Discover armchairs for the dining room and living area
With armchairs you can noticeably transform the look and feel of a dining room and encourage your guests to stay at the table longer. The side supports relieve pressure on the shoulders and neck, give the chair a clean silhouette and provide a seating experience more reminiscent of a small armchair than a classic dining chair. In our range, you’ll find armchairs for the dining room in a variety of styles – from warm, classic wooden designs and swivel models with comfortable upholstery to understated upholstery in beige, grey or black.
We want to make your choice as easy as possible. That’s why, at Möbel Ehrmann, we combine a wide-ranging online selection with personalised advice in our furniture stores. Our interior design advisers will guide you, if you wish, from choosing materials and seat height right through to selecting the right set size. Below, you can read about the model ranges we stock, how the materials differ and what you should look out for when making a purchase.
Armchairs for the dining room – comfort at every table
In the dining room, the chair determines whether a quick dinner turns into a long conversation. Dining armchairs offer noticeably more support than armless models: you can rest your forearms comfortably, it is easier to stand up, and your back remains relaxed for longer. These benefits are particularly evident in everyday life at large dining tables and in family households where multi-course meals are served.
When putting together a new set of armchairs, pay attention to the relationship between the seat height and the underside of the table. There should be a gap of around 27 to 30 centimetres between the seat and the underside of the table so that you can pull up to the table comfortably without the armrests bumping against it. Most models in our range have a seat height of 46 to 50 centimetres and are therefore suitable for dining tables between 74 and 78 centimetres in height – a range that works well for the vast majority of home settings.
Armchairs in wood, fabric and leather – an overview of materials
The material not only determines the appearance, but also the comfort and care requirements. For armchairs there are four main categories, which we’ve summarised briefly below:
- Wooden armchairs have a warm, natural feel and suit Scandinavian, rustic and classic interiors. Solid wood is robust, can be easily refinished and develops a beautiful patina over the years.
- Fabric armchairs (such as woven fabric or velvet) offer a soft, cosy seating experience. They are well suited to living rooms where the chairs and sofa are intended to complement each other visually.
- Leather armchairs or in easy-care faux leather have a timeless and understated look. Genuine leather is very durable, whilst good-quality faux leather upholstery is an affordable and hassle-free alternative.
- Combined models featuring a wooden frame and an upholstered seat combine the best of both worlds – the solid stability of a wooden chair and the comfort of a soft seat.
The colour scheme should also complement the rest of your décor. Armchairs in beige and subtle shades of grey are very versatile and help to balance out a vibrantly coloured dining room. Black armchairs create striking accents and harmonise well with light-coloured table tops or an oak finish. If you’re feeling bold with colour, you’ll also find models in vibrant shades in our range – these are particularly suitable where the chair is intended as a design feature rather than simply a place to sit.
Care and durability
Upholstery fabrics and leather covers will last for many years if you vacuum them regularly and treat stains promptly. Wooden parts should be kept dry and, in the case of oiled surfaces, re-oiled occasionally. For lacquered wooden frames, a slightly damp cloth is usually sufficient. We recommend seeking brief advice on the appropriate cleaning method for delicate upholstery before making a purchase.
Swivel armchairs and other variants
Swivel armchairs have become a staple of modern dining rooms in recent years. The swivel mechanism makes it easier to sit down, protects the floor and is particularly useful in open-plan kitchen-diner layouts, where the chair may need to be turned towards the dining table at times and towards the living area at others. When choosing a chair, check whether the model has a return-to-rest function – this ensures that the chair returns to its original position once you have stood up.
In addition to swivel models, we stock classic four-legged chairs, cantilever armchairs and variants with sled bases. Each design has its own strengths: cantilever chairs offer a slight springiness when seated, four-legged chairs are particularly stable, and sled-base models have a minimalist and modern look. If you wish to furnish a long dining table, you can also deliberately combine two styles – for example, cantilever chairs along the long sides and two armchairs at the ends.
What to look out for when buying armchairs
Before buying, it’s worth taking the time to consider a few points. The most important consideration is how well the chairs fit around the dining table: measure the table height and the clear width between the table legs to ensure the armrests don’t bump against the table and that the chairs can be pushed neatly under the table. For smaller dining rooms, compact models with short armrests can be a good option.
The intended use also plays a role. Sturdy frames made of solid wood or metal are well suited to everyday family life. If you prefer a particularly soft seating position, you should opt for a model with thicker upholstery and a medium-height backrest. For longer periods spent seated at the table – such as on public holidays – a high-back chair may be a good choice, as it provides additional relief for the shoulder area.
Sets as a practical solution
If you’re buying several chairs at once, opting for a set is often the most hassle-free option. Classic armchairs in a set of four go well with dining tables for four to six people, whilst sets of six are ideal for larger families or households that frequently entertain guests. The chairs in a set are coordinated in colour, dimensions and upholstery batch – a detail that ensures a harmonious overall look in your finished dining room. You’ll also find an overview of matching seating sets in the Sofas and Armchairs as well as Seating, if you’d like to coordinate the colours of your dining chairs, armchairs and sofas.
Personal advice and a wide range of brands at Möbel Ehrmann
Chairs are rarely chosen based on pictures alone. Seat height, the feel of the upholstery and stability can only really be assessed once you’ve sat down. That’s exactly what our showrooms are for. In our furniture stores in the Palatinate, in Baden and in Trier, you’ll find numerous armchairs on display, combined with dining tables, sideboards and dining room lights. This gives you a realistic idea of how a particular model might look in your own dining room.
As a family-run business with over 30 years’ experience, we pride ourselves on offering a selection that caters to a range of interior styles. Our brand portfolio includes manufacturers from the trend-conscious segment as well as premium brands for customers with high quality standards. We’ll work with you to determine which brand and model suits you best during a personal consultation. On request, our own fitting teams will handle delivery and installation directly on site – without the need for external contractors.
We’d be delighted if you could pop into one of our showrooms. You can find an overview of all furniture stores, including addresses, opening hours and how to get there, under our locations at a glance. If you’d prefer to arrange your visit by telephone, we’d be happy to book an appointment with our interior design team. This way, we can set aside the necessary time for you without any waiting in the showroom.
Frequently asked questions about armchairs
When are armchairs the better choice?
Chairs with armrests are particularly suitable if you spend a lot of time sitting at the dining table – for example, during family meals, game nights or when working from home at the dining table. The side supports relieve pressure on the shoulders and back and ensure that the chair feels more comfortable than a traditional dining chair without armrests.
Do armchairs fit under every dining table?
Not every table allows an armchair to be pushed all the way under it. Pay attention to the height of the armrests in relation to the underside of the table – there should be 27 to 30 centimetres of clearance between the seat and the underside of the table. For tables with a skirt, the armrests should be designed to be lower accordingly, otherwise they will bump against the skirt.
How do I look after armchairs with fabric covers?
You should vacuum upholstery covers regularly and treat stains as soon as possible with a suitable cleaning product. Direct, intense sunlight should be avoided to prevent the cover from fading. Our advisory team will be happy to discuss with you which cleaning steps are best suited to your specific cover before you make a purchase.