When it comes to choosing dining chairs for your home, there are a lot of factors to consider. Style, price, color, and comfort, to name a few. Not all dining chairs are made equal, and the last thing you want is to spend a few weeks with your new dining chairs and realize they’re not as comfortable as you hoped.

We’re here to point out the key qualities that you should look for when choosing a dining chair. We talked to Catherine Willey, our Store Manager in Framingham  to learn everything there is to know about comfortable dining chairs as well as her top picks from our collection.  

What to look for in a comfortable dining chair?

First, it’s important to remember that comfort is subjective and, as with any seating option, your best bet is to try dining chairs out in person.

There are, however, a few features that tend to make chairs more comfortable:

• Seat scoop: A scoop or imprint on the chair typically makes a wooden chair much more comfortable to sit on for an extended amount of time.
• Curved back: Rather than straight up and down, a back that allows you to recline a bit is a much more comfortable option.
• Arms: This is a matter of preference and space, but arms can be a nice addition to a dining chair so that your arms have somewhere to rest.
• Upholstered seat: Again, this is a matter of preference and there are hardwood dining chairs that are very comfortable—but some prefer a layer of cushioning on the seat.

Ultimately, when you’re thinking about comfort in a dining chair, you’re going to be considering chairs that are high-quality and made with thought and attention to detail. The cheaper the chair, the less likely it’s going to be a comfortable option long-term.

Read more: Dining Chairs: Upholstered vs. Wood

Catherine’s Top 3 Picks

Like we’ve said, comfort is subjective. But Catherine chose her personal favorites that also happen to be customer favorites year in and year out.

The Keeler Dining Chair

The Keeler has a slightly different look from traditional dining chairs with a unique rounded back. Catherine says, “The Keeler is hands down my favorite. It sits in your back in a really nice spot, right in the hollow. The back is one piece of steam-bent cherry.”

It may not look like it’d be comfortable because there are no slats but, in Catherine’s words, it’s “awesome.” She’s also found that all shapes and sizes love this chair, whether you’re tall or petite.  

The Finn Dining Chair

Her second favorite? The Finn. “It comes in a wood seat or an upholstered seat,” she describes, “and it’s the curve to the back that makes this one comfortable to sit in.”

The Maya Dining Chair

The Maya is a modern take on a more traditional chair from Gat Creek. It’s a Windsor high-track and it’s much more comfortable than it looks. Catherine says, “It has a bit of a butt scoop and it’s perfectly neutral; not too upright and the back slats give you a lot of support.”

Read more: Why are Dining Room Chairs so Expensive?

What makes a chair uncomfortable?

Put simply, what makes a chair uncomfortable is a lack of curves. Catherine explains, “Lesser cost chairs tend to have more squared-off and upright parts. People aren’t straight. So when you’re looking for comfort, you’re looking for curves, in both the seat and the back.”

And if you’re wondering why these chairs tend to be more expensive, Catherine shares, “You’re going to pay more for comfortable dining chairs that incorporate curves and steam-bent parts. The labor involved to make those curved parts leads to an added cost.”

Visit a showroom

Ultimately, you can do as much research as you want online, but the best way to discover what’s going to be comfortable for you is to try it out in person. Our designers can walk you through the process of choosing the best furniture for your dining room—including chairs that will be comfortable for decades.

Still on the hunt for more information about dining rooms? Check out these articles:

• How Much Does it Cost to Furnish a Dining Room?
• How to Take Care of Your Dining Room Furniture
• How to Update a Traditional Dining Room