Choosing the Best Church Chairs: A Comprehensive Guide

A faithful congregation is all you can hope for with your church. Members can spread the word of God, live in the way the Bible describes and become part of a close-knit community. However, your sanctuary must also be comfortable and allow people to worship in a comfortable pew or chair.

Chairs are a popular choice for modern churches because they give you versatility in your sanctuary to use space for counseling, prayer groups and any other activity that you want.

But there’s one problem. There’s a good chance that you don’t know how to choose the best church chairs because there’s a lot to consider.

We’re going to walk you through a comprehensive guide on how to:

Assess your space
Choose the right chairs
Make your congregation happy

First, let’s begin by analyzing your space and layout to find the best choice for your unique church.

Assessing Your Space and Layout

Your space’s dimensions will play an important role in finding the best church chairs to help you increase church attendance. Consider the following points:

Small space: Churches with a small space can fit more seats in their sanctuary if they choose an 18.5” width chair.
Medium space: If you have a decent-sized space, you can choose 20.5” width chairs that are more comfortable for your congregation.
Large space: If you have more than enough space, opt for chairs with widths of 21” or more.

Chair width is important because you can fit an additional chair or two in each row by choosing an 18.5” chair. However, if you opt for smaller chairs, you do sacrifice your congregation’s comfort.

Creating an inviting space that isn’t too cramped should be your top priority.

You must also adhere to local fire codes, which dictate how much space you need between aisles and rows. For example, in some states in the United States, you’ll need to have:

36 inches between aisles
19” – 36” between rows

Of course, these are just baseline examples of what arrangement requirements you’ll need to meet with your church chairs. Your local fire department will be more than happy to explain local fire code requirements to you.

Once you decide on the proper width for your chairs and know the spacing requirements, you can start to lay out your chairs. You can use tape to outline each row of chairs to have a better visualization of the space.

Chair Types and Materials

We pride ourselves on providing the best chairs for church sanctuary owners. You can “compare the difference” for yourself by reviewing our guide here. We recommend that you consider the following types of chairs:

Connecting chairs that latch together to create a pew that you can add to or remove chairs from within minutes. You can keep straighter seating rows and add to the stability of the chair by opting for these chairs.
Stackable chairs are also available, and they may or may not connect together. Stackable chairs allow your church to save space by vertically stacking chairs when they’re not in use. If you need to rearrange your space often, these types of chairs are always a great option.
Arms or armless options are available. If you want to make it easier for your members to get up and down from a chair, you can opt for chairs with arms. For a more traditional pew feel, armless chairs may be a good choice.

Materials for your chair must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. You may find metal or wooden frames, plywood or chipboard seats, numerous cushion options and multiple fabric options.

We recommend that you consider all the materials and review the supplier’s warranty. The best church chairs are backed by long warranty periods because the manufacturer is confident in its products.

Comfort and Ergonomics

What are the most comfortable church chairs? We’ve found through internal testing that you need two main components for your seating to be truly comfortable:

Ergonomic design to keep the person’s back and knees in alignment. A properly designed chair will prevent aches and pains during long sermons.
Padding is the second component of a comfy chair. We opt for cold cured foam because of its ability to hold its shape and provide support at the same time.

If you’re choosing chairs for the first time, schedule a meeting with the manufacturer or look through their website to learn more about the chair’s design. Thick foam that holds its shape and a chair that’s ergonomically designed are great starting points when choosing a chair.

You also need to consider the chair’s aesthetic and how it fits with your current interior.

Aesthetics and Style

What do the best chairs for church services have in common? They’re comfortable and stylish.

The aesthetics and style of your church chairs should reflect your congregation’s personality and the interior design of your space.

Most chair manufacturers will offer neutral colors that will work well in any church. However, consider whether they also offer custom fabric options or patterns.

Along with the fabric colors and patterns, pay attention to the chair’s design. Is it modern and ergonomic? Will your members feel comfortable? Does the chair also meet your functional needs, such as being able to connect to form pews or be stacked for storage? These are important considerations when it comes to aesthetics and style.

Budgeting and Costs

There are so many things to consider when choosing the best chairs for a church sanctuary. While comfort and aesthetics should be your top priorities, budget will naturally be a concern.
When comparing church chairs, consider costs and the value you will be getting for your money. Quality chairs may come at a higher cost, but they last longer and will ultimately be the least expensive option.
Many chair manufacturers also offer financing through lender partnerships, which can make quality chairs more accessible to churches with smaller budgets.

Durability and Maintenance

Church chairs are an investment. It’s important to ensure that your investment is providing a good return and will give your congregation many years of use.

The best rated church chairs are built to last, but they’re also easy to maintain.

When comparing your options, consider the construction of the chair’s frame and the fabric. Steel frames are one of the most durable options, and they’re easy to clean.

Along with the chair’s construction, consider whether a warranty or guarantee is offered. For example, we offer a lifetime warranty on frame construction, which is a testament to the quality and durability of our chairs.

Customization Options

Some congregations have specific needs, which makes it challenging to find the right chairs. If you fit into this category, look for a manufacturer that offers customization options.

At ComforTek, you can design your own chairs. Choose your fabrics (woven or coated), frame finishes and more.

The chairs in our standard collections also have customization options, including:

Frame finishes
Fabric selection
Leg modification
More

Having the option to customize your chairs ensures that you get exactly what you want.

Summary

If your goal is to grow your congregation and improve member retention, consider investing in ergonomic, modern church chairs. The right chairs will make attendees feel welcome and comfortable throughout the service. Durability, style and budget will be important considerations when comparing your options. Remember that with ComforTek, you also have the option of designing your own chair to ensure it meets all of your needs.