Dining Chair Perfection at Dufresne Furniture

Your dining room isn't just where you eat. It's where your family gathers for Sunday dinners, where kids do homework while dinner simmers on the stove, and where friends linger over coffee long after dessert. At Dufresne Furniture & Appliances, we know that comfortable, stylish dining chairs are the secret to making every meal and moment around the table more enjoyable.

Finding Your Perfect Match

Choosing dining chairs might seem straightforward, but there's more to it than grabbing the first set that looks good. The right chairs should complement your table, fit your space, and withstand daily life inside your home.

Start with Your Table - Your dining table sets the stage. Round tables work beautifully with chairs that have curved backs, while rectangular tables can handle both straight-backed and curved designs. Got a glass table? Consider chairs with upholstered seats to soften the look. Wood tables pair naturally with wooden chairs, but mixing materials, like adding metal or upholstered chairs, creates visual interest.

Have the Correct-Sized Dining Chair - Here's something many people overlook: chair height and width. Standard dining chairs sit about 18 inches from the floor to the seat, which works with most tables that are 28 to 30 inches tall. But always check! You want about 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the table bottom for comfortable leg room. Width is just as important. Measure your table length and divide by the number of chairs you want. Each person needs about 24 inches of table space to eat comfortably. Armchairs need extra room, so factor that in if you're mixing chair styles.

Dining Chair Material Matters

Upholstered Dining Chairs - Soft, comfortable, and perfect for those long dinners where everyone stays at the table talking. Look for performance fabrics if you have kids or pets. These fabrics resist stains and clean up easily, which means less stress when someone spills their juice or drops spaghetti sauce.

Wooden Dining Chairs - Classic, durable, and they never go out of style. Solid wood chairs can take whatever your family dishes out and still look great years later. Plus, they're easy to wipe clean after meals.

Metal Dining Chairs - Modern and practically indestructible. Great for families with teenagers who might lean back on two legs (even though you've told them a thousand times not to). Metal chairs often stack for easy storage when you need extra floor space.

Mixed Material Dining Chairs - Why choose? Chairs that combine wood seats with metal legs or upholstered seats on wooden frames will give you the best of both worlds. They add visual interest while offering practical benefits.

Styles for Every Canadian Home

Traditional Dining Chairs - Think turned legs, carved details, and timeless shapes. These chairs have been gracing Canadian dining rooms for generations because they work. They're comfortable, sturdy, and they match everything from your grandmother's china cabinet to that modern light fixture you just installed.

Modern and Contemporary - Clean lines, minimal fuss, maximum impact. These chairs make a statement without being too loud. They're perfect if you love that fresh, uncluttered look that makes your dining room feel bigger and brighter.

Farmhouse and Rustic - Warm, welcoming, and built to last. These chairs bring that cottage-feeling home. Look for distressed finishes, cross-back designs, and natural wood tones that make every meal feel like a family gathering at the lake.

Upholstered Dining Chairs - When comfort is king, upholstered chairs deliver. From fully upholstered designs that feel like mini armchairs to simple padded seats on wooden frames, these chairs encourage people to stay at the table longer. Perfect for those marathon holiday dinners or weekend brunches that turn into afternoon coffee.

Caring for Your Dining Chairs

Keep your chairs looking great with regular, simple maintenance.

For upholstered chairs, vacuum weekly with the upholstery attachment to keep dust and crumbs at bay. When spills happen (and they will), blot immediately rather than rubbing, which can push the stain deeper into the fabric. If your cushions are reversible, rotate them every few months to prevent uneven wear. Consider using a fabric protector for extra peace of mind, especially if you have kids or pets.

Wood chairs need a gentler approach. Dust them weekly with a soft cloth. Every few months, check and tighten any loose screws or joints before they become a bigger problem. Keep wooden chairs away from heating vents, which can dry out the wood and cause cracking over time.

Metal chairs are pretty low-maintenance but still need some attention. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and dry immediately to prevent water spots. Check occasionally for rust spots, especially around joints where moisture can hide.

Lastly, add felt pads to the feet of your dining chairs to protect floors from scratches and make moving chairs in and out much quieter.

Mix and Match Like a Pro

Gone are the days when every dining chair had to match perfectly. Today's dining rooms celebrate personality and individual style. Try using the same chair style in different colours for a playful, collected look that still feels cohesive. Or mix two complementary styles while keeping the same colour or material to tie everything together.

Adding a bench on one side of your table creates casual family meal vibes and gives you flexibility when you need to squeeze in extra guests.

Another popular approach is choosing special host chairs for the table ends while keeping the side chairs uniform. The key is making sure all your seating is roughly the same height so everyone's comfortable, no matter which seat they take.

Frequently Asked Dining Chair Questions

Where can I buy dining chairs? You can find dining chairs at any of our 15 Dufresne locations across Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, or shop our full collection online at dufresne.ca. Visit in person to test the comfort and see how different styles look together, or book an appointment online if you need personalized help to find exactly what you need.

How do I mix and match dining chairs? Keep one element consistent across all chairs, for example, the same wood tone, similar seat height, or a shared colour. A popular approach is matching side chairs with different head chairs at each end of the table. Just make sure all chairs are roughly the same height (around 18 inches from floor to seat) so everyone sits comfortably.

How many dining chairs do I need? Count your regular dinner crowd and add two. Most families find that having two extra chairs covers surprise guests and holiday dinners without cluttering the dining room daily.

Should dining chairs match the table? Not necessarily! While matching sets create a cohesive look, mixing styles adds personality. Just keep one element consistent, like colour, material, or style period.

How do I know if a chair is comfortable? Sit on it! Seriously, spend a few minutes sitting the way you normally would during a meal. Check that your feet touch the floor, the seat depth works for you, and the back provides support where you need it.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Dining Chairs?

Your dining room deserves chairs that work as hard as you do and look good doing it. Whether you're hosting holiday dinners, helping with homework, or just gathering for weeknight meals, the right dining chairs make every moment around the table better.

Visit your local Dufresne Furniture & Appliances store to sit, test, and experience our full selection of dining chairs. Our team knows furniture and they're ready to help you find chairs that fit your table, your style, and your life. Book an appointment today for personalized service, or browse our collection online to get inspired.

From our family to yours, we're here to help make your dining room the heart of your home.