10 of the best dining room chairs

There are functional dining room chairs and there are more decorative options. There are also chairs that are a balance between the two.

The options are varied, so be clear on your requirements before shopping around and make sure you settle on something that serves you well for many years to come.

What is considered the best chair at a dining table?

It goes back to the point we’ve just made because what’s ‘best’ for one person, may not be ‘best’ for another. Where possible, choose chairs that meet your needs.

For instance, you may want something with extra padding because you spend lots of time at your dining room table, not just eating and entertaining, but working and doing arts and crafts.

If this is the case, something that incorporates ergonomic design, plenty of foam and softer fabrics, could be more up your street.

Alternatively, you may need something that’s easy to keep clean and wipe down because you’ve got a young family. In these instances, designs that incorporate wood, plastic and leather are an ideal option.

And if you have a large family or have lots of get-togethers and need plenty of seats, you may want to go for a bench over individual chairs.

But that’s just the practical side of selecting dining room chairs. There are the style requirements to factor in too.

For example, you may want something that matches the colour scheme or other materials in your dining room or is a focal point in its own right.

Unfortunately, there is no universal ‘best’ chair, but there are chair options that look how you want them to look and do exactly what you need them to do.

Should dining chairs be higher than the table?

It may not be something you’ve considered before, but there is an ideal dining room chair height, which involves your chair backs being taller than your table top (at least two inches taller).

As a general rule of thumb, the gap between the chair seat and table top should be around 26cm, which will enable you to sit at the table comfortably. You’ll also have plenty of leg room too.

If your chairs measure between 46 and 51cm from the floor to the top of the seat, it’s a clear indicator they will fit well under a standard table.

Don’t forget - if your chairs are padded or have plump cushions, this added detail will add to your overall seat height.