There are many different styles of dining chairs on the market to suit multiple types of interior décor. Dining chairs can help set the tone and assert the overall style of the dining room. When looking for a new set of dining chairs, the first and foremost consideration is style. What are the styles available and how will they work in your dining room?
Popular Styles
Traditional
The majority of traditional chairs are made using wooden frames and can be upholstered or non-upholstered. This is a broad category with various sub-types: Period Style Antique Chairs Some historical home owners choose furniture in keeping with the architectural style of the building using either genuine antique pieces or replicas. The following are popular period styles:
- Jacobean
Suitable for use in formal traditional dining rooms, these heavy set dining chairs are of a sturdy construction reminiscent of medieval manors and castles and are characterised by their rigid design, straight lines, dark finish and ornate carvings. 
- Queen Anne
Aptly named after Queen Anne of England, this refined, delicate style is made from hardwoods such as walnut and mahogany. These chairs are characterised by their fiddle-back, cabriole legs and drake feet.
- Chippendale
This style of furniture became popular towards the end of the 18thcentury and was named after British designer and cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale. It is classified into three types – French style (influenced by the Rococo style), Gothic style and Chinese style. Replica pieces made from mahogany are extremely popular with those seeking a strong classical presence in the home.
- Regency
The Regency period was noted for its elegance and use of classical history namely Greek and Roman elements in the design of furniture and architecture. Generally characterised by upholstered seats, with ornately carved backs, delicate legs and made from hardwoods such as mahogany.
- Victorian
Heavy set dining chairs with elaborate carvings and a dark finish drawing off Gothic forms, characterises Victorian style dining chairs. Ladder Back Chairs This traditional design is a fairly neutral chair that fits well into many décor styles. Horizontal wooden slats are spaced along the back of the chair. Ladder back chairs generally have wooden or wicker seats, but there are some designs that feature upholstered seats. Depending on the fabric used, this can give the chair a more contemporary look – providing a nice cross over between the two styles. 
Shaker Chairs This simple style was first designed by the religious US based group, with clean lines and a deliberate lack of ornate details. This is a simple and practical chair that works well in a variety of dining rooms and kitchen tables.
Contemporary/Modern
The contemporary chair usually has clean lines and is not overly ornate or decorative. Many contemporary dining chairs have the basic design of a more simple style of traditional chair coupled with contemporary features. Typical features that provide the contemporary look are the type of upholstery fabric used – bold patterns or uniform colours and the materials used to make the chair. Whilst the majority are made from a wooden frame, other types of material may be used such as plastic, metal or wicker. There are many other different styles of dining chairs suitable for modern interiors, although comfort is worth thinking about when considering purchasing unusual designs.
Upholstered Dining Chairs
The beauty of upholstered dining chairs, is the flexibility provided. There is an immense selection of different upholsteries, from more traditional fabrics such as leather, wool, or silk to more modern fabrics. Upholstery fabric chairs are more often than not constructed using a simple more traditional style frame, with a fabric seat and back. The upholstery used can create a wide range of different styles depending on the look you are trying to achieve, so whether it’s traditional or contemporary, there is usually something to suit all décor. 
Rustic
Rustic dining chairs tend to be associated with either wicker or light wood finishes such as pine and ash, it is also a more informal style of dining and rustic chairs are generally low backed.
Shabby Chic
These dining chairs are all the rage, an eclectic style of décor – shabby chic dining chairs can be from virtually any era, but are characterised by their distressed finish. This is sometimes achieved by sanding down the top layer of paint to reveal in part the wood base underneath.
Basic Tips When Choosing Different Styles of Dining Chairs
Formal Dining
High backed or heavy set chairs are generally the best option for formal dining.
Relaxed Dining
Low backed chairs with colourful upholstery or wicker chairs create more informal approach to dining.
Tight Spaces
High backed chairs visually take up a lot of space, therefore dining chairs in tight spaces should ideally be low backed. There are a numerous low backed chairs with a more formal feel to them for those looking for a more formal dining setting in a limited space. You can read more about matching dining chairs with your table here.
