In a space-challenged home, it makes sense to have furniture that is multifunctional, easy to move and — if at all possible — collapsible. Like folding chairs: When guests arrive, they come out of the closet, off the wall hooks or out from under the bed in a snap.It’s because of that functionality, said Michael K. Chen, a New York City architect who has designed numerous pint-size apartments, that he often uses folding chairs in his projects. He also has a few of his own.“The idea that you can just add a chair when you need it is really nice,” said Mr. Chen, who has designed a wide variety of transformable furniture for his clients, including sliding walls, built-in tables and Murphy beds.And when you have folding chairs that look great, he said, “It suggests that an additional effort is being made to be hospitable, and there’s something really lovely about that.”• Your first concern should be comfort: How does the chair feel to sit on? “Stability is incredibly important,” Mr. Chen said.
“If it doesn’t feel solid, there’s no pleasure in using it.”• Then try picking it up: How light is it? “The idea of the folding chair is that it’s impermanent and occasional,” Mr. Chen said. “So it needs to be mobile enough.”• Finally, think about where it will be used. Folding chairs come in a variety of styles, from laid-back loungers to upright dining chairs, so choose according to function. Leather Sling Butterfly ChairTanned leather chair with folding black steel base | Pp512 Folding ChairPP Mobler wood-and-cane folding chair designed by Hans Wegner in 1949 | $6,500 at Wyeth: 212-243-3661 or wyeth.nyc Piana ChairFolding and stackable polypropylene and fiberglass chair by David Chipperfield | Curule ChairWood-slat folding chair with leather backrest by Pierre Paulin | Hanger ChairFolding plywood chair with integrated storage hook by Philippe Malouin | Skip to main content Smart BuysThe best folding chairs for NYC apartments—just in time for holiday guests to arrive
Got guests coming to dine at your place over the holidays, but nowhere for them to sit? Time to invest in some folding chairs. While the very words may conjure up images of ugly, utilitarian metal chairs reminiscent of a suburban PTA meeting, there are plenty of models out there that don't sacrifice style for utility. Plus, any furniture that folds (and is easily stored away) is a New Yorker's dream.BUDGETThese Flex One Folding Chairs (four for $78) are wider-than-your-average folding chairs, which means they may feel more comfortable, plus the mesh back means that they're breathable (so no sweaty backs come summertime). A New Yorker who entertains a lot told us these are the (only) way to go.Leave it to Ikea to create a seriously affordable chair that's also designed well. One Brick editor (cough, me, cough) has these particular Gunde folding chairs ($7.50 apiece), six of which fit nicely in our (decently sized) hallway closet. These aren't the most comfortable seats in the world, but they do the trick for the length of a holiday meal.
MID-RANGENew York City-based boutique Gracious Home's Manhattan Folding Chairs ($55.98) are made of steel and leather upholstery, which makes them more comfortable and durable than your average folding chair. They come in a bunch of different colors, but the design above is the most economical.This Crate and Barrel Spare Black Folding Wood Dining Chair ($42) is sleek enough that it would likely go with most tables and chairs (great if you're going for a seamless aesthetic). It also comes in white and gray and is both foldable and stackable.According to one New Yorker (and mother) who entertains nearly weekly, the Cosco Oversized Upholstered Metal Folding Chair (29.99) "is super comfortable, the opening in the back is small enough that my kids don't fall through, and the cushion is higher than our regular dining chairs," making for very comfortable eating.HIGH ENDAnthropologie carries several Terai Folding Chairs ($150 to $198 apiece) with beautiful handmade upholstery (in different patterns) and wood frames with a natural finish.
Sure, they're pricey, but they're just about the prettiest folding chairs we've seen. We don't think we'd ever stash them away if we had them.Just win the lottery and having people over to celebrate? We suggest buying these MK99200 folding chairs from Design Within Reach ($880; chair cushion: $155). Created by Danish designer Mogens Koch, they pay homage to the classic director's chair, and are made of solid Danish beech wood and canvas. These are seriously in a class of their own.Assuming you want your folding chairs to take up as little space as possible when they're not being used, it's hard to do better than the Flux Chair ($149), which is made from durable plastic and folds down like origami into a flat square. It's available in a bunch of bright shades, too. The design is unusual, sure, but that may just suit your fancy.These Ballard Designs St. Germain folding chairs ($109) are perfect if you're looking for folding chairs that don't look temporary. They're sturdy, plus they're only 13 inches wide, so if you're hoping to squeeze a lot of people into a small space, these could be good options.
These Frontgate Shield-Back folding chairs ($199 for two) look the most like formal dining chairs, so if your style is more formal/old-fashioned, these might be worth buying.If modern is more your style, may we recommend these? We're suckers for anything Lucite, so we love this chair from Gracious Home ($129), which is, unsurprisingly, one of the store's most popular.Related:The best vacuum cleaners for NYC apartmentsThe best high chairs for NYC apartments Walkin'Bag Luggage with folding chair A folding chair is a light, portable chair that folds flat, and can be stored in a stack, row, or on a cart. Folding chairs are generally used for seating in areas where permanent seating is not possible or practical. This includes outdoor and indoor events such as funerals, college graduations, religious services, and sporting events and competitions. They are often used as weapons in professional wrestling. Folding chairs are also used in the home for any situation requiring extra seating.
This includes parties, card games, and temporary seating at the dinner table. Some folding chairs are rocking chairs as well. Frame of the folding chair of Guldhøj, Denmark (Nordic Bronze Age, 2nd half of 14th century B.C.) Folding chairs were already being used in Viking Sweden, Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The frame was mostly made of wood, and seldom made of metal. The wood was inlaid with artistic carvings, gilded, and decorated with ivory. In Northern Europe, the remains of more than 18 folding chairs are known dating back to the Nordic Bronze Age such as the Daensen folding chair. The folding chair became especially widespread during the Middle Ages. It was treasured as a liturgical furniture piece. Since the 15th and 16th centuries the folding chair has mostly had arm and head rests. Of course, newer chairs which are often found in functions and events are also called folding chairs. The folding chairs were very easy to use and bring to different places such as parties or family gatherings.
In the United States, an early patent for a folding chair was by John Cham in 1855.[2] In 1947, Fredric Arnold created the first aluminum folding chair with fabric strapping for the seat and back. By 1957, the Fredric Arnold Company of Brooklyn, New York, was manufacturing more than 14,000 chairs per day. Today, the folding chair is mostly made of hard plastic or metal or wood. Folding chairs can be divided into different categories. Folding chairs typically weigh between 2 to 5 kilograms (4.4 to 11.0 pounds) and are produced in a variety of styles, folding mechanisms, and materials. Folding chair legs can pivot to fold either under the seat, or at the seat. Most folding chairs pivot at the seat level. The seat aligns between the back supports. The back support and the front legs are the same part. There are, however, several designs that fold under the seat. Side-X stools consist if two X-shaped pieces with a sheet of cloth between them that becomes the seat. Front-X chairs are similar to side-X stools, but have the addition of a backrest.
Side-X chairs are unique because the support for the backrest and front foot is the same part. The seat is collapsed to align between the sidebars, either down between the front legs, or up to align between back-sidebars. Mechanisms vary, but the supports for the back and the front feet are invariably the same part. Folding chairs of the side-X variety set up for an outdoor event Prices and quality can be roughly divided into four categories, and is largely the same as for stacking chairs: Light and inexpensive furniture usually made from steel tubing, with a plastic seat and backrest. This style is very common in homes, churches, schools, and community events. Sturdy and a greater variety in styles and materials. They are typically not upholstered. Costs from approximately 25 dollars a piece (2008). Primary market is seating for large arenas, outdoor or places of worship but also cafes and brasseries. These folding chairs are often multiple reinforced, and come with padded seats and backrest.