A Helpful Guide to Choosing the Right Chairs for Dining Tables

We often regard the dining room as a central part of our homes. It’s where we host dinner parties, share great meals, and have insightful conversations. Comfort and convenience dictate dining spaces. Picking the correct chairs for dining tables is paramount for welcoming friends and family. 

While comfort and practicality are essential, visual interest also comes into play. This can be tricky to remember while shopping for new dining chairs. In some instances, you wouldn’t have to because dining sets often come with chairs. But if you come across a gorgeous table that doesn’t, finding seats shouldn’t be a problem. 

Take Scale into Consideration

To ensure a comfortable dining experience, you’ll want your dining chairs and table to be compatible. Dining room tables frequently range between 28 to 31 inches from the tabletop to the floor—with a height of 30 inches being the most common.

As for dining chairs, you’ll find them ranging between 17 to 20 inches, such as ones for high tabletops, from the top of the seat to the ground. This leaves an 8 to 14 inches difference between the top of the table and the seat. Homeowners typically consider a difference of 10 to 12 to be the most comfortable. However, this usually depends on the tabletop’s thickness and the apron’s height.

Account for Seat Height

The height of your dining chair affects both comfort and practicality.

A major factor to take into consideration when you’re buying chairs for dining tables is seat height. Testing a table with several different seats can help you determine the most comfortable chair-to-table difference. Consider visiting a furniture shop that showcases a variety of dining sets. Take a small measuring tape with you to take note of the distance when you find one that’s comfortable. Note this down as an ideal height to keep in mind when shopping.

Your measurements should account for whether the table features an apron or not. If it does, you’ll want to determine the distance between the seat and the bottom of the apron. And if the table comes without an apron, measure from the top of the seat to the bottom side of the tabletop. 

Another detail to account for is whether or not the dining chair is upholstered. Upholstery often compresses when sat on, especially when the padding is thick. Consider measuring from the floor to the top of an empty upholstered sea, then once again while someone sits on it. Adding the difference between these two measurements to your preferred seat-to-table distance will give you a more accurate reading. 

When you’re testing chair-to-table heights at a furniture store, make sure to inform the salesperson what you’re doing. This prevents them from losing their spot on the “UP” list, a system that helps certain stores decide which salesperson to assign to a customer. 

Consider Width and Depth

Make sure your dining chairs comfortably accommodate the table and room you’re shopping for.

Besides height compatibility, you’ll want the chairs to fit below the dining table. This not only ensures comfort but also prevents damage to the table and the chairs. The chairs at the ends of an oval or rectangular table shouldn’t bump into the table’s legs, pedestal, or trestle base when you slide them forward. This also applies to chairs for a round table or a square one. 

If you’re using multiple chairs on the long sides of a table, such as an 8-chair dining table, there should be enough space for pulling them under the table without them hitting each other or the table’s legs or base. The same goes for round tables. Allow for a minimum of two inches between each chair. 

Take Arm and Back Heights into Account 

The dining chair’s back should ideally be higher than the tabletop.

If you choose dining chairs with arms, you’ll want the top edges of the arms not to touch the tabletop or the table’s apron. Besides potentially damaging the arms of the seat, it would make for an uncomfortable dining experience. 

When selecting chairs for dining tables, consider the difference between the height of the chair’s back and that of the table. The back of the dining chair should be higher than the tabletop. For low-back dining chairs, allow for a height difference of at least two inches. This prevents the chairs from looking overly squatty. 

Check for Comfort and Quality

Measurements can be perfect, but if a chair is uncomfortable or made with poor-quality materials, there’s no point in having it. 

If you’re shopping for chairs for dining tables in person, test them out by sitting on them and pulling yourself forward, leaning back, and shifting your weight. You can further assess a chair’s quality by moving them around. A good quality chair will not sway or give away in the back, arms, or legs.

Online purchasers won’t be able to test a chair out in person. Reviews are a helpful tool to check a chair's quality and potential comfortability. Look out for reviews that mention flaws or feature a long-term use perspective. Do your research on the chair manufacturer. If they are a trusted business that’s well-regarded, you’re more likely to purchase a quality chair.

Don’t Forget About Style

Being consistent with style allows for a visually cohesive dining set.

Another factor to take into consideration when you’re buying chairs for dining tables is style. The chairs should visually correspond with the tables—and ultimately with the whole dining room design. In many cases, a common element should be enough to ensure aesthetic cohesion. This can be the design era, the undertone, or the formality level. Having said that, avoid opting for dining chairs and tables with all the same features; you’d be better off buying a dining set as a unit. 

A modern farmhouse-style table, for instance, pairs nicely with distressed pine chairs and French garden ones made of wooden slats. However, it won’t look as good with Chippendale ribbon-back chairs — which you can pair with a gleaming mahogany double-pedestal table instead. 

On the other hand, a Hitchcock chair featuring a painted finish can correspond with just about any wood finish. Thanks to its woven seats, it can be casual enough for a farmhouse-style table, while its gold stenciling makes it classy enough for a formal dining set. All that said, it’s also a good idea to factor seat material into your decision.

Other Considerations

A small dining set can be an excellent choice for a cozy patio.

For an airy space, a go-to choice would be simple chairs with open backs. This will help you stay cool while sitting down. These are also ideal for rooms where dining area space is an issue, such as a patio dining set, where a small table and chairs are more practical. 

Regarding seat material, your options mainly come down to fabric and leather. The former tends to be cozy and versatile but is sometimes a hassle to clean. On the other hand, leather is classy, durable, and low-maintenance but is expensive. As for choosing between chairs with arms and those without, it largely depends on how much space you have and your individual comfort needs.

Whether you’re picking chairs for a formal 8-seat dining table or looking for something more intimate and casual, there’s a list of factors to remember. Ticking all those boxes will help you find a dining set that’s comfy, stylish, and practical.