Dining Chairs – Comfort, Function, Style

Most people know that dining chairs can take quite a beating, especially in a family environment. People lean back, children rock in them supporting only the two back legs on the ground…etc. We exert weight and force on the rear legs and frame. The point is that it is important to look for durability as well as style when shopping for new dining chairs. Some designs that I like are by Philippe Starck, who tends to design beautiful chairs that are molded out of plastic seats and metal tube legs. They are practical, modern and great to look at. They are also multifunctional and double as desk chairs, stackable for storage, and great for outdoor use!

Chairs with arms work well at the head of a table. They can be awkward and cumbersome if the arms do not slide under the table, so I recommend checking the dimensions before purchasing. I also really love the idea of mixing the style of chairs used at one dining table. Whether it’s the design of the overall style that is different or just the fabric selection varying from chair to chair, thinking creatively will enhance the character of your room. I recently had a dining room project for a client who happens to have four young boys. We decided that a quick cleanable leather seat might be the best option for their four seats and introduced a coordinating fabric on the backs of the chairs. Mom and Dad’s chairs located at either end were the exact opposite – fabric seats and leather backs.

If you are planning to select different styles, it might be effective if you select your six favorite designers and represent a chair style from each collection at your table. You may also consider purchasing two additional chairs to have on hand for the occasional guest or two. The two spares can generally be used elsewhere in your home, like a desk chair or a corner chair in a spare bedroom. Have fun with the chair selection process! They don’t always have to be part of the same collection as your table.