In addition to the basic function of providing a comfy place to sit, dining room chairs also give you a great opportunity to add some style to your space. With so many dining room chair options to choose from, I created this handy shopping guide to help narrow down your selection.
Happy shopping!
Size of Chair
First and foremost, the most important factor to consider when shopping for dining room chairs is size. You want to make sure the size of your chair fits with the size of your dining room table. The three standard height for dining room tables are as follows:
- Dining Table Height – 30”
- Counter Table Height – 36”
- Bar Table Height – 42”
Once you’ve selected the height of your dining room table, look for chairs that match the size. For example, if you have a dining table height, you’ll want to find chairs with a seat height between 25-30 inches. If you have a counter table, look for chairs with a seat height between 35-40 inches. For bar tables, you’ll want to step up to stools.
How Many Chairs do I Need?
A good general rule of thumb is to allocate 24” for each chair. So, if you have a table that’s 72”, you can fit three chairs on each side and one on each end.
Style of the Chair
Now that you know the size of your dining chair and how many you need, let’s take a look at the style. I know farmhouse is super trendy right now so let’s get right to that.
Farmhouse
The rustic white finish and beige upholstery of my Montana Dining Chair just scream farmhouse.
Distressed wooden chairs bring character to your space and the drawers in the table are perfect for spare linens!
Contemporary
My Cosmopolitan Dining Collection blends contemporary design with the comfort of Bob-O-Pedic cushions, so your dining room looks fabulous and you feel fabulous in it!
Industrial
My Lennox Ladder Back Chair sports a simple, yet balanced design.
The clean lines, ladder back design and nailhead detailing around the seat make this a great option for any industrial look.
Traditional
Rich tones, tufted seat backs, plush upholstery and carved wood detailing make for a powerful impression in my Kensington Collection.
Mid-Century Modern
You can’t talk about timeless design without mentioning Mid-Century Modern.
The classic look of my Sabry Chairs with their tapered legs and fin-shaped chair backs is guaranteed to make a statement in your dining room.
Cottage
The simple design of my Blake Dining Chair has a cottage style written all over it. This chair is available in a multitude of finishes including gray, white, espresso and cherry and black.
Choose Your Material
Next, decide what type of material you prefer. Do you like the natural look of wood, the cozy feel of an upholstered chair or the industrial vibe of a metal chair?
Wood
If you’re going for a more classic look, a wood chair is a good choice.
My Hudson Chairs bring clean lines and plush comfort to any dining room.
Upholstered
I like this design because it portrays warmth and comfort. Upholstered chairs work great for those big family holiday dinners when you’re spending a lot of time around the table.
Add a little extra style to your dining room by selecting upholstered chairs with tufting like these Scarlett Chairs.
Metal
Metal chairs are a great option if you’re looking for versatility.
My Azra Dining Chairs can adapt to any style whether it’s casual, modern or elegant.
Natural
Add a touch of effortless beauty with a chair that features natural fibers like these rattan Reba Chairs.
They give any space an instant airy lift!
Type of Chairs
Not all chairs are created for the same purpose, so that’s something important to consider when selecting chairs. First, ask yourself the function of the chair? If you need chairs that will get used regularly for meals, then you’ll want to select a dining chair. However, if you need a chair that you might put off to the side for extra seating and won’t get heavy rotation at the dining room table, then look at accent chairs. Not sure what type of chair you need? Don’t worry, I created an easy breakdown of the four different types of chairs:
Dining Chairs
Let’s start with the chairs that get the most use–dining room chairs. You have to consider form and function when selecting a dining room chair.
Choose a chair that fits with the style of your table and also allows you adequate spacing around the table. For example, if you have a smaller table then you don’t want to select a wide chair with arms.
This contemporary Cosmopolitan Dining Chair has a narrow footprint and works well in smaller spaces.
Host & Hostess Chairs
Also known as “head of the table” chairs, the host and hostess chairs are more elaborate than the side chairs.
My Scarlett Upholstered Host Chair features a cottage style and comfy Bob-O-Pedic Memory Foam Seating.
My Scarlett and Lennox Dining Sets feature options with upholstered host and hostess chairs.
Accent Chairs
Here’s a great opportunity to add a little style to your room especially if you already have dining room chairs that go with your dining room set.
Accent chairs can give you a little pop of color or pattern and splash of style in your dining room. Plus they provide extra seating when needed!
These Fawn Chairs come in brown and black and are super fun!
Side Chairs
You just sat down for your holiday dinner when you hear a knock on the door. Surprise! An unexpected guest. Good thing you have a side chair that you can pull up to the table.
Side chairs are great because they are so versatile. You can use them as a dining chair, an extra chair at your desk or that one final seat needed for your weekly game night.
The Scarlett Splat Back Side Chair has carved front legs and a tufted back, so it looks great no matter where you put it.
Dining Room Benches
I know what you’re thinking, this blog is about chairs and you have a section on benches. Yes, I know, but stay with me a minute.
Benches, like this Cottage Chic Bench are a fun alternative to chairs. You can fit up to three people on a bench. If you tried to fit three chairs in the same space your guests would be super squished.
Plus–here’s another fun part of benches–some have hidden storage so you don’t need to worry about where you put your favorite holiday tablecloth that you only use a few times a year.
Add Some Color
If you’re looking to make a bold statement, dining room chairs are a great way to bring some color into your dining room.
My Giselle Dining Chair features four different colors–pink, ivory, gray and burgundy–that really pop against the bronze-colored legs.
Consider a Stool
Stools are a fun way to add style to your room.
Don’t overlook the option of a stool. My bar and counter stools are super stylish and I have plenty of options to choose from. Check this chart to determine what type of stool you need:
Share Your Dining Room Style
I’d love to see what dining room chairs you’ve selected! Snap a pic, post it on social and tag me @mybobs for a chance to be featured on my feed.
Comments (1)
Ayesha Marksays:
February 14, 2020 at 5:34 amAwesome. Thanks for sharing your guidance about the dining room chair. It will really help me. I really like your post. Keep sharing