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Buying Scandinavian furniture: how to choose chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables

Scandinavian furniture combines clean lines, light wood finishes and understated design. But first impressions aren’t enough to tell you whether a piece will work in your everyday life. The key things to consider are its dimensions, materials, weight capacity and how you plan to use it.

When shopping for dining chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables, three common buying mistakes often crop up:

  • Assuming good design means practical design: A slim silhouette tells you little about seat height, stability or how much care a piece needs.
  • Overlooking vague material descriptions: “Wood effect” may refer to a decorative wood-look finish, while solid wood legs or an MDF panel have different properties.
  • Only checking dimensions roughly: A chair may fit under the table but still take up too much room because of its armrests or deep seat. It’s also easy to underestimate the clearance needed around chests of drawers and tables.

Key things to consider when buying Nordic-style furniture

1. Dimensions, seat height and clearance

For Scandinavian dining chairs, the seat height should suit your table. As a general guide, people often look for a gap of around 27 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop. The right combination will also depend on the thickness of the seat padding, your height and the table’s design.

Also check:

  • Seat width and depth
  • Backrest height and angle
  • Space between chairs
  • Room needed to pull the chair away from the table
  • Flooring and any protective floor glides

A set of 2 dining chairs can be a good choice for a small dining table, a kitchen seating area or extra seating. Before buying, check whether the chairs can be pushed all the way under the tabletop.

With a Scandinavian chest of drawers, both the overall dimensions and storage space matter. A chest with 3 drawers may suit clothes, documents or home accessories. Check the drawer dimensions, how far the drawers extend and how much wall space you’ll need in the product description.

2. Assess materials and care requirements realistically

Upholstered kitchen chairs offer a different experience from unpadded models. Faux leather or plastic surfaces can often be cleaned with a damp cloth. Fabric covers, on the other hand, may be more susceptible to spills and stains.

For chairs with solid wood legs, look out for details such as:

  • The type of wood used or a general description of the material
  • How the seat and frame are joined
  • Maximum static load capacity
  • Anti-slip or noise-reducing foot pads
  • Advice on checking the screws regularly

A chest of drawers with a slatted front can add a striking touch thanks to its vertical detailing. However, slats don’t automatically affect the load capacity or the quality of the drawer runners. These details should be listed separately.

3. Flexibility, load capacity and cleaning

For your living room, Scandinavian coffee tables with a compact design are worth considering. Nesting coffee tables can be especially space-saving: you can position them separately or slide some of them underneath one another when they’re not in use.

The 3-piece set featured below comes in three sizes: 34 × 34 × 35 cm, 46,5 × 46,5 × 40 cm and 60 × 60 × 45 cm. The product information doesn’t specify the maximum load capacity. So only place heavy appliances or other weighty items on the tables if the retailer has confirmed their specific load limit.

Wipe-clean surfaces, sturdy joints and a level base are also useful for families and frequent use. A stylish finish is no substitute for clear technical information.

Products to suit your space and how you use it

Ideal for: Budget-conscious first-time buyers
Set of 2 modern Scandinavian-style dining chairs, comfortable padded seat, solid wood legs, ergonomic wraparound backrest, beige

Set of 2 modern Scandinavian-style dining chairs, comfortable padded seat, solid wood legs, ergonomic wraparound backrest, beige

Why this product suits this profile: This set of 2 is designed for households looking to add two seats, with a padded seat, a supportive wraparound backrest and solid wood legs.

How this product helps you avoid the pitfall

The product name explicitly mentions the padding and solid wood legs, making it easier to check these key material details before you buy.

Key benefits and features

Set of 2, padded seats and solid wood legs, as stated in the product details.

Ideal for: Buyers with high quality standards
3-drawer chest with legs, Scandinavian design, slatted front, 70x35x75 cm, oak

3-drawer chest with legs, Scandinavian design, slatted front, 70x35x75 cm, oak

Why this product suits this profile: The stated dimensions of 70 × 35 × 75 cm make planning easier. Three drawers and a slatted front combine practical storage with a clean, structured look.

How this product helps you avoid the pitfall

The overall dimensions are clearly stated. This lets you check in advance that the chest will leave enough space around doors, radiators and walkways.

Key benefits and features

3 drawers, a slatted front and raised legs.

Ideal for: Specific uses and frequent use
Woltu set of 2 dining chairs, Scandinavian kitchen chairs with solid wood legs, retro design, faux leather seat, supports up to 150kg, brown

Woltu set of 2 dining chairs, Scandinavian kitchen chairs with solid wood legs, retro design, faux leather seat, supports up to 150kg, brown

Why this product suits this profile: Whether you need chairs for the kitchen, dining room, study or extra seating, details about dimensions, materials, care and load capacity are particularly useful.

How this product helps you avoid the pitfall

The product details state a maximum static load capacity of 150 kg, PU faux leather, PP polypropylene and pre-installed foot pads. This makes it easier to compare the technical specifications.

Key benefits and features

48 × 42 × 82 cm, 48 cm seat height, PU seat and FSC-certified solid wood legs, according to the product details.

Ideal for: Small rooms and flexible living spaces
Atmosphera Mileo set of 3 nesting coffee tables, Scandinavian design

Atmosphera Mileo set of 3 nesting coffee tables, Scandinavian design

Why this product suits this profile: The three tables come in different sizes and can be used separately or nested together. That’s handy for compact living rooms and changing needs.

How this product helps you avoid the pitfall

The exact dimensions of all three tables and the product weight of 3,5 kg are stated. The maximum load isn’t specified, so check this before putting them under heavier loads.

Key benefits and features

Set of 3, MDF panels, wooden legs and an easy-clean surface, according to the product description.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a complete, regularly updated list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and fully comply with the safety regulations in force in the EU.

FAQs about Scandinavian furniture

What dimensions should I look for in a set of 2 dining chairs?

Check the seat height, width and depth in relation to your dining table. There should also be enough space between the chairs so you can sit down and stand up comfortably. Compact models without armrests are often easier to fit into smaller rooms.

How long does Scandinavian furniture last?

Its lifespan depends on the materials, construction, load and care. Check the screws on chairs regularly and use chests of drawers within their stated load capacity. If a piece of furniture has no specified load limit, take care when placing heavy items on it.

Are nesting coffee tables suitable for small flats?

They can save space when you slide the tables together after use. Before buying, check the dimensions of each table, the footprint and the maximum load capacity. The product details for the Mileo set mentioned above don’t specify its maximum load.