Contemporary Kitchen Chairs

Ask people to describe contemporary kitchen chairs, and the answer will vary from person to person. Contemporary styles often pull from the best of a wide range of design eras.

One thing is certain: A contemporary piece will have a freshness about it—a new way to interpret the best of the designs that have come before it.

Unlike modern design, which is used to describe design from the mid-20th century, contemporary style is continuously evolving. It reflects the shape, lines, colors and materials that are trendy today. And because personal preference comes strongly into play these days when furnishing your space, contemporary kitchen chairs come in a range of looks.

For contemporary kitchen chairs that borrow from mid-century modern design, choose chairs with sleek chrome legs and plastic or injected polycarbonate seats in a curved design. These chairs can be found in a wide range of colors, as well as variation in the seat's shape. Or consider a "crystal" chair made entirely of polycarbonate in a single, seamless piece, either in your favorite color or crystal clear. Some of these chairs are stackable, making them a good choice to have on hand for entertaining.

If you prefer an upholstered chair for your kitchen, you can still have a contemporary design. Many of these chairs will hearken back to another design era, such as traditional or Arts and Crafts, but will have some kind of twist, either in the design itself, the color of the fabric or leather used for the seat and/or back, or the pattern of the upholstery. A chair with a traditional design may be upholstered in a splash of geometric shapes or bright colors. A chair with the straight, simple lines of the Arts and Crafts movement may have a more narrow, elegant back and a seat covered in an unusual shade of fabric, leather or suede. A leather chair may not have legs at all but have a pair of feet connected to the seat by an angled or curved pedestal.

You can also choose a kitchen chair that marries the beauty of natural wood with simple lines of contemporary design. Some of the most beautiful chairs in this style incorporate unusual lines and curves. If your budget allows, you can ask a woodsmith to design and build a set of kitchen chairs for you that will bring art into your kitchen and last for generations.