Vienna Cantilever Dining Chairs: Size Guide and Table Pairings
By Dining1005 min read
The Vienna is a cantilever dining chair with a cane back. The seat is padded faux leather, the back is a rattan-style cane panel in a wood-effect surround, and the whole thing sits on a polished chrome frame with no back legs. It comes as a set of 2, in tan or green.
It is a design with a long history, and it tends to suit rooms that mix warm wood with something a little industrial. Below we look at whether it will work in your room: the size, the tables it sits best at, the two colours and the care it needs.
Size at a glance
| Measurement | Vienna |
|---|---|
| Overall height | 83cm |
| Seat height | 45cm (listed on the green) |
| Seat width | 44cm |
| Backrest width | 45cm (listed on the green) |
| Backrest height | 28.5cm (listed on the green) |
| Weight capacity | 136 kg per chair |
| Sold as | Set of 2 |
| Frame | Polished chrome cantilever base |
| Seat | Faux leather with sponge padding |
| Back | Rattan-style cane in a wood-effect surround |
Size and fit
Seat height. At 45cm, the Vienna suits a table around 75cm tall. All three of our dining tables are 75cm, and a gap of roughly 25cm to 30cm between seat and tabletop is comfortable for most people, so the Vienna sits within that range. It is at the lower end of our range for seat height, which is worth knowing if you plan to mix it with other chairs. Our seat height guide goes into this in more depth.
No arms. The Vienna is armless, so it slides in towards the table edge rather than stopping at the arms. That makes it easy to tidy away between meals.
The base. As a cantilever chair, the Vienna stands on a chrome rail that runs along the floor instead of on four separate legs. That rail needs clear floor underneath the table when you push the chair in. Tables on a central pedestal suit it best, and all three of ours are built that way. Our guide to cantilever dining chairs explains how the frame works.
Room to move. Allow about 90cm behind each chair so people can get past when someone is seated. In a tight kitchen-diner, see our small dining room ideas.
Which of our tables it suits
Aaronsburg 120cm round. The table seats four, and four Vienna chairs, which is two sets, fit around it neatly. The pedestal base with angled legs keeps the edge clear, so the chrome rails have room to slide under. The rustic brown finish picks up the wood-effect surround on the backrest. The black marble effect Aaronsburg is the more dramatic option, and looks sharp with the chrome.
Dakota 140cm x 77cm. Using the usual guide of about 60cm of table edge per diner, there is room for two Vienna chairs along each long side. The black X-shaped base leaves the corners clear, and the warm wood-effect top suits the tan in particular.
Pimlico 80cm square. One chair per side, four in total, which again means two sets. The central base sits inward from the corners, so every chair pulls in properly. The walnut effect top is the warmest match; the oak effect keeps things lighter; the black gives a more graphic, cafe-style look.
Chairs it pairs with
If you want to mix, keep the seat heights close. Two good partners in our range:
- Nora. A cane back on a walnut-finish wooden frame, with a seat height of 45.5cm and the same 44cm seat width. Two Vienna and two Nora chairs around a round table give you similar materials with different silhouettes.
- Roscoe. Another cantilever with a rattan back and a chrome base, and a brown faux leather seat. It sits a little higher, at 47cm, so it works best at the other end of a table rather than side by side.
Our guide to mixing dining chairs covers pairings across the whole range.
Tan or green
Tan is the warmer, more classic of the two. It sits naturally beside wood-effect tops like the rustic brown Aaronsburg or the Dakota.
Green has button detailing on the seat and gives more of a statement. It works in rooms with plants, dark wood or painted walls, and it looks particularly good against the walnut effect Pimlico or a black top.
Both share the same cane back, wood-effect surround and chrome frame, so the choice is really about the seat colour and how it sits with your table and floor.
Living with it
The Vienna is straightforward to look after. From our care notes:
- Wipe the faux leather seat with a soft, damp cloth, and avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners.
- Dust the cane backrest regularly with a soft brush or cloth, and keep it dry.
- Clean the chrome frame with a soft cloth and a mild detergent.
- Keep the chairs out of long spells of direct sunlight and damp.
- Check the fixings from time to time and tighten them if needed.
The wipe-clean seat makes it a sensible choice for a kitchen table. The cane is the part to be gentle with, so keep wet cloths away from it. For how the Vienna compares with the other materials in our range, see dining chair fabrics for family homes.
Where to buy
The Vienna comes in tan faux leather and green, each sold as a set of 2. You can see it alongside everything else on our dining chairs page. Delivery is free to mainland UK, most orders arrive in 3 to 5 working days, and there are 30-day returns if it does not suit the room.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Vienna dining chair seat?
The seat height is listed at 45cm, and the chair is 83cm tall overall. That suits a standard 75cm dining table such as all three of ours.
Is the Vienna sold singly or in pairs?
The Vienna is sold as a set of 2 matching chairs, in tan or green.
How much weight does a Vienna chair hold?
Each chair is rated to 136 kg.
Is the Vienna seat real leather?
No. The seat is faux leather with sponge padding, which wipes clean with a damp cloth.
How do I clean the cane back?
Dust it regularly with a soft brush or cloth and keep it dry. Avoid harsh chemicals, and keep the chair out of long spells of direct sunlight and damp.
