Not everyone has chairs in their kitchen, but if you have a family and plan to eat there rather than in a formal dining room—or avoid having everyone eat off their laps in the living room watching TV—a table with suitable chairs is essential for this purpose.
What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Chairs
Should you purchase a dining set with a matching table and chairs? What materials should the chairs be made from? If you prefer upholstered chairs, which materials are best suited for your kitchen and family needs?
These questions should be answered before deciding on the table size or number of chairs. Once you clarify your needs, you can find options that fit your budget.
What Constitutes a Kitchen Chair?
Unless your kitchen is exceptionally large with space for a sofa or easy chairs, kitchen chairs are typically single-person seats with a back, designed to be the right height for a table. They usually lack arms, though armrest-equipped kitchen chairs are available.
While you might search for “kitchen chair” online when shopping for kitchen furniture, chairs aren’t exclusively made for kitchen use. Unless the kitchen is designated for staff use (a rarity compared to colonial times), you’ll choose from chairs that could just as easily fit in the dining room. These may be simpler and more practical than a formal dining set, but they are generally intended for daily use.
If the kitchen is primarily for hired help, any table and chairs included would likely be purely functional. However, functionality doesn’t justify a cheap appearance.
Types of Kitchen Chairs
Kitchen chairs come in various materials—wood, metal, or plastic—with numerous styles within each category. They may feature upholstery on the seat, back, or both, or none at all. Some designs, like leather or fabric-upholstered chairs, may be fully covered, while others have exposed wooden or metal legs.
Plastic chairs were once popular for kitchens, similar to those used on patios. They’re easy to clean with a damp cloth, but some colors, especially white, may yellow or fade under UV light. For comfort, many add cushions, typically made of foam covered with low-quality fabric. These are washable but often need replacing after a couple of years of daily use. Modern plastic chairs, like the Baxton Studio Fiorenza armchairs with wooden “Eiffel” legs, offer more attractive, molded designs that integrate the seat, back, and arms.
Metal chairs range from vintage folding café styles, ideal for small spaces, to intricately crafted mild steel chairs with upholstered leather seats or stylish retro designs. Some metal-frame chairs are fully covered in leather, a pricier but easy-to-maintain option that grows more beautiful with age when well-cared for.
Wooden chairs offer endless variety, from materials like pine, oak, walnut, or beech to designs ranging from simple Windsor or American Colonial press-back styles to ultra-modern upholstered versions. The diversity makes it hard to pinpoint a single “kitchen chair” style.
Many choose upholstered kitchen chairs for their comfort and aesthetic appeal compared to chairs with loose cushions. However, while upholstery looks stunning when new, the material must withstand steam, grease, food, drinks, and daily grime in a kitchen environment. Vinyl is the easiest to clean and resembles leather visually, but leather lasts longer with proper care, such as regular cleaning and conditioning. Vinyl may crack over time, unlike high-quality leather. Fabric upholstery is the least practical for kitchens, especially with children or pets, as spills are hard to clean. Dark, patterned fabrics may hide dirt better but remain challenging to maintain.
Factors Influencing Your Decision
Ultimately, your choice of kitchen chairs depends on:
- Your personal taste
- The style and look of your kitchen and home
- Your budget
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance
Expensive chairs aren’t always the most durable or attractive over time. If chairs are hard to clean, they may look worn and tired prematurely. Ease of maintenance is a critical factor when buying kitchen chairs.
