Selecting the right church furniture is a painstaking process that requires lots of planning and considerations. You need to factor in administrative decisions alongside the comfort aspect.
What is the financial budget? Should the church buy pews or single seats? What aesthetics suit a church? What’s Your Worship Style?
Once you answer these questions, start working on a master plan to buy chairs for church sanctuary and the congregation.
But we have done most of the research for you. In this article, you will discover the key factors to consider when buying seats for a church.
1 — Color
The color scheme is an essential factor when choosing church seats. You need to identify the colors that reflect the congregation and the sanctuary mood. Besides, consider the internal decoration to choose seat colors that blend with the overall scheme.
Also, the lighting in the church affects the seats’ color. Avoid shiny and reflective colors because they glare in sunlight or bright lighting. And this can be a distraction in the church.
Most importantly, focus on colors that don’t wear off fast. Consult with interior decoration experts to choose the perfect ambiance for your church space.
2 — Size
When choosing seats for your church space, consider the size of your congregation and the proposed seating arrangement. Some churchgoers prefer long pews, while others might lean towards single seats.
But the main determinant of the seat size should be the amount of space available in the church hall and sanctuary. Take accurate measurements of the open area and factor them in when choosing the seating arrangement.
3 — Durability
Church furniture needs to last long and withstand constant weekly or bi-weekly pressure. The last thing you want is for the seat to crumble during service.
The distraction will affect the entire congregation, and people could hurt themselves. So, always look for chairs with high durability ratings.
Focus on the durability of the seat framework. Find out the maximum capacity they can hold over a specified period.
To be on the safe side, buy chairs assembled in a factory. It is safer and more time-effective than putting the seats together manually. You could also hire furniture experts to assemble the seats.
4 — Frame material
A significant factor when choosing church chairs is the frame and material. The most widely-used chair frames are wood and metal.
Wood presents a cheaper option that allows easy painting and assembly. However, you need to consider adverse weather conditions and how they affect wood. Besides, wooden frames are prone to termite attacks.
Alternatively, metal frames are more durable and resistant to degradation. But under wet conditions, metal frames can start to rust, reducing their durability and aesthetic appeal.
5 — Aesthetics and design
As we already discussed earlier, every church has a unique ambiance that sets it aside from other rooms. Your church chairs should also reflect that essence and religious aesthetic. Choose between modern chairs or classic church seats depending on your budget and future plans.
Don’t forget the fabric and craftsmanship displayed on the chairs’ frames. You can go for a laidback look or buy seats with elaborate designs and curves. Just choose the option that suits your congregation the best.
6 — Comfort
No matter the material and seat color you choose, comfort should be prioritized. Most churches switch from pews because they are uncomfortable and can be jampacked due to population.
On the other hand, single seats allow an element of freedom by limiting movement to one’s personal space. Besides, single chairs often come with soft padding for the seats. They also provide back support.
But remember that these seats are meant for churches. Choosing extremely comfy chairs will lull the congregation to sleep. So, reach the perfect medium by providing seats that allow the church members to sit upright and still feel comfortable.
If the chairs don’t have any padding, then wood is probably the best frame to choose because it is more comfortable than metal.
7 — Stacking and linking
For churches switching from pews to seats, maintaining that arrangement is vital. Linked seats replicate that sense of ‘closeness’ associated with pews. Besides, linkable chairs can help you maneuver the church space to contain as many people as possible.
Also, not all your seats will be in use at the same time. Churches prefer to stack unused seats in the back. So, try to get chairs that can be stacked without much effort and exposure to damage.
Conclusion
Buying church chairs requires financial intelligence and appreciation of design. You also need to understand the aesthetics of interior design for church spaces.
Besides, church seats are expected to last for a very long period. So, always choose the durable option and seek guarantees from the manufacturers. Most importantly, select chairs that allow you to manipulate the church space and easy storage.
