Modern & Contemporary Kitchen & Dining Room Chairs

Modern and contemporary kitchen and dining room chairs contain wood in the legs and frame for a natural look that blends with hardwood flooring or kitchen cabinets. Wood stain colors range from natural to dark, and these types of chairs pair well with wooden tables. Wood chairs may or may not have arms depending on which variety you choose. The legs are usually straight and without adornments as opposed to curved or carved.

Metal chairs in this style could contain steel in the legs or an entire chair with nothing but metal in it. Plastic seats fit neatly on four legs, a pedestal-type base, or flared legs that point toward the corners. Metal represents the sturdiest material for kitchen and dining room chairs, so it's a great option if you want long-lasting and durable workmanship. Metal chairs may also be stackable if you want to save space or go easier on the floor cleaning. Chrome finishes and stainless steel construction bring extra shine to your dining room chairs.

Plastic modern and contemporary kitchen and dining room chairs contain this material in just the seats or throughout the entire piece. Molded plastic seats have curves to better conform to your shape. Chairs made entirely of plastic are both sturdy and lightweight, which means you can move them readily and they easily stack on each other during cleaning day. Plastic also gives you a wide variety of color choices, whether you need neutrals to complement other hues or bright shades to make your set pop.

Upholstered fabric in these chairs also gives you plenty of color options with the added benefit of a soft feel. Upholstered chairs could also use elegant tufting and nailhead trim for sophisticated touches, although the fabric usually doesn't have a lot of give to it. Expect metal or wooden legs for these chairs, and the seat and back are usually separated by frame material.

Leather material in modern and contemporary kitchen and dining room chairs covers the back and seat much in the same fashion as upholstered fabric. Leather normally comes in rich brown hues, but manufacturers can get creative with bright blue and red. Leather is easy to keep clean thanks to its non-porous structure.

Sets come in a single chair or up to eight together, which means you have the freedom to add to your dining room as much as you want. A single chair can fit in a corner when not in use, while an entire set of eight needs a table to go with it. Stackable chairs stow away quickly to save space.

Modern and contemporary kitchen and dining room chairs utilize three basic designs with different features for each one. An armchair, as its name implies, has arms usually made out of the same material as the frame. A side chair has no arms, which gives you more freedom to move in and out of the furniture. A Parsons chair is more formal, with a high back and no arms, perfect for relaxing after a good meal.

Back styles incorporate several aesthetics. Slats save on construction materials by having wooden dowels run vertically along the back, while ladder-style backs run horizontally. Slats and ladders can incorporate simple pieces or elaborate, twisting designs. Cross backs have an X-shape or diagonal pieces, while a solid back has every bit of space filled.