Types of Dining Chairs

One space in your home where you can have the most fun decorating is the dining room. Whether you use your dining room every night for eating a well-balanced meal with the family or you only use this space for formal occasions and parties, the dining room is one area where nothing should be left as an afterthought. If you are in the market for a new set of dining chairs, there are many different types of dining chairs to choose from. You can keep everything cohesive by sticking with a matching set or you can mix it up by opting for an eclectic mix of styles. This guide will teach you the advantages and disadvantages of every dining chair type and style, so you can make the best decision for your home.

Different Types of Dining Chairs

Arm Chairs: An arm chair is a type of chair that features arms, which gives it much more of a formal feel. These chairs are typically placed at the head of a table. Contrasting arm chairs can be used to create a statement, but you will often find sets that come with matching arm chairs and side chairs to create a complementary collection. They are usually made of metal, plastic, or solid wood but they can also be upholstered in a variety of fabric colors and patterns.

Parsons: A Parsons chair is a type of traditional chair design that takes its name from the Parsons School of Design in Paris, which was founded in 1921 by Frank Alvah Parsons. A chair of this design is usually crafted of hardwood and features a high back with a slightly curving, squared backrest. Most Parsons chairs are typically cushioned and decorated with slipcovers or upholstery to give them a solid, monumental appearance. These chairs are most often associated with fine dining and elegant dining rooms but they can also be used as occasional chairs in the living room.

Side Chairs: A side chair is a type of standard, armless dining chair that is usually placed on the long side of a dining table. Side chairs are much easier to get in and out of than armchairs, which is why they are used interchangeably with benches. Most side chairs feature a simple wood frame, a plain seat, and an arched or straight back, with or without slats. However, there are many types of side chairs to choose from, including variations in material and design.

Different Styles of Dining Chairs

Contemporary: Create a light and airy space for eating, entertaining, and keeping up with the times by decorating the dining room with a modern look and feel. Contemporary dining chairs are available in a wide selection of styles and designs, depending on your needs and preferences. Industrial café chairs are commonly used to create the experience of stopping by a favorite bistro or coffee shop. Industrial pieces are unique and very durable. Mid-century modern is enjoying a resurgence of interest. Mid-century modern chairs are usually made of bent wood or molded plastic and metal, somehow striking the perfect balance between past and present that delivers a streamlined look.

Traditional: When old-world elegance and sophistication is of the utmost importance to your dining room's design, traditional dining chairs provide an attainable, timeless option. Traditional dining chairs typically feature curved legs, elaborate slats, and ornately carved details that are done by hand. Some of the most popular traditional styles include Biedermeier, Chippendale, Georgian, Louis XV, Queen Anne, Regency, and Victorian. Chairs of this style are often upholstered or tufted in an array of traditional fabric patterns. Most traditional dining chairs feature highly decorative feet, including arrow, ball and claw, bun, cylindrical, dolphin, hoof, onion, pad, or spade feet.

Transitional: When you simply can't decide between contemporary and traditional or your tastes lean toward eclectic furnishing, there are still a wide variety of options available to you. Transitional dining room chairs are chairs that have survived the test of time without losing any relevance in today's design trends. You can never go wrong with Colonial, French Country, Ladderback, or Mission chairs because they are usually primitive or modest in design. With their solid wooden seats, turned spindles, and straight legs that splay outward, Windsor chairs provide a safe yet sophisticated solution that is sure to become a topic of conversation for many years to come. Best of all, you can mix and match furniture styles until you achieve the precise dining room look you envisioned.

Now that you know more about the different types of dining chairs, deciding what type is right for your dining room will be much easier overall. At Laurel Crown, we handcraft both antique reproductions and custom furniture with the utmost attention to authenticity and detail. We specialize in creating a wide variety of furniture styles. You can even take the reins on designing your own dining chairs by collaborating with our custom design team. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our dining room selection or our custom furniture services today.