What Is A Side Chair

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
22 min read

What else can we add to the definition of a side chair? The armless chair is a common sight in dining rooms because it provides a more relaxed seating experience by removing the potential for arm rests to get in the way. What else is there to know about side chairs than this?

Side Chairs

Perhaps the most universal and understandable definition of a side chair is a chair that does not have arms. Because it lacks arms, this chair can fit in spaces where a conventional armchair would be too bulky, such as a corner.

Wood-based frames are the traditional material that these chairs have for structure, which can also mean that they may have an upholstered seat and back or not. These side chairs come in a wide range of sizes, so it’s important to take measurements of your dining room table to determine which size chair you’ll need.

Different types of side chairs

There is a wide variety of this chair available in terms of size, shape, material, and cost. There might be lightweight wooden ones, and there might be ones that can be stacked. Determine the type of side chair you need by thinking about where and how you plan to use it.

What Is a Side Chair? Complete Buying Guide | Living Spaces

The chairs you require could be temporary or permanent fixtures in your home. Side chairs can serve a variety of functions, and examples include those made of stackable sheet metal or sturdy wood with stylish patterns.

Style variations of side chairs

1. All wood

A wooden side chair has many advantages: it is durable, long-lasting, and simple to maintain. You can use wax on the wood to keep it in pristine condition, but keep it away from direct sunlight and heat.

2. All upholstered

Chairs with upholstery are the traditional choice for side chairs. These have skirts attached at the bottom to cover the wearer’s legs. They’re upholstered, but underneath is a hardwood structure.

3. Wooden legs with upholstered seat and back

The seat and back of a side chair used primarily for dining may be upholstered for added comfort. Many individuals find this design to be the most relaxing and accommodating as it provides greater legroom than traditional side chairs with fully covered sides.

4. Wooden legs and back with upholstered seat

The seats of these chairs are entirely upholstered in fabric for comfort, although they have a wooden frame. It looks great in homes with a country cottage or farmhouse style.

Choosing the right side chair

You should know how to use a side chair in your home before you get one. If you do this, you won’t have to worry about storing chairs in inappropriate places. Consider the final form you want them to take, the dimensions they should have, and the spot in the room where they will remain permanently.

The fabric of the chair

Patterned or solid accent fabrics on a side chair might look great together. Bold color and pattern combinations can be experimented with without wasting a ton of resources. It’s simple to swap out the material whenever you become sick of it.

The size of the chair

Since many of these chairs will most likely wind up in your living room, their height is typically calculated in relation to your sofa. It’s preferable to have chairs that are the same size as the sofa rather than ones that are too little or too large. By adhering to this rule, you can keep the space from being too fragmented.

The material of the chair

Wood, leather, metal, lucite, gilded, and acrylic are just a few of the many modern options for the frame of a side chair. It is important to think about the structural material of the chairs you are considering purchasing in order to provide maximum comfort.

The style of the chair

You can always come up with new and exciting ways to decorate anything, whether it’s a table, a bed, or a whole home. It could work well to use anything that can easily shift from contemporary to classic settings. You can select modern chairs upholstered in bright textiles if you want a set of accent chairs that stands out.

The price of the chair

They say that you get what you pay for, thus it’s common knowledge that more expensive things are of higher quality. Think carefully on the quality of any side chairs that capture your eye. The flea market chairs you bought may have a fantastic aesthetic, but are they of good quality?

Grab a Seat and Check Out The Best Dining Chairs You Can Buy Now

Pottery Barn Maison Leather Dining Chair

Simple elegance best describes the Maison Leather Dining Chair from Pottery Barn. This cushy leather chair features a padded leather seat and back and a dark metal frame reminiscent of welded iron. Despite its minimal form, this chair’s leather upholstery is fully customizable. It’s upholstered in genuine aniline leather, and it comes in 25 different colors that will all age beautifully.

The Maison Leather Dining Chair is ideal for tiny areas due to its lack of armrests and modest footprint and frame, which also makes it a good match for boho, industrial, and modern farmhouse styles.

Article Savis Dining Chair

Article’s timeless Savis eating chair is a nod to the era’s emphasis on ergonomic design. Its modest profile and sturdy walnut construction make it a chic choice for any dining room table. This chair is not only stylish, but it also provides supreme comfort thanks to its foam-padded seat and curved back, both of which are upholstered in your choice of gray, navy, or emerald green fabric.

This chair is aesthetically pleasing without overwhelming the space it occupies. It’s a surprise piece of furniture in its versatility, so you can get a few for your dining room table and maybe another as a desk chair.

Knoll Tulip Armless Chair

The Tulip Armless Chair, created by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen for Knoll, is a groundbreaking example of mid-century modern furniture design. It is part of the designer’s Pedestal Collection, which aims to streamline table and chair bases by cutting down on the number of legs they have.

The chair can be customized in several ways—the color of the frame, the type of upholstery, and even the type of base are up to you to decide. There’s also a version of the chair with arms, if you’d prefer them.

AllModern Atticus Solid Wood Side Chair (Set of 2)

The chair can be tailored to your preferences in a number of ways, including frame color, fabric, and leg style. There’s also a version of the chair with arms, if you’d prefer them.

Many aspects of the chair can be tailored to your preferences, from the frame color to the fabric to the legs. If you prefer a chair with arms, we have that option as well.

Anthropologie Oak Farmhouse Dining Chair

The Oak Farmhouse Dining Chair from Anthropologie is a great compromise between rustic and boho chic and modern minimalism. It has a conventional appearance due to its boxy oak frame (offered in both black and neutral tones) and its woven paper oak seat (which adds interesting textural variation).

The chair’s back is angled slightly outward, creating a more contemporary and sophisticated profile and allowing it to be tucked under a table more easily than it could be if the back were at 90 degrees.

CB2 Bolla Clear Dining Chair

Clear acrylic dining chairs are a great choice for small dining areas because they don’t obstruct the view. The Bolla Clear Dining Chair by CB2 is a great example of this because it is both basic and stackable.

The chair is made of 100 percent polycarbonate, so it may be used either indoors or outdoors (though direct sunlight and rain may cause it to cloud). To maintain the chair’s delicate air of nonexistence, just cover it while it is not in use.

Joybird Soleil Dining Chair

The Joybird Soleil Dining Chair is ideal for people who want to make a strong design statement in the dining room. It’s got a big, round seat, an oblong back, and a sculptural metal frame that makes it look like a club chair, so it’s got serious visual heft. Olive green velvet covers the comfortable seat and back, while a brass finish adds a touch of class to the frame.

In the same vein as many other dining chairs, Joybird’s Soleil would also work well as an office chair or even as an armchair in a living room.

Timber Dining Side Chair | Living Spaces

West Elm Finley High Back Leather Dining Chair

The Finley High Back Leather Dining Chair from West Elm epitomizes the word “sharp” in our minds. The fairly intimidating chair takes its cues from mid-century Italian design, and features an imposing high back, a rounded seat, and tapered legs available in your choice of light bronze, gunmetal, or chrome. The leather seating surfaces can be dyed to match your interior, with 11 different color options available.

For a dynamic look, combine two of these high-back chairs with a set of their standard-back counterparts; for maximum drama, go all out and use just high-back chairs throughout the space.

AllModern Kai Arm Chair

The walnut finish on the wood frame of the Kai Arm Chair by AllModern is a visual stunner. The beautiful, angular armrests are created when the frame protrudes forward from the seat. The square cushioned seat is upholstered in beige synthetic leather.

The Kai Arm Chair has a distinctive design, yet despite its attention-grabbing appearance, it is surprisingly adaptable. This chair will appeal to fans of mid-century modern, Scandinavian, and even rustic decor.

Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Armchair, Wire Base

The Eames Molded Plastic Armchair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Hermann Miller, is another iconic piece of mid-century furniture. It is crafted from a single piece of recyclable polypropylene that has been molded to fit the shape of the human body. This specific type, available in a rainbow of hues, is supported by a wire base appropriately named the “Eames Eiffel.”

Like the other shell chairs by the Eames, this one has a curved body but different arm rests, upholstery, and a base design.

World Market Velvet Channel Back Isadora Dining Chair Set Of 2

The Isadora Dining Chair from World Market has a scalloped design and is upholstered in emerald green or navy blue velvet for a look that is reminiscent of the opulence of Art Deco. This excessively soft chair stands on four tapering dark-wood legs that are finished with gold toe caps.

Because they are supplied in pairs, these chairs are a more economical choice for putting together a dining set. Their size and the padding along the broad seat and back make them exceptionally comfy eating chairs.

How to Protect and Maintain Your Dining Chairs

Caring for timber chairs

Wooden furniture is durable, sturdy and totally timeless, with a huge range of dining chair designs and finishes to choose from. What happens if you spill something on wood, and how do you keep it looking good?

Dining chairs made of wood come in a dizzying array of styles and finishes, and they’re built to last a lifetime. How do you clean it, and what happens if you spill something on wood?

Dust and polish your wooden dining chairs on a regular basis to keep them looking like new. Crumbs can easily accumulate in the folds and crevices of a chair, so it’s a good idea to periodically give them a good vacuuming.

Caring for fabric upholstered dining chairs

A cloth dining chair is unusual, while upholstered seats and backs are standard on most chairs. Your dining room chair’s upholstery is a significant investment, so it’s in your best interest to learn how to care for it. Many upholstered chairs don’t allow the fabric to be removed for simple cleaning, which is one way in which dining chair upholstery differs from, say, your favorite on-trend outfit.

For this reason, if there is a stain or blemish, spot cleaning is the best option. Products range from dish soap and water to those designed specifically for cleaning fabrics. Apply the product gently to the affected region and let it sit for the appropriate amount of time. After the allotted time has passed, use a damp towel to gently massage the solution into the skin for another minute or two before “rinsing” with more water. Microfiber cloths are ideal for this purpose since they can be rinsed repeatedly without leaving behind any lint or dust. Maintaining your upholstered dining chairs should need little effort on a daily basis; simply vacuum or brush away any crumbs and promptly wipe up any spills.

Even though some chairs are upholstered almost fully in fabric, those that are typically have coverings that can be easily removed for cleaning. This makes maintenance a breeze, as you can typically take off the slipcover and wash it in the machine or give it an a scrub by hand. In general, it’s best to wash with cold water and gentle detergent (this is especially true for linen), and to dry clothes outside if at all feasible.

Caring for velvet dining chairs

If you have a soft spot in your heart for luxurious velvet, you probably want it to look its best at all times. Here’s a fast guide to cleaning and caring for your velvet dining chairs. It’s not as simple as others, therefore preparation is key (and bookmark this guide if future you needs a bit of guidance).

The majority of velvet problems are avoidable with routine maintenance. Maintain the fabric’s lovely appearance, texture, and sheen by brushing it regularly with a soft-bristled brush; brush in a single direction to remove dust, crumbs, and other bothersome particles that accumulate over time. This way, you can be assured that your dining room chairs will retain their pristine condition and stylish, vintage vibe for a very long time.

In the event that you spill something on your velvet dining chairs, step number one is not to panic! The first avenue you should try is vacuuming. Do so along the ‘nap’ (AKA the fuzzy side that denotes the natural direction of your velvet) for the best results and to prevent against further damage or wear and tear. If you’re dealing with a stain that just won’t budge, the next thing to try is spot cleaning with a small amount of a gentle cleanser like dish detergent. Mix it with water, stirring well and creating lots of suds on the water’s surface. Collect these suds on a damp cloth and work them into your stain carefully, blotting to remove discolouration and to stop the edges of your mark from bleeding. Brush the nap so it’s facing upwards, and then leave the spot to dry – hopefully so it looks just like new.

Caring for leather dining chairs

Do not freak out if you accidentally stain your velvet dining chairs. Vacuuming should be your first line of defense. For the greatest results and to avoid further damage or wear and tear, do so along the ‘nap’ (also known as the fuzzy side that signifies the natural direction of your velvet). A small amount of a light cleanser, such as dish detergent, applied directly to the stain is the next step to take if it still refuses to come out. Combine it with water and swirl it until it foams up a lot. Gather the suds on a wet towel and gently rub them into the stain, blotting to remove discoloration and to prevent the stain’s edges from bleeding. Turn the carpet’s nap up by brushing it, and perhaps it will look as good as new when you let the stained area dry.

One can take steps to protect the leather while removing a blemish, scratch, or stain. To err on the side of caution, you can begin with only a drop of water and a microfiber cloth. Circulate your hand around the discoloration and add more water as needed. The residue or elevated stain won’t be able to stick to this method and will come off easily. If it doesn’t work, locating the original spill site is the next best option. Is it shiny or matte, brilliant or dark, oily or scratched? Take this into account as a rule of thumb for cleaning, and always start with the mildest technique. There is no universally accepted method for removing stains, but cream of tartar and lemon juice, rubbing alcohol and water, and vinegar and olive oil are all effective combinations.

General tips for protecting and maintaining your dining chairs

We’ll leave you with some last, universal advice now that you know how to care for your individual dining chair model. These are essential to preserving the aesthetic and practical value of your furniture throughout time.

  • While it may seem strange to insist that everyone vacuum their dining room chairs, it’s a necessary evil. It’s amazing how many bits of food and debris can get wedged into the crevices of the seat and back of your chairs. With the right brush head and angle, a stick or portable vacuum will let you clean in tight spaces.
  • As with most pieces of furniture, direct sunshine is not your friend, and in this case it’s especially bad for dining room chairs. While the warm summer sun feels great on our skin, it can be damaging to your dining room chairs. This includes fading, warping, and breaking. There should be a balance between direct and indirect lighting; while high temperatures are effective, direct lighting should be used only as a last resort.
  • Also, no matter what material they are made of, your dining room chairs should be kept away from any direct sources of heat. If you want to protect your furniture from the same kind of irreparable damage that the sun can do, you should keep at least a 50-centimeter distance between it and your fireplace or heater.
  • If you’re not sure what to do, put your money where your mouth is. Even though it may seem like a lot of money now, our number one piece of advice is to always purchase furniture protection if it is within your budget. Saving money and making your furniture last longer is a win-win. Fabric protection on leather and upholstery is revolutionary because it reduces the visibility of blemishes and makes stains simple to remove.

It’s true that no two dining chairs are identical, but if you keep these guidelines in mind, you’ll have no trouble keeping your chairs clean, in good condition, and protected throughout time. Take pleasure in your dining chairs; after all, they are what you sit in every day to eat, work, spend time with family and friends, and more. Keep an arsenal of your favorite products on hand in case of any sudden spills, and dust and polish your pieces regularly. If you can stretch their useful life as much as possible, you’ll be even more satisfied with your purchase.

Rogers Dining Side Chair | Living Spaces

Needless to say, these guidelines also apply to other pieces of furniture, such as benches, bar stools, and possibly even dining tables, depending on the material.

Shop our range of dining chairs and explore the latest styles, as well as some classic favourites. Here at BROSA, we make finding the perfect dining chairs for your space an easy task, with Australia-wide shipping, flexible payment options and the advice of our team of styling experts at your fingertips at any time.

Conclusion

Shop our range of dining chairs and explore the latest styles, as well as some classic favourites. Here at BROSA, we make finding the perfect dining chairs for your space an easy task, with Australia-wide shipping, flexible payment options and the advice of our team of styling experts at your fingertips at any time.

Shop our assortment of dining chairs and explore the latest fashions, as well as some classic favourites. Here at BROSA, we make choosing the appropriate dining chairs for your space an easy affair, with Australia-wide shipping, convenient payment options and the guidance of our team of styling experts at your fingertips at any time.

Have a look at our selection of dining chairs to see the newest designs as well as some timeless classics. By offering delivery across Australia, a variety of payment plans, and the availability of a dedicated staff of interior designers, BROSA makes it simple to discover the ideal dining chairs for your home.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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