Are Bentwood Chairs Comfortable? [Answered+Features Explained]

Whether it is a cozy office corner or a modern living room, we all want to add to our interior something unique, stylish, and, of course, comfy.

As for bentwood, we all know they make stylish and unique chairs with a timeless design, but what about the other factor… are bentwood chairs comfortable?

If that’s your question, this article provides the answer. Expect to know more about bentwood chairs, from their ergonomics to other properties. But as usual, let’s first clear the basics!

JUMP TO: About Bentwood Chairs | Bentwood Chair Comfortability | How to Make Bentwood Comfortable | Features Of Bentwood Chairs|

What Is A Bentwood Chair?

A bentwood chair is a popular chair in the furniture industry that has been crafted traditionally, using techniques passed down generations. In essence, these chairs are made by steaming wooden strips and bending them into shape, giving them a somewhat similar shape to rocking chairs.

In fact, the name is derived from the process of bending wood. Steam-heating wooden strips do this until they become malleable, and bend them into the desired shape. The design was invented by the famous 19th-century furniture maker Michael Thonet.

How Comfortable Is a Bentwood Chair?

Yes, bentwood chairs offer great comfort thanks to their ergonomic design. Some even come with high-quality foam to cushion the body and provide superior comfort.

When purchasing office seats, dining chairs, or even stools for restaurants, you must pay attention to the comfy level. Ergonomics directly impacts your health, so it should be among the most crucial aspects when choosing the right chair.

And thankfully, the bentwood furniture design and the cushioning make them an excellent choice in this aspect. These chairs offer superior support and posture, which helps alleviate back pain.

Plus, they come with an adjustable height to suit different body types, especially modern designs.

Of course, you can always make a few modifications if you feel the Thonet chair isn’t as comfortable as it should be.

Also Read: How To Identify A Morris Chair?

How To Make A Bentwood Chair More Comfortable?

If you want to ramp up the comfort level of your bentwood chair, there are a few simple modifications you can make. Don’t worry – some modifications won’t require you to purchase anything.

Here are four ways to make your bentwood chair more comfortable:

1. Add Extra-cushioning

If you feel your bentwood chair is uncomfortable, consider adding extra cushioning.

A simple throw pillow or a cushion can do the trick, giving your back and bottom the support they need.

But of course, comfort also depends on the individual, so make sure you pick something that best suits your needs.

2. Purchase a Seat Cushion

You can purchase a seat cushion explicitly designed for Thonet chairs for a more permanent solution.

These cushions are usually made from memory foam, which contours your curves and keeps you comfortable from the hard seat.

3. Incorporate Padded Arm Rests

Comfort isn’t just for the back and bottom; you must also provide your arms with enough support.

This is where armrests come in, as they are designed to provide additional support for your arms while sitting on the chair.

So, if your arent working with one of the bentwood armchairs, consider adding them for enhanced comfort. If you can, work with the padded variety for a more comfortable chair that you can relax on for hours.

4. Make Height Adjustments

If you find one of your current chairs shorter or more elevated than is comfortable, you can easily adjust the height of the legs.

Most modern bentwood pieces come with adjustable heights, so it should be a breeze to move around and make modifications.

However, if dealing with traditional chairs, adjusting the height of the legs can be a bit hard to do. Here, the modification requires that you remove the joints and add some pieces of wood, which means it isn’t a project for an average person.

Related Read: How to Tell if the Cesca Chair Is Real or Fake?

Other Properties Of A Bentwood Chair

Apart from comfort, bentwood seats possess many other great features.

Here are a few of them:

1. Sturdy

Bentwood chairs are known for their sturdiness, thanks to the durable material used.

Usually, bentwood chairs are made of beech wood, one of the hardwoods. This material has the Janka hardness rating of 1300 lbf, so it’s even harder than other commonly used hardwoods for furniture like teak (1000 lbf).

Sometimes, the chairs can come with ash wood, which is even harder (1320 lbf). That’s to say; these chairs will not just last for a few years – they are more likely to become heirloom pieces.

2. Versatility

A great thing about bentwood chairs is that you can use them for almost any purpose, whether indoors or outdoors.

That means it would serve the purpose just fine if you intend to get one for the dining room, living room, patio, balcony, or office. 

And with various dull and bright colors available, you’ll indeed find something to suit your decor style.

3. Durability & Waterproofing

The beech and ash woods used in traditional bentwood chairs are known for their exceptional strength and resistance to splitting, warping, or cracking.

Furthermore, beech and ash woods are also dense at 700 to 900 kg/m3, which means that their water-repellence properties are more impressive than some other woods.

But of course, the fact remains that the wood frame is naturally porous. So, it would be best if you still took extra maintenance measures, like sealing the chair to make it even more water-repellent. Otherwise, it will absorb water and may rot or damage over time when used in the space outside of your house. 

4. Supportive Back Design

Medical experts warn that spending plenty of time sitting can cause back pain and more exertion of pressure on pressure to the spinal discs. Obviously, it even gets worse when using a chair with the wrong design. 

However, bentwood chairs have a curved back design that supports your back. And with the added comfort, you can rest assured that your back is getting the necessary support.

5. Easy Cleaning

Bentwood pieces are also easy to clean and maintain.

Because of the smooth finish, you can wipe down dirt and residue using a damp cloth or warm water. For tough stains, water, and mild soap will do the trick.

And as a rule of thumb, always remove any fabric before cleaning your bentwood furniture. Also, check for flaky paint and treat it quickly to avoid further damage.

Related Read: Why Are Peacock Chairs So Expensive?

Bottomline

Bentwood chairs offer a comfortable seating experience and possess other fun and impressive features we all look out for in furniture. They’re sturdy, versatile, durable, easy to clean, and come in various styles that go with almost any decor.

People also love bentwood chairs since they only take up a small space, and that’s why they’re widely preferred as dining chairs. Plus, with the right tweaks, you can make them even more comfortable and suitable for your needs.