How tall should dining chairs be

The ideal is around 26cm. Most modern chairs have their seat height set at around 50cm from the floor and most dining tables are around 76cms high. Therefore, we achieve the ideal 26cm.

Indeed, most of our tables and chairs fit within this criteria. As they should! But we also have to factor in how much space we have for our legs, under the table. The minimum gap should be no less than 9cm which, I hasten to add, is a bit tight. You should really aim for at least 12cm.

Anything above that, is a welcome bonus. In the diagram above, you can clearly see that the relationship between a fairly normal chair seat height and a fairly normal table height, gives us the ideal 26cm. At this distance most adult people are able to sit and feel comfortable at the table, whether they're eating, doing paperwork etc.

With a pedestal table , such as the one above, or a trestle type table like our Medieval style tables , there are no side rails close to the table top edge, so the gap for our legs in this scenario, is 21cm.

Which is brilliant! In the diagram above, we have exactly the same height chairs and table as the pedestal table before but, as this is a refectory type table , the side rails have reduced the usable gap for our legs to 12cm.

This is ok for most people. However, if need be, it is quite easy to gain a bit extra by:. The chair has to move freely underneath the dining table. There should be enough room for your legs and napkins to go under the table without any obstruction. However, not all tables are the same. Some are short, while others could be taller. It all depends on the choice of the owner. A Handy Tip: Leave between 10 to 13 inches of space between the underside of your dining table and chair.

Though this depends on what you want, giving such an allowance will make your guests feel comfortable on the chair. Your guests or anyone seated on your dining chairs should be able to stretch or cross their legs while seated. It will make them more comfortable. And they can even seat on the chair for a long period without getting tired. For this reason, when you walk into a furniture store, go with a measuring tape. Let the salesperson know why you have decided to measure the dining chair.

He or she may even support you. You should only do so if sliding the chair underneath the counter or table is important to you. The choice is entirely yours to make. However, some individuals prefer chairs with armrests, as this makes them more comfortable.

What matters is how comfortable the chair is. When you slide your dining chair with an armrest underneath the dining table, it should pass through with ease. There are diverse areas you need to consider when choosing a dining chair. And comfort is one of them. But besides comfort, fabric, finish, and style are all very crucial. Starting from scratch? Start with the table. The chairs tend to be the standout piece of dining room furniture in any dining space. Your chair is the opportunity to infuse color and pattern into your space and dictate the sense of style.

While there are many options out there — from backless stools to swivel stools — there is one main rule to keep in mind and avoid learning the hard way, as we have before! Interchanging the two will make for quick an uncomfortable mealtime!

The Inside is a home furnishings brand that believes in the joy of decorating. Think of us as your shortcut to a chic home, for every style and budget. Keep a small measuring tape in your purse or pocket so you can note the exact distance when you find one that fits. Don't just measure from table's top to the seat. If the table doesn't have an apron, measure from the bottom of the tabletop to the top edge of the chair seat.

If the table has an apron, measure from the bottom of the apron to the top of the seat. Note whether the chair seat is hard or upholstered. Upholstered seats tend to compress when you sit. If the padding is thick, the compression may be substantial. To get an accurate reading, measure from the top of the upholstered seat to the floor while the chair is empty, and then have someone measure it again while you sit. Add the difference between the two to your ideal table-to-seat distance.

If you visit a furniture store to test different chair and table heights, tell the salesperson what you're doing so she doesn't lose her spot on the "UP" list—a system used in certain stores to help determine which salesperson will be assisting a customer.

Scale isn't just about compatible heights. You also need chairs that actually fit under your table. If they don't, your diners won't feel comfortable and you'll damage both table and chairs.

The chairs you place at each end of a rectangular or oval dining table should slide under the table without bumping into the table legs, or into the base of a pedestal or trestle table. Those guidelines also apply to every chair you use with square and roundtables. If you plan to use two or more chairs on each long side of the table, make sure there's room to slide them underneath with bumping each other or the table's base or legs.

If the chair seats touch, diners feel cramped and uncomfortably close. The same is true for roundtables; leave at least two inches of space between each chair. If you use dining chairs with arms at any type of table, make sure the tops of the arms don't brush or bump the bottom of the tabletop or apron.