Resource Guide for Chair Styles

During dinner and cocktail parties, holiday gatherings and casual weeknight meals, friends and family gather around food, making your dining room the focal point of your home. In spaces with a modern industrial aesthetic, more traditional styling, a rustic appeal or anything in between, choosing the right chair style helps set the tone for your room. Whether you are looking for a refresh or are decorating an empty space, we can help you choose from different construction styles, seating heights and materials to find the best fit for your room, dining table and style preferences. Get started with our carefully curated list of seven dining chair styles.

Arm chair

Create an elegantly formal atmosphere in your dining room by placing arm chairs at the head and foot of your table. Add drama with an armchair that features a higher back, such as a wingback chair. When selecting dining chairs with arms, be sure to measure the height of your dining table to ensure the chairs can still comfortably fit underneath the tabletop.

Side chair

Side chairs are classic additions to dining rooms because they easily complement nearly any dining table, including round, oval, square and rectangular shapes. Side chairs are armless and fit perfectly underneath the side or head of your dining table. This chair style also works well in casual dining rooms or eat-in kitchens. Because many side chairs are constructed of wood, consider adding cushions to provide guests extra comfort and support.

Parsons Chair

A staple chair style, parsons chairs easily elevate any dining room without overwhelming the space. Originally designed at the Parsons School of Design in Paris, these seating classics have clean lines and simple silhouettes. Upholstered in fabric or leather, a parsons chair features cushioning on the back and seat that adds both style and functional comfort. This chair also works well in living rooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms and home offices. Use it in front of bathroom vanities, or tuck one into a corner to create a cozy reading nook.

Upholstered Chair

An upholstered chair is a excellent way to bring style and color to your dining room. With so many colors, patterns and textures to choose from, you can easily coordinate with existing tables, buffets and hutches. Upholstered chairs provide a more polished appeal, so consider this style if your dining table is formal in design. For a classic, sophisticated effect, choose understated fabrics in solid hues or with subtle patterns. Looking for something more playful? Consider mixing and matching patterns. Stay within the same color palette for a whimsical yet coordinated look. Upholstery also offers extra cushioning, so you and your guests can comfortably sit all the way from appetizers to after-dinner digestifs.

Leather Chair

Easy to clean and inherently durable, leather chairs are an excellent choice for busy families and for hosts who enjoy entertaining. Many different chair styles are available, depending on the silhouette and legs. Leather chairs with a high sheen and dark wooden legs offer a timeless look and work well in a wide variety of dining room styles. In contemporary spaces, consider a slim leather chair with metal legs for an updated, urban-industrial appearance.

Metal Chair

For non-traditional dining rooms, metal chairs are an excellent choice. They are informal, sleek and easily complement existing contemporary furnishings, including metallic wall art, buffets and lighting. Metal chairs are also versatile and easy to use for extra seating at outdoor patio tables.

Bench

Using a bench for dining or kitchen table seating is a great choice for a variety of decorating styles, including casual, eclectic and rustic. Benches save floor space and allow you to fit more people at the table, especially children. Benches pair well with rectangular dining room tables and can coordinate with a variety of chair styles. Add comfort and a pop of color with an upholstered cushion designed to fit the dimensions of the bench.