The dining room is where family and friends gather to share food and stories, making it the social center of any home. As a result, you need seating that creates an inviting atmosphere. Of course, these chairs must also be functional, as you'll use them multiple times a day. If you want seating that offers all these benefits plus amazing style, consider mid century dining chairs.

What Are the Characteristics of Mid-Century Furniture?

Mid-century design, also called mid-century modern, is a unique mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Though coined in 1984, the term describes a kind of decor popular during the '40s, '50s and '60s. At the time, designers incorporated minimalism, functionality and optimism to imagine what futuristic furniture would look like.

Today, mid-century pieces may not precisely match vintage models. Instead, they take inspiration from vintage design and an established group of characteristics.

Materials

Traditionally, dining room chairs are made of wood. Mid-century models may be made of wood or include this material, but they're certainly not limited to it. In fact, they often utilize more than one of the following:

• Rattan
• Metal
• Wicker
• Plastic

These materials create a futuristic feel without overwhelming a space. The various combinations also make it easy to find unique mid century dining chairs.

Shape

Geometric shapes, gentle curves and clean lines are hallmarks of mid-century furniture. Today's designs generally take an airy, minimalist route that leaves lots of legroom. As a result, they're excellent for smaller dining rooms that may feel crowded with clunkier designs.

Color

Most people can spot a mid-century modern color palette even if they don't know what it's called. These hues were incredibly popular in the decades following World War II, and they remain a key feature of this style:

• Brick red
• Olive
• Deep brown
• White
• Gray
• Mustard
• Burnt orange

Earth tones rule this decor with pops of pastels, such as pink and aqua, to shake things up.

Why Choose Mid-Century Chairs for Your Dining Table?

Mid century dining chairs are the perfect combination of stylish, functional and comfortable. In most cases, you can buy assembled models, saving time and effort. There's no risk of losing a screw or putting a part in the wrong place — your furniture will be perfect.

You can also save money, as you can continue to use mid-century modern pieces even when trends change. Since this style incorporates so many contemporary and traditional elements, it functions as a design chameleon, blending in with various decor.

Finally, mid-century modern furniture doesn't abandon function for form. Beautiful furniture is always nice, but at the end of the day, you need chairs that provide adequate support and cushioning.

Poly & Bark knows furniture is a big investment. That's why they make it easy to find what you want at an affordable price. Their selection of mid century dining chairs offers pieces for every household, from naturally chic to comfortably contemporary. They provide swatches so you can judge upholstery in person, free shipping to save you money and a 100-day trial to ensure you absolutely love your purchase.