How To Fix a Swivel Kitchen Chair That Won’t Turn? Easy Step-by-step Guide
If you’ve ever had a kitchen chair that won’t swivel, then you know how frustrating it can be. After all, how can you get the best view of your food while cooking if the chair doesn’t turn? Luckily for those in need, there are many ways to fix this problem.
This blog post will outline how to troubleshoot and repair a swivel kitchen chair that isn’t spinning correctly so that your dinner is as enjoyable as possible!
First, how can you tell if your chair is broken? This one’s pretty easy—if it won’t turn at all when you’re sitting in it and the base appears to be sturdy with no signs of wear on the swivel mechanism, then there’s a good chance the problem lies within your joint. If this sounds like what you’re experiencing, read on!
Contents
5 Reasons Why We Love A Chair That Swivels
Improve Productivity
If you need to get something done quickly, a swivel chair will enable you to simply turn around with ease. So, if you’re in an office or home study, you can access filing cabinets, cupboards, drawers – or, pick up a document from a nearby printer. If you’re using a swivel chair in your living room, you can simply turn around to grab the TV remote, a drink or a snack.
User-Friendly
As these chairs need to be able to move around easily, they are usually designed to be lightweight. So, this means that if you do need to move your chair from office to office, or around your home, then you don’t need to be a weightlifter! The versatile nature of a swivel chair means it can be used by anyone in virtually any room setting.
Comfortable
Swivel chairs are very comfortable, as they allow extra movement instead of having to twist awkwardly when seated. If you suffer from lower back pain, then this type of chair will reduce any pressure when you need to move around whilst sitting. And, if you’re a nursing mum, you can gently move baby around with minimal disturbance.
Different Designs
Although you may think swivel chairs only come in one style, this is not the case. At Furniture Online, we have a range of different options for you to choose from, including gaming chairs, and every chair with this feature has a 360-degree swivel function.
These are our top three faves suited to a living room or study area for you to compare:
- Berkeley Fabric Swivel Recliner Chair with Foot Stool– a practical, versatile and comfy reclining swivel chair with a modern design. The Berkeley is available in a range of neutral colours, which will easily blend into any décor scheme. And, when you’re done swivelling, don’t forget the handy footstool for when you need to put your feet up after a long day.
- Tilbury Leather Swivel Recliner Chair with Foot Stool– this smart, stylish swivel recliner has soft black leather upholstery and a hidden secret… The Tilbury chair has a built-in, 8-point massage function, as well as superb back support. This chair also comes with a comfy footstool.
- Rockingham Leather Swivel Recliner Chair with Massage and Heat– this chair has so many functions, it’s hard to know where to start! As well as having the ability to swivel and recline, the Rockingham also has a heated, 8-point massage function – the perfect solution for anyone with back problems, or stiff and aching joints. And, this chair also has a handy drinks holder and side pockets – you may never leave your chair again…
Affordable
Did you know that our swivel chairs start from as little as £149.99?
We believe that quality should not come at a high price, which is why all our chairs are designed with our customers in mind. We only use high-quality materials to produce our chairs.
Steps on Fixing Swivel Kitchen Chair
If your swivel mechanism is broken, this can be a difficult fix on its own. If you’re comfortable with the idea of fixing it yourself or don’t have time to contact an expert and would rather not replace it just yet, then continue reading!
Step one: remove all visible debris from the base of the chair.
Step two: Take the cover off your swivel or tilt mechanism (sometimes this is a plastic cap with screw thread). If you’re not sure how to do that, take it to your nearest hardware store for assistance.
Step three: Once all visible debris has been removed from the inside of the base, use the screwdriver to remove the old parts and replace them with new ones.
Step four: Replace the cover and tighten it back on using a screwdriver or wrench. Make sure that all screws are fastened tightly, any loose part can cause this chair not to turn properly when in use again!
After completing these steps, test out your swivel chair to make sure it turns how you want and without any problems.
If the chair still won’t turn, take apart steps one through four again until everything is fixed!
Additional information: -The most common reason this happens is that someone spilt food on or under the base of the movable seat. If the chair was not properly cleaned, it can cause a buildup of dirt and grime, making it difficult for the swivel mechanism to cleanly move around.
The other common reason is that someone stuck something under the base of your movable seat that got caught between two parts making them unable to move.
If you believe this is how your chair became stuck, take apart steps one through four again until everything is fixed! -We recommend using a vacuum to clean the dirt and grime off of the base.
You can also use a small stick or wire hanger and twist it around in an attempt to dislodge anything that is stuck.
If the chair still won’t turn, use a screwdriver to gently pry up around the base of your seat until you can free it from whatever might have gotten caught in there.
Make sure not to force anything and go slow! Now that you’ve done everything we recommended, try turning your chair again and see how it goes.
If the problem persists, you may have to call in a professional for help!
Be sure not to force anything because if you break something that can’t be fixed at home, it will cost more than just buying a new swivel kitchen chair!
How to Replace Swivel Chair Seat Post Bushing
Step 1. Find out how to replace a swivel chair seat post bushing on your own. First, you’ll need to remove the broken or damaged bushing from around the bottom of your seat post by loosening it with either pliers or screwdrivers and pulling it off. Remember that when you do this, don’t lose the parts inside!
Step 2. Next, set your new bushing in place. A good way to do this is by holding it tightly against the bottom of your seat post and then forcing it down around the shaft with a socket wrench or ratchet until you can’t push anymore. This will make sure that everything fits together nicely and there won’t be any gaps.
Step 3. If your bushing is too loose, you can insert a few washers and nuts between the edge of the seat post and the new spacer to tighten it up.
Step 4. Finally, simply reattach everything how it came off with pliers or screwdrivers and then put on all three caps that were once attached to your old old bus bushing.
How to Replace ball bearings in a swivel chair
Remove the old bushing: Remove the nuts and washers from around your seat post. Loosen the screws that attach it to the chair’s frame, then use pliers or a screwdriver to remove any additional pieces holding them in place. Make sure you keep track of how they go back together so you can get everything right when putting the new bushing on.
Remove the old ball bearings: With a screwdriver or pliers, unscrew any screws holding the metal plate that houses your seat’s swivel ball bearings in place. Once removed, pull it off gently and take out all of the balls from inside (~12).
Replace with a new one: With the metal plate removed, you’ll see a hole in your chair. Fit one of the new ball bearings into it and replace all the old ones with new balls (use at least 12). Put everything back together by screwing or replacing any other pieces that hold your seat post’s housing in place.
5 Best Swivel Dining Chairs
1. Best Swivel Dining Chair – Studio Designs Home Fabric Swivel Dining Chair
Top Features:
- Durable legs
- Fabric seat
- Solid construction
Technical Details:
- Color options: 8 options
- Material: Polyester, wood
- Weight capacity: 200 pounds
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Dimensions: 24 x 25.5 x 35.5 inches
The Studio Designs Home Fabric Swivel Dining Chair is the perfect combination of style and comfort. You can choose from eight different options.
Reviewers really love this swivel dining chair. It can be used as a work chair, it’s very comfortable to sit on, and the customer service is amazing.
A few reviewers complained that the chair’s legs break easily. There are also few reviewers who complained that the quality isn’t the best.
The chair’s dimensions are 24 x 25.5 x 35.5 inches. It weighs 28 pounds.
If you’re looking for a comfortable swivel dining chair, then this is a great option for you!
2. Best Leather Swivel Chair – Studio Designs Home Leather Dining Chair
Top Features:
- Easy to clean
- Smooth leather cover
- Strong metal legs
Technical Details:
- Color options: 5 options
- Material: Metal, leather
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Dimensions: 24 x 23 x 32.5 inches
The Studio Designs Home Leather Dining Chair is a highly durable and comfortable dining chair that is made of strong materials. You can choose from five different colors.
Many reviewers really love this dining chair. The seat is very comfortable, the design looks very good, it’s easy to assemble, and overall this chair is amazing.
A few reviewers complained that the swivel function isn’t smooth. There are also few reviewers who complained that the quality of the chair could be improved.
The chair’s dimensions are 24 x 23 x 32.5 inches. It weighs 17 pounds.
If you’re looking for a leather swivel chair, then this is a good option for you!
3. Best Contemporary Chair – Amazon Brand – Rivet Vern Swivel Dining Chair
Top Features:
- Swivels smoothly
- Solid wooden frame
- Contemporary style
Technical Details:
- Color options: 2 options
- Material: Wood, fabric
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Dimensions: 23.23 x 24.02 x 31.89 inches
The Amazon Brand – Rivet Vern Swivel Dining Chair is a contemporary-styled swivel dining chair that has a solid frame and a soft seat. You can choose from two different colors.
Reviewers really love this dining chair. The design is super stylish, the colors look smooth, the seat is very comfortable, and the price is great.
The chair’s dimensions are 23.23 x 24.02 x 31.89 inches. It weighs 22 pounds.
If you’re looking for a stylish swivel chair, then this is a good option for you!
4. Best Modern Swivel Chair – Modway Lippa Swivel Dining Chair
Top Features:
- Modern style
- Versatile use
- Smooth shape
Technical Details:
- Color options: 9 options
- Material: Metal, fabric
- Weight capacity: 330 pounds
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Dimensions: 21 x 20 x 32 inches
The Modway Lippa Swivel Dining Chair is a modern-styled dining chair that can be used in various places in your house. You can choose from nine different colors.
A lot of reviewers really love this dining chair. It’s very easy to assemble, the design is stylish, it’s comfortable to sit on, and it doesn’t squeak like other swivel chairs.
A few reviewers complained that the swivel function isn’t smooth. There are also a few reviewers who complained that the quality isn’t the best.
The chair’s dimensions are 21 x 20 x 32 inches. It weighs 16 pounds.
If you’re looking for a modern swivel chair, then this is a great option for you!
5. Best Mid-Century Swivel Chair – CangLong Mid-Century Swivel Chair
Top Features:
- Beech wood legs
- Soft seat
- Mid-century style
Technical Details:
- Color options: None
- Material: Velvet, foam, wood
- Weight capacity: 220 pounds
- Weight: 19.62 pounds
- Dimensions: 23.6 x 25.2 x 32.68 inches
The CangLong Mid-Century Swivel Chair is a modern-styled swivel chair that has a wide seat which is perfect for a more comfortable seating experience.
The chair’s dimensions are 23.6 x 25.2 x 32.68 inches. It weighs 19.62 pounds.
If you’re looking for a mid-century swivel chair, then this is for you!
Swivel Dining Chairs Comparison Table
| Product name | Color options | Material | Weight capacity | Weight | Dimensions |
| Studio Designs Home Fabric Swivel Dining Chair | 8 options | Polyester, wood | 200 pounds | 28 pounds | 24 x 25.5 x 35.5 inches |
| Studio Designs Home Leather Dining Chair | 5 options | Metal, leather | 250 pounds | 17 pounds | 24 x 23 x 32.5 inches |
| Amazon Brand – Rivet Vern Swivel Dining Chair | 2 options | Wood, fabric | 400 pounds | 22 pounds | 23.23 x 24.02 x 31.89 inches |
| Modway Lippa Swivel Dining Chair | 9 options | Metal, fabric | 330 pounds | 16 pounds | 21 x 20 x 32 inches |
| CangLong Mid-Century Swivel Chair | None | Velvet, foam, wood | 220 pounds | 19.62 pounds | 23.6 x 25.2 x 32.68 inches |
FAQs
Are swivel chairs practical?
Yes, they are. Swivel chairs serve a lot of different purposes. Other than the style, it makes it easier to converse with people since you can turn your chair and face them instead of just moving your head.
Do swivel chairs break easily?
Just like most chairs, swivel chairs may break if you exceed the weight capacity. It also depends on the quality of the chair that you bought. If the material and quality are poor, then the chair would break easily.
Is it possible to check the chair before buying it?
You can’t inspect the chair physically, but you can go to the reviews section on Amazon. Reviewers share their experience with the product and that can help you choose the best chair.