Dining Chairs

Most dining chairs have a seat height of 45–48 cm, which suits a standard 75 cm table. Leave 25–30 cm between the seat and the underside of the table so legs fit comfortably. If your table is lower or higher than standard, measure the gap rather than relying on seat height alone, especially for upholstered chairs that compress when sat on.

Allow about 60 cm of table edge per chair. Most dining chairs are 45–55 cm wide, while generously upholstered chairs and carvers with arms may need 65 cm each. Check the width of the chair at its widest point, often the seat front or arms, and remember that table legs can block a seat at the corners.

No. A mix works when one thread runs through it, such as colour, material or shape. A classic approach is matching side chairs with two different carvers or upholstered chairs at the ends. Fully mismatched chairs look best when they share a similar seat height and scale, so the table does not look uneven.

Upholstered chairs are the most comfortable for long dinners; with children, choose performance or wipeable fabrics. Wooden chairs are the easiest to keep clean and last for decades. Rattan and cane bring lightness and texture, though they can catch fine clothing and wear at the edges over time, so they suit occasional rather than heavy daily use.

Measure from the floor to the underside of the table's apron, the frame beneath the top, and compare it with the chair's arm height. You need at least 2–3 cm of clearance for the arms to slide under. If they will not fit, choose carvers only for the ends of the table, where they can sit slightly back.

Well-made dining chairs typically cost £100–£300 each, with designer and upholstered statement chairs from £300 to £800 or more. Multiply by six or eight before deciding, as chairs often cost more in total than the table. Two statement carvers with simpler side chairs keeps both the look and the budget under control.