Pick your chair: classic or modern, decorative or plain
American dining chairs are often handcrafted and fashioned with various grains and shades of wood or stain. Cherry, oak and pine dining chairs are among the most popular. There's an American dining chair style to fit virtually every household according to the owner's preference, whether classic, contemporary, simple or highly adorned. Don't forget to consider a chair's comfort when choosing a style, however, as chairs should be practical as well as beautiful.
Windsor Dining Chairs
Early American Windsor dining chairs are distinctly crafted with long wooden spindles extending from a hooped backrest. The Windsor chair originated in the 1600s and is often defined by its four splayed legs. Some Windsor chairs come with thin wooden armrests, while arm adornment of any kind is absent in others. There are several varieties of the Windsor chair, including the Charter, Classic and Birdcage chairs. The back and seat of each variety differs based on shape, stain and wood type. Windsor chairs are often crafted by Amish furniture retailers.
Mission Dining Chairs
Mission dining chairs vary from unsophisticated to intricately detailed, depending on the manufacturer. Most mission dining chairs consist of four to five straight spindles set in a rectangular back. Seat options vary from plain wooden planks to leather covers with padding to detachable padded covers. More intricate designs typically add spindles to the back and inset short spindles between the chair legs. The back of the chair may be designed with a gradual curve, sometimes called a humpback, for added comfort when sitting against the backrest.
Chippendale Dining Chairs
The American Chippendale is a slightly modified version of the original British Chippendale, created by Thomas Chippendale in the early 18th century. The Chippendale's signature design is the classic cabriole leg, which features scrolled carvings in the upper leg curving down to a lion's paw at the foot. These chairs are often made out of dark wood such as mahogany and match well with other dark, elegant furnishings. Chair backs differ based on manufacturer, but most have rectangular backs with geometric carvings. Seats are vary; some consist of a flat piece of wood while others are covered with padded, washable seat cushions.
Shaker Dining Chairs
Shaker chairs were a popular 18th- and 19th-century chair style, according to Hancock Shaker Village curator Sharon Koomler. They were originally known for being boxy but later styles modified to a more lightweight design, while maintaining their solid structure. Straight backs adorned with four or five horizontal wooden slats characterize most Shaker-style chairs. Armrests are optional, and seats are often made of wood and covered with unpadded fabric. One or two plain spindles can sometimes be used to connect the legs of a Shaker dining chair.
Modern Metro Dining Chairs
If traditional styles are not your preference or you'd like your dining room to reflect a more updated look, the modern metro dining chair is an alternate but popular style. Modern metro chairs are typically fashioned with metal, aluminum, vinyl or dark wooded frames and have geometric designs cut from their backs. Seats are often padded and covered with suede, leather or cloth. Most metro chairs are built with small frames, and most do not have armrests.
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