Most would consider the dining room, and more specifically, the dining table, as the heart of the home. It's where important family gatherings take place, and people congregate for daily meals and to discuss daily events. Perhaps your dining table even needs to double as a work-from-home station or a craft table. Essentially, most dining tables need to work for a variety of situations. All of this means that you face an important decision when choosing your dining chairs. There’s much to consider if you are to find the chairs which perfectly suit your table, the room they are placed in, enhance your decor, and complement your lifestyle. So, to help you, we've created this go-to guide, answering all of the important questions which will ultimately lead you to finding the best kitchen chairs for you and your home. So, what's the first step in your dining-chair-buying journey? Keep reading to find out!

Geneva Dining Range at EZ Living Furniture.

Consider The Size & Shape Of Your Room

Few homes offer unlimited space, so your choice of dining table and dining chairs will inevitably be influenced by the size and shape of your room. By making the best use of what you do have, you can design a dining room that feels incredibly spacious yet offers sufficient seating at the table for any occasion.

When space is a challenge, choose fewer compact chairs and avoid styles with arms (Carver Chairs).

A round or extendable kitchen table would be a wise investment for a smaller room. However, if your table extends, you will need to allow enough space either side of the table to expand, and you will need additional chairs that you won’t use all of the time. But the question is: where do you put them when you don’t need them at the table?

Simple! Consider stackable styles for easy storage or chairs that can double as accent pieces in other areas of your home.

Nolan Vintage Grey Faux Leather at EZ Living Furniture.

The Nolan Dining Chair offers a combination of style and simplicity. Upholstered in vintage grey faux leather, it can be easily wiped clean.

Creating Space At The Table

Your kitchen chairs must be an appropriate size for your table if you don't want to injure yourself or others. For instance, not leaving enough space between chairs can lead to knocking elbows with guests. Similarly, not allowing enough space between your legs and the underside of the table can lead to injured knees. To avoid this, choose chairs with seats that are at least 30cm lower than the bottom of your table.

When it comes to understanding how many chairs you can comfortably accommodate around your table, that's easy! You will need to allow 60cm from the centre of one chair to the next. Of course, you might need to squeeze in additional diners on special occasions, but you should furnish your dining room for everyday use and not for gatherings you might only host once a year.

Follow us on Instagram for some dining room inspiration.

Napoli Beige Fabric Swivel Dining Chair at EZ Living Furniture.

Style is fast becoming the biggest priority when purchasing a dining chair, and the Napoli Swivel Dining Chair upholstered in a beautiful beige fabric offers style like no other.

Do You Prioritise Comfort Or Convenience?

If comfort is more important to you, there is no doubt that an upholstered fabric dining chair is the best option for you. They offer a superior level of comfort that is unmatched when compared with a plastic or metal alternative. Chic upholstery will also lend texture, elegance, and colour to your décor.

If convenience is more important to you, and you'd rather invest in dining chairs that can be easily wiped clean, it would be best to avoid fabric dining chairs. For homes with small children, faux leather upholstery is a great compromise because it is easy to wipe clean and there are typically lots of dining chair designs with faux leather to choose from.

Turin Grey Leather Swivel Dining Chair at EZ Living Furniture.

The Turin Dining Chairs above offer a sleek design completed with real leather (often a rare find with dining chairs). This material makes them easy to clean, incredibly durable, and is particularly useful in homes with small children.

The Dining Chair Style Edit

Choosing the right dining chair means understanding that size matters, but so does style! Your table, decor, or property might warrant the inclusion of a traditionally designed dining chair, or at least a nod to heritage design, so if you want a cohesive look, this is exactly the dining chair style you should look for.

If you're after dining chairs that echo an antique look, then tufted button-backs and stud details are elements to prioritise.

Mid-century-inspired chairs with clean lines, organic curves, and tapered legs provide a funky twist and a timeless quality to your interior.

Overtly contemporary dining chairs with a minimalist design will feel right at home in modern homes and chic apartments if you want to complement stylish décor.

Instead of focusing on the décor of your dining space, you might prefer to choose chairs that match your table by purchasing a dining table set. Of course, this does remove the stress of having to decide on complementary dining chairs to suit your table, but you can create a striking look by featuring contrasting pieces or splashes of colour.

Interesting read: How to buy the perfect dining table

Did you know? Wood brings warmth, texture and timeless quality to your home. Partner your oak dining table or kitchen table with matching oak chairs. Wooden dining sets are also available with stunning painted finishes in a variety of shades from subtle grey to stunning black. 

Rustic wood dining chairs, dining tables and benches can deliver a timeless feel and impressive character to your home.

Nolan Blue Velvet Dining Chairs at EZ Living Furniture.

A versatile choice - the blue velvet Nolan Dining Chairs can be easily paired with a modern or traditional style dining table. To clean, simply let the stain dry and wipe with a warm soapy cloth & hoover to remove dust.

Carver Chairs VS Dining Benches

A carver chair is a type of dining chair with arms that gives a greater level of comfort and support to an individual, although they do typically command more space than a standard dining chair with no arms. Positioned at the end of a dining table, carver chairs will often create a greater sense of luxury within a dining space.

Dining benches are great for dining areas and kitchens with limited space. They can seat multiple people, typically 3/4 depending on the size of the bench in question. When not in use, a backless dining bench can be stored under the table for even more space-saving. With dining benches, it's also much easier to squeeze in an additional diner at a moment's notice!

Gain Brown Dining Chair at EZ Living Furniture.

The Gain Dining Chairs offer a refined design to any dining room and just ooze comfort and charm.

Consider The Legs Of Your Dining Chair & Bench

Before deciding on the dining chairs or benches, it's important to look at the type of legs they have, including both design and material.

Solid wood and oak legs, while more durable, tend to be heavier and harder to move. Metal legs are a lighter alternative, but if they are interconnected in their design, they cannot be stacked or paired with an interconnected leg dining table because they won't be able to slide in under the table.

Chairs Suitable For An Open-Plan Space

Many modern homes feature an open-plan design, particularly when it comes to the dining and kitchen areas. If you want both areas to feel unified, you should choose matching dining and bar stools. 

EZ Living Furniture offer matching pieces in diverse styles with something to suit every interior.

Useful Advice: How to choose the right bar stool for you

Ottowa Dining Chairs Collection at EZ Living Furniture.

The Ottowa Collection features dining chairs, dining benches and bar stools in a variety of colours and materials. Choose from velvet, fabric, or leather.

To discover more about the Ottowa Collection, Read: In the spotlight - The Ottowa Collection

The Perfect Dining Chairs At EZ Living Furniture

The perfect dining chairs will lift your room, maximise your use of space and reflect your personal style. From sleek contemporary design to rustic oak and from bold colours to cool retro looks, you will find your special dining chairs in the outstanding collections at EZ Living Furniture.

Also read: How to take care of wooden furniture

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