Dining Chairs & Bar Stools

Which dining chair style suits you?

Upholstered dining chairs

Padded seats and backs are the comfortable choice for long meals and for dining rooms that double as a place to work or chat. Textured fabrics and boucle add warmth to rooms with hard floors and lots of wood or glass.

Wingback dining chairs

Wingback dining chairs have a tall back with shaped sides, which makes them feel more like a cosy armchair. They work well at the ends of a table or as a full set in a more formal dining room.

Carver chairs and dining chairs with arms

Carver chairs add arms for extra comfort and are traditionally placed at each end of the table. Before you buy, check that the arms will slide under your table top, or allow space to leave them pulled out.

Faux leather and swivel chairs

Faux leather dining chairs wipe clean easily, which suits busy family kitchens. A swivel dining chair turns without being dragged across the floor, which is handy at a kitchen table or in a tight space.

How to measure for dining chairs

• Most dining tables are around 75cm high. A seat height of roughly 45cm to 48cm usually leaves comfortable leg room.
• Aim for about 25cm to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the table top.
• Allow around 60cm of table width per chair so people are not knocking elbows.
• Leave about 75cm to 90cm behind each chair so it can be pulled out and people can walk past.

These are general guidelines. Always compare them with the dimensions on the chair listing and the height of your own table, including any apron or rail under the top.

Choosing breakfast bar stools and kitchen stools

Bar stools and counter stools are not the same height. For a standard kitchen worktop of around 90cm you need a counter-height stool, and for a taller bar of around 105cm you need a bar-height stool. As with dining chairs, leave roughly 25cm to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the counter. The upholstered bar stools in this collection stand around 105cm tall to the top of the back. Their seat height is not listed, so if you are matching a particular worktop, contact us before you order and we will check it for you.

Looking after upholstered chairs

Vacuum fabric chairs regularly with a soft brush attachment and blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth rather than rubbing. Wipe faux leather with a soft, damp cloth. Use felt pads under the legs to protect wooden and tiled floors.

Dining chairs & bar stools: your questions answered

What height should a dining chair be?

For a standard dining table of around 75cm, a seat height of roughly 45cm to 48cm usually works, leaving about 25cm to 30cm of space between the seat and the underside of the table. Compare the chair's listed dimensions with your own table.

Do dining chairs have to match the table?

No. Mixing chairs and tables is common, and upholstered chairs often soften a wooden or stone-effect table. Keep one link between them, such as the leg colour, the wood tone or a shared neutral, so the set still looks planned.

How much space do you need per dining chair?

Allow about 60cm of table width for each chair so diners have elbow room, and about 75cm to 90cm behind each chair so it can be pulled out comfortably. Carver chairs with arms usually need a little more width.

What is the difference between a bar stool and a counter stool?

A counter stool suits a standard kitchen worktop of around 90cm high, while a bar stool suits a taller bar or breakfast bar of around 105cm. Choose by seat height, leaving roughly 25cm to 30cm between the seat and the counter.

Are dining chairs sold individually or in pairs?

Each listing states whether you are buying a single chair, a pair or a set. Most chairs in this collection are sold individually, so you can choose exactly how many you need and mix styles at the ends of the table.

How many dining chairs do I need?

Count the people who eat at the table every day, then add one or two for guests if you have the room. As a guide, a 120cm table seats four, a 160cm to 180cm table seats six, and a 200cm table seats eight, depending on the legs and whether you use carver chairs at the ends.

Find a table to match in our dining tables and benches, or browse armchairs and accent chairs for the rest of the home.