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Beginner’s Guide: Dining Chairs

Mar 18, 2019 | Beginner's Guide, Dining, Ultimate Guide

If you’ve finally found a dining table that suits your liking, you’re probably looking for dining chairs to go with it. Unlike years ago, most people don’t buy matching chairs for their tables anymore because there are several options available in the market to choose from. Moreover, a mix and match type set-up allows you to introduce a touch of color, pattern, and texture as per your liking.

In this article from the Dining & Bistro Series, we’re going to help you find a set of comfortable dining chairs that will look great with your chosen dining table.

Before we look at the options for dining chairs, here are some questions to ask yourself: 

  • Will the dining room be a formal or informal setting? 
  • How many people will I host on a regular basis? 
  • How much space do I have left after all the other items in my dining room have been chosen? 
  • How much room will guests have to move around? 
  • What are the exact dimensions of my dining table? 

Once the answers to these questions have been noted, you’re ready. Without further ado, let’s look at the various factors to be considered when searching for the perfect chairs!

 

#1 Chair & Table Size 

In our first blog from the Dining & Bistro series, Buyer’s Guide to Dining Tables, we recommended measuring your dining room before investing in a table and we’re suggesting the same for chairs.

Before looking at your options, get accurate measurements of not just your dining table but your dining room as well. This will ensure that you don’t compromise on leg space and your guests don’t bump elbows at the dinner table!

Here’s a size guide that will help you remember the basics when shopping for dining chairs. 

If you’re wondering how many guests can ideally be seated on your table depending on the size and shape, here’s a general rule of thumb that ensures your guests are comfortable: 

  • If you have a Rectangular or Oval dining table that is approximately 72” long, it can comfortably seat 6 guests while 96” long and 120” long tables comfortably seat 8 and 10 guests respectively. 
  • Round or Square tables that are approximately 48” (sides or diameter) can comfortably seat 4 guests whereas 60” and 72” large tables can comfortably seat 6 and 8 guests respectively. However, if your round table is larger than 60”, consider getting a Lazy Susan to ensure your guests don’t have to stretch more than usual to reach for the center of the table.  

#2 Material 

Finding a chair that is made of the appropriate material for you is just as important as finding a chair of the right size. The right material for your chair will depend on many factors ranging from your individual choice to the color and material of the dining table you plan to pair it with.

From solid wood chairs to acrylic chairs, there are several options to choose from with ample designs under each category. However, each material has its own pros and cons and what works for you will depend on your use of the chairs, your budget and more.  

Here’s a Material guide to help you decide. 

 

#3 Style

 

Now that we’ve studied the available material options, let’s dive into the options based on design style. Choosing a style of dining chairs is tricky considering there are so many variations to choose from. Each style has its own pros and cons which impact the comfort and visuals of the chair.

Although there are new designs coming up every day, there are some styles that are considered timeless and these are the ones we will talk about in this post.

Check out this style guide outlining a few of the many designs available in the market today.

 

#4 Mix It Up 

In addition to regular chair seating, armchairs and benches can also be used to seat your guests. Armchairs tend to be significantly more comfortable than regular side chairs, especially for seniors. Armchairs prevent slouching and reduce strain on the elbows when seated, making them a better choice when considering comfort.  

If you host dinners occasionally but don’t really need all that seating capacity otherwise, you’ll want to use bench seating for your table in addition to the chairs. Benches are usually designed to seat two guests at a time and can be stowed underneath the table when not in use, saving you some space and creating the illusion of openness.  

When not in use, the bench can also serve as an entryway seat or as accent seating in the common room, making it a versatile purchase. If you have a round table, a demi-lune bench such as the Aponas can work for you.  

Another brilliant way to mix things up is to have a combination of armchairs and side chairs. Using two armchairs at the head of the table in addition to side chairs will allow you to add color and pattern to your dining room for an eclectic feel. If ‘eclectic’ doesn't fit your taste, using endchairs not too different in color from the side chairs will ensure comfort without the contrasting look.  

 

We hope that these tips help you buy the perfect set of dining room chairs for your space without breaking the bank. If you want to explore the different options available, we’d recommend checking out the Mercana Marketplace or visit the Where to Buy section on our website to find your nearest Mercana retailer.  

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The short answer

Neither shape is better on its own; the right one depends on your seating layout, your traffic flow and how you use the room. A round coffee table suits compact rooms, sectionals and busy households, while a rectangular coffee table suits a long sofa and rooms that need extra surface.

Shape is one of the first decisions our design team makes when a coffee table moves from sketch to sample, because it sets how a seating group feels and functions. Below is how we think it through, and how designers and stagers can apply it to a real floor plan.

 

  • When a round coffee table works best

    Choose round when the room needs softness, easy movement or a centre point for seating on several sides.

    • Sectionals and L-shaped seating. A circle reaches every seat equally, so no one sits facing a corner.
    • Compact or square rooms. With no corners to walk around, a round top keeps pathways open in condos, dens and reading nooks.
    • Busy households. Rounded edges are kinder to shins in high-traffic rooms.
    • Rooms full of straight lines. A circle breaks up a rectilinear sofa, rug and media console.

    The Shima Round Coffee Table brings this idea to a generous 45-inch circle in solid wood, with arched cut-out legs that keep the base visually light. For a smaller footprint with natural stone, the Rumer Coffee Table sets a 36-inch round of veined white marble on dark brown hardwood legs.

When a rectangular coffee table works best

Choose rectangular when a long sofa anchors the room or when the table has to work hard.

  • A standard three-seat sofa. A rectangle echoes the sofa's length, so every seat can reach the surface.
  • Long, narrow living rooms. The shape follows the room's proportions instead of fighting them.
  • Function first. More usable surface for trays, books, games and serving, plus room for shelves or storage below.
  • Formal or symmetrical plans. A rectangle reads as structured and balanced, ideal for facing sofas.

The Tabor Coffee Table wraps recycled pine in a black oak veneer waterfall frame for a clean, architectural rectangle. For collectors, the Arelius Rectangular Display Coffee Table pairs a glass-topped shadowbox with a black metal base, turning the centre of the room into a place to show treasured objects.

Oval and square: the in-between shapes

If you want the reach of a rectangle with the ease of a circle, choose oval; if your seating forms a square, choose square.

Oval gives a long sofa full coverage while removing the corners, which makes it a strong choice for families and tight walkways. The Shima Oval Coffee Table measures 48 by 28 inches in solid mango wood and arrives fully assembled. The Terra Oval Coffee Table adds a fluted base that conceals a lift top and storage.

Square suits a deep sectional or four chairs arranged around a central table. At 48 inches square with a 3-inch reclaimed wood top, the McArthur Coffee Table anchors large seating groups. The Lucas Coffee Table scales white marble down to 30 inches square for condos and paired-chair corners.

Sizing and clearance guidelines

Whatever the shape, scale matters more than style: a well-sized table makes a seating group feel intentional.

Guideline

Rule of thumb

Length (rectangular or oval)

About two-thirds the length of the sofa

Diameter (round)

About half to two-thirds of the sofa length; larger for a sectional's corner

Distance from seating

14 to 18 inches, close enough to reach a cup

Height

Level with the seat cushion or 1 to 2 inches lower

Walkways around the table

30 to 36 inches where people pass

When a room is between sizes, a round or oval table usually gives back more circulation space than a rectangle of the same surface area.

Pairing shape and material with your sofa

Contrast is the simplest rule: pair a heavy, square-armed sofa with a softer shape, and a curved sofa with cleaner lines.

With a dark brown or leather sofa, avoid matching the tone exactly. White marble, light wood or a metal base adds the contrast that keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy. The Rumer and Lucas coffee tables both bring white marble into that palette.

Is marble still in style? Yes. Natural stone continues to anchor both modern and transitional rooms, and veining means no two tops are alike. Look for surface-tested finishes if the table will see daily cups and glasses.

With a light or curved sofa, a darker table in wood or blackened metal grounds the room, and an oval or rectangle adds structure.

Explore the collection

Browse Mercana coffee tables in round, oval, square and rectangular shapes, across Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Transitional, Industrial and Farmhouse styles. Each piece is designed in-house and specified with full dimensions, materials and clearance details.

For interior designers, stagers and retailers: register for a trade account to view wholesale pricing and availability. Shopping for your own home? Find a Mercana retailer near you.

Is it better to have a round or rectangular coffee table?

Round is better for sectionals, compact rooms and high-traffic homes. Rectangular is better for a long sofa, narrow rooms and when you need more surface or storage.

Does a round coffee table work with an L-shaped sectional?

Yes. A round table reaches every seat in an L-shaped layout and leaves an open path around the corner.

What size coffee table do I need?

Aim for about two-thirds the length of your sofa, 14 to 18 inches from the seat, and level with or slightly below the cushion height.

What coffee table goes with a dark brown sofa?

Choose contrast: white marble, light wood or a metal base keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy.

Is an oval coffee table a good compromise?

Yes. An oval offers the reach of a rectangle along a long sofa without hard corners.

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