DINING CHAIR BUYING GUIDE

Before you purchase a set of dining chairs, make sure they�re going to match with the table, the room, and even the size of your guests. The dining chairs should not only be stylish, but comfortable as well. How frequently you use the chairs is also a big factor. If you use the dining chairs often, comfort will be a larger factor than if you only use them sparingly. When purchasing dining chairs it is necessary to look at their: design, dimensions, mobility and upholstery.

Design

The stylish trend right now is to pair traditional chairs with a contemporary table, and vice versa. If you choose to do this, try to find pieces that share a common design element. If the dining table has a dominant color or style, try to purchase chairs to accommodate. If the table is square or rectangular, look for chairs with a square or rectangular seat. This will bring symmetry and cohesion to your dining room.

Dining chairs should allow you to sit upright and still have support from the chair�s back. While chairs with straight backs will encourage diners to sit up straight, they may not be the most comfortable. Curved-back chairs will provide comfort by following the natural contour of the back. Aesthetically, the curved chair can also greatly enhance a room that has many straight lines.

In regards to arm chairs, the arm-rest should be low enough to slide under the table with adequate space between the underside of the table and your thighs.

Dimensions

22 inches is the standard width for an armless dining chair, but you can go larger or smaller depending on the size of the table and the size of the individuals. Avoid chairs that are narrower than 16 inches; they just don�t provide enough support. For maximum comfort and support, it is recommended to choose chairs that are 20-24 inches wide. Your feet should also be able to lay flat onto the floor.

17 or 18 inches is an ideal height for a dining chair seat and virtually all chairs are sold with this seat height. On our product pages, the height dimensions are always much higher than this because it measures from the ground to the very top of the chair. Since most dining tables are about 29-30 inches high, the basic rule of thumb is to have 12 inches between the chair and table.

Mobility

What are you using the chairs for? If you are transferring them from your kitchen to dining room often and need flexibility, it may be a good idea to purchase either a folding chair or a stackable chair. This is especially the case for restaurants as the chairs constantly need to be moved or re-arranged. Chairs with a gap between the seat and backrest are especially easy to carry. A chair with a solid back may be more difficult to grab, so it should be light enough to move without a firm hold. Also consider the people who will be using the chair: If children often dine at the table, make sure the chair isn�t too heavy or awkward for them to move.

Upholstery

It is inevitable that the chair will eventually be spilled on, especially if they�ll be used often by children. For easy care, stick with leather; either real or imitation. This includes vinyl fabrics such as PU and PVC. On the other hand, avoid multilevel fabrics or ones with a heavy nap like chenille or velvet as they will show wear and tear much easier. These types of fabrics are ok if you are using the chairs sparingly.