Dining Room Chairs (page 2)

Comfort at the table comes down to measurements more than padding. Look for a seat height of 18 to 19 inches for a standard 30-inch table, which leaves about 12 inches of room for knees. A seat depth near 18 inches lets someone sit back instead of perching on the edge, and a slight angle in the back is what keeps a dinner going past dessert. Plan on 24 inches of table length per side chair and closer to 28 for dining room chairs with arms, then check the arm height against the table apron so the chairs can tuck in. Upholstered dining room chairs are the most comfortable choice for long meals, and performance fabric or a slipcover makes them practical at a family table, since a slipcover comes off and goes in the wash. Leather and nubuck wear in and take spills well. Wood chairs, including Windsor and spindle backs, carry a traditional room and keep the table visible, which matters in a smaller dining room. Cane and rattan backs do the same with more texture. Dining room chairs with casters are worth a look for a table that doubles as a desk or a game table, because they roll back without scraping the floor. Most dining chairs get bought as a matched set of 4 or 6, and a room looks more considered when that set is broken up a little. Upholstered armchairs at each head of the table with wood side chairs along the length is the classic move, and two different chair styles in the same finish works just as well. Many of the chairs here ship as a set of 2, so building a set of 6 or 8 is simple. Keep one thing consistent across the mix, the leg finish or the fabric color, and the table reads as one decision made over time.