Chair Decor Ideas for Different Chair Types

There are so many options for chair decorating, for every style and budget! We wanted to give you our take on which styles fit best, so you can plan your event without the added stress of having to choose through thousands of options and scroll Pinterest endlessly (although we are big fans of the later).

Keep in mind that to start off, the most important question you want to answer is - what type of chair goes with my venue. For example, you wouldn’t want to use banquet chairs at a beach wedding unless there’s a solid floor built for them. Check in with your event venue as they may already have a type of chair available to you to rent or use. Once you know the type of chair, get some quick measurements in case you want to add chair covers to the mix. Now you’re ready to choose!

Folding Chairs

Folding chairs are the most used type of event chairs, and it’s easy to see why. They are inexpensive to rent and easy to fold so venues love them! But considering the number of times these multitaskers have been used, and to make sure they all match, you might want to dress them up for your event.

Folding chairs have a slanted back design which makes them different from other chair types. For this type of chair, we almost always recommend folding spandex chair covers because they goes easily over the chair - you may not even need to steam these covers as they stretch over the chair so wrinkles are minimal. That may be enough decor for your event but you can also add a sparkling spandex chair sash or a classic bow tie in the back.

If your event is an outdoor wedding, then the solution is even more simple. A bit or ribbon and baby’s breath and your chairs are good to go! This look will pair well with those chairs without a straight back - simply tie the ribbon to one side of the chair and add your flowers to complete the look.

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Banquet Chairs

Banquet chairs have a straight back to them. Keep that in mind when ordering chair covers, as folding covers won’t fit banquet chairs correctly. Banquet chairs are usually reserved for formal weddings, conferences, award shows, and so on. They have extra padding already built in so you don’t need to get extra cushions to keep your guests comfortable.

For this chair, you’ll want a satin or polyester chair cover paired with a satin bow. We recommend steaming to touch up any wrinkles from shipping as chair covers are shipped folded. If you have time, you can also add a sash pin or flowers in the back.

If you’re planning to reuse the chair covers, we recommend purchasing them in classic colors (white, ivory, or black) so you can easily match them to any event by simply pairing them with colorful chair sashes.

Chiavari Chairs

Chiavari chairs have really become a favorite of brides and event planners! Their design looks luxe and often seen at award shows or upscale events. Why are these chairs so popular? That’s because Chiavari chairs look sophisticated and you can decorate them in a variety of ways!

If you have a large guest list, you can also skip decorating each chair and simply add a chair cushion. Often the chairs look beautiful on their own!

Take advantage of Chiavari chairs’ design and loop chair sashes through the back for a romantic look. You can also dress up the back with a floral arrangement as we did in our DIY video that’s perfect for head table or sweetheart table! Not only will this look make those chairs stand out in the photos but it will also make the couple feel truly special!

For those events with large parties, simply drape one chair sash over the back and secure with a buckle pin for a gorgeous look. You can also try this curly chiffon chair sash look. Together with your beautiful centerpieces and table setting, the high-quality chiffon fabric creates an inviting ambiance for your guests.

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We hope this quick guide gave you a better idea of chair types and their matching looks and inspired your party planning looks! Do you have any decor dilemmas? We're here to help! Let us know in the comments or tag us in your favorite chair decorations on Instagram @BalsaCircle.

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