2
Chair Frames
Commercial chairs are manufactured around the world using dierent species and grades of wood. U.S.-made chair
frames are generally made of oak or maple, chairs from Asia are often rubber wood, and European imports generally
utilize beech. Maple and beech are preferred by most senior living facilities. They oer more strength in the joints,
natural antimicrobial properties, and clear straight grain patterns that accept high performance nish colors.
“The residents, especially those with ambulatory and diminished
faculty or mobility issues, must feel comfortable and safe when using
the furniture,” observes Leah Bauer, Allied Member ASID, Associate IIDA,
associate and senior interior designer in the Omaha oce of Leo A Daly.
Amy Sickeler IIDA, AAHID, LEED AP BD+C LEED AP, design principal and
principal in the Atlanta oce of Perkins+Will agrees, “As we age, it becomes
more dicult to get up and down, our arms and skin become more
fragile, so we need smooth or padded chair arms. We don’t want sharp
or cold chair arms, and even fabric can be rough on skin, so I use
natural wood with a durable nish.”
A Senior Living Facility Has Unique
Dining Room Requirements.
Chairs should have mortise and tenon joints and a strong substructure, using corner blocks to
prevent a chair racking or loosening.
Seniors prefer the easy access of an arm chair. Some chairs integrate arms with the front leg, others bolt arms onto
the side of the seat. Arms attached to the front leg are usually the strongest solution although side attached arms, if
securely fastened, can be acceptable. Avoid arm chairs which conceal how the arm is attached, you may not be able to
re-tighten when it inevitably loosens over time.
Dining Room Chairs
Durability is a top priority. Ask “how often will this be used, is it a formal dining room or a multi-purpose
space with frequent reconguration?” Wear and tear is dierent, depending on usage. To ensure durability and
avoid liability issues consider these points.
Choosing the best tables and chairs for a senior living dining area is daunting so let’s start with some important considerations.