The dining chair is probably the piece of furniture about which less think before you buy. But it is also the one with which most is guest. It is where the day begins and ends, where meals extend into conversation, where guests stay longer than expected. And yet, it is often chosen hastily, as if it were merely a detail. But it is not..
A good dining chair defines the tone of the entire room. It influences how the space is experienced, how meals unfold, and how others perceive the care taken with the environment in which one lives. We share some tips essentials to help you choose a dining chair with the attention it deserves.
Start with the room, not the chair
Before thinking about models, it is necessary understand the space. A chair that works well in a spacious room with a high ceiling may seem too heavy in a smaller room, and the opposite is also true. The starting point is always the context.
A scale and proportion they are the first filter. A sturdy dining table calls for chairs with presence. A lighter table, with fine lines, is better balanced with chairs of a discreet silhouette. What doesn’t work is imbalance: pieces that compete with each other instead of complementing one another. colour palette and materials already present in the room also matters. It is not necessary for everything to match, as such uniformity can make the space monotonous. But it is important that there is dialogue.
Verona Chair | Medina dining table
Comfort: the most underestimated criterion
There is a tendency to choose dining chairs solely based on appearanceThe problem is that appearance is not always synonymous with comfort and often, we only become aware of the discomfort precisely at the moments that matter most: during long meals, at dinners with friends, on evenings when the table becomes a place for conversation.
The comfort of a dining chair depends on various factors:
- Seat height relative to the table: The standard is between 44 and 48 cm, but it should always be checked. A chair that is too low or too high in relation to the table causes discomfort even if the chair itself is well made.
- The angle and depth of the backrest: A backrest that is too upright tires the back after a while. A backrest with a slight recline that supports the shoulders makes a huge difference to the experience of sitting for an hour or more.
- Seat depth: It should allow you to sit comfortably without your knees dangling, but also without the front edge pressing against your legs.
The Arizona chair, for example, was designed precisely with a focus on this balance. The backrest naturally embraces, and the seat welcomes without compromising posture. It is one of the pieces in our collection where comfort was the starting point of the design, not a consequence of it.
Arizona Chair | Ipsilon Dining Table
Design and materials: two choices that complement each other
When choosing a dining chair, the design and the material they should rarely be considered separately. A piece with a strong character defines the space; one with a more restrained language integrates without being lost. Both approaches work, provided that the choose be made with intention.
The materials follow the same logic. Fabric, leather, wood or metal each have their own qualities and requirements in terms of maintenance and durability. The important thing is that the chosen material make sense with the actual use the item will have, and not just the aesthetic one wants to achieve.
A Fredd, with contemporary lines and a discreet presence, and the Verona. More generously and immediately, they are examples of how different design languages can coexist within the same collection, each with its own place and purpose.
Fredd Chair
How many chairs? And how should they be arranged?
The rule of thumb is to allow between 55 and 65 cm per person at the table. This is enough space to sit comfortably without elbows bumping. At a 200 cm rectangular table, this usually means six chairs; at a 240 cm one, eight.
There is another factor that is rarely considered: the space between the chairs and as walls or others furniture. When the chairs are pulled away from the table the recommended minimum is 90 cm to move around comfortably. In smaller rooms, it is worth measuring before deciding.
Verona Chair | Mayon Dining Table | Heracleum Pendant Lamp
In the long term, the right design does not age.
A well-chosen dining chair is not replaced after three yearsIt is a piece that accompanies changes of home, taste, and life. Therefore, it is worth considering the... durability. Not only in terms of materials but also design: a chair with a timeless language will still make sense in ten years' time.
At Tralhão, each model has been designed to have its own character without relying on trends. These are pieces you choose with careful and that they are rarely questioned afterwards. Discover our entire collection. here. For more information, contact us by phone at 239 506 400 or by email at