How to pick the right chairs for my dining table?

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Answer
To pick the right chairs for your dining table, consider the following key factors:
  1. Size and proportion: Ensure the chairs are proportional to your table size. Allow about 24 inches of table space per chair, and leave at least 12 inches between the chair seat and tabletop12.
  2. Style compatibility: Choose chairs that complement your table's style. While they don't need to match exactly, they should harmonize with the overall aesthetic of your dining area12.
  3. Material coordination: Consider how the chair materials will look with your table. For example, upholstered chairs can soften the look of a wooden table, while metal chairs can add contrast to a glass tabletop12.
  4. Comfort: Prioritize comfort, especially if you enjoy long meals or gatherings. Test chairs before purchasing if possible, or consider measurements like seat depth and back height2.
  5. Functionality: Think about your lifestyle needs. For example, if you have children, you might want chairs that are easy to clean1.
  6. Mix and match: Don't be afraid to mix different chair styles. A popular approach is to use matching chairs along the sides of the table and different "host" chairs at the ends4.
  7. Color and pattern: Use chair upholstery as an opportunity to add color or pattern to your dining area. If going bold with chairs, keep other elements like wallpaper simple to let the chairs stand out3.
  8. Clearance: For chairs with arms, ensure there's enough clearance (at least a couple of inches) between the chair arms and the table apron for easy sliding2.
  9. Quantity: Determine how many chairs you need based on your table size and entertaining habits. As a rule of thumb, allow at least two feet of space for each dining chair3.
  10. Budget: Quality dining chairs can be a significant investment. Consider durability and longevity when making your choice2.
Remember, the right chairs should not only look good with your table but also create a comfortable and inviting dining experience for you and your guests.




Author: Julie Khuu



Key insights

  • The decision to mix a variety of different chairs at the same table is entirely up to personal preference and style.
  • ️ The video also offers tips on how to mix and match dining tables and chairs, encouraging viewers to create their own unique combinations instead of sticking to traditional matching sets.
  • The Dayanara solid wood slapback chair from Wayfair is equal parts sculptural and sturdy, perfect for a Bohemian type setting or a mid-century inspired style.
  • 🪑 The Barrel type of shape of the chair allows for comfortable seating for hours at a time, making it a unique and practical design.
  • The yahi Tech mid-century dining chair from Amazon is an absolute steal at $159 for a set of four, suitable for both home and commercial use.
  • 🪑 Coordinating the shape of your dining chair with the shape of your dining table can give a high-end designer look.
  • The mid-century modern walnut dining chair from Amazon retails for just under 78 dollars, making it an elegant and stylish option at an affordable price.
  • 🪑 It's important to choose pieces that really vibe with your style and speak to you, even if it means breaking traditional dining room norms.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 Choose dining chairs based on comfort, sturdiness, and easy-to-clean material, and mix a variety of chairs for an eclectic style, but limit it to no more than two different chairs at a time for a cohesive look.
  • 01:57 Consider budget, table size, and fabric type when buying dining chairs, and explore second-hand options or custom upholstery to fit your needs.
  • 04:17 The speaker discusses different styles and materials of dining chairs, including budget-friendly options and dupe designs inspired by mid-century modern styles.
  • 07:20 Target and West Elm have woven dining chairs, while World Market and Anthropologie offer fabric upholstered options with easy to clean fabrics and removable slipcovers, and the speaker discusses various dining chair options for small spaces and multi-functional dining areas.
  • 09:41 Chic and durable dining chairs with curved back and stackable design available at CB2 for $549, speaker discusses different types and features.
  • 12:13 The video discusses designer dining chairs from CB2, Amazon, and Wayfair, highlighting their modern, stylish designs and compatibility with different table finishes.
  • 15:40 Amazon offers affordable faux leather dining chairs, but be aware of the degradation over time.
  • 18:19 Target and Amazon offer budget-friendly dining chairs, while World Market provides a variety of color options and comfortable upholstery, and the speaker emphasizes the importance of investing in tactile and cozy pieces that vibe with your style.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 Hello everyone welcome back to the channel I'm Julie and today you are joining me on the follow-up video to last week's sourcing video. We are talking about the best dining chairs if you're in the market for brand new dining chairs or simply looking to refresh your space. This video is for you let's talk about what makes a great dining chair. You need to be able to sit in it for extended periods of time. It needs to be sturdy enough to hold up to the weight of your body but also light enough just in case you want to move it around always consider the material of the dining chair in relation to your lifestyle and needs. You want to look for a performance type of fabric that is easy to clean it's low maintenance. You can just wipe it down with a cloth just in case you get spills or stains on it. What's the difference between side chairs arm chairs and head chairs and how do you know what to get. This is really just a personal preference if you have a rectangular shape table you most likely need and chairs you might want these armchairs to have a substantial difference or you might want to Source identical chairs for the entire table deciding between arm chairs or chairs without arms or chairs with high backs or chairs with low backs or chairs with no backs at all is entirely up to you can you mix a variety of different chairs at the same table. This again is a personal preference if your style is eclectic and you love a variety of different chairs go for it if you like a more traditional look where all of the chairs are identical. You could do that as well. My Golden Rule is no more than two different chairs. At a time for me. I really love to layer a dining room with different finishes different materials. A ton of different lighting maybe something overhead something on the walls. Some Candlelight on the table to really set the mood in the Ambiance and for me more than two types of different chairs really throws that type of Moody Ambiance off. So is there really a rule to how many chairs and what types of chairs that you can put at a dining table absolutely not learn the rules so you know how to break them.
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  • 01:57 The types of fabrics that you want to stay away from are the types that are difficult to clean most likely when they're 100 cotton or a hundred percent of a linen weave or something that's a hundred percent without a performance quality to it. Now does it mean that you absolutely cannot clean it. There is nothing a little bleach can't get rid of especially if it's a light color fabric I always try to Source a Performance Based fabric which means it has polyester interwoven and mixed in with something that is a natural fiber. So if you have a cotton mixed with poly or a velvet mixed with poly. It makes it so much easier to clean let's talk about price and budget. If you're starting from scratch. You'll most likely need to buy duplicates of the exact same chair. You could be starting out with two and you need four. You could be starting out with none and you need eight to fill a long table think about your budget and the size of the table and the amount of chairs you need my favorite tip. If you're on a budget is to shop second hand. Every single dining chair that I've owned in my home has always been second hand I love to source office chairs on casters and since it has wheels it's so much easier to move around the table especially if you want to jump from the dining room to the bar or the kitchen. This allows me to change the fabric and the upholstery as I see fit find a really good. Local upholsterer use your favorite fabrics and you'll have a custom dining chair in no time at all. Here's a quick refresher on the key measurements that you need to keep in mind. Dining. Chairs are usually a typical width. They could be 17 inches. In width. It could be 24 inches in width but you might want to keep in mind from my dining table video that every person seated at the table should get at least 25 inches minimum for ample seating space that means you want to give each guest 25 inches. Minimum 30 inches is preferred so that you know how many people can be seated on one side of the table. If you have a 60 inch width table. Then you can seat two people. If you have a 90 inch width table you could seat three people. If you have a 45 inch table. You could possibly squeeze two people in on one side of the table but remember that it might just be a little bit too tight so measure the longest side of the table divided by 25 inches and that is how many people you can see on one side of the table seat. Heights are typical.
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  • 04:17 A typical height of a dining chair is usually between 18 and 20 inches. So there's no need to write in asking me. What seat height you should get because they are almost always typical so without further Ado. Let's jump right into my favorite dining chairs. List I compiled this list based on some of the most popular options out. There. We've got wood chairs. Metal chairs fabric chairs upholstery chairs leather chairs. Faux leather chairs black chairs and everything in between and for all of those that are on a budget you want to look out for that section with all of my favorite chairs under 100. Also stay tuned to the end of the video where I share all of my favorite dining table and dining chair combinations so you don't have to succumb to a matchy-matchy set just because you don't know what else to pick. Let's dive right into the first section and this is in no particular order. We are breaking down my favorite woven wood chairs. This first woven chair is the faker dining chair by France and Sun for 550 dollars. It's a unique dining chair that I feel with look amazing in modern or contemporary settings. It has a teak wood frame that supports rope back and arms. There's a foam cushion that's upholstered in a natural beige finish. So the woven details only appear on the back and the sides of the chair I love that this is available in both side chair and armchair Styles. The woven rope is such a beautiful detail that I could see in so many different settings from a mid-century home to a Lakeside Cottage. This next chair is from Wayfair is the Dayanara solid wood slapback chair. This Wishbone style chair is equal parts sculptural and sturdy. This chair would look equally as fabulous in a Bohemian type setting or a mid-century inspired style. If you're familiar with the wishbone style. A lot of people really love it for a sculptural frame with a rounded Splat back. It's a gorgeous piece of furniture. No matter which angle you're looking at bonus points for having a woven seat with no upholstery. Since it's so easy to clean and wipe down just in case you spill something on it. This next chair is by Urban Outfitters. It is a sid solid wood dining chair. A set of two chairs will set you back 629 dollars. This chair is an affordable dupe to Pierre genre's mid-century modern 1950s design of course. This is a reproduction since the original genre actually retails for 14 000 for a pair on first dibs. This dupe from Urban Outfitters features a semi-glossy elm wood frame with v-shaped legs. It has a natural Rattan c and a floating back rest and I love how versatile. This cane back finishes because it's made out of solid wood. This chair is going to be one of a kind. The next dining chairs are from France and sun and this is also a genre dupe unlike Urban Outfitters. This France and Sun version has a black finish and comes with both arms or without it. I personally like the high contrast with the black and Rattan. But if you have a wood table or if you have a white table I could see both finishes working with both types.
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  • 07:20 This next woven side chair is from Target. It's 250 dollars for a two pack of caned woven dining chairs. These chairs are from the threshold collection designed with Studio McGee. This is a classic Studio McGee look with an arch-shaped back and Cane woven seat. Its Timeless is textured and this Walnut shade makes it so easy to mix and match with a variety of different Decor styles. This last wooden woven chair pick is from West Elm. It's the Holland dining chair for 389 dollars. I love how this design is so minimal and Chic you can see that the durable cording is wrapped around a solid wood frame. The woven seat creates this natural texture and pattern and it would look so beautiful against a bleached oak table. This next section features all of my favorite fabric upholstered options. I chose these next chairs based on their performance type. Fabrics so you know that they're going to be super easy to clean and wipe down. This Joel mid-century upholstery dining chair is from World Market and it retails for just under 280 dollars. It's perfect for smaller spaces since it doesn't have arms and I love that the entire chair is almost wrapped in this beautiful wood finish. It has bent wood legs waterfall edges and this really Bold and Beautiful Jewel tone blue fabric. I feel like it's really sleek and Chic and such a bold choice of color especially for a warm dining space. This next dining chair is from anthropology. It is a Seneca slipcover dining chair and it retails for 348 dollars. The best thing about this is that the entire cotton linen slip cover is removable so you can easily throw it in the wash. There's also a white upholstered chair underneath so if you wanted another look that showcases its legs a little bit. This is the chair for you removing. The slip cover makes it casual and throwing the slip cover back on you'll be ready for a formal dinner in no time at all. This next one is from Amazon. It is a hundred and eighty five dollars for a pair of ball and cast dining room. Chairs. I was looking for a dining chair that you can easily fold up and put away especially if you live in a studio apartment or a small space or if you have a dining space that doubles as your work from home office. I couldn't believe that I found such a Chic folding chair.
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  • 09:41 The ones that we used to seeing are plastic and metal and they look like they belong at a child's birthday party. But this one is so Chic that you can leave it out and it just becomes a part of your everyday Decor. It's made of a solid wood frame and a comfortable sponge and soft fabric. This folding chair is so durable and it can even hold up to 300 pounds per chair. It has a slightly curved back and it makes it so easy to stack just in case you need to hide it away. This next upholstered chair is the Pula warm white boucle dining chair from CB2 for 549. I know everyone has a love-hate relationship with boucle out there. But for me I love boucle I feel like it's Timeless I love. The texture I love the coziness I love that you can inject this in any type of space and it almost has a very antique vintage quality to it. This dining chair by Caleb Zipperer features solid sleigh legs in a red oak certified sustainable wood. It's slightly contoured back and plush seating makes it so comfortable and cozy for your new dining room. This next upholstered option is from Pottery Barn and it is a Barbuda upholstery dining chair for 314 dollars. This is modern and minimalist and I love that the armchair has a wrap around wooden frame for those who love to entertain and have formal dinner parties or you know that your guests love to sit at the dinner table. For long periods of time. There's nothing more luxurious than a rounded bag that just seems to hug you in place. This next upholstered option is from Wayfair and it's the Walton waiting room chair with a metal frame for just under 220 dollars. This olive color is what stopped me in my tracks that juxtaposition of a soft fabric against something that's a little bit. More industrial is what really calls to me. I love that the shape has curvy recessed arms with a little opening along the back. This is one of those chairs that look great from the front the side or the back foreign I'm rounding up all of my favorite black chairs. This Bryce metal dining chair with curved back is from Amazon for 121 dollars. I love this chair because it's an Ultra Modern take on the traditional Windsor chair. It's Sleek it's simple and it boasts an all metal construction that's built for strength.
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  • 12:13 Even though this is a substantial piece I love the minimal design. This next Black chair is from CB2. It is a kaishi black chair that retails for 899. This is one of those chairs that is going to become a sculptural piece of furniture in your home. Of course this chair is not cheap. It is a definite investment. This is a designer piece by Ross Cassidy that is inspired by Japanese OG screens. The back of the chair has see-through steel mesh screening a black ash wood frame surrounding a sense of comfort and calm. It's a CB2 exclusive I've never seen anything like it and I love this Barrel type of shape that allows you to sit comfortably in the chair for hours at a time. These next two designs are really similar but they do have some distinct differences. This yahi Tech mid-century dining chair from Amazon features an armless design with metal legs and a fabric leather seat. You can score a set of four for a hundred and fifty nine dollars I mean what an absolute steal Amazon says that these chairs are suitable for both home use and commercial use. Anytime. You see a description that says that it could be used commercially. You'll know that it is super stable. It's so Chic and modern and will look stunning against a walnut table. This Casbah armchair from Wayfair features the same type of shape and design except that it comes with a full arm and woven seats. This design boasts Breezy mid-century Vibes. It's made from solid wood with Sleek tapered legs and a slender back I love that it feels super modern with this scandi type style. But I can also see it in an Eclectic setting there's different colors and different options. But I really love the black on black. If you don't have kids and you really want to show off this piece. I could see it tucked under a beautiful round glass table. So you can see all of the woven intricacies foreign. This next section is all about my favorite leathers and faux Leathers. This first woven leather dining chair comes from France and sun and it's 550 dollars. It's such a pretty piece with the woven back and seat. It has a modern and contemporary style and I love that it's supported by a sturdy cheek frame. It's a super simple design but it really allows the texture of the weaving to shine through the Fenton leather. Dining side chair is really similar to France and Sons. Except this one is from Pottery Barn. The fine Buffalo hide is woven around a warm acacia wood frame. You can see the similarities in both of these chairs but the Wood Finishing is what you really have to pay attention to the lighter dining chair frame would pair beautifully with a white table or a black table whereas a warmer teak frame would look stunning against a mix of different Woods. This next leather dining chair comes from Etsy and it is a brewer company Italia cantilever side chair. I'm sure you're very familiar with this shape as it's a very popular reproduction of a 1920s Bauhaus design. It has a slender yet sturdy Chrome steel frame that supports the sitter while keeping the chair light and open looking. It retails for just 249 dollars. So while this isn't 100 real leather you'll be sure that the white faux leather mixes with a variety of different looks if you've ever sat in this type of sling chair before it's super comfortable.
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  • 15:40 It has a slight bounce to it with a white leather sling wrapping around the frame. But it also provides the perfect amount of tension I can also see this used in a home office and tucked right underneath your workstation. This next leather dining chair comes from West Elm. It is the Abilene leather dining armchair at 549 I love this armchair because it has a top grain leather that wraps the seat the back and the arms. The A-frame legs add a playful touch and looks stunning from the side. It's made from solid walnut wood and the wood is Kiln dried for extra durability. The seat is foam filled for added comfort and I love that the arms are also foam filled as well which makes this leather dining chair so comfortable for extended periods of time. This next dining chair is from Burke Decor. It is the Antonia leather armless dining chair and it retails for just under 510. The mix of materials refreshes this retro style. It has a brushed ebony cane frame with top grain leather seating with slight distressing. I love that the leather seat has been aged in distress so you don't have to worry about spills. You can easily wipe it right up and the more it ages the more beautiful it looks. This last dining chair is from Amazon and you can get two for just under 109 what an absolute steal remember that this is not full leather. It is actually faux leather that has been contoured to sit atop a tubular metal base. Faux leather would usually not top one of my furniture roundups unless it has amazing reviews and this Amazon dining chair does not disappoint its mid-century. Inspired it would look really beautiful in a casual dining room a kitchen or a home office. It's two-tone. It's Sleek. It's stylish. It's inexpensive what's not to love be forewarned that faux leather does disintegrate over time if you've ever owned faux leather shoes or a faux leather purse you'll know exactly what I mean that faux leather is essentially just a fabric that's made out of plastic so over years. It degrades it disintegrates and what you're eventually left with is these patches of fabric with dust fibers on top of it not the best choice when it comes to dining chairs that you sit on regularly. But it's a great option if you're budget conscious and don't need it for your forever home please foreign.
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  • 18:19 This last section is my favorite dining chairs for a hundred dollars or less for all of those who are budget conscious out. There. This is a section that you really want to Clue Into I'm so excited for this last section because everyone wants a great deal. This Terra solid wood curved back dining chair from Target is in collaboration with Studio McGee and it retails for one hundred dollars. This solid wood curved back dining chair would look equally as stunning with a round table or a rectangular table with rounded. Corners think about coordinating the shape of your dining chair with the shape of your dining table for a high-end designer. Look I love that while the dining chair has a curved back everything else about it is straight so it really highlights the sexy curves of this standard chair. This Jaguar dining table in charcoal Fabric and walnut wood is only eighty dollars from Amazon I love the mix of materials in this mid-century. Modern contemporary look. It has a plush upholstery seat and back and is accented by a sturdy walnut. Shell I love that the open back is also cushioned to help keep your back supported and aligned the Kinston curved back upholstered dining chair is from Target's threshold collection and it retails for ninety dollars. I love how the entire chair is fully upholstered and padded the arms wrap around your body. The seat is cushioned for the ultimate in comfort and stability and it's upholstered in this warm gray fabric which makes it so easy to coordinate this mid-century. Modern walnut dining chair from Amazon retails for just under 78 dollars. It's such an elegant and stylish dining chair and I love how the fabric back is slightly contoured for a more ergonomic fit if you're looking for a Sleek simple and inexpensive armchair for your dining room. This is it you can get two porch and den Eerie chairs from Overstock for just under 96 dollars. What an absolute steal these retro style chairs are scratch resistant and stackable so you can easily store them away perfect for your studio apartment or small space. When you need extra room on the Fly. It's available in 10 different color options so you can easily choose the right color to match any of your Decor. But I especially love the charcoal gray since it would look really beautiful against a medium stained wood table. I am a sucker for a really beautiful Jewel tone and I Love This World Market Cody curved back upholstered dining chair. It retails for just under 92. The Cody dining chair is built for cozy support and Lasting comfort with ample cushioning on the entire seat and back. It features a velvety stain resistant upholstery in this really beautiful mustard color. But it's also available in an earthy olive green. Hue if you're working with a fairly neutral space a shot of a bold Jewel tone color might just be the perfect pick-me-up foreign. Here are my favorite dining table and dining chair combinations so you can mix and match with confidence foreign these designer tips when looking for your next dining table or dining chairs I love a great contrast. It's all about mixing light with dark old with new glossy with matte if the table is light consider dark chairs if the table is wood or metal consider Fabric or upholstered dining chairs. A high contrast space allows each distinct part to feel more special and intentional. The room vibrates with a dynamic energy that you just can't achieve if everything looks the same. On that same. Note you might want all the finishes to look similar to create a more relaxed earthy. Vibe think about wabi-sabi japani Interiors with a tonal color palette. The softness and lack of contrast actually transports you to a feeling of calmness and relaxation splurge on the dining chairs but save on the table. Why is this a key designer tip. Just think about it. You really just set food on the table. You might use a table for homework. You're not interacting with the table a whole lot. However you sit in the dining chair every single day. It needs to be tactile and cozy and that is why I always recommend spending a little bit more on the chair especially if you're on a budget and lastly do what you want in the dining room and go with what you love always if you want a sofa in the dining room just as I have instead of dining chairs go for it if you want a bench instead of dining chairs because your style is a little bit more informal a little bit more casual and you love it when all the kids squeeze in go for it. My goal from this channel is to help you become a little bit more intentional with your selections choose pieces that really Vibe with your style and speak to you that is it for today's video. What did you think of my favorite dining chairs was there a dining chair that really stood out to you do you have a dining chair that you absolutely love. That did didn't make the list definitely let me know in the comments below and we can help the viewers out there. Source their favorite dining chair don't forget to check out all of my other sourcing videos in the playlist we've got sectionals. Coffee tables last week's video on favorite dining tables and if there's anything else that you need me to help you Source let me know in the comments. If you like this video please give this video. A thumbs up share this video with anyone you know who's looking to make over their dining room and of course subscribe to my channel. If you haven't already click that little notification. Bell to be notified of new videos that we drop every single Tuesday thank you so much for watching. I'll see you next week foreign.
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