Best Dining Chairs UK: How to Choose for Comfort, Fabric and Seat Height

The best dining chairs are the ones you can sit on for an hour without shifting, that sit roughly 25 to 30 cm below the underside of your table (a common rule of thumb), and that have a cover that suits how you actually live. Seat height, padding and fabric matter more than the look, and skipping one of those three checks is an easy way to end up with chairs you don't enjoy. This guide covers all three, then shows sets of 4 and 2 from Opal Retail's dining chairs collection so you can compare real measurements.

In this article

• How do I choose the best dining chairs for comfort?
• What seat height do dining chairs need?
• Which fabric is best for dining chairs?
• Should I buy a set of 2 or a set of 4?
• How do I stop chairs marking the floor?
• FAQ

How do I choose the best dining chairs for comfort?

Look at four things on the product page: seat padding, seat width and depth, backrest angle and weight capacity. A chair you can't try in a showroom still tells you a lot in its measurements.

• Padding: the chenille set below has 4 cm of foam in the seat, and the faux leather pair has 5 cm. A hard moulded seat will feel fine for ten minutes and tiring after a long meal.
• Seat size: the sets below range from 38.5 cm to 50 cm wide. If you want room to shift, go wider. If you need to fit more chairs round a small table, a narrower seat helps.
• Backrest: a slightly reclined back supports you better than an upright one. Two of the sets below list a 105 degree backrest.
• Weight capacity: every set featured here lists 120 kg per chair.

Comfort is also personal. Taller backs suit some people and annoy others, so if you can, sit on a similar chair before you buy and check how it feels after a few minutes, not seconds.

Everyday set of 4

Grey Padded Dining Chairs, Set of 4

Linen-look fabric you wipe with a damp cloth, a padded seat and high back, steel legs.

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What seat height do dining chairs need, and will they fit under my table?

Measure the underside of your table top (not the top surface), subtract the chair's seat height, and aim for a gap of roughly 25 to 30 cm. That's a common rule of thumb among UK furniture retailers rather than a regulation, so treat it as a guide and sit at the table if you can.

A quick worked example using the listed seat heights below:

• Table underside at 72 cm, chair seat at 47 cm: gap of 25 cm.
• Same table, chair seat at 44 cm: gap of 28 cm.

Table tops vary in thickness, which is why measuring the underside is more reliable than going by the stated table height. Also check for aprons or chunky table frames that could stop legs sliding in comfortably. Our guide to what size dining table you need covers tucking chairs under and clearance per seat, so we won't repeat it here.

Dimensions are as stated on each product page. Armrests and curved backs can change how far a chair slides under, so check the full dimensions on each listing too.

Which fabric is best for dining chairs?

It depends on how much spill-proofing you need. Families and pet owners tend to worry about velvet and pale fabrics. Here's how the options in our range compare, based on what each product page says.

We've only quoted care advice the product pages give. For any fabric chair, test any cleaner on a hidden spot first, and keep an eye on the care label.

Soft seat, wipe-clean back

Slate Grey Chenille Dining Chairs, Set of 4

4 cm foam seat padding, a 105 degree backrest and an X-shaped steel base.

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Easy-wipe pair

Faux Leather Dining Chairs, Set of 2

A curved back, 5 cm foam padding and adjustable foot pads, in grey or brown.

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Should I buy a set of 2 or a set of 4?

Buy the number that matches your table, then match the style. A set of 4 usually works out simpler, because every chair arrives together and matches exactly. A pair is useful for a bench-and-chairs mix or a smaller table.

• Four seats: one set of 4.
• Six seats: the sets in this guide come in 2s and 4s, so you would need a set of 4 plus a pair. Chairs from different ranges won't match exactly, so check colours and heights side by side first.
• Occasional guests: a set of 4 folding chairs with padded seats needs no assembly and folds to 7.5 cm thick when not in use.

If you're choosing between chairs and a bench, our dining room furniture buying guide compares them, and you can browse our wider dining room furniture range, dining tables and dining table sets if you want the table and chairs sorted together. Still choosing the table? Our guides to extendable dining tables and small round dining tables cover sizes and seating, and our guide to choosing a sideboard helps if the room needs storage too.

Swivel set of 4

Light Beige Velvet Swivel Dining Chairs, Set of 4

A 360 degree swivel seat so you can step in and out without dragging the chair.

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How do I stop dining chairs marking the floor?

Fit protection to the feet, and check it now and then. Felt pads help, but they can come off or collect hair, so look at them every few months. The chenille set lists adjustable feet and the faux leather pair lists adjustable foot pads, which help a chair sit steady on a slightly uneven floor. On hard floors such as laminate or vinyl, a rug under the table is another common fix.

Frequently asked questions

Are velvet dining chairs a bad idea with children or pets?

Not necessarily, but they need more care. If spills are frequent, a faux leather or wipe-clean chair is the lower-effort choice. If you like velvet, deal with spills quickly and test any cleaner on a hidden area first.

What height should dining chairs be?

The chairs in this guide have seats between 44 and 47.5 cm high. What matters is the gap to the underside of your table: roughly 25 to 30 cm is the usual rule of thumb.

How do I choose comfortable dining chairs?

Check the seat padding, seat width and backrest angle on the listing, and sit on a similar chair if you can. A padded seat and a supportive, slightly reclined back are the main things to look for.

Can I buy a set of 6 dining chairs?

The sets in this guide come in 2s and 4s. For six seats you can combine a set of 4 with a pair, but chairs from different ranges won't match exactly.

Are swivel dining chairs a good idea?

They make it easier to get in and out without dragging the chair. The swivel set above turns 360 degrees and has a 120 kg weight limit per chair. Floors that scratch easily may need pads.