How to choose chairs for your table: dimensions, comfort and colours
Chairs can look good around a table without making a comfortable set. A seat that is too high leaves little legroom, wide armrests make it hard to tuck the chair in, and the spacing of the table legs can limit seating. Start with dimensions when choosing chairs. Colour, material and backrest shape come later.
What matters most is matching the chairs to the particular table and the people who will sit at it. You do not need to buy all the furniture from one collection to create a coherent set.
Seat height and table height
Check the seat height in the chair description, not just the furniture's total height. A tall backrest tells you nothing about the height of the seated person's hips.
Measure two dimensions of the table: the height of the tabletop's upper surface and the height of the lowest component above your knees. This could be the underside of the tabletop, the apron or part of the extension mechanism. The distance from the floor to the table's top edge alone does not tell you how much room is available underneath.
When seated, your feet should be firmly supported and your thighs should not press against the table structure. You should be able to move close to the tabletop without lifting your shoulders or leaning forward excessively. If the seat is upholstered, allow for it compressing slightly under your body weight.
The best check is to sit at the table on a chair with similar dimensions. Matching numbers on two product pages cannot replace assessing comfort.
Chair width and the space between table legs
When deciding how many chairs to use, simply adding up seat widths is not enough. Each person also needs elbow room and space to pull their chair out freely.
As an approximate starting point, allow around 60 cm of table width per person. Wider chairs, armrests and larger place settings may require more room. With a round tabletop, remember that the available space narrows towards the centre.
Check the full chair width at its widest point. Then compare it with the clear space between the table legs. Two chairs may fit along the edge of the tabletop but not slide under the table side by side.
If the table extends, assess the chair arrangement both before extension and after adding the leaves. Extra tabletop space does not always mean equally generous legroom in every position.
Leg spacing differs between models, so compare the bases of the York, Zeus and Xavi tables before choosing chairs.
Will chairs with armrests fit under the tabletop?
Armrests can provide comfortable support, but they need space. Before buying, check their height from the floor and compare it with the lowest component underneath the tabletop.
Leave a margin rather than choosing a tight fit. The chair should slide in freely without rubbing against the tabletop or apron. Check the shape of the armrests too: the front may be lower, but a higher section near the backrest may prevent the chair from sliding further in.
If a chair does not fit under the table, it will protrude even when no one is sitting on it. In a small kitchen, this can noticeably restrict the walkway.
How much space should you leave behind a chair?
You need to be able to pull out a chair, sit down and stand up without moving other furniture. Space beside a wall must be planned differently from a main walkway between the kitchen and living room.
A practical method is to mark the table's outline on the floor and place a chair you already own beside it. Pull it out as you would when standing up, then check whether another person can walk behind the backrest. Allow for opening cupboards, balcony doors and movement around the room.
If you are still choosing the tabletop diameter, our guide to choosing the size of a round table will help.
How to match chair colours to a table
Chairs do not have to be exactly the same colour as the tabletop. You can connect them through the colour of the legs, the upholstery or a shared detail shape.
For a tabletop with a pronounced wood pattern, chairs with plain upholstery are a good starting point. Beige and warm grey create a calm combination, while black can emphasise the furniture's outlines. These are styling suggestions: the result also depends on the floor, walls and lighting.
If you combine two wood finishes, compare their shades side by side. A similar name, such as “oak”, does not guarantee an identical colour. The leg finish and tabletop decor may differ in both colour temperature and grain.
When combining different chairs, choose one shared element: colour, seat height or a similar shape. This makes it easier to create a coherent set without buying identical models.
Upholstered or unupholstered?
The choice depends on how you use the table. For long meals, work or gatherings, pay particular attention to seat comfort and back support. Soft upholstery can feel pleasant, but its presence alone does not guarantee a comfortable chair.
If easy care matters, check the manufacturer's instructions for the specific material. Smooth surfaces are usually easier to wipe down, while fabric cleaning depends on the fabric type. Do not assume all upholstery can be washed or cleaned with the same product.
What should you check before buying chairs?
Before ordering, write down:
- the seat height and the space for your thighs under the table;
- the chair's overall width and the space between the table legs;
- the armrest height and whether the armrests fit under the tabletop;
- the chair depth and the space needed to pull it out;
- the material care instructions.
A good set lets you sit down freely, move close to the tabletop and stand up comfortably. Once these conditions are met, you can choose colour and style with much greater freedom.