5 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make When Customising Your Dining Chairs

Buying dining chairs online can be a convenient way to refresh your dining space, but it’s easy to make some common mistakes that could lead to buyer's remorse. At The Chair People, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to guide you through the process to ensure you make a purchase you’ll love. 

 

  1. Not Measuring Your Space Properly

One of the biggest mistakes people make is skipping or misjudging their space measurements. It’s crucial to ensure that the chairs you choose will fit comfortably around your table and in your dining area.

What to Do Instead: Measure the height of your dining table, the distance between the legs, and allow enough space for chair movement. Our standard seat height for dining chairs is 500mm, which is ideal for most dining table heights. Additionally, we offer an extra specification with a seat height of 450mm to accommodate various preferences.

How We Help: Our team provides detailed sizing guides for each chair design, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. Plus, our free Bum Test service allows you to see your preferred models against the furniture in your home. 

 

  1. Overlooking the Importance of Fabric Swatches

It’s tempting to skip the fabric swatch stage and simply trust what you see on the screen. However, colours can look different in person, and the texture and durability of the fabric are essential considerations.

What to Do Instead: Always order fabric swatches to see and feel the material in real life. Consider how the fabric looks in different lighting and how it feels in your hand.

How We Help: We offer free swatch samples, so you can test fabrics before making a final decision. Whether it’s a plush velvet or a hardwearing cotton, getting those samples ensures you choose the perfect material for your lifestyle.

 

  1. Ignoring the Style and Design of Your Existing Furniture

Another common mistake is not considering how the new dining chairs will fit with your existing table and decor. You might fall in love with a chair design online, but if it doesn’t match your current furniture, it could look out of place in your dining room.

What to Do Instead: Take the time to assess your room’s overall style. Are you aiming for a modern, minimalist look or a more traditional, cozy feel? Choose dining chairs that complement or contrast in a thoughtful way with your existing pieces.

How We Help: Our design advice service includes tips on how to pair your chairs with your dining table and room decor. We also offer a range of styles, so you can find chairs that perfectly match your aesthetic.

 

  1. Not Considering Different Comfort Levels for Various Chair Designs

When choosing dining chairs, it’s important to think about how different features, such as higher backs, armrests, or lower backs, can affect your personal comfort during long dinners and gatherings. What feels comfortable to one person might not suit another.

What to Do Instead: Consider your comfort preferences. Do you prefer the support of a higher backrest, or do you enjoy the relaxed feel of a lower back design? Think about whether you’d like chairs with arms for added comfort or a sleek, armless option for flexibility.

How We Help: We offer a free Bum Test, allowing you to experience the comfort of various styles firsthand in your own home. We believe that a chair should be seen and tested in the setting it’s intended for, so you can ensure it fits perfectly with your space and personal needs. Rest assured, all our chairs are designed with comfort as a top priority.

 

  1. Overlooking Practicality for Style

It’s easy to get swept up by a chair’s design, but practicality is just as important as appearance. Chairs that look stylish but don’t fit the needs of your household can end up being frustrating in daily use.

What to Do Instead: Consider how the chairs will be used in your space. Think about factors like how easy they are to clean, whether they can handle regular use, and how they’ll perform in a busy household or during large gatherings.

How We Help: At The Chair People, our chairs are not only stylish but also designed for everyday living. We focus on practicality, ensuring that each chair is easy to maintain and durable enough for busy homes—without ever sacrificing comfort.