Choosing dining chairs that fit your table

Check the table before the chair. A dining table about 75 cm high suits a seat around 45 cm high, leaving roughly 30 cm for knees. Chairs here run from about 40 cm to 70 cm wide, so allow 60 cm of table edge for a slim chair and a little more for the wider designs. Back heights range from about 72 cm to 110 cm: a low back keeps a small room feeling open, while a taller back gives more support through long meals.

Upholstery decides how much care a chair needs. Vinyl wipes clean easily, which helps with young children, and chairs in pet friendly fabric are made with cats and dogs in mind. Fabric feels cooler than vinyl in humid weather but should be vacuumed regularly and spot-cleaned quickly.

Solid wood frames take daily use well; check and tighten any bolts once or twice a year. Chairs that come ready assembled can be used as soon as they arrive.