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chairs

8/20/19       
Ben Member

I am building a custom height dinning room table to match my height of 6' 2". The table will be high enough so that I can sit in a chair that fits me - one where my legs are fully supported. I figure that the chair seat height will need to be around 21" from the floor.

My question is in regards to the chairs. I prefer to buy rather than build the chairs. Seems that standard height is around 18". I can find bar stools and "cabinet" height chairs taller than what I need and considered just cutting them down but the problem are the spindles between the legs. Most of them have a spindle in the front such that if you cut down the legs then the spindle is almost on the floor.

I was hoping that someone on the forum had already solved this problem (i.e. finding taller chairs to fit a custom table) and could share their ideas/advise.

Remember, these are for a dinning room table. We don't like too fancy, but also do want them to look nice in a dinning room (i.e. want a back that is higher rather than shorter, etc.)

Thanks.

8/20/19       #3: chairs ...
rich c.

Lots of windsor chair makers around the country who would make the leg any length you want. Brian Boggs in Asheville is a great place to start. Since you didn't mention budget, might as well start with one of the best!

Brian Boggs

8/20/19       #4: chairs ...
Ben Member

Thanks

8/21/19       #5: chairs ...
Glen Harwell

Standard seat height for dining chairs is 20". For sofas it is 18". You can select a dining chair with an upholstered seat and can have the upholstery foam raise you to whatever height you want.

8/24/19       #6: chairs ...
TonyF

Ben:

I find it interesting that you require a custom height for table and chair, as your height does not seem to fall outside the normal range for ergonomic considerations and human sizing calculations regarding furniture scale. Will everyone who dines at this table will be the same height as you are?

In addition to what Glen recommends, perhaps you can find chairs that you like, and incorporate an additional piece or pad on the bottom of the legs to match the chairs, or that would complement the design in some way. This would spare you the considerable expense of custom seating.

It would seem that having your thighs fully supported would in part depend on the amount of legroom forward space available under the table, i.e., being able to stretch your legs at the knee without hitting the table support or hitting the legs of the person opposite from you. Perhaps a custom table could be designed with this consideration, such as a larger area top, thus allowing for standard table and chair height that would accommodate a larger range of humans.

Being vertically challenged myself, I don’t know what it is like to be tall, and whether using standard items provides a degree of discomfort that would warrant custom made items in order to enjoy a more comfortable existence.

TonyF

8/24/19       #7: chairs ...
Dave Nauman  Member

Website: http://www.dcnchair.com

Chairs are normally 18" high in the front, 17 3/4" in the back, dining tables are normally 30" high. You need to be able to push armchairs under the table apron.

8/24/19       #8: chairs ...
Dave Nauman  Member

Website: http://www.dcnchair.com

I meant 17 1/4" in the back. It's been a long day.

8/26/19       #9: chairs ...
David R Sochar Member

There is no need to resort to a reinvention of the wheel, er dining table and chair, for a 6'-2" height. If you are the only person sitting and eating, then you can make it whatever, but then you subject your guests to the same dimensions you have imposed on the designs.

I find that people never complain about the height, but they do like to cross their legs at long dining events. This eliminates an apron, making for design differences, but greatly improves comfort.
That and keeping the legs/top supports out of the way of diner's legs and feet would be the much higher priority than the height change.

When I was green, back in 1980, and needed a family dining table, I made one at 31" - 1" taller than usual. I am - was - 6'2". my thought, like yours , was this was a better height for me.

Well, for the next 39 years, almost every time I sit at it, running in the background, is the fact that it is too tall and I feel I may bump my chin on it. I need to turn it over and whack the legs off, but have not done it. Yet. Visitors mention it, family doesn't like it (even though they are mostly tall), and since there is a 4" apron, it also does not provide enough room under the table for crossing legs, etc.

Form Vs Function ; it is an old discussion....

8/28/19       #10: chairs ...
cabinetmaker

29” with a 2” apron.

David, I’ll send you my gents saw. Just ship it back when done

8/30/19       #11: chairs ...
David R Sochar Member

cabinetmaker- Thanks. I'll return the saw with my lightly used phone book. Now that they have no use other than booster seats.....

9/4/19       #12: chairs ...
Andrew Member

I selected heigh for my sofa - 16" by myself. And it looks very good)

10/31/19       #13: chairs ...
Pete Member

See this forum post.
http://www.woodweb.com/forum_fdse_files/furniture/805940.html

I have used him for chair seats before, but I know he does entire chairs too so he may be of help in buying something or providing insight.

As for table and chair heights, I've built several tables at 31" tall for dining rooms. I say 30-31 for dining and 29-30 for kitchen with appropriate chairs for either. I see no reason you couldn't build a chair that is 19-20" tall in the front to fit under a table and be more comfortable.


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