Investing in new church furniture is a great way to modernize and refresh your sanctuary. It’s also a great way to attract and retain young members. But choosing the right chairs can be challenging if you’re not current on the latest design trends. Let’s take a closer look at the hottest trends in church chairs.
Color and Fabric Trends
Modern church chairs come in a wide range of fabric options and colors, but some colors and materials are more popular than others.
Today, we’re seeing many upholstered chairs being made from:
- Polyester
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Wool
- Olefin or polyolefin
- A combination of these materials
But there’s also a growing trend of using eco-friendly and sustainable options, like organic fabrics and bamboo. Modern churches are doing their part to help reduce their environmental impact. Sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics can help them One big advantage of these materials is that they’re highly durable and resistant to punctures and tears. Other trending upholstery options include:
Vinyl
Although not the most comfortable option, vinyl is highly durable, easy to clean and resistant to stains. Bleach and water can also be used to disinfect the material without damaging it.
The biggest drawback with vinyl material is that it doesn’t offer a high level of puncture resistance. Vinyl can also be uncomfortable to sit on when the weather is hot.
Polyurethane
Like vinyl, polyurethane is stain-resistant and very easy to clean. It’s generally more comfortable than vinyl, even when sitting for long periods of time.
What about chair colors?
When it comes to colors, more sanctuaries are choosing neutral colors, like gray and navy blue. In youth spaces, there’s a push for lounge-style seating in brighter colors, like red, sky blue and orange.
Neutral colors allow churches to invest in seating that will withstand the test of time. Gray fabric, for example, will complement virtually any interior space. Churches can continue using this seating even after making other changes to the interior.
Sleek and Minimalistic Designs
Modern church chairs aim to make sanctuaries as comfortable as possible for members without being too distracting. Yes, fabric and color choices are important, but seating shouldn’t divert members’ attention away from the service.
Minimalist designs prioritize function above all else and use simple, ergonomic shapes to provide comfortable seating.
Sleek and minimalistic chair designs allow sanctuaries to maximize comfort while keeping attendees focused on what matters most. Most sanctuaries are sticking to one color and theme for their interior design, rather than mixing and matching. Taking a simple approach to seating design puts worship at the forefront of the picture.
Customization and Personalization
Flexibility is a big trend in church furniture today. More churches are doing away with pews and investing in individual chairs because it’s what their members prefer.
Chairs allow for flexible, personalized seating layouts and for attendees to protect their personal space. Aisles and rows can be as wide or as small as necessary. If members want to move their chairs closer together for worship, they have the freedom to do so.
The future of church seating is all about personalization and giving members the ability to sit how and where they want.
The customization trend goes beyond just the layout of the seats. Many churches are also having their sanctuary chairs personalized with their name and logo.
Traditional Designs with a Modern Twist
More sanctuaries are choosing church chairs that put a modern twist on traditional seating. For example, many chairs are specially designed to link together to create a pew-like seating arrangement. When they want a more flexible layout, they can unlink the chairs and arrange them however they see fit.
Many modern chairs also feature armrests for added comfort and to define personal spaces. Their ergonomic designs also help prevent pain and discomfort.
While these chairs have some modern features, they still retain their traditional shape, which is something your members will appreciate.
In Conclusion
Modern church chairs can make a sanctuary more appealing to attendees. Along with enhancing the aesthetics of the space, these chairs provide a comfortable and welcoming place to worship. When members are comfortable, they can focus on what’s most important – worship – and will be more likely to return each week.
