Armchairs

Comfortable Chairs: Will the Arms Fit Under My Table?

When choosing comfortable chairs with arms for your dining space, arm height is the first detail worth checking. You want the arm to clear the underside of your table apron so the chair can slide in smoothly, and we’ve seen this tiny measurement make a bigger difference in comfort than people expect. Measure from the floor to the underside of your table and look for armchairs with arms just slightly lower than that. For a deeper dive into measurements that actually matter, our Ultimate Guide to Modern Chairs walks through seat heights, widths and proportions with real examples.

Comfortable Chairs: How Wide Should Armchairs Be and How Many Will Fit?

Armchairs tend to run wider than classic dining profiles, so the number you can fit per side depends on the table length and how airy you want the layout to feel. We’ve noticed many dining rooms feel more balanced when only one or two armchairs sit along a long edge, with slimmer seating like stacking chairs filling in the rest when needed. At the short ends, a single armchair often looks right and adds presence without overwhelming the table. Using painter’s tape to map out footprints on the floor helps you catch spacing issues early, and you’ll notice potential crowding right away.

Comfortable Chairs: Are Armchairs Really Better for Long Dinners?

For long dinners, many people do feel a noticeable difference in support when using armchairs compared to standard side chairs. The Shell Chair by Costantini Pietro is a strong example of comfortable seating done well, with a curved wood shell, soft cushions and finishes ranging from matte to lacquered. It is also available as a side chair, making it easy to mix arms at the ends with armless seating along the sides for a cohesive set of upholstered dining room chairs. If you are putting together a full modern furniture dining layout, combining both styles often feels intentional and works well for everyday comfort.

Comfortable Chairs: Brands to Know for Arm and Side Versions

Costantini has a long-standing reputation for crafting comfortable seating with a refined, timeless look. Founded in 1922 and now run by the third generation, the brand has expanded from living room pieces into a complete range of chairs, arm and side chair options and storage. We’ve seen designers return to their collections repeatedly because the materials age beautifully and the silhouettes adapt easily to both formal and relaxed dining rooms.

Capdell is another excellent example of comfort paired with thoughtful design. For over fifty years they’ve collaborated with designers and architects to create wood-forward seating that feels timeless yet warm. Each chair is hand-finished and upholstered in a wide range of colors, and the craftsmanship shows in the way the pieces feel when you sit down. Their work appears often in dining rooms that value a balance of durability, color and comfort.