Choose the Perfect Fabric for Dining Room Chairs

Selecting fabric for dining room chairs is an important design decision that requires careful consideration. The right fabric can elevate the look and feel of your dining space, while also standing up to the rigors of daily use.

Fabrics for dining room chairs must be attractive yet highly functional. As a high-traffic area prone to spills, stains, and wear and tear, the dining room demands fabrics that are easy to clean, durable, and resistant to stains. Prioritizing these practical elements ensures your dining chairs withstand messes and signs of aging gracefully.

Look for Stain and Spill Resistant Fabrics

The best dining chair fabric options are engineered to repel stains. Acrylic fabrics like Sunbrella are ideal since they are inherently stain resistant. Treating standard fabrics with a stain repellant coating like Scotchgard also prevents absorption of spills and stains. This treatment saves you time scrubbing stubborn spots and preserves the fabric's beauty long-term.

Target Fabrics That Are Simple to Clean

Fabrics that can be easily spot cleaned or wiped down with a damp cloth are invaluable on dining chairs. Being able to quickly clean isolated spots and stains prevents having to launder the entire seat cover. Vinyl, faux leather, acrylics, and microfiber fabrics are all easily wipeable choices.

Look for the phrase "wipe clean" when selecting fabric. If in doubt, perform a small test spot on an inconspicuous area before committing to yardage. Easy cleaning prolongs the life of your dining chair fabric.

Assess Durability Using the Martindale Rating

The Martindale rating denotes how durable and abrasion resistant a fabric is. Consumer and contract fabrics receive a rating from 5,000 to 30,000 rubs. On dining chairs, aim for a rating between 15,000 to 20,000 as a sign of longevity.

Compare similar fabric types and choose the highest Martindale rating within your budget. Durability prevents you from needing to reupholster chairs frequently, saving time, effort and expenses down the road.

Match the Style of Your Dining Room

Carefully select a dining chair fabric that complements your dining room's decor and design aesthetic. For example, traditional dining rooms may look best with classic fabrics like damask or velvet in darker, formal colors. Meanwhile, lighter neutral colors and sleek textures like faux leather work well in modern, contemporary spaces.

Fabrics for Traditional Style Dining Rooms

For formal dining rooms, gravitate towards more refined fabrics like:

• Velvet - luxurious with a touchable pile
• Damask - ornate tone-on-tone woven patterns
• Tapestry - intricately patterned jacquard weave
• Brocade - heavyweight fabric with raised woven designs

Rich colors like wine, navy, emerald, and chocolate brown complement traditional dining aesthetics. Avoid fiercely modern prints or textures like glossy vinyl.

Fabrics for Contemporary Style Dining Rooms

Contemporary dining rooms can handle sleek, trendy fabrics like:

• Faux leather - smooth and stylish easy-care option
• Acrylics - mimic leather's appeal, budget-friendly
• Microfibers - finely woven with a suede-like hand
• Metallics - add glamour and sophistication

Clean-lined geometric prints or solid neutrals in gray, beige and ivory keep things looking current. The lighter and more minimalist, the better.

Fabrics for Coastal Style Dining Rooms

Coastal inspired dining rooms benefit from casual, textural fabrics like:

• Linen - casual crinkled texture, variety of weights
• Cotton - natural fiber, breathable
• Textured wovens - interesting visible weave
• Jute - natural fiber with beachy vibe

Light blues, sea glass greens, sandy tans, and seashell white establish the breezy palette. Distressed solids or organic patterns complement the laid-back coastal aesthetic.

Explore Different Textures and Patterns

Move beyond plain solids to make a decor statement with your dining chair fabric selection. Intriguing textures add dimension and create visual interest.

Linen and Wool Fabrics Add Depth

Linen and wool's natural fibers impart charming texture and depth. Linen's casual wrinkles and relaxed personality suits casual dining spaces. Wool's hearty nubby or tweedy hand lends cozy sophistication.

Both fabric types soften sharp lines and add an inviting lived-in look to any dining room. Their natural fibers also allow chairs to breathe.

Floral and Geometric Patterns Provide Personality

From traditional patterns like damask and paisley to modern geometric prints, fabric patterns infuse dining chairs with personality. Florals impart a soft feminine vibe, while large-scale repeats make the boldest impact.

If committing to yardage seems daunting, start with printed accent pillows to test drive patterns. You can then coordinate your fabric selection to complement the pillows.

Select the Right Colors

Chair fabric color profoundly impacts the dining room's mood and aesthetic. Light, neutral hues open up smaller spaces and feel more casual and breezy. Deep bold jewel tones lend drama for formal occasions and make dining feel special. For maximum flexibility, stick to versatile neutrals.

Light Colors Visually Open Up Tighter Spaces

Crisp white, beige, light tan and soft greys reflect light, making rooms appear more open and airy. The lighter the fabric color, the less it visually recedes. Stick with these hues if your dining room is snug or lacks natural light.

Jewel Tones Make a Bold Decor Statement

Saturated colors like emerald green, sapphire blue and garnet red inject vibrancy into any dining space. These dramatic shades bring excitement to formal dining rooms. Accent with metallic sheens for even more glamorous opulence.

Warm Neutrals for Maximum Versatility

Timeless neutrals like chocolate brown, warm ivory and olive tan serve as a versatile backdrop. These colors layer well with other patterns and decor pieces. The natural earthy tones also conceal stains and wear gently.

Neutrals act as a adaptable base for changing up accent pillows and table linens to refresh your dining space through the seasons.

Factor in Budget and Quality

Higher quality dining chair fabric comes at a cost. As a general rule, take time to find the best balance of quality, durability, and maintenance within your budget parameters. Well-constructed fabrics made of natural fibers tend to be more expensive yet last longer. You get what you pay for.

Custom upholstered pieces also exceed off-the-shelf costs, but offer you tailored options. Another way to save is by upholstering chairs yourself with high-end fabric purchased by the yard. In the end, weigh cost against how often you want to replace the chair fabric.

Selecting fabric for dining chairs requires assessing durability, maintenance, style, colors, patterns, and budget considerations. But thoughtfully addressing these key factors allows you to choose long-lasting, on-trend dining room chair fabrics you'll enjoy for years. Elevate your dining space and make mealtimes even more enjoyable with fabric that perfectly suits your personal taste.