Best High Chair Small Spaces

Best High Chair for Small Spaces

Last Updated on April 27, 2021

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Your home likely doesn’t have a massive dining room like houses used to since this is often unused space. Apartments, condos, and most modern homes have little space to spare when it comes to extra furniture, like a full-size high chair, around the table.

This is where having a compact high chair built for small spaces can be a fantastic addition to the dining room table. These smaller, travel-ready, and folding high chairs can be quickly set up in seconds before feeding time.

They also take up considerably less space than the massive high chairs that have been around for ages. You know, the obstacle that sits off on its own and takes up an entire corner of the room. What a waste of space!

So, which high chair will work best for a home with small space at the dinner table?

Too busy loving your little one? Here’s our top pick.

Our top pick for the best high chair for small spaces is the Graco Slim Snacker Ultra–Compact High Chair

This is our favorite high chair since it folds up super quick and compact, is very lightweight to move around, and adjusts to find the right position for your baby.

The Graco Slim Snacker is a free-standing high chair, but keep reading for our other top recommendations if you’re more interested in a chair-mounted or hook-on high chair.

Best High Chairs for Small Spaces

ImageProductSummaryPrice
Best Folding High Chair
Graco Slim Snacker High Chair
Graco Slim Snacker High Chair

The Graco Slim Snacker is ideal for those without much storage space for a bulky high chair. It folds up compactly and is a great high for feeding.

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Best Hook On High Chair
Inglesina Fast Table Chair
Inglesina Fast Table Chair

The Inglesina Fast Table is a convenient high chair that can be safely used on most tables at home or while eating out at a restaurant.

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Best Space Saver High Chair
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair
Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair

This high chair comes with a removable tray for easy cleaning and mounts to a chair to save space around the kitchen table.

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Best Wooden High Chair
Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair
Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair

This wooden high chair comes with an eating tray and can be adjusted to grow with your child.

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Best Value High Chair
Cosco Simple Fold High Chair
Cosco Simple Fold High Chair

This more traditional high chair features a 3-position tray with legs that swing open.

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Best High Chairs for Small Spaces Reviews

1. Graco Slim Snacker Ultra-Compact High Chair (Best Folding High Chair)

Best Folding High Chair

The Graco Slim Snacker highchairs for babies folds up so it’s more compact with a quick action using one-hand. The high chair includes an eating tray and seat fabric that is easy to clean with a simple wipe.

While this full-sized chair takes up more floor space, is an ideal high chair for small houses since it folds up compactly when you don’t need it for storage in a closet or against a wall. In terms of safety, the 5-point harness, food tray, and floor pads will help keep your baby secure as they fling little food bits all over the place.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Fast folding high chair that requires only one hand to operate
  • 3- and 5-point harness to keep baby secure
  • Extra-large mesh storage basket to hold baby’s meal-time essentials or toys
  • Self-standing foldable high chair for easy storage
  • Footrest to provide more comfort for your infant
  • 3 position reclining seat to find the right position for feeding
  • Seat pad is thicker and easy to wipe clean

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

  • Seat pad doesn’t remove for more thorough washing
  • Pull handle on the seat used for folding catches crumbs

Maximum Weight: 40 pounds


2. Inglesina Fast Table Chair (Best Hook On High Chair)

Best Hook On High Chair

The Inglesina is probably the smallest high chair you can find. The compact size of this use to use and space-saving high chair will literally give your infant a seat at the table.

This portable high chair collapses to fit into a diaper bag and can be stored in the smallest of spaces. It also attaches right to your table so there’s no need for a lot of room around the dining table that full-sized high chairs require.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Takes up an incredibly small amount to space which makes them perfect chairs for small spaces
  • Easy to use and attaches right to the table so your little one eats with the family rather than off by themself
  • Secures firmly to tables up to 3 inches thick using a coupling you twist to tighten
  • Collapsible design makes it great for small spaces or as a portable high chair
  • Chair is made of a durable and machine washable material that comes in 9 colors
  • Storage pocket on the back is great for holding baby wipes, bibs, or spoons
  • Carry bag to hold the chair is included to take it anywhere
  • Compact and elegant design makes it easy to keep on the table when not in use
  • 3 point safety harness that wraps around your baby’s waist and thighs

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

  • Baby tray must be purchased separately
  • Must use caution when attaching to lighter tables prone to tipping or softer wood that may be damaged by the clamp
  • Risk of injury if the chair is not mounted properly due to lack of legs/base
  • Gap between baby and table may result in crumbs and food on the floor

Maximum Weight: 37 pounds


3. Fisher-Price SpaceSaver High Chair (Best Space Saver High Chair)

Best Space Saver High Chair

If you’re in need of a high chair for small spaces, the Fisher-Price SpaceSaver is a great option that sits right on the chair seat. In most cases, you won’t be moving the highchair often and will likely leave it on the seat at all times for your little one.

The SpaceSaver is easy to clean with seat fabric you can put in the washing machine and includes a tray liner for the chair tray to catch crumbs that’s dishwasher safe. The 5 point harness will keep your baby secure and tray adjustment options make them ideal high chairs for small babies as well.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Provides all the features of a full-size high chair in a smaller package
  • Secures to almost every style chair with straps and protective rubber pads
  • Two adjustable heights with three reclining positions
  • Machine-washable seat pad and harness
  • Dishwasher safe removable tray and seat makes it easy to clean
  • Deep tray insert keeps most of the baby’s food from falling (won’t help babies that throw food)
  • Thicker cushion makes meal-time more comfortable for your baby

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

  • Gap on the sides of the tray can be a pinch hazard for little fingers
  • Hand cleaning takes a while due to the many cracks and crevices
  • Tray storage on the back of the seat is not very secure and may fall out
  • Changing the seat height is more difficult than it should be

Maximum Weight: 40 pounds


4. Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair (Best Wooden High Chair)

If you’re looking for a wooden high chair with a compact and modern design, the Abiie Beyond is an excellent option. The EZ seat can be adjusted to just about any height for babies and toddlers of all ages.

This is a great-looking high chair that provides the flexibility and ease of use all parents will love – in a smaller footprint.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Restraint system can be adjusted for a 5-point harness or a 3-point harness
  • Stain resistant cushions make for easy cleaning with a damp cloth
  • EZ seat design can be adjusted in about 20 seconds
  • Great for toddlers over 6 months old through early childhood
  • One hand removable tray is dishwasher safe
  • Sturdy wooden frame makes the chair extra stable, even for active babies

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

  • Many notches and crevaces for food crumbs to fall into
  • Does not fold up for compact storage
  • Tray can be difficult to put on and take off

Maximum Weight: 250 pounds


5. Cosco Simple Fold High Chair

Best High Chair for Small Spaces

Cosco Simple Fold chairs are easy to use in small spaces since it folds up in a matter of seconds. It makes mealtime enjoyable for your growing little one with comfortable recline positions and a footrest that provides calf support.

The wider base makes it more stable to reduce the chance that it tips as your baby reaches for food. Also, the wide range of styles it comes in means you’ll likely be able to find one that works with your home decor and colors.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Folds up similar to a folding chair making it compact for travel or storage
  • Comes in 10 different styles to match your baby’s theme
  • Quick setup high chair that’s ready in seconds
  • Lightweight design makes it easy to carry and store
  • Easy to clean wipeable seats
  • Adjustable tray with three setting and cup holder

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

  • High chair leans back, but does not have adjustable reclining
  • Non-adjustable reclined seatback may not be ideal for all babies
  • Fabric seat cover is not easily removed for washing
  • High chair feet stick out which could be a trip hazard for smaller spaces

Maximum Weight: 50 pounds


Three Main Types of Compact High Chairs

  1. Folding High Chairs are as convenient as the folding chairs or step stools you likely have around the house. They often have a hinge that allows the legs and chair to completely fold up flat.
  2. Space Saver or Chair-Mounted High Chairs typically provide all the functionality of a full-size high chair and booster seat, but are mounted to a chair rather than free-standing. They are secured by straps that wrap around the back and bottom of the chair. Our family just keeps these on the baby’s own chair at the table.
  3. Hook On High Chairs is one of the newest types of high chairs that are picking up in popularity. These ingenious chairs are mounted directly to a dining room table, countertop, or restaurant table in seconds. They have two arms that stretch onto the top of the table and mounting screws underneath that use pressure to keep it secure.

When can a baby sit in a high chair at home or at a restaurant?

This will depend on how early your little one starts to gain control over their neck muscles and begin eating solid foods. They need to be at a point where they can support the weight of their head on their own while sitting. This can start to happen as early as 4 months, but is most likely to happen around 6 months.

You might try to feed them at home with rice cereal in a high chair first to test things out before heading to the restaurant. Sitting in a high chair to eat solids is a much different experience than being fed a bottle gazing into your eyes.

What to Look for in a High Chair for Small Spaces

Collapses or folds up. Even if you pick up a smaller chair, you may want a foldable high chair that collapses completely flat for easy storage or travel. You can tuck these away in a closet or bring it with you on trips.

Removable fabric seat cover. Seats on high chairs get caked with crumbs and covered in liquids like milk, baby food, or spit-up. You’ll want to be able to detach the seat cover to easily clean up after feeding time. Even better, find one that is machine washable to save time.

Stable and secure base. The high chair should be stable whether the chair is self-standing, strapped to a dining chair, or latched to the table. If there is a lot of movement, there’s a greater chance the baby can tip the chair over or fall out.

Adjustable trays or seatbacks. No two babies are made the same. Some have bigger bellies or legs which may require a tray that offers more room. Also, some babies like to recline while others do better sitting up straight while eating.

How to Clean a High Chair

Each high chair will have different cleaning steps depending on the fabric and construction of the chair. Companies know babies are messy eaters, so all of them will likely be easy to clean by wiping with a damp cloth.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but some seat fabrics are machine washable in case your baby makes a huge mess. There are also some plastic feeding trays that can be put in the dishwasher for a deep clean.

One part of the highchair you likely will need to wash by hand is the straps on the 3 or 5 point harness that secures your baby. These you can use soap and water to scrub the spit up or food bits off.

Conclusion

High chairs are fantastic at helping your baby learn how to eat sitting up in a chair. They are a great starting point before your baby transitions to a booster seat or sitting on the dining room chair.

Compact high chairs are great for traveling or if you just want to save space around the dining room table. Most of these high chairs fold up or collapse for easy storage.

They come in many shapes, but our pick for the smallest high chair, if you’re tight on space, is the Graco Slim Snacker Ultra-Compact High Chair.

This is our favorite space saver high chair due to fast-folding, compact storage, and lightweight design makes it easy to move between rooms. The Graco Slim Snacker high chair is simple to clean, offers an adjustable tray, and several reclining settings to make feeding time enjoyable for your baby.

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