The best dining chairs: with these tips you will find the perfect chair for your home

Choosing the right dining chairs is an important decision: they determine not only the style of the dining room but also how comfortable your meals are. You should consider both the size of the room and the desired level of comfort and style. In this article we give you valuable tips on finding the ideal chairs for your home and present suitable models from Knoll, Ethnicraft, Thonet, Gubi, Draenert and Solpuri. Alongside our blog article on the best dining table, this article lets you complete your dining room.

Choosing the right chair size for your dining area

The size of the dining chair should be matched both to the height of the dining table as well as to the size of the room. To ensure a comfortable seating distance, the seat surface of the chair should sit around 25 to 30 cm below the table edge. It is also important that around the Table enough space remains around it - at least 50 to 60 cm, so that guests can move about comfortably.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:
Allow approx. 60 cm of width per chair at the table to ensure enough freedom of movement. For smaller tables or rooms, the chairs should be somewhat narrower. In our blog article “How to find the perfect dining table for your home” you will find helpful tips on finding the right dining table to match your chairs.

The best chairs for small flats

In small flats or narrow dining areas, space-saving chairs are essential. Lightweight, compact or stackable models that do not overcrowd the room are ideal here.

Thonet offers classic, lightweight wooden chairs whose delicate design makes them ideal for small rooms. They are not stackable or folding, but there are, for example, models without armrests, cantilevered and with wicker for a "more open design", such as the S 32 V.

With the BEETLE chair impresses GUBI with a minimalist, modern chair that is wonderfully versatile and fits perfectly into small rooms without compromising on style. With additional cushions, the chair can be made even more comfortable.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip: Use chairs with open backrests or in light colours to make the room appear larger. Chairs with slender legs or transparent elements also make the space feel more open.

Ergonomic seating comfort: how to maximise the feel-good factor

Comfort is a decisive factor in dining chairs, especially if you sit at the table often and for long periods, like to linger after meals or use the dining table for convivial evenings. Ergonomically shaped chairs promote healthy posture and offer additional comfort through supportive backrests and upholstered seat surfaces.

• Knoll is known for its ergonomic, comfortable design classics. Many models have a gently curved backrest and/or superb upholstery that supports natural seating comfort. 

Our recommendations for ergonomic dining chairs

• Knoll Platner Chair: The iconic Platner shape will be a real eye-catcher in any dining room and invites you to linger for hours.
• Gubi Beetle Chair: With its organic shape and gently curved backrest, this chair offers ergonomic comfort and modern design.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

Look for chairs with a gently curved backrest and soft upholstery. Models that adapt to the shape of the body offer optimal comfort even over several hours.

Armchairs vs. chairs without armrests: which suits you better?

Whether chairs with or without armrests are the better choice depends on the space available and personal preference. Armrests offer additional comfort but are better suited to larger rooms and formal dining rooms. Chairs without armrests are more space-saving and flexible. Mixing different chairs in the dining room is also very popular nowadays and lends the dining room a fresh, youthful look.

• Draenert Dexter offers dining chairs without armrests, upholstered in leather, with a choice of base frames in oak, steel or with a swivel base. You can thus choose between a dynamic and a compact variant and match the frame to the rest of the dining room.
• The EthnicraftBOK chairs with half armrests perfectly match the dining table of the same name and are available in various wood types such as teak and oak, in different versions.
  
  

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

When space is tight, opt for armless chairs to fit more seats around the table and improve freedom of movement. Swivel chairs are a particularly clever choice, making sitting down and getting up easier in small rooms.

Dining chairs: which style suits you?

The style of your dining chairs should suit the overall look of the room and your interior. Modern chairs are characterised by clean lines and simple forms, while traditional chairs are often more elaborate and put natural materials such as wood or weave in the foreground.

• Carl Hansen offers understated dining chairs with clean, minimalist shapes that fit perfectly into a modern dining room. The Scandinavian style also brings brightness and makes the living space feel more open.

• Thonet stands for classic elegance and is renowned for its iconic bentwood chairs, which fit perfectly into traditional or rustic dining areas. Yet it is no accident that bentwood chairs are timeless design classics which, depending on the rest of the interior, can be integrated into modern living spaces as well.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

For a modern dining room, choose chairs in neutral tones or with added metal accents, while in traditional rooms wooden chairs with soft, upholstered seat surfaces come into their own.

Upholstered chairs vs. wooden chairs: which material is right for you?

The choice between upholstered chairs and wooden chairs depends on your preferences with regard to comfort and care. Upholstered chairs offer soft seating comfort and are suited to longer meals, while wooden chairs are more durable and easier to care for.

• GUBI offers stylish upholstered chairs with high-quality fabrics and modern design, uniting comfort and elegance. GUBI's upholstered furniture is typically among the bestsellers and has won many admirers.
• Ethnicraft and Thonet are known for their superbly crafted wooden chairs, which combine robustness with timeless design. On some Thonet models, such as the S 32 V, a weave ensures the seat surface is not hard but gives gently. If that is not enough, additional seat cushions provide extra comfort. Ethnicraft likewise offers leather upholstery, giving design freedom on the one hand and optional comfort on the other.
  

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

Upholstered chairs are particularly comfortable for formal or longer meals, while wooden chairs are ideal for families or heavily used dining areas, as they are durable and easy to care for.

Conclusion

Choosing the right dining chair depends on several factors: the size of the room, the desired comfort and the style of the dining room. Ergonomically shaped chairs not only offer comfort but also encourage a healthy sitting posture, while stylish chairs elevate the room. With premium dining chairs from Knoll, Ethnicraft, Thonet, Gubi, Draenert and Carl Hansen, you have a wide choice that adapts perfectly to your needs.

Additional tips:

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

Choose chairs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing to strike the perfect balance between style and comfort.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

Look for high-quality materials such as solid wood or fine upholstery to maximise durability and comfort.

💡 Villa Schmidt tip:

Plan the space requirements carefully to ensure the chairs fit well into the room and offer plenty of freedom of movement.

With these tips and the exclusive dining chairs from our range, you can create an inviting and stylish atmosphere in your dining room.

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