Should My Dining Chair Have Armrests or Not?

It's the age-old debate. Should you pick a dining chair with arms, or without? It all depends on a few key things. Keep reading to find out what's right for you!

What's the difference?

You may be thinking... "why does it even matter what kind of arms my dining chair has?" Well, good question. But it does matter! Your individual needs, space you have available and your style preference can all influence what kind of dining chair you go for. Of course, the actual difference between an armless chair and one with arms is pretty obvious. But let's run through the pros and cons of each, so you can decide which one is perfect for you.

dining chairs with arms

These types of dining chair tend to be associated more with hotels, boutiques and older homes. The tub chair is a great example of this; it looks like it would perfectly in a cosy coffee shop or a stylish hotel reception: The traditional red colour gives it a nod towards the 50s and 60s. We personally love this style, and if you're a fan of retro trends you might love a dining chair with arms. However, armed chairs don't have to be from decades gone by. We stock plenty of modern-style dining chairs which comes with fixed armrests. Take a look at some of our favourite below: Bergen, Greenwich & Stockholm dining chairs  From left to right we have the Bergen Purple Plastic Chair, the Greenwich Modern Dining Chair and the Stockholm Upholstered Chair in black fabric. As you can see, these chairs ooze modern style and coolness. So, now it's obvious that armed chairs can fit in with any interiors, why should you invest in one (or several)? Well, let's get to it.

Why get a fixed armrest?

It's a well-known fact that chairs with arms are much more ergonomic, especially if you are going to be sitting at them for a long time. They're much nicer to lounge in as you can rest your arms and truly relax. We think that armed dining chairs are perfect for those who like to take time over meals and sip coffee in the afternoon. They may also be more suitable for younger children who are too old for a highchair, but haven't quite got the hang of staying upright in an armless chair yet!

armless dining chairs

It's much more common to see armless dining chairs in the modern day dining room or kitchen space. However, like chairs with armrests, these types of dining chair can come in a multitude of styles. Take a look at some of our favourite examples below:  Ava, Halmstad & Chelsea dining chairs[/caption] Here, you can quite clearly see how different armless dining chairs can be. Take our Ava gel plastic chair in this vibrant purple shade - it'd look perfect in a city apartment or a funky office. If you're looking to inject some colour into your dining room, this is the perfect solution. The Miami Chair in black is a neutral yet gorgeous example. It's super comfortable but also will suit a wide range of interior design choices. 

What's the beauty of an armless dining chair?

Although they don't offer the immediate support of chairs with armrests, it doesn't mean they're not really comfortable. Just opt for a padded fabric chair like the Halmstad above! The real benefit of armless chairs is how little space they take up. If your dining room is quite cramped or you want to fit a chair into a small nook of your home, you'll fit an armless chair much easier than one with an armrest! They're perfect for bigger families and people who have lots of parties who might occasionally need extra seating.