves in an area with similar humidity levels. Avoid putting all types of dining chairs next to heat or air-conditioning vents, which can cause cracks or other structural issues. Do not put dining chairs in direct sunlight, which can cause the wood’s stain, upholstery, or plastic color to fade. Tighten a chair’s hardware if it starts to feel wobbly or squeak, but take care not to overtighten screws or bolts.
Weight Capacity
Confirm a chair’s weight capacity to ensure that the seat will be structurally sound when a family member or friend sits down. If a chair’s weight capacity is not listed in the product description, contact the manufacturer or retailer for more information. Check what the chair itself weighs (typically listed under the item weight). Heavier chairs won’t fall over easily if a kid jumps on them, but they are harder to pull out from under the table or move around when it’s time to entertain.
Number of Chairs
Dining chairs are sold individually and in sets online. Confirm how many chairs are included in the price before you purchase. If possible, order one chair or the lowest number of chairs to test out comfort before you order a complete set.
Your Questions, Answered
How many dining chairs does your dining table need?
Cristina Lunt says that one good rule to follow when determining how many chairs can fit at your table is to make sure you have a placemat-wide space for each chair with a few more inches tacked on either side to ensure that there is room to maneuver without elbowing your neighbor. If your chairs have arms or are on the heftier side, plan on adding a few additional inches between them, so a sitter can easily pull their chair out, take a seat, and push their chair back in. Plan on at least three to four feet of open space around your table and chairs so people can freely walk around the table without bumping into a wall or other furniture.
How do you re-upholster dining chairs?
Lunt recommends finding a reputable upholstery shop to ensure that you select the best fabric and get a tailored fit if you want to re-upholster. If you’re only looking to revamp an older chair or a thrift-store find with a fun pattern or color, check out these DIY tips on how to re-upholster a dining chair’s seat.
How do you clean dining chairs?
Cleaning and maintaining a dining chair will depend on the material it’s made of. For almost all types of chairs, it is best to immediately blot any spills with a dry, absorbent cloth so the liquid won’t sink into a fabric or finish. Most manufacturers recommend using a damp cloth for cleanup. Avoid using household cleaners or chemicals that can damage upholstery and frames. Look for a link to the manufacturer’s owner’s manual in the product description before buying, to ensure that you are comfortable with any cleanup or maintenance recommendations.
Who We Are
Samantha S. Thorpe is a freelance home and garden editor who writes about home design, decorating and organizing tips, gardening how-to, and entertaining. She researched the variety of dining chair options on the market, considering dimensions, materials, construction, design, weight capacity, care, and price. She also consulted with interior design experts like Cristina Lunt and Emily Henderson to get a better sense of what shoppers should look for when selecting dining chairs.
