Dining chairs buying guide

Buying dining chairs online is easy, but there's more to it than finding a style you love. From getting the right fit to choosing materials that suit your lifestyle, here's what to check before you add to cart.

If there's one thing you shouldn't skip when buying dining chairs online, it's measurements. A chair might look fantastic in the photos, but if it doesn't fit comfortably under your table, you'll soon be wishing you'd got the tape measure out first.

Check your table height

Most standard dining tables measure between 74cm and 76cm high. To sit comfortably, you'll typically want a chair with a seat height of around 43cm to 48cm. As a rule of thumb, leave around 25cm to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the table. This gives everyone enough room to sit comfortably without feeling squashed.

Allow enough space for everyone

The key to comfortable dining is ensuring everyone has enough room to sit and move with ease. Most dining chairs are around 45cm to 50cm wide, and it's a good idea to allow approximately 60cm of space per person around the table.

This helps ensure everyone can sit comfortably, move their chair in and out easily and enjoy meals without feeling cramped.

Top tip: Try marking out chair positions on the floor using masking tape. It sounds simple, but it's a brilliant way to visualise how your new chairs will fit into the room before ordering.

Your dining chairs play a big role in shaping the look and feel of your dining space. Whether you're after a sleek modern dining room, a cosy family setup or something a little more luxurious, the right style can elevate your table and bring the whole room together. The key is to think about how the chairs work with your table, your décor and the way you use the space every day.

Upholstered or non-upholstered chairs

• Upholstered dining chairs bring softness, texture and warmth to a dining room, making them ideal for longer meals and entertaining. They can also add a more premium look, particularly in fabrics like velvet or bouclé.
• If practicality tops your wishlist, non-upholstered dining chairs can be a great alternative. Wooden and plastic styles tend to be easier to clean and can work particularly well in busy homes.

Dining chairs with or without arms

• Armchairs can instantly make a dining space feel more inviting. They offer additional support and comfort, which is great during long dinners or family gatherings. Many people choose armchairs for the ends of the table to create a more considered, designer-inspired look.
• Armless dining chairs are often the more practical option. They take up less room, slide neatly under the table and can help smaller dining spaces feel more open. If you opt for armchairs, be sure to check that they'll tuck comfortably underneath your table.

Consider the chair back

• The shape and height of the backrest can completely change the character of a dining chair.
• High-back dining chairs tend to create a more formal feel and offer plenty of support, making them ideal for traditional dining rooms or homes where meals often stretch into the evening.
• Lower-backed designs feel lighter and more contemporary, while curved backs can soften the overall look of a space and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Pay attention to the legs

• It might not be the first thing you notice, but chair legs can have a big impact on the overall look of your dining set. Wooden legs can add warmth and a timeless feel, while metal legs lend themselves to modern and industrial-inspired interiors.
• A useful rule of thumb is to choose chair legs that complement your dining table rather than compete with it. If your table has a striking pedestal base, for example, slimmer chair legs can help keep the focus where it belongs.

Matching vs mix-and-match

• For an easy win, stick with matching dining chairs. A coordinated set creates a polished, put-together look that never goes out of style and takes the guesswork out of decorating.
• If you want to be adventurous? Mix and match. Add statement chairs at the ends of the table, play with different colours, or blend complementary styles for a relaxed, designer-inspired look. It's a simple way to show off your personality while keeping the space feeling effortlessly cohesive.

Could a dining bench work?

• If you love a laid-back, sociable feel, a dining bench is worth considering. Benches work particularly well in family homes, making it easy to squeeze in an extra guest when needed.
• They're also a great space-saving option as they can often be tucked neatly underneath the table when not in use.
• Pairing a bench on one side of the table with dining chairs on the other can create an informal look that's both practical and stylish.

The material you choose can affect everything from comfort and durability to how much maintenance your chairs need. While style is important, think about how your dining space is used day to day. A chair that's perfect for occasional dinner parties might not be the best fit for a home that's seen its fair share of cereal spills and craft projects.

Fabric dining chairs

Fabric dining chairs bring warmth, texture and comfort to a dining space, making it feel instantly more inviting. They're particularly well suited to homes where meals are about more than just eating. If you often host family catchups, games nights or long, leisurely dinners, the extra comfort of an upholstered fabric chair can make all the difference. Keep in mind that fabric may need a little more care to keep it looking its best.

Velvet dining chairs

If you're looking to make a bit of a statement, velvet dining chairs are a great shout. The rich texture adds a touch of luxury and can instantly elevate even the simplest dining setup. Velvet works particularly well in contemporary and boutique hotel-inspired interiors, bringing depth and softness to the room.

Faux leather dining chairs

For households where practicality is key, faux leather dining chairs are hard to beat. They offer a smart, modern look while being easy to wipe clean after everyday spills and mishaps. They're a popular choice for family homes and busy kitchens because they combine comfort with low-maintenance living.

Wooden dining chairs

Wooden dining chairs have been a staple in homes for generations, and it's easy to see why. Timeless, durable and effortlessly versatile, they work with almost any interior style, from rustic farmhouse kitchens to sleek Scandinavian-inspired spaces.

Metal dining chairs

Metal dining chairs are ideal if you're drawn to modern, industrial or urban-inspired interiors. Their clean lines and durable construction make them a practical choice for everyday use, while their streamlined appearance can help create a more contemporary feel.

Plastic dining chairs

Lightweight, practical and easy to clean, plastic dining chairs are a favourite in many homes and casual dining spaces. Their simple design makes them easy to move around, while their durable finish stands up well to everyday life.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to dining chair materials. The best choice depends on your lifestyle, décor and how your dining space is used.

Before ordering, check the product details to see whether your dining chairs arrive fully assembled or require some home assembly. If assembly is needed, look out for information on:

• Whether the chair arrives fully assembled or flat packed
• The estimated assembly time
• Any tools required to put it together
• Whether assembly is easier with two people
• Product dimensions once assembled

Many flat-pack dining chairs are designed to be simple to assemble and can be easier to manoeuvre through doorways, hallways and tight spaces before being put together in the room where they'll be used.

Top tip: If you're choosing larger dining chairs or ordering several at once, measure access routes before the delivery day to make sure everything gets from doorstep to dining room without a hitch.

Before you confirm your order, for your peace of mind, check the following:

Delivery: At Argos, we offer a range of collection and delivery options including same-day and named-day delivery. Options vary depending on your chosen item, you can find out more on the product page and on our delivery and collection guide.

Returns: If you’ve planned and measured it’s less likely that you’ll need to return, but we understand that plans don’t always come together in the way you expect them to. If you think you might need to return any item, it’s generally a good idea to carefully remove packaging so that it can be re-used.

Measure: If you’re ordering preassembled chairs, we suggest you measure your hallways and access routes to be sure you can comfortably get them to your chosen room.