Contemporary chairs work well with a glass dining table.
The dining room table is a main site for gatherings of family and friends. The chairs in a dining room should be comfortable as well as attractive. Through normal wear and tear, however, chairs often wear out long before the table. If the time has come to replace your dining room chairs, consider several factors ranging from color to ergonomics before making a final decision about which style of chair to buy.
Instructions
1. Look at chairs that are the appropriate size for the dining room. Large chairs that fill out a larger dining room may seem clunky in a smaller dining room, suffocating the space. Small chairs save space in smaller dining rooms and come in a variety of shapes and styles.
2. Choose chairs made out of a material that matches or complements the material the table is made of as well as the dominant material found in the room. Funky, vintage, vinyl-padded chairs, for example, are well suited for a laminate table with chrome trim. Common materials used in dining room chairs include wood, metal, vinyl, leather and upholstery. Consider what materials are easier to clean. For example, finished wood, metal and vinyl is wiped clean with a damp cloth, whereas upholstery or cushion covers require cleaning with a steam vacuum or in the washing machine.
3. Pick a wood type, such as maple or oak, or a stain tone, such as cherry or mahogany, which goes well with the table if wood is the choice. Stay with a metal type such as cast iron or a metal finish such as chrome if the material choice is metal. For leather, vinyl or upholstery, choose a color or pattern that is in line with the style of the room. For a Western-style dining room, for example, upholstered chairs with Native American patterns are appropriate.
4. Coordinate with other furnishings, art and decorations in the dining room. Choose a style of chair that fits into the environment and with the scale and design of the table. For example, if the d cor is traditional or classical, consider Windsor, Chippendale or regency-style chairs. If you have a country-style table, try ladder-back chairs. If your dining room is modern, a wide range of contemporary styles are available.
5. Get the measurements for the chairs you are considering. Make sure the seat height in relation to table height is compatible for the range of heights of people that will dine at your table. Also, find chairs with a seat back height that is attractive in proportion to the table top.
6. Consult with your family regarding what kind of dining room chairs they find most comfortable. The consensus may be straight, flat-backed chairs, which support an upright posture and a straight spine, or it may be cushioned chairs with reclining backs, which are more conducive to kicking back and relaxing.
7. Take into account whether or not the chairs will double for other purposes in other rooms. If so, choose chairs that are lightweight and can be moved frequently without the threat of scratching the finish. Folding or stacking chairs are appropriate choices when moved regularly. With folding or stacking chairs, you can buy extras for bringing out when guests are expected.
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