It didn t take long for cave men to figure out that sitting on cold flat stones wasn t all that comfortable, especially during meal time. They quickly learned that a few animal skins and a pile of dry grass placed on top of those cold flat stones made some mighty nice dining chairs.
Chair styles haven t really undergone major changes except for the ever popular bean bag chair of the 70s. Aside from that, chairs typically have four legs, a seat and aback. Nothing new. We do tend to change our minds a lot when it comes to what style to choose, however, and it s always a toss up between casual and formal it seems.
European kings and queens loved to show off their wealth, and one way was to commission local artisans to build big, bulky furniture especially chairs. Some of these chairs were so well made that they have survived until today. These typically sported elaborate wood engravings and lush textiles.
Lifestyles change and so do our tastes in furniture. One year solid wood is the rage, the next year it s flowered tapestries. Leather will probably never go out of style and there will be always be fans of more casual styles such as rattan or cane. No matter what you like, and whenever you want it, you will be able to find it.
Don t confuse comfort with price, however. Some of the less expensive dining chairs happen to be the most comfortable, especially those in solid wood. Actually, if your budget is tight don t assume that a low cost padded chair will provide a sufficient level of comfort, even for short meals. Padded chairs in this price bracket are poorly finished and this lack of padding alone can make them pretty uncomfortable.
Don t forget to pay attention to the chair back, too. Some are very ornate, some are all cushioned, and others are made of the same wood as the seat and legs. In any case, don t be fooled into spending more money on chairs that have specially made backs to assure your dining comfort. Why? Because most people don t lean back in their chairs as they dine! Unless you linger around the table for hours at a time, you ll probably be fine without paying too much attention to what the backs may or may not do for you.
Chair heights differ as well, and some are more comfortable than others. We will always have the regular chairs with heights of about 22 . One of the newer chair styles is called a bar or pub chair, and frequently they come with tables to accommodate these taller legs. Make sure that if you are buying single pieces rather than a set, that your new chairs will fit under your table.
Tables usually come with four chairs, although larger sets come with six. Extras are always available. Check out new designs and styles from manufacturers that offer a type of mix and match when purchasing dining chairs. Frequently one table will have two or three matching chair styles and it s quite acceptable to have a few of each all at once! Mix colors, fabrics, or even wood blends. The result can be quite amazing.
For older furniture or even rooms that need some updating, just throw on a coat of paint and add some new chair cushions. Even you re really adventurous, try upholstering the seats by yourself.
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