These guidelines are just that...guidelines...If your family is particularly tall or short (or has special needs
or setting) feel free to BREAK THESE RULES.....H.B.
Chairs
The following dimensions apply to chairs designed for average-sized adults sitting in an upright or alert posture.
l
Seat width 16"-20" lSeat
depth 15"-18" lSeat height from floor 16"-18"
l
Armrest length(full) 8"min. lArmrest width2" laverageSet back of armrest from front
2"-3"
l
Seat back ht12"-16" lArmrest
ht. above seat 7"-9" lSeat back recline 0°-5° (formal)10°-15° (casual)
l
Slope of seat front to rear 5°-8° (3/4" to 1" drop)
Chair Dimensions for Children
The following table presents seat heights for children of various ages. Other chair dimensions can be derived proportionately
based on the chair dimensions for adults. For most elementary school age children, a seat width and depth of 12 to 14
inches, a backrest height of 9 to 11 inches, and an armrest height of 5 to 7 inches are good starting points.
| Child's Age (Years) |
Seat Height |
| 1 to 4 |
10"-12" |
| 5 to 7 |
12"-14" |
| 8 to 10 |
13"-17" |
| 11 to 13 |
15"-18" |
Specifications for Different Types of Seats
(Listed dimensions are based on average-sized adults).
Dining Chair: The seat height averages 16" to 17", seat width averages about 15-1/2" in back and 18" in front, and
average seat depth is 16" to 16-1/2". If armrests are used, they should be 7" to 9" above the seat but able to fit under the
table apron. The average width between armrests at the front of the chair is approximately 19". The seat is usually level
or has a maximum front to back slope of about 1". The seat back is reclined no more than 5 degrees and ranges in height from
12" to 20" above the seat (or higher in very formal chairs).
Desk Chair: Most specifications for a dining chair apply here except that the seat back often protrudes no higher than
the middle of the back - about 14" to 16".
Easy Chair: Should provide a more relaxed, reclining position than a dining chair - seat height is lower (about 16")
with allowance made for compression of seat cushion. The seat is angled backwards about 10 degrees with a seat to back angle
of 95 to 120 degrees. For maximum comfort, the seat back should be no more than 14" to 16" above the seat. Armrests are recommended
for easy in/out and they average 5" to 8" in height and 2" to 4" in width.
Sofa/Loveseat: Seat depth ranges from 18" to 22" and seat height ranges from 14" to 18" (16" average). The seat back
typically rises 15" to 18" above the seat and is usually angled backwards at up to 25 degrees. Upholstered seats generally
slope 1" from front to back. Armrests generally protrude 4" to 8" above seat. The overall width of a loveseat is about 56"
to 60" - 24" per person, plus 4" to 6" for each armrest. A full-size sofa measures about 90" in overall width.
Bar Stool: In general, the seat of a bar stool should be 12" to 15" below the top surface of the bar, but never higher
than 30". For a normal bar that is 40" to 45" high, a seat height of 28" to 30" is standard. For a 30" high bar (most tables),
a seat height of 22" to 24" is standard. The seat back is typically 10" to 14" above the seat. The seat width ranges from
15" to 18" and the seat depth ranges from 12" to 16" (16" to 17" diameter if the seat is round). A rung 20" below the seat
provides a comfortable resting spot for the occupant's feet.
Rocker: In a stationary position, the seat back should tilt back approximately 25 degrees from the vertical with a
seat to seat back angle of about 95 degrees. The seat height in front should be no higher than 16" to 17". Standard seat widths
and depths are 18" to 22" and 16" to 18" respectively. The seat back is higher than most chairs - about 40" above the floor.
The runners commonly have a horizontal extension of about 30" with a curvature radius of 36" to 38".
Wood Selection for Chairs
lUse hardwoods for pieces where shocks, abrasions, and other stresses
will occur.
lUse softwoods in larger thicknesses to enable greater penetration
of hardwood pieces (e.g., spindles).
lDo not join softwood to softwood.
lFor bent chair parts, select woods such as white oak or ash that
can be steam-bent without fracturing.
lLegs: The legs of a chair are subject to extreme stresses and
abrasive forces. Select a wood such as hard maple that is hard, resists impression, and does not splinter.
lStretchers: Abrasion resistance is less of an issue but a hard
wood such as maple is recommended. Bending strength may be important (e.g., feet placed on the stretcher), so consider white
oak or hickory.
lSeat: Many woods will suffice, but soft woods such as pine or
poplar are much easier to sculpt if you are intending to use hand tools (early craftsmen typically chose soft woods for this
reason).
lBack: Use hard woods such as maple, oak or ash for spindles. For
longer spindles, select a resilient wood that allows for movement - hickory is ideal. Softwoods in thicker dimensions may
be used for arms and rails.
Tables
Standard Dimensions of Tables
| Type of Table
|
Height |
Length
|
Width/Depth |
| Card |
26"-30" |
30"-36" |
30"-36" |
| Coffee, round |
15"-17" |
(36"-42" diam) |
|
| Coffee, rectangular |
15"-17" |
36"-60" |
18"24" |
| Console |
28"
|
48"-54" |
16"-18" |
| Dining, rectangular |
28"-30" |
60"-80" |
36"-42" |
| Dining, round |
28"-30" |
(40" min diam) |
|
| Drafting |
32"-44" |
31"-72" |
23"-44" |
| Drum |
30" 36" |
(36" dia) |
|
| End |
18"-24" |
24"-28" |
18"-20" |
| Hallway/entry |
34"-36" |
36"-72" |
16"-20" |
| Library |
28"-30" |
60"-84" |
24"-36" |
| Night |
16"-25" |
18"-28" |
16"-22" |
| Sewing |
26" |
any |
17" min |
| Sofa |
26"-27 " |
60" |
14"-17" |
| Writing |
28"-30" |
36"-40" |
20"-24" |
Standard Heights of Tables and Seats for Children
| Child's Age (Years) |
Table Height |
Seat Height |
| 1 to 4 |
20"-22" |
10"-12" |
| 5 to 7 |
22"-25" |
12"-14" |
| 8 to 10 |
24"-29" |
13"-17" |
| 11 to 13 |
26"-30" |
15"-18" |
Table Seating Specifications
Determining Table Size
l
For square or rectangular dining tables, allow 24" of elbow room width per
person.
l
For round tables, allow 26" width per person for a table seating 3 to 6 people
and 24" for a table seating 6 or more people.
l
Add 2" to all of the above figures if armchairs will be used.
l
Subtract 2" for snug seating.
l
The circumference of a round table equals the width per person times the total
number of seating spaces and the diameter equals the circumference divided by 3.14. (For example, in designing a table
to comfortably seat 8 people using chairs without arm supports, the circumference equals 8 times 24 inches width per person
(192 inches) and the diameter equals 192/3.14 or 61 inches. If 22" of width was allocated per person, the resultant table
diameter would be about 56")
Feel free to contact me for more information, discuss a design, or make an order.
