Bergen Dining Chairs: Sizes, Five Finishes and Tables They Suit
By Dining1005 min read
The Bergen is an upholstered dining chair with a curved, open back that sweeps round into low sides, set on four wooden legs. Underneath, a curved iron disc base ties the legs together instead of cross rails, which keeps the chair steady without cluttering the space under the seat.
It comes in five finishes, all sold as a set of 2, and all built to the same frame. This guide covers whether it will fit your table, which of our tables it suits, and how to pick between the five.
Size at a glance
| Measurement | Bergen |
|---|---|
| Overall height | 85cm |
| Width | 52cm |
| Depth | 46.5cm |
| Seat height | 49.5cm |
| Seat width | 51cm |
| Seat depth | 43cm |
| Backrest height | 42cm |
| Sides above seat | 23cm |
| Max weight per chair | 150kg |
| Sold as | Set of 2 |
Will it fit my table?
All three of our dining tables stand 75cm tall. With a 49.5cm seat, the Bergen sits at the tighter end of the 25cm to 30cm seat-to-tabletop gap most people find comfortable. That suits average and shorter adults well and puts you close to your plate. If someone in your house is particularly tall or has long thighs, it is worth checking the underside of your tabletop rather than the top, as that is where knees actually meet the table. Our seat height guide walks through how to measure it.
The wrap-round sides are the detail to think about. They sit 23cm above the seat, so they add a little support at your sides but they also mean the chair may not slide fully under a table with a deep apron. Push-in depth matters most in a narrow room, where a chair left out from the table eats into the walkway. As a general rule, leave about 90cm behind each chair so people can pass. Our guide to dining table size and clearances has the full set of numbers.
At 52cm wide and 46.5cm deep, the Bergen has a compact footprint for an upholstered chair with a curved back.
Which of our tables does it suit?
Aaronsburg 120cm round. This is the natural partner. The Aaronsburg seats up to four, and two sets of Bergen chairs fill it neatly. A round table has no corners to knock the curved sides against, and the open backs keep a table for four from looking crowded. The Beige or Beige Corduroy against the Rustic Brown top is a warm, easy pairing. The Black works well with the Black Marble effect Aaronsburg. More on that table in our Aaronsburg guide.
Dakota 140cm. At 140cm by 77cm, the Dakota takes two Bergen chairs along each long side, based on the usual guide of roughly 60cm of table edge per person. The wood-effect top and black X-frame legs pick up both the natural wood legs and the Black finish, so any of the five colours works here. See the Dakota room planning guide.
Pimlico 80cm square. The Pimlico seats up to four, one chair per side, and the 52cm width fits each 80cm side with room to spare. It comes in Black, Walnut and Oak. On a small square table, check the push-in point described above, because a compact kitchen is where chairs that stay out from the table are most noticeable. Our Pimlico guide and small dining room ideas cover tight rooms in more detail.
Choosing between the five finishes
Beige. A wool-linen blend with a light textured weave on natural wood legs. It is the quietest of the five and the one that sits most easily in a room with lots of other wood.
Beige Corduroy. The same pale tone, but the ribbed corduroy gives more texture and a softer, more relaxed look. A good choice if the room has plain walls and needs something to hold the eye.
Grey Corduroy. Corduroy again, in grey, on natural-finish legs. It is cooler than the beiges, so it suits a grey, white or black kitchen better than a room full of warm timber.
Black. A wool-linen blend in black, and the legs are finished in black too, so the whole chair reads as one dark shape. This is the one to choose if you have children, pets or a pale floor you want the chairs to stand out against.
Beige Velvet. Soft beige velvet on natural-toned legs. It has a slight sheen that catches the light, so it looks a little dressier than the woven Beige. Velvet shows the direction it has been brushed, which some people like and others find fussy.
If you are torn between a pale fabric and a practical one, our guide to dining chair fabrics for family homes compares how each type copes with everyday spills.
Living with it
Care depends on the finish, so it is worth knowing before you choose.
- Beige: spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent, and avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners.
- Beige Corduroy and Grey Corduroy: vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment and deal with spills straight away.
- Black: wipe with a soft, dry cloth, blot spills rather than rubbing, and vacuum with a soft brush.
- Beige Velvet: vacuum with a soft brush attachment and spot clean spills with a damp cloth as soon as they happen.
On every finish, the legs wipe over with a soft cloth. The felt pads under the legs protect your floor, so check them now and then and replace any that wear thin. Tighten the fixings if they ever loosen, and keep the chairs out of long spells of direct sunlight to stop the fabric fading.
Where to see them
You can see each finish on its own product page: Beige, Beige Corduroy, Grey Corduroy, Black and Beige Velvet. If you would like something with a lower back, the Oslo is worth a look, and the rest of the range is in dining chairs.
Delivery is free to mainland UK, most orders arrive in 3 to 5 working days, and you have 30 days to return anything that does not work in your room.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the Bergen dining chair seat?
The seat height is 49.5cm and the chair stands 85cm tall overall. Under a 75cm dining table that leaves a gap at the tighter end of the usual 25cm to 30cm guideline, which suits most adults.
Are Bergen chairs sold in pairs?
Yes. Every Bergen colour is sold as a set of 2 chairs.
How much weight does a Bergen chair take?
Each chair has a maximum weight capacity of 150kg.
Does the Bergen have arms?
Not separate arms. The curved back wraps round into low sides that sit 23cm above the seat, so it holds you a little more than a plain side chair without the width of a full carver.
Which Bergen finish is easiest to keep clean?
The Black is the most forgiving day to day, as marks show far less on a dark fabric. The corduroy and velvet finishes need regular vacuuming with a soft brush to keep the pile tidy.
