Dining room chairs can be stylish and functional.
Fabulous food and stimulating conversation can't save your guests from uncomfortable, unattractive dining room chairs. Invest in sturdy chairs with wide seating, paying particular attention to how they appear from behind. Lush upholstery feels posh and upscale; open woodwork looks lighter and more casual. Whether you mix styles eclectically or buy a matched set, ensure that room chairs encourage guests to settle in comfortably for the duration of the meal.
Mix and Match Chairs
Mix chair colors and styles to create a dynamic, playful table. A selection of retro office chairs add a humorous "working lunch" angle to a 1950s-inspired decor. Paint a variety of open-backed wood chairs white to unify their disparate designs. Or paint them red, then upholster padded seats in light blue velvet for a clean and contemporary but unfussy look.
Benches and Stools
Benches and stools evoke an informal mood. Stools work best with tall tables; find chrome and vinyl styles at vintage stores for a diner atmosphere or dark wood versions for a pub mood. Benches can be quirky, handmade from split tree-trunks and highlighted beside a table built from salvaged wood, or elegant, such as iron versions intended for outdoor use. Offer comfortable cushions for benches when you are hosting a long dinner.
Upholstery and Slipcovers
Reupholster blemished chairs, or hide them temporarily with slipcovers. Find premade slipcovers for standard-size chairs at home furnishing outlets. Elegant silk versions with delicate ties are appropriate for a formal event; cotton prints with button closures are cute for a summer decor shift. Reupholstering is a permanent technique that requires an investment of money and time; consider options carefully, taking home fabric samples and looking at them in your dining room under both daytime and evening natural and artificial lights before making a decision.
Proportion
Test your potential chairs with your table to ensure an ergonomically correct fit. Your elbows should be at about a 90-degree angle when you set your arms on the table top from a seated position. If you love your dining chairs but your table feels too high, hire a professional woodworker to shorten it.
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