Chairs for the kitchen: types, sizes and selection
The arrangement of the kitchen must be done carefully - because convenience and comfort depend on it. Even such an ordinary thing as a chair is not easy to choose. After all, not everyone will be comfortable, strong and durable. And besides their practical side, the chairs should fit well into the interior.
Design types and functionality
To facilitate the search for the ideal option, first you need to consider all existing models and highlight the most attractive ones. A chair is a piece of furniture designed to be seated. Its distinctive features are the presence of a back, seat and legs. Therefore, stools should be removed from this category (they have no back support). There is a controversy about chairs with armrests, many call them armchairs. But the main difference between a chair and an armchair is the level of comfort.
We can say that a chair is a kind of chair.
By their functionality, all kitchen chairs can be conditionally divided into two types:
- dining rooms (where you can sit next to a regular table and eat);
- bar (suitable for bar counters, islands, countertops and high tables).
A dining chair, as a rule, has a high back (up to 40 cm); its shape can be rectangular, trapezoidal or round. The shape of the seat is close to a square or a circle. You can find both straight and curved seats and backs. This is done not only for beauty, but also for convenience. Of course, it is impossible to find orthopedic kitchen chairs, since not much time is spent on them, but the ergonomic characteristics will not be superfluous.
If we consider the base of the chair, then it may have:
- four legs;
- one leg;
- wide legs, fused with the surface of the seat or back.
For bar stools, another element is added - a footrest, as they will not reach the floor, and this can be uncomfortable. The bar counter is more informal, so chairs can be equipped with mechanisms for lifting and rotating the seat. The mechanisms are most often installed in swivel chairs with one leg. But there are also models that resemble an ordinary dining room - with four high supports.
The back of bar stools can be absolutely any - there are both very short options (up to 15 cm) and the usual high ones.
All kitchen chairs can be conditionally divided into the following varieties:
- soft - have a coating and inner padding up to 10 cm high (with filler or springs);
- semi-soft (coating with a small layer of padding);
- hard (uncoated).
Not only the seat can be soft, but also the backrest, as well as the armrests. This is done primarily for comfort, because it is difficult to spend more than an hour on a hard seat. In addition, the coating allows you not to feel discomfort from contact with unpleasant to the touch (for example, cold) surfaces.
Dimensions (edit)
Speaking about the parameters of the chair, the first thing to consider is the size of the seat. On average, their width varies between 35 and 45 cm. Of course, there are narrower and wider models, but they still need to be looked for. The longitudinal size of the seat (from the back to the edge) is about 50 cm. These figures are not accidental and are designed so that a person with a standard physique can spend a long enough time in a sitting position.
The height of the chair should be appropriate for its purpose. In this case, it is the height from the floor to the seat that is considered - usually it is 45 cm.And the average parameters of the height of the entire product (including the back) are about 90 cm.This figure can be less or more if the back or seat is tilted. These dimensions are quite suitable for an average dining table (72 cm). With bar stools, things are not so simple. Their height to the seat can be either 58 or 91 cm - it all depends on the size of the rack. After all, the lower part of the body should fit comfortably under it, even if you put your legs on your legs.
A separate place is occupied by transforming chairs, in which the distance to the floor can be adjusted so that it is comfortable to sit. Usually, such models are purchased by children, for whom they often have to change furniture in accordance with their height.
There are universal models that can accommodate both a child and an adult with equal comfort.
Naturally, you need to take into account that each person has individual body proportions - in addition to weight, there are people with longer legs or torso. That's why in the acquisition process, you need to focus only on yourself, but better - to try out the chair in action and sit on it... Normally, the feet should be completely on the floor, while the knees do not lift up. If the back of the chair is shorter than the level of the shoulder blades, there will be insufficient support for the back. In the normal position, the depth and width of the seat should be sufficient to accommodate, a small distance between the edge of the seat and the knees is considered acceptable.
If the desired option is not found, you can always use the services of custom-made manufacturing.
Materials (edit)
Different materials can be used to make chairs.
- Wood. Various types of wood are used. Chairs made of birch and oak will last for more than a dozen years, but pine and beech are easier to process, and furniture from them turns out to be more elegant. The tree is environmentally friendly and has a respectable appearance. However, in a kitchen, it is much more difficult to care for it, and the weight of the products will be more impressive. Solid wood furniture is always of high cost.
Some parts can be made from a substitute (wood fraction) - such a product will be cheap, but less durable.
- Plastic. This material has large enough capabilities for the manufacture of chairs and individual parts of any shape. In addition, the material can be dyed - so the product will be bright and the most attractive for use. Plastic furniture is lightweight, easy to clean and inexpensive. However, plastic that is too thin will be fragile.
To strengthen the structure and increase strength, metal supports or a frame are most often used.
- Metal. Steel parts add weight to the product, but increase its reliability. At the same time, chairs with chrome or brushed metal frame fit well with any modern design. A separate position is occupied by forged chairs - their cost is much higher. However, the specificity of the manufacture and their beauty justify this. Usually wrought iron chairs abound with a lot of decorative details.
- Rattan, vines and other weaving materials. Such furniture stands out from the general row with its unusual texture and appearance. Natural and lightweight material will always be in demand. Wicker chairs are capricious to external influences in the form of humidity and heat.
The load on the wicker chair should be light.
Among the chairs, you can find models entirely made of wood, rattan or metal. But most often the chairs are made combined. This is necessary in order to improve performance - for example, to increase strength and stability, to make the cost more affordable. In addition, they try to make those parts that are in direct contact with the human body from materials that are pleasant to the touch.
Most often, the back and seat are covered with genuine leather, leatherette or fabric.
Color and design
The appearance of the chair will entirely depend on the capabilities of the material from which it was made. In wooden chairs, special attention is paid to the back and legs. They can be straight or curved. Craftsmen can carve unusual shapes or make exquisite carvings to transform an ordinary chair into a work of art. When making wooden chairs, their texture and color are emphasized (with the help of impregnations, stains and varnishes). You can find natural - beige, light and dark brown (walnut, wenge) chairs with reddish and reddish shades. There are also painted colored models, including patinated ones (for example, gilding).
For chairs with plastic seats and backs, the main emphasis is on the unusual shape. The most extreme curves and unimaginable contours can be seen here. Plastic furniture can be smooth or embossed to the touch (ribbed, rough, etc.). You can find anything by color among them - plastic can be painted in almost all known colors.
As a last resort, you can choose a neutral option - chairs made of transparent plastic.
In modern chairs, the most eye-catching feature is the chrome-plated surface with a metallic sheen. Also, metal frames are usually painted in neutral colors or to match the rest of the parts. The upholstery can be an interesting detail. Light pastel colors look the most aesthetically pleasing and go with everything. Bright, contrasting upholstery can draw all the attention to yourself. Of course, it should be combined with the rest of the textiles in the kitchen. Patterned upholstery (floral or abstract) sets a special mood.
Rating of the best models
Among the options for kitchen chairs presented in the store Of particular interest are the following:
- Pion 2 butter white - a classic soft chair with smooth, rounded lines. There are other upholstery options. The model resembles an elite Viennese chair. Good value for money. The furniture is made by Malaysia.
- "Grandee" - another representative of solid wood furniture, produced by "Orimex" (Russia).Oak chairs are not only beautiful, but also durable over many years of service. The silhouette of the model is close to the modern one. The seat is soft with polyurethane and foam rubber filling, there is also an upholstery on the back.
- Eames PC-015 - an inexpensive chair with a metal frame, solid beech legs and a plastic seat. This model has a wide range of colors. The seat is firm, but wide and comfortable due to its shape. Manufactured in China, the Woodville brand.
- Toledo (Hoff, China) - a bright model with many fans. The faux leather cover not only looks great but is easy to clean. An easy and convenient option that can be matched to any kitchen.
- Calligaris skip - a folding chair made in Italy. The wooden seat is securely attached to a metal frame. Despite its fragile appearance, the design is quite reliable and, due to its compactness, is well suited for small kitchens.
- Bombo (Cosmorelax, Russia) - a popular model for a mid-height bar. Modern design meets good quality. Equipped with a lifting and swivel mechanism, there is a small backrest and a footrest.
How to choose?
Choosing the option you want is not easy. To facilitate this process, you just need to define some of the most important positions.
- First you need to determine the number of chairs and immediately wonder if they are available. Sometimes an additional order is not possible and the set may turn out to be unsuited.
- When buying, you should proceed from your own financial capabilities. The furniture industry has options for different tastes and wallets. Sometimes you can save on upholstery, choose a simpler model or refuse paid delivery.
- Next, you need to find out the required size. The convenience of the options you like should be assessed immediately - directly in the store. After sitting on models of different heights and shapes, you can choose the most suitable ones.
- It is better if the material from which the furniture is made is moisture resistant and easy to clean. The same goes for the upholstery material. As a last resort, removable fabric covers can be sewn.
- The option chosen must be strong enough to withstand daily stress. It is important to inspect the product when buying - nothing should wrinkle, sag or creak. Check stability carefully, especially if the chair has only one support. If there are four legs, make sure they are all the same length and the chair is level on the floor, otherwise it will wobble.
- All kitchen furniture should be safe, if the smell or the quality of the material bothers you - ask for documents.
- Not least when buying furniture is the availability of warranty service and the seller's reputation. If you find negative reviews, it is better to look for an alternative option.
How to place?
It is good if a separate room is allocated for eating - a dining room. It can accommodate a large table with chairs around it. But if you need to fit the table in the kitchen, and even in a small area, you will have to think about compact placement. Even if there is a lot of space, you should not display all the chairs available - this is not always appropriate. For a small kitchen, it is especially important to pay attention to all the dimensions of the furniture. The most convenient option in this case will be products with a folding back, which can later be simply hidden under the table. Or, as a last resort, some of the chairs can be replaced with stools.
It is more difficult to hide bar stools, it is better to take them with a minimum backrest height - then they also slide under the counter and do not block the passage.
Usually the number of chairs is determined by the number of family members. And even in the most ceremonial dining room they don't have more than six. Storing excess furniture (in case guests arrive) should also be compact.
- Here folding models will be the best solution. The folding mechanism can be complex or simple.However, chairs that fold out in one step do not always look attractive.
- The next option is stackable models. Their design is such that the chairs can be simply stacked on top of each other. The result is, albeit a high, but rather narrow stack. You can store them in this form in the pantry or on the balcony. They are convenient in that you do not need to waste time on assembly.
- There are collapsible models of chairs in which the parts are fastened together with several bolts. It is better if there are few of them, since there may not be any special skills and time. But the disassembled parts can even be stored in a closet.
In terms of space saving, you can consider chairs with storage space. The pedestal chair only at first glance looks a little cumbersome, in fact, it is quite convenient to use it.
And in order to facilitate the movement of such furniture, it is better to choose the option on wheels.
Successful examples in the interior
The style in which the chairs are made should be consistent with all the furniture in the kitchen. But first of all it concerns the table. No wonder such an ensemble is called a dining group and is perceived as a single set. The common factor can be form, material, color, texture, etc. And, of course, the unifying factor should be style. The simplest example is Provence or country. These directions are always recognizable and carry certain obligations - this is both closeness to nature and the hidden charm of an unpretentious decor. They can be opposed to any of the modern trends with an original combination of lines, glitter of glass and chrome.
However, you should not go to extremes - creativity and convenience are not always the same.
For conservatives, minimalism is the best solution. with clarity of lines and severity of outlines. In a sense, such an arrangement can become a philosophy of life. At the same time, do not think that such an interior can be boring. Even in one color, a kitchen can be appealing due to its details. White can be called a universal color; in any situation it looks solemn, but at the same time unobtrusive. In order to lighten heavy furniture, choose options with a through, thin back. For the same purpose, transparent plastic chairs are suitable for the kitchen.
To diversify the interior of the kitchen and make the atmosphere in it more informal, you can choose multi-colored chairs... In this case, the model should be as simple as possible, without conspicuous details. The same technique can be used if it is difficult to make a choice - each family member can order the color option that he likes best. There are also opposite examples - when all the chairs are the same in color, but differ in their shape. It is important to respect the proportions and size, otherwise individual chairs will stand out strongly.
In the next video, an overview of a variety of chairs for the kitchen.