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STYLE
A Guide to the Most Common Dining Chair Styles
STYLE
A Guide to the Most Common
Dining Chair Styles
Have you ever struggled to describe a specific kind of dining chair to a friend, partner, or furniture salesperson? You’re not alone. There’s a dizzying array of terms, names, and general interior design parlance that’s hard to nail down. That’s why we’ve prepared a simple primer on the most popular dining chair styles. Instead of exact brand names, we’ve compiled general dining chair styles that can be found in any furniture or vintage store. Keep reading to start shopping with confidence:
CLASSIC ARCHETYPE
Dining Chairs by Back Design
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LADDER-BACK
WINDSOR
CROSS-BACK
BARREL-BACK
WINGBACK
What’s the easiest way to identify a dining chair? Take a look at its back. A cross-back chair is marked by a large intersecting X, whereas ladder-back has multiple rungs running down the back. Such wood dining chairs, constructed with slats on the back, tend to skew classic in style, making them incredibly popular in nostalgic aesthetics like traditional or transitional homes. A trendy example is the Windsor chair, which is a quintessential element of popular farmhouse and cottagecore styles.
If you’re looking for more of a modern look, go for upholstered and shapely chairs that offer both plush comfort and sculptural beauty. Chair styles commonly found in contemporary spaces include barrel-back chairs that encircle your torso as well as wingback chairs that add height and drama to a glam home.
If you’re looking for more of a modern look, go for upholstered and shapely chairs that offer both plush comfort and sculptural beauty. Chair styles commonly found in contemporary spaces include barrel-back chairs that encircle your torso as well as wingback chairs that add height and drama to a glam home.
PERIOD PIECE
Dining Chairs by Era
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QUEEN ANNE
KING LOUIS
PARSONS
FRENCH BISTRO
CLEAR KING LOUIS
If you’re looking to infuse traditional style or a baroque flair into your home, you’ll love the ornate Queen Anne-style chair. The elegant 18th century wood dining chair, beloved for its flashy curves and embellishments, is a staple in a traditional-style home.
But just because a chair has rich history doesn’t mean it has to look like an antique. Enjoy a chic Parisian aesthetic with a King Louis or Parsons style. While both French designs are usually upholstered, Louis XVI-style armchairs have a more regal effect with a circular medallion back. The Parsons style is cleaner and simpler, constructed with straight wood legs and back that feel surprisingly contemporary. For outdoor-friendly options, consider a checkered French bistro style made of rattan or wicker, or a clear plastic King Louis-style chair which has quite a following.
But just because a chair has rich history doesn’t mean it has to look like an antique. Enjoy a chic Parisian aesthetic with a King Louis or Parsons style. While both French designs are usually upholstered, Louis XVI-style armchairs have a more regal effect with a circular medallion back. The Parsons style is cleaner and simpler, constructed with straight wood legs and back that feel surprisingly contemporary. For outdoor-friendly options, consider a checkered French bistro style made of rattan or wicker, or a clear plastic King Louis-style chair which has quite a following.
CURVACEOUS CRAFT
Dining Chairs by Technique
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CANTILEVER
BENTWOOD
MONOBLOC
FRENCH BISTRO STYLE
PLASTIC KING LOUIS STYLE
One of the reasons we love nerding out about chairs is that it makes us appreciate the innovative work that went into creating the forms we now know and love. For example, cantilever chairs are a marvel of 20th century modern design. The seat appears to float, supported by a single, continuous piece of molded metal. The minimalist and futuristic look is often associated with mid century modern and Bauhaus styles that fully appreciate the chair’s sinuous form.
Another example of pioneering molding technique is the 19th century bentwood chair. Made of smooth, curved wood bars, bentwood chairs look delicate but are surprisingly durable — making them a mainstay as café chairs in bistros around the world. You can find them in various wood finishes, and sometimes paired with accents of woven rattan for a boho flair.
Another example of pioneering molding technique is the 19th century bentwood chair. Made of smooth, curved wood bars, bentwood chairs look delicate but are surprisingly durable — making them a mainstay as café chairs in bistros around the world. You can find them in various wood finishes, and sometimes paired with accents of woven rattan for a boho flair.
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