28 inches. That's the gap between my table edge and the wall, and it's the number that killed my first pick for a Hearth and Hand dining chair. I'd been eyeing the upholstered side chair with the curved back—looks great in the catalog shots, but the seat depth alone was 20 inches. Pull it out to sit down, and you're at 40. My room didn't have 40. So I learned to measure before I click, and I want to walk you through what actually matters if you're looking at these chairs.
Start With the Floor, Not the Chair
Before you even look at wood finish or fabric, measure your dining area in three directions: table to wall, table to buffet, and chair-to-chair when everyone's seated. Hearth and Hand chairs typically run 18–22 inches deep, and you need at least 24–30 inches of clearance behind a pulled-out chair for a person to sit and scoot in. If you're under 24, consider a low-back or armless style—they tuck tighter and you can often push them closer to the table when not in use.
I have a 36-inch round table in a 10x12 room. With the Hearth and Hand low-back wooden chair (17.5" deep, 31" tall), four chairs fit without anyone bumping elbows. The cushioning is firm but not rock-hard—after a 2-hour dinner, my back was fine. But the finish? It's a matte wood that shows water rings if you don't use coasters. I learned that the hard way with a cold glass of tea.
Delivery and Damage: Plan for the Box
Hearth and Hand chairs arrive in a big carton—mine was 24x24x36, about 30 lbs. Two boxes per chair because the legs ship separate. You're assembling four bolts per leg, which took me 15 minutes per chair with a hex wrench. Check every piece before you tighten anything. I had one leg with a chip near the base; Target's return process was easy—they sent a replacement leg in a week, but I had to re-box the damaged one and schedule a pickup.
The fabric on the upholstered versions is a polyester blend, not linen. It pills after about six months if you have kids or pets. I've got a cat that claimed the corner chair, and there are small snags. No tears, but it's not indestructible. If you want something that wipes clean, go with the vinyl or the wood-only versions.
What I Wish I'd Known About the Wood Color
The "weathered oak" finish on my Hearth and Hand chairs is lighter in person than on the screen—more gray than brown. It matches my table fine, but if you're trying to match existing furniture, order a swatch or see them in store first. The wood is rubberwood, which is fine for everyday use but softer than oak—it can dent if you drop something heavy. I've already got one dent from a cast-iron skillet that slipped out of my hand. That's on me, but a harder wood wouldn't have taken the hit.
The One That Didn't Work
I also tried the high-back upholstered chair with the turned legs. Gorgeous, but the back hit my kitchen window sill when I pushed it in. The seat height was fine at 18.5", but the overall height was 40"—too tall for a low window. If you've got a window behind your table, measure from floor to the sill and subtract an inch for the chair back. That's my tip.
So, Who Should Skip These?
If you're expecting heirloom quality or a solid oak seat, these aren't that. They're stylish, affordable pieces that look good for a season and hold up okay if you treat them right. If you have a dining room that gets daily use with three kids who treat chairs like climbing frames, look for something with a sturdier frame—metal or solid hardwood—and a wipeable surface. But if you're on a budget, need a quick refresh, and don't mind a little maintenance, Hearth and Hand chairs are a decent pickup. Just measure first, and keep a coaster under every glass.
For more on fitting chairs into tight spaces, see Low Back Dining Chairs: The One Decision That Fixes Your Layout. And if you're comparing materials, Real Leather Dining Chairs Set of 6: I Bought Two Sets So You Don't gives you the honest wear report.
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