Types of dining room chairs to choose the most suitable one

We have already seen on occasion how in the decoration of the dining room come into play several key elements, such as dining tables or multiple storage options for this area, such as sideboards or cabinets. And yet the chairs are the most complex element to consider, because you have to take into account several factors to choose the most appropriate. In fact, a table or a sideboard can even be purchased from a catalog without having seen them before, but who would buy chairs without trying them?

For those who hesitate between the pros and cons of each option, we will try to break down all the types of dining chairs so you can choose the most suitable one without making a mistake.

The material

When choosing the material of which they are made, both the aesthetic and functional aspects must be taken into account.

Aesthetically, the idea is to choose the style that best suits us and the house itself, since having a strong visual presence (by repetition) will clearly print the character of the dining room or kitchen.

In this sense, chairs made of light wood or plastic materials are very typical of the Nordic style, metal and leather chairs are ideal for the industrial style and wicker and rattan chairs are perfect for a rustic chic style or for outdoor dining rooms. All of them are informal and light options and fit well in most homes.

Upholstered chairs, on the other hand, are more typical of both the classic style (especially when they have piping or studs) and the contemporary style (in plain, unpatterned fabrics), and are generally more suitable for elegant dining rooms or special events because of their padding and delicate finishes.

On the functional level, however, the most comfortable are undoubtedly the upholstered ones, precisely because of the padding on the seat and backrest that allows us to cushion our weight.

In this sense, the wooden or metal ones can be somewhat hard with the passage of time, and with the wicker ones, especially in summer when we wear shorts or miniskirts, we can end up with the mark of the strings on the back of the legs.

To mitigate this problem, in most cases a cookie cushion (yes, that's what it's called, it's that little flat cushion that we sometimes find on chairs), or other solutions such as sheepskin. In this way, functionality and aesthetics are combined in order not to give up the preferred style.

The backing

At a functional level, the height of the backrest is something that conditions quite a lot when it comes to sitting at the table.

For some people a low backrest can be uncomfortable (as is the case with sofas), preferring a high backrest to support the back when eating or leaning back, so they tend to be more comfortable.

Aesthetically, however, low-backed dining chairs provide a greater sense of spatial spaciousness.

Aesthetically, high backrests are more suited to classic styles and distinguished environments, while low backrests are suitable for both formal and informal settings.

In addition to the height, the shape and ergonomics of the backrest must also be taken into account. That is why it is important to test them, since the way they support the back is something very personal for each person. Even so, in general, a good chair should have a backrest that supports the kidneys well. In addition, it is advisable that it is slightly flexible so that when reclining backwards we do not find ourselves with a surface of extreme hardness.

The "wraparound" backrests, which in their lower area imitate and adapt to the curvature of the trunk, back and buttocks and in their upper area cover up to the shoulder blades, descending to the armrests (incorporated in the structure itself), are also very well accepted.

The arms

What about the arms? The choice of a dining chair with or without arms is not purely aesthetic. The shape and height of the table, the chair itself or the prominence we want to give it will influence between opting for one or the other option.

Armless chairs are more suitable for everyday lunches and dinners because of their lightness. In addition, with them there is no problem of space, since when we are not eating they fit perfectly under the table and can be brought to the edge.

On the other hand, chairs with armrests are more comfortable and appreciated for long after-dinner moments, when one has already finished eating and is resting and leaning back in it.

Aesthetically, choosing them with or without arms is more a matter of preference, as there are styles to suit all tastes.

It is true that chairs with arms give a more serious or sophisticated character to a dining table, but it also depends on the style of chair chosen.

What usually works very well in dining rooms with long tables is to place chairs without arms on the fronts and the same model with arms at the ends, as a chair.

As for types of arms, we can find many types of arms:

a) On the one hand, there are those mentioned above: the arm is part of the structure of the chair itself, descending in decrease from the back. Thus we can find them in wooden or wicker chairs, as well as in upholstered ones, but all of them usually coincide in their rounded shape and low backrest.

b) On the other hand, there are chairs whose arms are also part of the structure but in the form of a right angle. It is usually characteristic exclusively of upholstered chairs.

c) Of course, we also find the most common option: the one in which the back and seat are usually made of one material and the arms and legs of another, usually wood or metal.

It is in this case, as in the previous one, where we must be careful and check that the arms are below the table and allow us to bring the chair closer to it, otherwise it can be very uncomfortable. To solve this problem, there are also the "semibrazos" or those that do not reach the end of the chair, but remain in the middle. Just enough to be able to support the forearms without any problem and get close enough to the table to be able to eat comfortably.

Legs

The choice of dining chair legs is also a matter of both aesthetics and practicality.

We usually get carried away by the first one, dazzled by the beauty of its design, which can later lead to problems of functionality.

The key to success is the combination between the chairs we have chosen with the legs or support of the dining table. When we do not take care of this aspect looking for compatibility between table and chairs, it is common to suffer stumbles between legs or that the chairs do not fit well within the space under the table that contains them.

The most common shape is 4 legs starting from each end of the seat. 

Also very typical is the skate shape, in which each of the two legs forms a single structure that starts at the front of the seat and moves towards the rear.

This shape is especially characteristic of metal legs, as metal is an easily moldable material, and it tends to give the chair a lightness.

On the other hand, we can also find the model of 3 or 4 legs starting from the center towards the ends. This shape is typical of some of the best known Scandinavian style chairs.

Finally, there are also single-leg chairs. With these there are usually no problems of tripping over the table leg or the legs of the adjacent chair, but they do require a base of considerable size (usually circular) to support the weight, which may not be to everyone's taste.

This shape is typical of chairs made of plastic materials with a sixties look and are usually of two types: either a circular base and a leg coming out of the center (such as the Tulip chair) or as a single structure coming out of the seat itself and in the same material, such as the Panton chair.

As you can see, there are as many types of dining chairs as there are styles and preferences; you just have to evaluate each of its components and of course try it ;-). And in case you were left wanting, we say goodbye with some more samples of chairs of different styles as inspiration.