When it comes to your dining room, the right chairs set the tone for every gathering. Beyond comfort and craftsmanship, they shape how the room feels—inviting, elegant, or effortlessly modern. At Seldens Designer Home Furnishings, we help you discover dining pieces that reflect your lifestyle while elevating everyday experiences.
Here’s a closer look at how to choose between armchairs, side chairs, and upholstered styles that bring sophistication and function to your Pacific Northwest home.
Dining Room Seating at a Glance
- Upholstered dining chairs add softness, comfort, and a tailored look—ideal for long dinners.
- Leather and wood chairs offer warmth, craftsmanship, and timeless appeal.
- Side chairs keep layouts light and flexible, especially in smaller or open-concept spaces.
- Armchairs bring presence to the head of the table and define a more formal setting.
Upholstered Dining Chairs: Soft Style, Elevated Comfort
If you love long dinners and timeless design, fully upholstered dining chairs offer the perfect balance of comfort and refinement. The Grace Dining Chair by Mavin Furniture reflects that versatility beautifully. Its gently curved back, nailhead trim, and square tapered legs allow it to transition from modern rustic to contemporary chic depending on the fabric and finish you choose.
For an airy, coastal-inspired aesthetic, white dining chairs upholstered in performance fabric add lightness and ease, proving that luxury and livability can coexist seamlessly. The Surfrider Carved Back Side Chair captures that breezy sophistication beautifully, blending soft neutral tones with an intricately carved wood back that evokes driftwood textures and coastal serenity.
Leather and Wood Dining Chairs: Warmth and Craftsmanship
For enduring beauty and tactile warmth, look to leather and wood dining chairs that showcase fine materials and timeless design. The Stickley Walnut Grove collection in Salvador Dove leather embodies this ideal with sculpted walnut frames and supple leather upholstery that develops rich character over time.
Two distinct designs offer unique expressions of craftsmanship:
- Walnut Grove Tall Upholstered Arm Chair and Walnut Grove Tall Upholstered Side Chair — These pieces feature an elevated, sculptural profile with refined upholstery and the elegance of a high back dining armchair silhouette. Their vertical lines and soft cushioning create a graceful, contemporary presence around the table.
- Walnut Grove Arm Chair and Walnut Grove Side Chair — These chairs take a more grounded approach, balancing solid walnut construction with a gently contoured back for everyday sophistication. They emphasize form and material over ornamentation, perfectly suited to the relaxed, organic modern sensibility of Pacific Northwest homes.
Whether you prefer the tailored height of the high back models or the approachable warmth of the low back designs, both bring craftsmanship and quiet luxury to your dining space.
Dining Side Chairs: Effortless Versatility
Dining side chairs keep spaces light and adaptable, perfect for both small dining rooms and open-concept layouts. Their armless design not only makes them easy to move but also maintains an open, uncluttered feel around the table—ideal for showcasing statement bases or sculptural tables.
We love the modern elegance that takes form in the Stone International Tessa Dining Chair, a sculptural piece handcrafted in Italy. Its curved backrest and flowing base create soft movement, while premium upholstery ensures lasting comfort. Styled alone or as a whole dining set, the Tessa offers timeless appeal that stands out without overpowering the room.
Dining Armchairs: Presence and Poise
A dining armchair brings structure and balance to the table, perfect for the head and foot positions. Armchairs with tailored upholstery or elegant wood frames can help create a welcoming space for comfort and conversation.
The Barclay Butera Park City Glenwild Arm Chair expresses mountain-modern elegance with a gently curved seat nestled within a solid wood frame. Its soft lumbar support and subtly tapered back legs provide both comfort and poise. This fabric dining armchair pairs beautifully with natural finishes and textured linens. Create a complete look with the Park City Glenwild Side Chair, part of the same collection. Together, these pieces define a welcoming yet refined dining experience.
For a more contemporary silhouette, the Latham Upholstered Arm Chair from Lexington’s Zanzibar collection offers clean lines and sophisticated contrast. Upholstered in performance fabric, it features exposed wood arms and base finished in deep Tunis espresso. Pair it with the Latham Upholstered Side Chair to achieve a cohesive set—each piece balancing tailored luxury with modern simplicity.
Curating Dining Seating That Reflects You
Your dining room should reflect how you gather, host, and live. Think about proportion—matching dining chair size to your table height—and about personality, whether that’s a wood arm dining chair with sculptural lines or statement dining chairs that define the space.
Mixing textures, finishes, and silhouettes adds depth and dimension, creating a dining room that feels designed, not decorated. From modern Italian craftsmanship to timeless American design, Seldens helps you find the pieces that bring it all together.
Dining Seating FAQ
As a general guideline, allow about 22–24 inches of width per chair so guests have room to sit comfortably. Rectangular tables often feel balanced with an armchair at each end and side chairs along the length, while round tables typically use all side chairs.
Absolutely. Many of our clients prefer armchairs at the head and foot of the table for presence and comfort, with side chairs along the sides to keep the layout open. Mixing styles adds interest while still feeling cohesive when you repeat key details like finish or upholstery.
Yes—especially when you choose performance fabrics or protected leathers. These materials are designed to stand up to daily life, from family meals to holiday gatherings, without sacrificing softness or style.
Our design experts in Bellevue, Olympia, and Tacoma can help you select the right mix of armchairs, side chairs, and upholstered styles for your space. Bring photos and measurements, and we can recommend options that fit your table, room, and lifestyle.
Visit Seldens to Explore Dining Seating
Visit one of our showrooms in Bellevue, Olympia, or Tacoma to explore our curated dining collections in person, or work one-on-one with a Seldens designer to find the perfect fit for your home. From sculptural Italian designs to handcrafted American classics, we are here to help you create a dining room that feels welcoming every day of the week.
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