Smart Shopper: How to Choose a Dining Chair

In Grandma's day, newlyweds started out their marriages with a matching dining table and chairs. You never had to wonder if the pieces worked together. But the results were so predictable, they induced drowsiness faster than the tryptophan in a turkey dinner.

Today mix-and-match dining sets are in vogue. They're more interesting, but also more challenging to put together. So before you invest in a set of dining chairs, make sure they’re going to work with the table, the room — and even the size of your guests.

Design

Although it can be chic to pair traditional chairs with a contemporary table, and vice versa, try to find pieces that share a common design element. If the table has a sinuous leg, look for a chair with the same line in the leg or back, or choose upholstery with swirls on it.


If the table is square or rectangular, consider chairs with a square or rectangular seat.


Dimensions

Twenty-two inches is a good standard width for an armless dining chair, but you can go larger than that if your dining table or dining room is especially big and would dwarf a normal-size chair.


Avoid chairs that are narrower than 17 inches; they just don’t provide enough support for the derriere. For maximum comfort, choose chairs that are 20 to 24 inches deep.


Seat Height

Eighteen or 19 inches is an ideal height for a dining chair seat. As a rule of thumb, try to allow a minimum of 12 inches between the top of the seat and the top of the table. Dining tables generally stand 29 to 30 inches high.


Portability

Look for a dining chair that is easy to move in and out from the table. Chairs with a slatted back are easy to grip, because there is a void for your hand between the frame and the slat.


A chair with a solid back — or one that is fully upholstered — may be more difficult to grab, so it should be light enough to move without a firm hold. (Rings help make the job easier here.)


Consider the people who will be using the chair: If children or the elderly often dine at the table, make sure the chair isn’t too heavy or awkward for them to move.


Upholstery

Sooner or later, someone is going to spill something on your chairs. How much are you willing to worry about it?

For easy care, stick with leather (real or imitation), Ultrasuede, cotton blends or a commercial fabric. Avoid multilevel fabrics or ones with a heavy nap, like chenille and velvet — they’ll show wear. Manmade fibers such as rayon or polyester are best when combined with natural fibers.


If you use delicate fabrics, find chairs with removable seat cushions, so the material can be replaced. And make sure you buy extra.

More: Learn how to shop for a sofa, a mattress and a sofa bed.

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