Cross Back Chairs Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Discover why Cross Back chairs are the ultimate choice for weddings and events

Written by: Marcelo Flores

Cross Back chairs, also known as X Back chairs, have become one of the most iconic pieces of event furniture. Their simple yet timeless design makes them a favorite for weddings, events, and venues. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about Cross Back chairs, from their origins to materials, suppliers, and even styling tips.

1. Origins

The origins of the Cross Back chair, often known as X Back chairs, can be traced back to early 20th-century Europe, particularly France. Initially popular in cafes and bistros, their simple yet elegant design gradually gained recognition worldwide. Today, they’re a staple for weddings and events.

2. Why Are Cross Back Chairs So Popular?

Cross back chairs have gained a lot of popularity in recent years due to their timeless design. They’ve become very popular in barn or rustic themed weddings where this style fits perfectly. Rustic weddings, as well as outdoor weddings have been popular in recent years and will continue to be in upcoming years, and for this type of weddings, Cross Back chairs are the best choice.

3. Perfect for Wedding Ceremonies

Cross Back Chairs have become a staple in wedding decor, thanks to their versatility and charm. Their rustic, yet elegant design complements perfectly wedding decors, fitting perfectly in garden weddings, with floral arrangements, either in indoor or outdoor settings.

4. Different Materials

The design was originally made from wood, but just like everything, the design has evolved and now you can find it in other materials like resin, steel and aluminum. Resin and metal Cross back chairs offer a more durable alternative compared to wooden ones. We have a more detailed guide discussing this, but below you’ll find a quick pros and cons review:

Wood Cross Back Chairs

• Pros:
  • They are beautiful.
  • They provide that classic wood charm.
• Cons:
  • They’ll need upkeep to look as good as the first day.
  • They are less durable compared to other materials.
  • Wood can chip when hit.
  • They’re not great for outdoors.

Resin Cross Back Chairs

• Pros:
  • They’re more durable compared to wood.
  • They’re a good option for outdoors.
  • They will need less maintenance.
• Cons:
  • Resin chips when hit.
  • They tend to lose their beauty over time.

Steel Cross Back Chairs

• Pros:
  • They offer superior strength.
  • Require minimal upkeep.
  • They don’t chip.
  • They’re the best option for indoor use.
• Cons:
  • They’re a bit heavier.
  • They’re not the best option for outdoors.
  • They might be noisy

Steel Cross Back chairs are perfect for indoor venues that want their chairs to last for at least a decade.

Aluminum Cross Back Chairs

• Pros:
  • They’re exceptionally durable.
  • Ultra lightweight (only 6 lbs).
  • They’re perfect for outdoor use.
  • Require minimal maintenance.
  • They don’t chip.
  • Offer the best ROI.
• Cons:
  • The initial price tends to be higher.
  • They might be noisy.

Aluminum Cross Back chairs are ideal for outdoor venues or party rental businesses seeking durable chairs that can last a decade or more with minimal maintenance, making them worth the higher initial investment.

5. How to Choose the Right Color for your Chairs

Cross back chairs are available in a variety of colors which in the most common include wooden color Cross Back chairs and white Cross Back chairs. But you can also find them in black, ivory, mocha, mahogany or even in metallic colors like gold, silver, champagne.

Consider what type of events and decor you offer, and also the demand for each color. Consider:

• For classic and formal settings, such as weddings, ivory or white Cross Back chairs bring an elegant touch.

• For rustic themed weddings, wooden textures, mocha or mahogany Cross Back chairs work best.

• If you’re looking for an industrial vibe, champagne or silver Cross Back chairs look awesome.

6. How to Choose the Right Supplier

You may be wondering where to buy wholesale Cross Back chairs. There are many great suppliers for Cross Back chairs in the country, and selecting the right supplier could seem challenging. To ensure you’re choosing the right supplier, do thorough research online to look for reviews and assess the company’s reputation.

Pay attention to patterns in reviews. If a company frequently receives complaints about the same issue, it’s likely an ongoing problem. Conversely, if a company consistently gets positive feedback on certain aspects, take note of that.

Additionally, consider joining industry-specific Facebook groups to seek recommendations from people with firsthand experience with these suppliers. There are many groups for wedding venue owners and party rental businesses where you can ask for guidance.

7. Cushions for Cross Back Chairs

Not all cushions are the same. So, before purchasing any cushions, make sure they fit your chair’s seat. Don’t make the mistake of buying hundreds of cushions and then finding out they don’t match your chair’s seat. To avoid this, you can request a sample for both your cushions and chairs to make sure they’re to your liking.

There are different types of cushions, soft and hard base, but Cross Back chairs are usually used with soft cushions. You can also find them in vinyl or polyester. Both are great options, but especially if you’re considering any wooden color, many people would choose polyester cushions over vinyl. Vinyl cushions, have the advantage that you can clean them easily with a damp cloth.

Both options are great and have their benefits over each other. So your choice will depend on your personal taste and other factors of practicality and the usage.

📖 Here is a complete comparison between vinyl and polyester Chiavari cushions for you to choose the one that suits you best.

8. How Many Cross Back Chairs Can You Stack?

Cross Back chairs are made to stack easily and optimize storage and transport. Depending on the supplier, they usually stack from 6-8 chairs high.

For many businesses, choosing chairs that are efficient for storage is key, and Cross Back chairs are efficient.

If you make stacks of 7 chairs high, to store 100 chairs you’ll need 15 stacks, which take approximately 75 square feet.

9. How to Decor Cross Back Chairs

Cross Back chairs have become a very popular choice for weddings for their unique charm and ease of decoration. They are rustic and elegant, making them perfect for decorating with bouquets and flowers.

You can add a bouquet on the top corner of each chair to create a stunning effect. Also, the unique design of the Cross Back chairs means they don’t need much, but with the right decor, you can enhance their beauty.

10. Can I find Cross Back Bar Stools?

Yes, Cross Back bar stools are also very popular, especially for cocktail weddings.

Just like chairs, they’re available in a variety of colors including wooden tones, white, black, ivory, mocha, mahogany, or even metallic colors like gold, silver, and champagne.

Exclusive from Seat Co., we also offer Cross Back cocktail tables, which are unique and pair perfectly with the bar stools. They’re also available in our 8 different colors and come in steel and aluminum.

Cross Back chairs are a timeless and versatile option for events and weddings. This guide has provided you with everything you need before purchasing Cross Back chairs.

So, if you’re looking for durable Cross Back chairs, Seat Co.’s Cross Back chairs might be the best choice for you.