Parson Chairs Buying Guide

Parson chairs bring an element of traditional elegance to even the most contemporary dining rooms with their tall and rectangular backs.  Available in many different coverings, such as upholstery or leather, it’s easy to find the right chairs that complement your home’s decorative theme.

Skirted parson chairs recently have enjoyed a surge in popularity and are ideal for those who appreciate the look of French country chic.  Depending on your personal taste, you can easily find beautiful parson chairs in a variety of whimsical, elegant or simple patterns.  Although usually found armless, there are several styles of parson arm chairs and in fact, with so many love like the traditional look of an armed chair at the head of the dining table, it’s not at all difficult to mix and match according to your preferences.

If you’ve already selected your dining table, be sure to measure the distance between the table top to the floor.  On average, a table will measure 20 inches (including the table apron).  Using this average, you’ll want your chair seat height to be about 16 inches from the floor and a width of around 14 inches in the back and up to 17 inches in front.  The chair back height might measure anywhere from 13 to 21 inches.  It’s important to keep in mind if you do select parsons dining chairs with arms, the arm height is a consideration and should measure only about eight or nine inches above the seat.

Consider adding an area rug to your dining room for an even more elegant look and if you have hardwood floors, you may wish to invest in inexpensive pads to apply to the feet of your chairs to avoid scratching your flooring investment.

With so many beautiful selections, your parson dining room chair style will be easy to define.  Be creative and allow your imagination to determine the final look of your family’s dining room.