Steel Kitchen Chairs

The material plays a big role – you should obviously choose one that you think is nice, but also bear in mind that it needs to stay that way.

• Soaped and oiled chairs need some maintenance. Oil them a couple of times a year and they’ll stay nice for a long time. A varnished chair doesn’t need to be maintained in the same way.

• Rattan chairs have been popular for a long time, but they require some care. The rattan can become dry and brittle – so you should spray it regularly with water.

• Wood or plastic. If you have young children, it’s a good idea to choose materials that are easy to wipe clean, such as wood or plastic.

Think about how much space you have around the table. A rule of thumb is that each person needs about 60 centimetres. Also make sure that there’s enough room behind the chair for you to walk around it. Around 30 centimetres is usually enough.

In a small home, stackable chairs can be conveniently stored away when not in use. Chairs without frames also take up less space, as you can slide them under the table.