Chaises en bois courbé sont des chaises fabriquées à partir de pièces de bois courbées. La technique traditionnelle consiste à chauffer du bois massif à la vapeur, puis à le cintrer sur un gabarit. Les modèles courants comprennent les chaises de café, les chaises de salle à manger, les fauteuils, les chaises à bascule et les tabourets. Certaines chaises plus récentes utilisent plutôt du contreplaqué cintré, tandis que d’autres reprennent uniquement la silhouette caractéristique du bois courbé.
Qu’est-ce que le mobilier en bois courbé ?
La principale différence réside dans le matériau : le bois courbé traditionnel utilise une pièce de bois massif cintrée, tandis que le contreplaqué moulé est constitué de couches de bois collées et mises en forme sous pression. Des chaises d’aspect similaire peuvent donc être fabriquées selon des procédés différents.
Au XIXe siècle, Michael Thonet a contribué à standardiser la fabrication du mobilier en bois courbé et à permettre sa production à plus grande échelle. Le Victoria and Albert Museum explique comment le cintrage à la vapeur et l’emploi de bandes métalliques de soutien permettaient de mettre le bois en forme. Thonet présente également cette méthode dans son histoire du mobilier en bois courbé.
Une chaise décrite comme une “ chaise Thonet en bois courbé ” peut être une pièce authentique ou simplement un modèle de style similaire. La mention “ style Thonet ” ne pas permet pas de savoir qui l’a fabriquée, de quand elle date, si son design est sous licence ni selon quelle méthode le bois a été courbé.
Types de chaises en bois courbé : quelle forme convient à votre espace ?
Choisissez votre chaise en fonction de son usage, et pas seulement de son apparence. Des dossiers courbés similaires se retrouvent sur des chaises de salle à manger, des fauteuils, des tabourets ou des chaises à bascule, mais les hauteurs d’assise, les dimensions hors tout et les besoins d’entretien diffèrent.
Une chaise de bistrot ou de salle à manger peut avoir une assise en bois, cannée ou rembourrée. Le cannage et le rembourrage sont des options d’assise, pas des formes de structure distinctes. Examinez séparément la construction de la structure : le bois massif cintré à la vapeur, le contreplaqué cintré et les structures mixtes sont différents.
| Type de chaise ou option d’assise | Usage courant | Atout principal | Ce qu'il faut vérifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaise de bistrot en bois courbé | Cafés, restaurants décontractés, salles de petit-déjeuner | Allure classique de café, légère et ouverte ; vérifiez la largeur réelle de la chaise et son poids à manipuler avant de commander | Vérifiez l’assise, le jeu dans les assemblages et l’espace derrière la chaise lorsqu’une personne est assise. |
| Chaise de salle à manger en bois courbé | Restaurants et tables de repas | Assise à hauteur de repas et dossier incurvé | Vérifiez que la hauteur d’assise réelle et l’inclinaison du dossier conviennent à la table. |
| Fauteuil en bois courbé | Restaurants d’hôtel et espaces de restauration de style lounge | Appui supplémentaire pour le haut du corps | Vérifiez que les accoudoirs passent sous le plateau de la table et que la chaise tient dans la largeur disponible. |
| Chaise en bois cintré avec cannage (option d’assise) | Bistrots traditionnels et intérieurs raffinés | Assise ou dossier à tressage ajouré | Vérifiez si l’assise tressée est en cannage naturel ou en matière synthétique, ainsi que les méthodes de nettoyage et les possibilités de réparation. |
| Chaise rembourrée en bois cintré (option d’assise) | Repas prolongés et espaces de restauration en hôtellerie-restauration | Assise douce au contact | Vérifiez la nature du tissu ou autre revêtement, le garnissage du coussin, les consignes d’entretien et la possibilité de remplacer l’assise. |
| Tabouret de bar ou de comptoir en bois cintré | Comptoirs de bar et de café | Dossier incurvé pour assises hautes | Vérifiez la hauteur d’assise, la hauteur et la position du repose-pieds, ainsi que l’espace disponible pour les genoux sous le comptoir. |
| Fauteuil à bascule en bois courbé | Intérieurs résidentiels, lieux patrimoniaux et certains espaces lounge | Mouvement de bascule avec éléments de structure incurvés | Ce modèle n’est pas notre choix standard pour les tables de restaurant. Réservez-le aux espaces lounge ou aux lieux patrimoniaux adaptés, après avoir vérifié l’encombrement au sol, l’amplitude du balancement, le risque de basculement et l’usage prévu pour le modèle concerné. |
Ne commandez pas un tabouret de bar pour un comptoir plus bas au seul motif que son dossier convient. Mesurez la hauteur du comptoir fini et l’espace libre sous le plateau, puis comparez-les à la hauteur d’assise réelle du tabouret et à la position du repose-pieds. Écartez toute configuration qui ne permet pas de poser les pieds ou qui laisse trop peu de place aux genoux.
Une chaise ancienne en bois courbé peut ressembler à une réédition neuve, mais présenter des assemblages, des réparations antérieures et un état très différents. Pour équiper un restaurant de chaises assorties, privilégiez dès le départ un modèle pouvant être commandé à nouveau de manière régulière. Un lot hétérogène de chaises anciennes peut compliquer l’entretien et le remplacement. Si l’établissement doit pouvoir obtenir ultérieurement des modèles identiques, choisissez une référence précise de chaise neuve et conservez avec la commande les références validées des finitions et des matériaux.
Construction en bois courbé : bois massif, contreplaqué moulé et structures d’inspiration bois courbé
Deux chaises peuvent présenter la même silhouette incurvée tout en reposant sur des structures internes très différentes. Certaines courbes sont obtenues par cintrage d’une seule pièce de bois massif. D’autres résultent du pressage de fines couches de bois dans un moule, de la découpe de pièces courbes dans le bois ou de l’assemblage de plusieurs matériaux. Ces termes décrivent des techniques de construction, et non trois catégories de chaises mutuellement exclusives : un même modèle peut en combiner plusieurs.
| Famille de construction | Méthode de création de la courbe | Éléments de mobilier courants | Ce qui la distingue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courbes en bois massif | Une pièce en bois massif peut être cintrée à la vapeur, découpée à la forme voulue ou assemblée à d’autres éléments en bois massif. De fines lamelles de bois massif peuvent également être collées pour former une courbe. | Arceaux de dossier, accoudoirs, pieds, cadres latéraux et patins de fauteuil à bascule | Une pièce véritablement cintrée, une courbe lamellée-collée, une courbe découpée et une courbe assemblée présentent des orientations du fil et des raccords différents. |
| Contreplaqué moulé | De fines feuilles de placage sont collées puis pressées contre un moule profilé, souvent sous l’effet combiné de la chaleur et de la pression. | Assises galbées, dossiers, coques monoblocs et dossiers enveloppants | La pièce courbe est constituée de plusieurs couches collées, et non d’un seul élément en bois massif. |
| Structures de style bois cintré ou structures mixtes | Le contreplaqué cintré, le bois découpé, les éléments métalliques et le garnissage peuvent être associés pour créer une silhouette inspirée du bois cintré. | Chaises de café contemporaines, chaises de salle à manger rembourrées et sièges multimatériaux | “L’expression ” style bois cintré » décrit une apparence, mais ne désigne pas un procédé de mise en forme précis. |
Courbes en bois massif : cintrées à la vapeur, lamellées-collées, découpées et assemblées
Le bois massif peut former une courbe selon quatre grands procédés. La différence ne tient pas simplement à l’arbre dont il provient, mais à la manière dont il est travaillé : le bois peut être directement cintré, constitué de lamelles collées, découpé à la forme voulue ou assemblé par des raccords.
- Bois massif cintré à la vapeur : Heat and moisture make a solid wooden member more flexible so it can be bent around a form and held until it retains its shape. In tight bends, a metal backing strap can help limit stretching along the outside of the wood. This is a bending aid, not a separate wood material. The wood fibres continue along the bent member rather than being cut into an arc.
- Bent-laminated solid wood: Several thinner solid-wood strips are bent against a form and glued together. The result can resemble one thick curved piece, but it contains glue lines between the strips. This method can form curved arms, rails and frame members without bending a single thick timber.
- CNC-cut curved solid wood: A machine cuts the curve out of solid timber. This gives the part a curved outline without physically bending the wood. At a narrow curve, the grain may run across the shape rather than follow it; that creates a different structural condition from a steam-bent member.
- Jointed curved solid wood: Several shorter pieces are shaped and connected to create a larger arc. A smooth finish can make the curve look continuous even though the frame contains joints or fasteners.
These methods appear in curved backrests, armrests, chair legs, side frames, continuous-looking chair hoops and rocking-chair runners (the rails that contact the floor). A curved rocker rail helps define the rocking path; a curved back or arm changes the chair’s shape and contact points. None of these features, by itself, establishes comfort or strength.
Why beech appears so often: Beech is strongly associated with historic Thonet café chairs and their steam-bent frames. Ash, oak, elm, walnut and other woods also appear in curved furniture, but species names alone do not tell you whether a particular piece was steam-bent, cut or joined. Grain, defects, moisture, thickness and the forming process all influence what shapes are possible. Thonet’s account of solid-wood bending explains the role of steam, the metal strap and shaped beech members.
Molded Plywood: Curved Seats, Backs and Shells
Where solid-wood bending shapes a member, molded plywood builds a curved part from thin sheets of wood called veneers. The veneers are arranged with adhesive and pressed in a shaped mold. Heat and pressure may be used to help the layers bond and hold the form. The completed panel can have a shallow bend or a deeper three-dimensional shape.
Different types of plywood curves: A single-curved panel bends mainly in one direction, like a gently curved backrest. A compound-curved shell bends in more than one direction, allowing a seat or back to turn upward and sideways. A thicker laminated plywood member may instead form part of a curved supporting frame. A more complex curve is not automatically more comfortable or more durable; the final geometry and the rest of the chair still matter.
Different plywood furniture parts: Separate molded seats and backrests use two shaped pieces. A one-piece plywood shell connects the seat and back in one formed part. A wraparound shell curves around the sides of a backrest, while an upholstered plywood shell is covered by padding and fabric or another covering. In upholstered chairs, the wood layers may be completely hidden.
Plywood is also described by its veneers and surface finish. Birch, beech, poplar, eucalyptus or mixed veneers may be used in different constructions. An oak- or walnut-faced panel can show that wood on its surface without having a matching solid-wood core. A decorative face veneer and the layers below it describe different aspects of the same panel.
Les Eames Institute’s molded plywood seat provides a historical example of shaped veneer furniture. The USDA Forest Service Wood Handbook chapter on wood-based composites explains plywood and other layered wood materials in more technical detail.
Bentwood-Style Frames: Mixed Materials and Curved Designs
style « Bentwood » describes a chair’s visual language, not one fixed manufacturing process. A rounded café-chair silhouette can be made using cut wooden parts, a molded plywood back, metal legs, an upholstered shell or a mixture of these components. That does not make the chair inferior or a counterfeit; it means the appearance alone cannot identify the construction.
- Wood and metal: A curved wooden seat or back can sit on steel legs or a metal side frame. The support structure and the visible curve are separate parts of the design.
- Plywood and upholstery: A molded plywood shell may be covered with padding and fabric, giving a soft, continuous outline while hiding the shaped layers beneath.
- Decorative curves and a separate frame: A shaped arm, back or trim piece can create a bentwood-inspired look while other members provide the chair’s structural support.
Cane, fabric and leatherette describe a woven surface or upholstery covering; they do not, on their own, identify how the wooden frame was shaped. Likewise, a chair with a curved back can contain solid wood, plywood and metal at the same time.
How can you tell the constructions apart? Visible plywood edges may show bonded layers, solid-wood grain can help explain a curved member, and joint lines may reveal a frame made from several pieces. Paint, veneer and upholstery can hide all three. The clearest distinction is the construction of each component—not the overall outline of the finished chair.
How to Make a Bentwood Chair: The Traditional Process
A traditional bentwood chair is made by softening solid wood, bending it into shape, drying it and assembling the parts. Dry wood cannot simply be forced into a tight curve without a greater risk of damage. The steps below explain the traditional method; they do not mean every YeZhi Furniture chair uses this process.
- Choose the wood. Select a suitable species with the required size and grain direction. Do not use pieces with cracks, knots or other defects that would weaken the bend.
- Prepare the parts. Cut or turn the wooden pieces to the sizes and shapes needed before bending. Leave enough material for the final shape and joints.
- Soften the wood with steam or hot moisture. Heat and moisture make the wood easier to bend. The time needed changes with the wood species and thickness, so there is no single steaming time for every chair.
- Bend the wood with support. When the method calls for it, a steel backing band helps limit stretching on the outside of the bend. Shape the piece around its form, then look for visible fibre damage before moving it to the next stage.
- Hold the curve while the wood dries. Keep the part in its form until it is ready for the next operation. After release, check for cracks and springback—the curve partly straightening—and compare the shape with the approved reference before assembly.
- Trim and assemble. Drill, form or finish joints and connect the back, seat, legs and reinforcing parts according to the chair design.
- Finish and check the chair. Apply the agreed finish and fit the seat and floor glides. Compare size, joint fit, stability on a flat floor and surface quality with the approved sample. Hold any chair that fails the written acceptance requirements for review.
For a commercial order, approve the curved parts and joints on a finished sample. If an original Thonet design is required, confirm maker and design rights separately.
Are Bentwood Chairs Comfortable?
Oui. A well-sized bentwood chair can be comfortable for a café visit or a restaurant meal. The curved back alone is not enough. Check whether the back supports the sitter, whether the seat is wide and deep enough, whether the front edge presses into the legs, how high the table is and how long guests will sit.
| Seating situation | Preferred starting option | What comfort or cleaning issue to check |
|---|---|---|
| Quick coffee or short casual meal | Contoured wood seat or firm cane seat | Easy to move between guests; check whether the front seat edge feels comfortable and the back supports the sitter. |
| Extended restaurant dining | Contoured seat with suitable padding | Improved soft contact; upholstery cleaning and replacement become important. |
| Hotel breakfast / mixed guest groups | Chair with a supportive back and seat dimensions checked against the approved sample | Try the chair with people of different sizes. A photo cannot show how the seat and back will feel. |
| Bar or counter seating | Correct-height stool with a usable footrest | A soft seat will not compensate for an incorrect footrest or seat height. |
Wood, cane or upholstered seat?
Wood seats can be practical when chairs need to be cleaned and moved often, but their shape and finish still matter. Cane seats look lighter and can have some give, but natural cane needs suitable cleaning and care. Upholstered seats have a layer of padding and a covering, so they are usually the first option to compare for longer meals. Check how the covering is cleaned or replaced.
A bentwood chair pad or removable cushion may make a firm seat more comfortable. Before ordering many pads, sit on one and check that it stays in place, does not change the usable seat size and can be removed for cleaning. A cushion should not be used to hide a damaged or loose seat.
If guests stay for long meals and staff clean seats frequently, check comfort and cleaning on the same sample. Start with a supportive seat covered in a material approved for the venue’s cleaning method. If the covering cannot handle the required routine, reject that upholstery option even if it feels comfortable during a short trial. Do not assume natural cane can tolerate repeated soaking.
Avant la production, test each sample at the real table or a matching mock-up. Have people of different sizes sit down, stand up and move the chair. Record seat-edge pressure, back support, arm-to-table contact and space behind an occupied chair. Reject a frame that fails table fit or comfortable entry and exit before selecting upholstery. Thicker padding cannot correct the wrong seat height or knee clearance.
Bentwood Chair Dimensions and Table Fit
For an initial dining-room layout, you can start with a chair seat height of about 17–19 po / 43–48 cm and a dining table height of about 28–30 po / 71–76 cm. These numbers are for planning only. They are not the measurements of a specific YeZhi chair, and they do not prove that an aisle meets accessibility rules. Measure the real chair with a person seated, allow for chair pull-out and staff movement, and check required clear paths against the local project drawings and applicable rules. Do not use the planning range as a finished seating layout.
For a model-level comparison, DC218 has a published seat height of 17.7 in / 45 cm, while CR215 has a published seat height of 17.8 in / 45.2 cm. These are model specifications, not general bentwood standards. CB190 does not publish a seat height; check its table fit against the approved drawing or sample.
| Mesures | Pourquoi est-ce important ? | Problèmes possibles |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height to tabletop | Controls dining posture and reach | Guests sit too low or high. |
| Overall chair width and leg spread | Controls seats per table and neighbouring clearance | Planned seating quantity cannot fit. |
| Space behind a chair when someone is seated | Controls circulation when people are seated | Service or required access route becomes obstructed. |
| Arm height and table apron | Determines whether an armchair can tuck under the table | Arms collide with the table structure. |
| Counter height and footrest position | Controls comfort for counter stools and bar stools | Legs lack support despite a correctly shaped back. |
An armchair can meet the seat-height target and still hit the table apron (the support panel below the tabletop). At the intended floor and table position, check seat-to-table height, arm or frame clearance below the apron, and the passage behind an occupied chair. For CB190, obtain seat height, usable seat width and depth, and needed frame-clearance dimensions from an approved drawing or sample; overall chair height cannot replace them. If the chair obstructs the table or required passage, change the chair, table or layout before locking the seating count.
How Much Do Bentwood Chairs Cost?
The table compares selected U.S. public listing examples checked in October 2026, in US dollars per chair unless stated otherwise. These figures show the prices advertised for particular models or options, not typical market ranges, verified transaction prices, delivered prices or YeZhi Furniture factory quotations. The ends of each range come from a small set of listings, not a market-wide price study. Cane and upholstered seating are options that can overlap with dining chairs, bistro chairs and armchairs.
| Bentwood chair type | Observed U.S. listed price examples | Main factors that change the price | Example listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaise de bistrot en bois courbé | US$173–$212 each | Solid-wood species, back design, basic seat or padded seat, finish, and order quantity. | Mobilier de restaurant; Cafe Tables |
| Chaise de salle à manger en bois courbé | US$183–$203 each | Frame design, wood and bend construction, seat finish, upholstery options, and order size. | Mobilier de restaurant |
| Fauteuil en bois courbé | US$306–$358 each | Additional arm parts, frame dimensions, construction, seat material, cane or padded options, and finish. | Mobilier de restaurant; American Hospitality |
| Bentwood chair with a cane seat or back | US$345–$595 each | Caned back only versus cane on both seat and back, handwork, frame wood, maker and finish. | American Hospitality; Williams Sonoma / TON |
| Upholstered bentwood dining chair | US$367–$399 per chair in one listed configuration | Foam, fabric or vinyl grade, seat versus seat-and-back upholstery, and approved cleaning or fire requirements. | American Hospitality (base retail US$345 + listed upholstery options US$22–$54) |
| Bentwood bar stool | US$205.50–$271 each | Seat height, back and footrest design, solid wood versus plywood, upholstery, and quantity discounts. Counter-height versions must be quoted at the correct height. | Moda Seating; Cafe Tables |
| New bentwood rocking chair | US$389 in one new-chair listing | Rocker-rail geometry, frame wood, seat material, finish, and overall size. Rockers are not interchangeable with standard dining chairs. | Amish Traditions |
| Vintage bentwood chair or rocker | US$150–$1,695 in selected asking-price examples | Verified maker and age, originality, condition, repairs, provenance, design rarity and shipping. Actual sold prices can be much lower or higher. | Chairish café chair; Chairish rockers |
How to read these prices: Each row describes a particular chair type or seat option, not a guaranteed price bracket. A new steam-bent solid-wood chair, moulded-plywood chair and mixed-frame lookalike may all have a similar outline but different production costs. Compare the same construction, seat material, finish and quantity. Check any retailer’s latest listing before using a number in a budget; additional examples are shown in the Moda Seating bentwood collection. For vintage chairs, compare completed sales of similar items before estimating value; an asking price does not prove a chair’s market value.
Here is a shipping-cost example, not a live quote. Chair A costs US$65, plus US$28 per chair for packing and freight, making US$93. Chair B costs US$73, plus US$16 for packing and freight, making US$89. Chair B has the lower subtotal even though its chair price is higher. These are limited subtotals, not final landed costs. Compare the same chair configuration, quantity, trade term (EXW, FOB or CIF) and destination. Include duties, taxes, port charges, inland transport and any agreed damage allowance. Mark unquoted costs as not included, not zero.
Les chaises en bois courbé sont-elles suffisamment résistantes pour les restaurants ?
Yes, some bentwood and bentwood-style chairs are suitable for indoor restaurants. But the name “bentwood” does not tell you how strong a chair is or whether it has passed a test. Check the size of the frame parts, curved sections, joints, screws, seat support, finish, floor glides and the environment where the chair will be used. For required tests, check the evidence for the exact model.
ISO 7173:2023 describes ways to test the strength and durability of chairs and stools. It does pas mean that every YeZhi chair has passed the test. If your project requires test results, check that the report names the actual chair model and configuration and meets the project requirements. If a required report is unavailable or does not cover the selected model and configuration, do not treat the requirement as passed. Resolve the evidence requirement in the project specification before approving that model, or choose a configuration with acceptable documentation.
If a chair develops a structural crack, separated load-bearing wood layers or an unsafe moving joint, stop using it until its condition has been assessed. A damaged foot glide can be checked separately, but replacing a glide or tightening one screw does not prove that a damaged frame is safe.
If stacking is essential, use only a model with confirmed stacking instructions and an approved limit. For frequent wet cleaning or outdoor use, approve the exact seat, finish and environment specification; appearance alone does not establish suitability.
For routine care, see our restaurant chair cleaning guidance and our guide to chair lifespan and wear. If a chair wobbles or its joints loosen, inspect the cause before adding a cushion or replacing the foot glide.
Compare Three YeZhi Furniture Dining Chairs
The three YeZhi Furniture models below help you compare curved plywood, cane with a wooden surround, and upholstered plywood with a metal frame. They are not verified traditional steam-bent solid-wood chairs. Choose them for their confirmed materials, dimensions and fit, not simply because they resemble classic Bentwood. If your project requires traditional steam-bent solid wood, send us that requirement before quotation so construction and model availability can be checked.
Chaise de salle à manger DC218 en contreplaqué noir
DC218 uses contoured plywood-based seat and back components with shaped wood parts and visible metal supports. Depending on the approved configuration, the seat and back surfaces may be exposed plywood or upholstered. Specify both surfaces and finishes before comparing quotes; the product photograph does not lock the final materials. It is a chair option to compare for indoor cafés and restaurants. Published size: W17.7 × D19.7 × H32.9 in / W45 × D50 × H83.5 cm; seat height 17.7 in / 45 cm. Minimum order quantity (MOQ) for the standard model is 20 pcs.
Chaise de salle à manger CR215 en noyer et rotin
CR215 has a cane seat and back with a walnut-tone wooden surround and steel legs. Compare CR215 for indoor dining when the venue can follow the care requirements for natural cane. If staff routinely soak seats, use steam cleaning or leave seating damp for long periods, do not select this cane configuration as the default. Start with a wipe-clean alternative and confirm its exact finish and cleaning instructions before ordering. Published size: W17.2 × D21.3 × H32.2 in / W43.6 × D54.1 × H81.8 cm; seat height 17.8 in / 45.2 cm. The standard model MOQ is 20 pcs. Walnut-tone describes the colour; it does not prove the chair is made from solid walnut or that its frame is steam-bent.
Chaise de salle à manger CB190 à dossier incurvé
CB190 has an upholstered seat, a curved plywood back with upholstery, and a steel sled-style frame. It is worth comparing when you want padded seating. Published overall size: W18.7 × D22.2 × H30.9 in / W47.6 × D56.5 × H78.5 cm. The published product page does not specify seat height, seat width or seat depth. Do not approve CB190 for a particular table based on overall height. Lock those three seat measurements against the table drawing and approved product specification before ordering. The published standard MOQ for CB190 is 20 pcs; deep customization normally starts around 100 pcs per configuration. Confirm the selected upholstery and frame finish in the quotation.
| Si vous avez besoin | Start by comparing | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| A shaped plywood seat and back for indoor dining | DC218 | Confirm the approved plywood or upholstered surface, finish and table fit. |
| A natural cane look for dry indoor dining | CR215 | Confirm cane cleaning rules; compare another seat if routine wet cleaning is required. |
| An upholstered curved-back dining chair | CB190 | Confirm seat height, width and depth from the approved drawing; published overall height is not seat height. |
You can also explore our collection de chaises de restaurant en bois, collection de chaises de restaurant et wood bar stool options for other shapes and materials.
What to Check Before Ordering Bentwood Chairs Wholesale
For bulk orders, confirm the model, materials, dimensions and approved sample before final quotation.
- Confirm the frame material. Tell us whether you need traditional steam-bent solid wood, plywood, shaped solid wood or a mixed frame, and which wood species is required.
- Confirm the dimensions. Give us the seat height, overall chair width and depth, back and arm dimensions, and the table or counter drawing.
- Choose the seat. Tell us whether it should be wood, cane or upholstered, whether you need a pad, and which colour, cleaning and maintenance requirements apply.
- Check the sample. Inspect the joints, finish, floor contact, bends and seat attachments. Sit on the chair and note any movement or discomfort.
- Tell us which tests your project requires. If a report is required, it must cover the chair model and configuration you are ordering. A report for a different chair is not a substitute.
- Confirm the sample, packing and reorder details. Record the approved sample, quantity by model and finish, protective packaging and carton size. Ask whether replacement floor glides or seat components are available for the specific model, and document any agreed finish reference and repeat-order matching requirements. Do not assume identical materials will remain available indefinitely.
| Order item | Our standard starting terms |
|---|---|
| Regular wholesale MOQ | Starts from about 15 pcs per model/SKU; specific models can have higher minimums. |
| Full OEM / custom order (a new design or configuration) | Usually from about 100 pcs per design or configuration. |
| Production standard | About 30 days as a production planning reference after order confirmation. For the selected model, confirm when the schedule starts; published DC218 and CR215 terms require the deposit and final order approvals before production timing is locked. Shipping transit is separate from production time. |
| Complex / custom work | Usually about 35–45 days or according to the agreed project. |
| Paiement | Payment by bank transfer (T/T): 30% deposit and 70% balance before shipment. |
| Trade and freight | EXW, FOB or CIF shipping terms. Sea freight can be arranged as part of a shared container (LCL) or a full container (FCL), as appropriate. |
| Garantie standard | 1 year, with the final warranty coverage and exclusions shown on the proforma invoice (the order document issued before payment). |
A model-specific MOQ takes priority over the general 15-piece starting point. Sample lead time is confirmed separately for the selected model.
Production and packing checks
Before bulk production, approve the model and configuration, drawing with agreed tolerances, material and finish references, sample, seat or cane details, and packing specification. Inspect chairs against these references: dimensions, surfaces, joints, screws, glides, stability on a flat floor, and carton protection and labels.
For each model, finish and seat configuration, record the approved drawing and sample revision, inspected batch, number of chairs checked under the agreed inspection plan, and differences found. Release, correct or hold affected items against the written acceptance criteria. A single approved sample does not prove batch-wide consistency. If a strength, durability or fire test is required, confirm the report covers that model and configuration. A visual check is not a test result.
Confirm whether chairs arrive assembled or in separate parts (knock-down), units per carton, final outside carton dimensions, and protection for curved backs, cane, upholstery and seat edges. Separate shipment in parts does not mean a chair is stackable after assembly; require model-specific stacking instructions.
Compare carton dimensions with doors, lift openings and tight turns on the delivery route. Agree on a safe temporary storage area and who will assemble the chairs, where, and how assembly defects will be recorded. Use the confirmed carton volume (CBM) to compare freight options.
On receipt, count cartons against the packing list and inspect visible damage before unpacking. Photograph damaged cartons, labels and affected chair parts, keep the packing materials, and compare the delivered model and finish codes with the order documents. Report discrepancies through the agreed order contact and claim procedure.
Get the Right Bentwood-Style Chair for Your Project
For a project quotation, send us these details:
- Chair model or reference drawing and the type of venue.
- Table height, required chair and seat dimensions, frame and seat materials, finish or upholstery code.
- Quantity for each model and finish, plus any approved sample, test standard or packing requirement.
- Preferred EXW, FOB or CIF trade term, destination country and port, and target arrival date.
We will review the selected configuration, MOQ and quotation basis before confirming an offer.
Foire aux questions
How can you tell if a chair is steam-bent solid wood or bent plywood?
Review the model’s material specification and ask which curved parts are made from solid wood and which from bonded wood layers. An exposed edge may show plywood layers, but a covered or painted edge cannot prove how the chair was made. If traditional steam bending matters, ask for construction evidence for that specific model rather than relying on its silhouette.
Are all bentwood chairs stackable?
No. A curved frame does not prove that a chair is designed for stacking. Check the selected model’s stacking instructions and approved limit. Armrests, wider backs and upholstery may change how chairs fit together. If daily stacking is essential, reject models without confirmed stacking information.
How long does it take to make bentwood furniture?
Traditional steam bending has no fixed chair-making time: preparation, heating, bending, drying and finishing vary by part. YeZhi bulk-order production planning is separate—about 30 days for standard orders and usually 35–45 days for complex/custom work after the required approvals, excluding shipping. This does not mean every YeZhi model is steam-bent.
Further Reading
- Victoria and Albert Museum — Thonet and the invention of bentwood furniture (historical manufacturing development).
- Thonet — Bentwood (how solid wood is bent with a steel support strap).
- Philadelphia Museum of Art — Model No. 14 Chair (historic café-chair construction and design).
- ISO 7173:2023 — Test methods for chair and stool strength and durability (this is a standard reference, not proof that a YeZhi chair passed).
