What is the difference between a side chair and a dining chair?

25 Mar.,2024

 

 

Each dining chair model can be customized in several different ways which we will discuss in the post.  The base model of a dining chair starts out as a side chair (no arms) and a wood seat.

 

Arms can be added to a side chair to make an arm chair, which are ideal for positioning at the heads of the table.  The below pictured Beaumont Dining Chair clearly illustrates the difference between an arm chair (left), and a side chair (right).

 

The primary benefits of an arm chair are added strength, durability, and comfort, while aside chair maintains a cleaner, simpler look.

 

All of our arm chairs are designed to be compatible with our tables so the top of the arm clears the bottom edge of the table skirts, allowing them to be fully pushed in under the table for better space efficiency.  However, this is only true when the dining chair name and table name match.

 

 

 


Your choice of dining chairs affects the beauty and comfort of your dining space. Aside from giving you an ample area to sit, it also contributes to the warmth of the room.

Dining chairs may look very light and simple, but they come in various structures and styles. When furnishing your dining room, it's important to know what type of dining chair to use to ensure a balanced and cohesive space. Do you want your dining chairs to match other furniture pieces in your room? Do you want them to be asymmetrical?

This guide will help you identify various types of chairs to aid you with your styling decisions. For better understanding, we break the types down into categories.

 

Types Of Dining Chairs According to Style

These dining chair styles include designs based on various eras. Let's take a quick trip from classic styles to modern dining chair designs.

Side Chair

side chair is one of the most common dining chairs in many homes. Its distinguishing feature is its lack of arms, so it can easily be tucked under the table. This means you can fit more chairs in a compact space.

Side chairs range from classic styles to contemporary seats, making them perfect for any interior style.

Parsons Chair

Like side chairs, Parsons chairs don't have arms and can also be tucked under the dining table. The major difference is that a Parsons chair is upholstered. The presence of clean lines and simplistic upholstery makes this sophisticated chair flexible for many design themes.

Arm Chair

You guessed it right: the prominent feature of an armchair is its arms. Modern armchairs come in different designs, even in their upholstery. Armchairs are notably comfortable and stylish. Modern armchairs aren't limited to the dining table but are also frequently used as accent seats for living rooms with their couch-like comfort.

Ladder Back Chair

Ladder-back chairs are very simple yet elegant. These chairs are typically made of wood and have various horizontal wood back panels, mimicking the look of a ladder. If you love to give your dining room a rustic flair, try a ladder-back chair.

Slat Back Chair

While the ladder-back chair features horizontal slats, a slat-back dining chair presents vertical slats that give the space a lightweight and laid-back look.

Cross Back Chair

Instead of a straight-lined back design, cross back dining chairs feature an X-shaped style that makes them look light and airy. This style makes them ideal for casual and modern dining settings. They are also perfect for rustic and farmhouse sets. You can find a myriad of styles, materials, and colours for this interesting dining chair variety.

Windsor Chair

Another laid-back masterpiece, a Windsor chair, almost looks like a slat-back chair with a half-circle appearance. This is perfect for homey, rustic, and vintage-themed spaces.

Wishbone Dining Chair

A wishbone dining chair features a mindfully designed bent backrest that adds to its appeal and ergonomic function. Many homeowners prefer this playful configuration to create a statement in their dining room design.

Wingback Chair

Wingback dining chairs are very cosy, providing extended ergonomic support with their high-back wing design. Many upholstered wingback chairs work as focal pieces placed on the headrest to create a unique balance.

Slope Dining Chair

With their simple and comfortable silhouette, slope dining chairs are ideal for modern dining settings. Many sloping dining chairs are upholstered, mainly with leather and faux leather materials.

Cantilever Chair

Looking for a unique dining chair design? Unlike other chair styles that focus on the backrest's design, a cantilever chair focuses on the leg configuration, deviating from the traditional four-legged structure to create a bendy look.

Barrel Back Chair

Barrel back chairs have bowl-shaped backrests that are typically covered with upholstery materials. 

 

Bow-Back Dining Chair

A bow back dining chair is a type of chair with a distinctive curved backrest that resembles a bow or an arch. This type of dining chair is one of the earliest Windsor forms in America

 

Floating Arm Armchair

A floating arm armchair refers to a type of chair where the arms are designed to appear visually detached or suspended from the main body of the chair. This type of dining chair can be used as a statement piece, paired with various side chairs to save space.

 

Keyhole Dining Chairs

Keyhole dining chairs are a type of dining chair with a distinctive keyhole-shaped cutout in the backrest. This cutout is often positioned near the top of the backrest and is designed to resemble a keyhole, which is perfect for modern dining room setups.

Megafurniture presents a wide assortment of dining chairs that are perfect for different interior design styles. Check out our exquisite dining chair collection to see the best fit for your space.

Types Of Dining Chairs According to Materials

Wooden Dining Chairs

Many furniture shoppers prefer wooden dining chairs because of their undeniable sleek style and durability. Whether intricately or subtly designed, wooden dining chairs give a unique style to any theme due to their natural wood patterns.

Wooden dining chairs can be adorned with upholstery or used as-is as. They also  come in various colours and tones, so choose one that fits your theme.

Metal Dining Chairs

Although they can be used directly, many meta dining chairs have cushioned seats and upholstery to add comfort. Metal dining chairs are highly versatile, providing a modern feel to the space. Metal dining chairs can be painted in different finishes to spruce up the space. They are also great for both indoor and outdoor dining settings.

Fabric Dining Chairs

Speaking of colours, fabric dining chairs effortlessly give a dining room a style lift because of their soft look and colour potential. They range from traditional to contemporary styles, so whatever your interior style is, you will find a cosy fabric dining chair that fits your theme.

Many modern dining settings feature asymmetrical and multi-coloured fabric chairs, giving the space a striking style without compromising comfort. Just one thing to note about fabric dining chairs is that they are prone to spills, so we recommend choosing a fabric that is easy to clean.

Leather Dining Chair

Warm and luxurious leather dining chairs give your dining space a sophisticated feel with the high-quality endurance of the material and its undeniable warmth. Leather dining chairs are very popular since they give the dining space an instant sheen upgrade. Leather material is often paired with metal or wood leg structures. The choice is up to you, whether you want a laid-back and homey feel or you want to make your space more contemporary-looking.

Plastic Dining Chair

If you're opting for a highly versatile, stylish, and maintainable material, a plastic dining chair is for you. Many modern furniture designers have created stackable plastic dining chairs that can both address seating needs and space constraints.

Popular dining chairs include the timeless Eames Dining Chair, which is paired with wood. Plastic dining chairs come in different colours, configurations, and designs. There are also many budget options that don’t compromise the quality or looks of the unit. 

 

What is the Best Dining Chair Type for You?

Dining chairs are staples in every dining room in our HDB or BTO flats, so before you splurge on various dining chair designs, make sure you understand what features you need and what style you want. You can go for dining chair types that highlight the beauty of your dining table, or you can make your dining chairs stand out. If you're feeling more adventurous, mix and match your dining chairs with benches. The creative choice is yours!

What is the difference between a side chair and a dining chair?

Types of Dining Chairs Explained- Buying Guide

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