The kitchen is the heart of the home; without comfortable seating, though, it’s hard to truly embrace the full utility of this space. Whether it’s a casual breakfast in the morning light, an evening of entertaining guests while you prepare an exquisite meal or a quiet dinner with loved ones, modern luxury chairs will create a sanctuary of warmth and refinement and elevate mealtimes.
Although dining chairs can be set around your kitchen table to fulfil the same purpose, the modern kitchen chair is usually higher, like a bar stool and can be set around your kitchen island or counters. The ideal kitchen chair complements your kitchen, has a comfortable design and does not impose on your usable space.
This guide will cover the various designs and styles and show you how to choose the perfect kitchen chairs to complete your kitchen.
In luxury kitchens, seating is an art form. Whether you choose opulent dining chairs, sleek bar stools, or custom-built benches, each piece should be selected with the intention of elevating the space.
There is a wide variety of seating options available for kitchens and choosing the right one will dictate how often the space gets used.
Designing a space according to your needs is a focal point of modern design, making your home not only a place you like to look at but also a place you want to actually come home to and relax in.
Your choice of furniture, especially seating, has a large impact on how relaxing the atmosphere is, especially at the start and end of a day. It also impacts how you use your kitchen space, more so if you plan on eating together as a family or socialising with friends in that space. So the number of chairs you buy for your kitchen and the layout will ultimately depend on the functionality that you’ve envisioned for that space. Nonetheless, below we share some of the most commonly used arrangements.
The kitchen island, when paired with dining chairs, transforms the central hub of your kitchen into an elegant dining space.
In larger kitchens, this setup not only maximises the functional area but elevates the room into a sophisticated blend of meal preparation and socialising.
A central place in your kitchen that not only adds storage space, but reinforces feelings of openness can only be a good thing and with the right chairs it’s the perfect place to cook and entertain without leaving your guests while meals are prepared.
Which chairs you choose will be largely dependent on the height of your island, but when it’s possible, it will turn your kitchen into a multifunctional room.
Bar stools are the ideal complement for high kitchen islands.
Their tall design seamlessly integrates with minimalist kitchens and with soft tops or contoured seats add a small touch of comfort without interrupting sleeker aesthetics.
Bar stools come in many different types offering differing levels of comfort, support and design. From backless chairs that can be pushed under the island completely when not in use, to stools with a backrest and even arms that combine the height of a traditional bar stool with the ergonomics of a dining chair.
If you’re looking for chairs you can move around your kitchen easily and use in other rooms too, bar stools are ideal, lightweight, mobile and will be as useful around an island as they are at a breakfast bar.
Combining a bench with traditional dining chairs around your kitchen tables is a great way to get more seating than you might with individual seats. Dining chairs are typically more comfortable, while benches can seat more and be stored under tables or put to the side of a room when they’re not needed. Together, they let you have your bread buttered on both sides.
This trendy dining set-up allows you to centre your kitchen as the social hub when you have guests or for everyday dinner with family, without leaving uncomfortable gaps in your seating. However practical, benches are not generally known for their comfort or back support. Still, when used in addition to traditional dining chairs, dining benches are a utility-first design component that can nonetheless encompass both the casual feeling of mid-week dinners and the logistics of an event.
Open-plan homes pose a unique design challenge in defining space, but can still be met with the right furniture and an understanding of how you intend to move through your home, use different areas and maintain the feeling of openness.
Kitchens and dining areas naturally work together because their functions are so closely related. Adding a full dining furniture set to your kitchen is a great way to simply tie the two together. Choosing colours, materials and textures that are a continuation of your kitchen decor will create a visual connection, while still defining the separate functions of a dining and kitchen area.
A multi-functional space can be a space saver, giving you a dining area without having to extend and may also open up options for use of the dining room as another entertainment or play area, without completely sacrificing having a designated eating space.
When selecting kitchen chairs for your luxury home, consider not only the materials’ durability but also how they contribute to the overall atmosphere of your space.
Chairs that offer more comfort may take up more space than you prefer, while compact seats may lack the sense of style you’ve curated elsewhere. Functionality should really be the primary factor if you intend to use these chairs, especially if they’re to be your primary dining space.
This is extremely important when choosing chairs for your kitchen where food preparation and meals are going to be carried out regularly. Consider materials that are either stain-resistant or easy to clean to avoid having to replace or reupholster your kitchen chairs.
Kitchen chairs, really, can be whatever chairs you want to have there. The only real limits are the size of your kitchen, your style and how you plan on using the chairs.
There are, however, chairs that are designed specifically for these spaces and chairs that will better suit a kitchen than others.
There are three main types of chairs typically used in the kitchen:
These chairs can be used to suit different-sized kitchens and space needs while also providing comfort and practical seating.
Deciding between these options is also a design choice, as some lend themselves better to various kitchen styles.
A dining chair with arms is the ultimate in luxurious appointments, for a larger kitchen with all the trimmings of a dining room complete with a stand-alone dining table.
In smaller kitchens, large dining chairs with arms may make the space look smaller and more cluttered than it is.
Small dining chairs with arms on the other hand can be placed around a small table seating two or three for a cosy breakfast nook with all the comforts of a dining table scaled down to suit the size of the kitchen.
When adding furniture to a room used as often as the kitchen it is important to always be cognizant of your use of space, leaving room to move around. The arms of a dining chair may bring with them comfort and elegance, but they are not for anywhere that space is a concern.
Without arms, dining chairs still provide comfort and a full dining room experience in your kitchen, with less demands on your space.
Make use of vertical space by exploring the shape and height of the backs of your chairs to add decorative elements.
Curved chairs can add depth to a sleek and angular minimalist kitchen or simplicity to an already ornate kitchen.
Dining chairs are functional, but can also be used as a decorative element.
This is especially true when the dining area is not separate from the kitchen, like when your kitchen island is also your dining table.
A major benefit of armless dining chairs is that your space can feel more open and relaxed. You can also consider them as space savers because they allow for easier mobility and they can easily fit in smaller spaces.
Benches can either be built in as part of a designated kitchen nook or portable additions to your kitchen dining table.
In both options, there is the possibility of using your bench as additional storage for your kitchen, which is helpful in keeping clutter to a minimum.
Well-designed, built-in kitchen nooks can add value to your property, much like fully installed kitchen islands.
The risk, as with all home improvement choices, is the possibility of adding permanent features that can date your home or fall out of style.
In terms of comfort, a well-designed and upholstered dining bench can be even more comfortable than cushions, especially if you accessorise it with plush cushions. Benches generally also have more seating capacity than chairs.
Bar stools are one of the most space-conscious seating options available for your kitchen with the ability to turn your countertops into dining tables without changing the configuration of your cabinets at all.
Built with the height of your cabinets in mind, these high chairs can also contribute to the styling and design of your kitchen complementing your cabinets through both the seat and the base of the chairs.
Bar stools do not have to be uncomfortable. With a range of designs including footrests, ergonomic seating and plush upholstery, there are even bar stools you would consider lounging in!
Luxury bar stools come in a range of designs these days, including upholstered bar stools, backless ones and you also have the choice of choosing stools with arms or without. So it’s easy to find comfortable stools that perfectly match your kitchen aesthetics.
There are benefits to both fabric and leather upholstery.
While fabric offers comfort, heat distribution and a wide variety of styles, textures and colours, leather is more resistant to dirt and smells and is easy to clean after spills and splatters.
For a truly luxurious finish, fabrics such as Italian brocade, sumptuous wool and the finest linen are hard to top.
These materials are not only durable but embody timeless elegance, with their natural fibres weaving comfort with skill and softness with design. Leather of course has its own charm and is considered ideal for busy kitchens or if you have young kids because leather chairs can easily be wiped in case of any spills. Designer chair brands will offer you a range of leather colours and finishes to choose from. Some of our personal favourite brands for leather chairs are Cattelan Italia and Naos.
When curating the perfect kitchen seating, it’s important to consider the subtleties that often elude the untrained eye. Avoid these common mistakes when shopping for your counter-side seats:
Choosing FCI London for your kitchen chairs doesn’t just give you access to one of London’s largest luxury showrooms with a variety of chairs from designers across Europe, it also gives access to free expert advice from our team of professional interior designers, who are only too glad to assist you with finding the right chairs.
Our award-winning store is home to the most refined, high-quality furniture offering you luxury and style in every room including your kitchen.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
Book your appointment today!
Whether you’re interested in armchairs, recliners, outdoor offerings or the perfect match for your dining room, our skilled team will help you make a selection that will elevate your home.
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