What to Consider When Choosing Dining Chairs
Measure Your Table First
Start with a tape measure and check the height of your tabletop from the floor against the chair's seat height. A good rule of thumb is a seat-to-tabletop gap of no more than 30 centimetres. Measure it from where a padded seat sits once you're sitting on it, not from the top of the cushion. If the chair has arms, check that they'll clear the underside of the table. Otherwise the chairs won't tuck in, and they'll take up more floor space all day.
Next, work out how many will fit. Allow about 60 centimetres of table edge per person and at least 80 centimetres between the table and whatever is behind it. If people walk behind seated diners, you'll need more room. About 110 to 120 centimetres lets someone pull a chair out and squeeze past, while 130 to 150 centimetres gives a comfortable walkway.
Chairs, a Bench Seat or Both
A bench seat can seat up to three people along one side of the table, depending on its length. The trade-off is that a backless bench gives no back support. If older relatives eat with you often, give them chairs.
Which Upholstery Suits Your Household?
On upholstered dining chairs, the covering decides how the chair feels, how it cleans and how it ages.
- Fabric is soft and breathable. Spills can soak in if you don't blot them quickly. To compare durability, ask for the fabric's Martindale rub count, where 13,000 to 20,000 rubs suits residential use.
- Bouclé has a looped, textured surface that feels cosy.
- Velvet has a rich look and a soft touch, and it can fade in strong sun.
- Faux leather (PU) is easy to wipe clean, so it's a practical choice for kitchen chairs that handle breakfast, homework and craft.
- Leather dining chairs can be wiped down with a damp cloth. They need cleaning and conditioning every three to six months and don't like direct sun. Check the leather label on each chair: some are labelled full leather, and others simply leather. The ACCC expects sellers to disclose when a product isn't wholly leather.
With 73% of Australian households now owning a pet, fur and claws are worth thinking about. Before you choose on looks alone, ask how an upholstery fabric cleans and how it handles them. If you have young kids, a wipe-clean surface or a fabric treated with protector can make spills easier to deal with.
Timber, Metal or Swivel Frames
Timber frames, such as rubberwood with an oak finish, feel warm and familiar, and they suit Scandinavian, coastal and Japandi style rooms. Metal frames suit contemporary and industrial spaces. Swivel dining chairs turn on their base, which lets you move easily while you're seated.
Will the Chair Stay Comfortable Through Long Meals and Long Days?
Australians who eat and drink on a given day spend an average of 1 hour and 22 minutes doing it. A dinner party lasts much longer. A ten-second sit-test won't tell you enough: sit back fully and check that the soles of your feet rest flat on the floor.
More than a third of employed Australians usually work from home, and for some the dining table is the desk. If that's you, choose back support over looks. For older family members, arms make standing up much easier. A study of aged care residents found armrests were essential for getting in and out of a seat. Just check that those arms clear your tabletop.
Matching Sets or Mixed Styles
Buying chairs from the same collection as your table gives a coordinated look. Mixing styles adds personality, but it works best with one common thread, such as the same colour, leg finish or material. Black dining chairs are one way to give a mixed set a common colour. Cream and bouclé chairs brighten a darker room. You can also mark the ends of the table with two upholstered or swivel chairs and keep simpler dining room chairs along the sides.
Common Questions About Dining Chairs
How do I choose dining chairs?
Start with measurements: seat height against your tabletop, chair width against your table length and the space around the table. Then choose an upholstery that matches how your household lives. If you have pets, ask about its cleaning instructions and how it handles fur and claws. Finally, sit in the chair long enough to tell whether the back will still feel supportive at the end of a meal. If you're torn between two options, our team can help you compare them.
How do I clean fabric dining chairs?
Vacuum them weekly with a soft brush attachment, paying attention to seams. Deep clean them once or twice a year, especially if you have pets. For spills, blot straight away with a clean, dry cloth and never rub. Check the care label, then use a fabric cleaner suited to the upholstery. Apply a fabric protector in two light coats and reapply it every 12 months or after a professional clean.
Where should I buy dining chairs?
Buy from a retailer that lists full dimensions (seat height, width and depth), names the exact upholstery and lets you sit in the chair before you commit. If you're shopping for dining chairs in Perth, you're welcome to visit us in store. Availability varies by location, so call ahead to check the chairs you'd like to try. Bring your table measurements, and our team can check the fit with you. You can also choose your dining table and chairs in one place.
Why are dining chairs so expensive?
A good dining chair has to survive years of leaning, tilting and dragging. That takes a solid frame, well-made joints, dense foam and hard-wearing upholstery. The cost also adds up because you're usually buying four, six or eight at once. Before deciding where to save, ask whether a chair has been tested to the Australian standard for chair strength and durability.
Find the Right Dining Chairs for Your Table
Take your time browsing the range above and keep your table measurements handy as you shortlist. If you'd like a second opinion, get in touch with the Adore Home Living team with your table size, and we'll help you find chairs or a bench seat that fit your space and the way your household eats together.