Your dining chairs get more use than almost any other furniture in your home. They’re where your family eats breakfast before school, where you linger over weekend coffee, where friends gather for dinner parties. They need to actually be comfortable, not just look good in a catalog.
The challenge is finding chairs that work for your home life. Look for ones that hold up to daily use, feel good for more than five minutes, and still pull together the look you want. We carry dining chairs from brands like Bernhardt, Four Hands, Hooker Furniture, and Tommy Bahama that manage all three at Allure Furniture in Dublin. These aren’t mass-produced pieces that fall apart in two years. They’re built to last and designed with both comfort and style in mind.
The two main categories you’ll encounter are upholstered dining chairs and wood dining chairs, and each has distinct advantages. Upholstered chairs offer more comfort for long meals and add softness to a room’s overall feel. They work well in formal dining rooms or spaces where you entertain frequently. Wood chairs are easier to maintain, especially if you have kids, and they tend to hold up better over time. Many people mix both, and they have upholstered chairs at the head and foot of the table with wood chairs along the sides.
You’ll also need to decide between armchairs and side chairs. Armchairs provide extra support and make a statement at the heads of the table, but they take up more space. Side chairs are more versatile and let you fit more people around the table. For smaller dining rooms, side chairs are usually the smarter choice. For larger spaces with a substantial dining table, mixing in a couple of armchairs creates visual interest without overcrowding.
Standard dining chair height is 18-20 inches from floor to seat, which pairs with tables that are 28-30 inches tall. You want about 12 inches of clearance between the chair seat and the table bottom. If it’s any less, people feel cramped. Measure your table before you shop, especially if it’s not a standard height.
Spacing matters too. Leave at least 24 inches per person along the table, and aim for 36-48 inches of clearance behind each chair so people can push back and get up without moving furniture around.
As for comfort and durability, sit in chairs before buying them. A chair that looks great but makes your back hurt after twenty minutes isn’t worth it. Check how the chair is constructed. Solid wood frames and reinforced joints hold up better than cheaper alternatives. If you’re going with upholstered chairs, choose performance fabrics that resist stains, especially for everyday use. The best dining chairs balance form and function without compromising either.
We focus on brands known for quality construction and design that lasts. Bernhardt makes traditional and transitional dining chairs with excellent craftsmanship and a wide range of upholstery options. Four Hands specializes in modern and organic styles with unique materials and finishes you won’t find at big box stores. Hooker Furniture offers classic American designs with solid wood construction. Tommy Bahama brings coastal-inspired chairs that work well in more casual dining spaces. Lexington Home Brands combines traditional elegance with livable luxury.
Each brand in our Dublin showroom represents a different aesthetic, but they all share a commitment to using quality materials and building furniture that holds up. Visit us to see the full collections and find chairs that match your table, your space, and how you actually live.
If you’d like help narrowing down dining room chairs that fit your table, your space, and how you gather, contact us if you’d like to explore our collections. Visit our Dublin, CA showroom to see options in person and compare comfort, scale, and finishes.
