4.7 
A swivel dining chair has a base that turns with you as you sit down or get up. A fixed base stays put. A swivel chair is easier to use at a table that stands against the wall or in a narrow dining room, and for the same model costs about twenty to twenty-five euros extra per chair. If you sit at a freestanding table with space all around, a swivel adds little in practice.
The choice between a swivel and a fixed dining chair is almost never about looks. In most ranges, both versions look identical from above. The difference is in the base, and you only notice it once you use the chair every day.
What exactly does a swivel mechanism do?
The swivel mechanism sits between the seat and the leg, allowing the seat to rotate while the base stays in place. On most dining chairs, the seat turns about a quarter turn and then springs back to its starting position.
That return spring matters. Without it, the chair stays at an angle after someone gets up, and within a week your dining area looks messy.
A fixed base does not have that mechanism. The chair stays where you put it, and you pull it in or push it back like any ordinary chair.
When is a swivel chair really more convenient?
A swivel wins above all when there is little space behind the chair. If your dining table stands against a wall, in a bay window or close to a kitchen unit, a swivel chair lets you get up without first pushing the chair back.
The same goes for a dining area where people have to pass each other. In a narrow walkway, it makes a noticeable difference that nobody has to wait for someone else to push their chair out of the way.
A third situation is a table with a heavy leg or a sled frame. It is hard to slide a chair straight under it, and a swivel seat makes pulling up to the table smoother.
When is a fixed base the better choice?
At a freestanding table with a good metre of walking space all around, a swivel adds little. You push the chair back when you get up anyway, so you hardly use the mechanism.
There is also a group for whom a swivel is actually impractical. Small children use the seat as a merry-go-round, and older people who lean on the chair when getting up are better served by a base that does not move.
A fixed base also has fewer parts. That does not make a big difference in lifespan, but a mechanism that is not there cannot start squeaking either.
How much extra does a swivel base cost?
For the same model, the difference in our collection is around twenty to twenty-five euros per chair. The Tom dining chair is a good example, because we supply it in both versions.
| Model | Base | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Dining Chair, Sneak Antracithe | Fixed | € 284,00 |
| Tom Dining Chair, Alpine Grey | Swivel | € 307,80 |
| Seoul Dining Chair, Be Handsome Beige | Swivel | € 249,00 |
| London Dining Chair, Be Great Nature | Swivel | € 259,00 |
| Wooden Dining Chair Ruben, Oak Brown | Fixed | € 250,00 |
So with six chairs you are talking about a difference of around one hundred and forty euros. That is enough to think about, but not enough to base your choice on if your dining area clearly calls for it.
Can you mix swivel and fixed chairs?
Yes, and it happens more often than you might think. A popular set-up is swivel chairs on the side against the wall and fixed chairs on the open side.
The condition is that you stay within the same range. On some models, the seat height of the two versions differs by a centimetre or two, and you can see that at the table in the armrests.
If you want to know for sure how that works out for a specific range, the easiest way is to try both versions side by side in one of our showrooms.
Does a swivel chair fit under every table?
Almost, but watch the clearance under the tabletop. On some models a swivel mechanism adds one to two centimetres, and with a table that has a thick edge or a low apron, things get tight.
Allow at least twenty-eight centimetres between the seat and the underside of the top. With armrests you also need space to slide the chair under the table, and that is exactly where a swivel chair helps.
What does this mean for a made-to-measure table?
If you have a made-to-measure table built, you can match the height of the top to the chairs you have already chosen. That is easier than looking for chairs afterwards that fit under an existing top.
Key points
- A swivel chair pays off above all at a table against the wall, in a bay window or in a narrow walkway.
- At a freestanding table with space all around, you will hardly notice the difference.
- Expect to pay around twenty to twenty-five euros extra per chair for the same model.
- A good mechanism springs back to its starting position, so your dining area stays neat.
- Combining swivel and fixed chairs is possible, provided you stay within the same range.
Frequently asked questions
Do swivel dining chairs break sooner?
Swivel dining chairs do not demonstrably break sooner than chairs with a fixed base. The swivel mechanism is a sealed component that needs little maintenance. That said, a chair with a mechanism has more parts than one without, so in theory more can go wrong.
Can you convert a fixed dining chair to a swivel later?
Converting a fixed dining chair to a swivel later is not possible with most models. The base and the seat are produced as a single unit, and a separate swivel mechanism rarely fits an existing frame. If you are still unsure, choose a swivel when you buy, because converting back to fixed usually is possible.
Do swivel chairs make noise on a wooden floor?
Swivel chairs usually make less noise on a wooden floor than fixed chairs. That is because you do not need to slide the chair to get up, and it is precisely that sliding that causes scratches and noise. Felt glides under the legs remain advisable for both versions.
How much space do you need behind a dining chair?
You need about seventy to seventy-five centimetres behind a dining chair to get up and walk away comfortably. If you have less than that, a swivel base is worth considering. With less than fifty centimetres, getting up from a fixed chair becomes really awkward.
Are swivel dining chairs suitable for small children?
Swivel dining chairs are less practical for small children, because the rotating seat invites play at the table. Many families therefore choose fixed chairs on the side where the children sit and swivel chairs on the other side.
In conclusion
In the end, the question is not which version is better, but what your dining area looks like. If your table is wedged between a wall and a walkway, a swivel base pays for itself every day. If you have plenty of space, you are mainly buying a mechanism you will rarely use.
View the full range in our chairs collection, or drop in at one of our showrooms to try both versions side by side. No appointment is needed.
