Choosing a High Chair: Best Materials & Colors

A high chair may seem simple, until you suddenly have to choose in a store (or webshop) between wood, plastic, different materials and colors, a dining chair with a 5-point harness, or a model that you can take with you. In Belgium, there is often also limited space in a row house, a small kitchen, visits from grandparents, and the question: “Which high chair actually fits best at table height?” With this guide, you can choose the best baby high chair with purpose, and later a safe, comfortable toddler high chair that is safety-proof.

1) Which high chair suits your family situation?

Before you look at style, first decide how and where you will use the chair.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you eat at the table every day or often at a kitchen island? (Which high chair at table height is needed then?)

• Does the chair need to be portable for grandma/grandpa’s house, to a restaurant, or on holiday?

• Do you have limited space and want a foldable high chair for a small kitchen?

• Are you starting solid foods and want a high chair suitable for babies?

2) Materials and colors: what is smart (and what stays beautiful)?

The choice of materials and colors determines not only the style, but also maintenance, durability, and price.

Plastic vs wood high chair

Plastic vs wood high chair is the classic comparison:

• Plastic

  • Light, often cheaper, easy to wipe clean

  • Easy to wash

  • May show some scratches or discoloration after years (especially light colors)

• Wood

  • Looks warm, fits beautifully in your interior

  • A wooden high chair is a durable alternative

  • Often heavier and very stable

  • Sometimes requires a bit more attention with stains (depending on the finish)

3) Safety first: harnesses, stability, and tip-over risk

A high chair should above all be safe. Pay attention to these points:

Harness and support

• A high chair with a 5-point harness is strongly recommended for babies and active toddlers. It keeps shoulders and hips in place.

• Check whether the bar/front piece closes firmly and does not “wobble loose.”

• See whether there is an anti-slip base.

Stability and tipping

This is how to recognize a high chair that is stable against tipping:

• Wide base or splayed legs

• Enough weight (or a smart design) so that a toddler cannot easily push the chair backward

• No seat that is too high without a solid frame

Practical tip: Test in the store by gently pulling on the tray (as if your child is pulling themselves up). A good chair stays “firmly on the ground.”

4) Tray, space, and ease of use

For many families, a high chair with a removable tray is a game changer:

• Easier to lift the child in and out of the chair

• Convenient to wash the tray separately

• Ideal if you want your baby to “join in” at the table or to let them eat independently

5) Maintenance: quick cleaning without hassle

After spaghetti or yogurt, you know immediately: maintenance matters.

How do you clean a high chair?

“How do you clean a high chair” without scrubbing for hours:

• Daily: wipe with lukewarm water and mild dish soap

• Weekly: check harnesses and crevices (crumbs!)

• Cushions: preferably removable and washable, or simply leave them off during messy phases

• For wood: do not use aggressive degreasers; choose mild soap and dry thoroughly afterward

Tip: If you spill often, fewer seams and less fabric are almost always better.

6) Portable, foldable, or booster seat?

Not every home is big, and you are not always at home. Then compactness comes first.

Foldable for small kitchens

A foldable high chair for a small kitchen is handy if:

• you have little storage space

• you only need the chair during meals. Please note: check the stability and whether the folding mechanism is child-safe.

Booster seat vs high chair

The choice booster seat vs high chair depends on age and table type:

• High chair: better for babies and young toddlers (posture + safety)

• Booster seat: handy for travel and at grandparents’ home

“When to switch to a booster seat” is usually only logical when your child:

• can sit steadily on their own

• no longer stands up in the chair all the time

• can (preferably) get foot support or at least sit properly at the table For many children this is around toddler age, but mainly look at behavior and stability, not just months.

Extra tip for on the go: A light model that is portable (foldable or clip-on) is ideal, but only choose it if it fastens securely to the chair and table.

8) Checklist: the best high chair for babies (and later toddlers)

Take this short checklist with you to the store:

• Fits your table: which high chair fits your table height?

• Safe: high chair with 5-point harness, stable base

• Practical: high chair with removable tray

• Material choice: high chair in plastic vs wood

• Fits your life: portable or foldable high chair for example in a small kitchen
  

• Easy to maintain

Conclusion

The right high chair is a mix of safety, ergonomics, and practical use in a household. Choose a model that is stable, easy to adjust, easy to keep clean, and that fits your space and routines.