Your Guide to Smith Brothers of Berne Chairs

If you believe furniture should be more than just a temporary piece in your home—that it should tell a story and last for generations—then a Smith Brothers of Berne chair is an exceptional choice. Known for their incredible comfort, enduring style, and American-made quality, these chairs are a true investment in your home's future.

Why a Smith Brothers Chair Is a Wise Investment

Here at Tanger's Furniture, think of us as your helpful neighbor. We're here to walk you through everything you need to know about Smith Brothers of Berne chairs, with no pressure at all. We get it; choosing the right furniture is a big decision, whether you're furnishing a new home in Logan County or looking for that perfect heirloom piece. Our goal is to help you feel completely confident in your choice.

This guide is your friendly introduction to what makes these chairs such a standout investment. We'll explore everything from their rock-solid construction to the nearly endless ways you can personalize one to perfectly match your style and truly "Love Your Home."

The Hallmarks of Quality and Comfort

When you choose a Smith Brothers chair, you're not just picking a place to sit. You’re bringing home a piece built on a foundation of integrity and craftsmanship that started way back in 1926. This isn't your average mass-produced furniture; it’s a testament to doing things the right way.

• Built to Last: Every frame is built from solid maple hardwood, which is kiln-dried to prevent warping and twisting over the years. This sturdy foundation means your chair is truly ready for real life.
• Enduring Comfort: Instead of using simple foam that can flatten over time, Smith Brothers uses a high-quality coil spring system. This design provides resilient support that resists sagging, ensuring your chair feels as comfortable in ten years as it does on day one.
• A Promise You Can Trust: The company stands firmly behind its work with lifetime warranties on frames, springs, and foam cores. That's a level of commitment that gives you total peace of mind in your purchase.

At Tanger's, we've seen countless furniture brands come and go since we opened our doors in 1964. Smith Brothers consistently stands out because their definition of quality lines up perfectly with ours: it’s all about creating lasting value for families and businesses.

Here’s a quick summary of what makes Smith Brothers of Berne chairs an exceptional choice for homeowners seeking quality and style.

Smith Brothers Chairs At a Glance

In short, a Smith Brothers chair is more than just furniture; it's a piece designed to become part of your home's story.

More Than Just a Chair, It's Your Chair

One of the best things about choosing a Smith Brothers chair from Tanger's is that we don't do "out of the box" solutions. We specialize in helping you create a piece that is uniquely yours, reflecting your personal style. Plus, our Low Price Promise ensures you always get fantastic value, and our flexible Financing options make it accessible for just about any budget.

From our showroom in Bellefontaine, our friendly design staff can guide you through hundreds of fabrics, beautiful finishes, and different configurations. You can also explore the other high-quality furniture brands we proudly carry to see how they all stack up. Let's work together to find the perfect chair to complete your space.

The Legacy Behind the Label

When you settle into a Smith Brothers of Berne chair, you’re feeling more than just comfortable upholstery. You’re experiencing a story that started nearly a century ago in the small town of Berne, Indiana. Back in 1926, this community’s deep-seated work ethic became the bedrock of a brand that has stood for quality ever since.

What began as a small, humble workshop has grown into a true symbol of American craftsmanship.

When you choose Smith Brothers from Tanger’s Furniture, you’re not just buying a piece of furniture; you're bringing a piece of that hardworking, community-first spirit right into your home. As a family-owned business ourselves here in Bellefontaine since 1964, it’s a story we’re genuinely proud to share with our neighbors.

From Humble Roots to a Thriving Workforce

The Smith Brothers story is a real testament to grit and perseverance. While its origins trace back to the Dunbar Furniture company, the brand truly forged its own identity through decades of hard work. The 1970s brought tough economic times, and the company nearly folded, shrinking to a skeleton crew of just 30 dedicated employees.

But that wasn't the end. New leadership stepped in, not with a fancy corporate plan, but with sheer determination and a commitment to quality. That small team of 30 has since grown to over 550 skilled artisans working in a state-of-the-art facility that spans almost 500,000 square feet.

Today, they build more than 2,500 custom upholstered pieces every single week. That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident; it's earned.

What This Legacy Means for Your Home

Choosing a brand with this kind of history gives you more than a good story—it provides real, tangible benefits you’ll appreciate for years to come. It’s a level of trust and reliability that just feels right, resonating with our own Logan County values.

• Proven Durability: A company doesn't last for nearly a century by cutting corners. Their longevity is proof that their furniture is built to handle real family life.
• A Personal Touch: Unlike massive, faceless factories, Smith Brothers has always kept a hands-on approach. This means every detail, from the solid maple frame to the final stitch, gets the attention it deserves.
• Supporting American Workers: Every purchase helps support hundreds of families in Berne, Indiana, keeping the tradition of American manufacturing alive for the next generation.

This isn't some faceless corporation. It's a family-led company that faced tough times by doubling down on quality. That’s the kind of character we believe in at Tanger’s, and it’s why we confidently recommend these pieces for your home.

This deep-rooted commitment to construction is obvious across their entire collection. It’s not just in their chairs; you’ll find the same integrity in larger pieces, like the popular Smith Brothers 393 Series sectional we carry. It’s this heritage of excellence that makes a Smith Brothers of Berne chair such a meaningful part of any home.

Inside the Unseen Quality of Every Chair

When you see a Smith Brothers of Berne chair in our showroom, it’s the style that first catches your eye. But the real magic—the reason you’ll still love that chair a decade from now—is what’s happening underneath the fabric. That’s where the true story of quality and longevity begins.

The foundation of every single chair is built from solid maple hardwood, one of the toughest and most reliable woods used in furniture making. Smith Brothers then kiln-dries all their lumber, a critical step that removes excess moisture to ensure the frame won’t ever warp, twist, or crack. This isn't flimsy particle board; it's a solid, dependable core built for life.

The Foundation of Lasting Comfort

A strong frame is only the first chapter. The next layer of quality you can feel—but can't see—is the support system. While many manufacturers cut corners with simple sinuous "S" springs, Smith Brothers uses a heavy-gauge coil spring system. It’s like the difference between a basic mattress and a high-end one; these individual coils give you far more consistent and resilient support across the entire seat.

That superior spring system is then topped with high-quality, high-density foam cushions that are engineered to resist sagging. The result is a chair that feels just as comfortable and supportive on its thousandth sit as it did on its first. This commitment to using the best materials is what makes a Smith Brothers chair such a smart choice for active families and anyone looking for seating they can truly depend on.

• Solid Maple Frames: Every frame is constructed from solid maple and reinforced with self-tapping screws and corner blocks for rock-solid stability.
• Heavy-Gauge Springs: The coil spring suspension provides a durable, flexible base that prevents that dreaded "sinking" feeling from developing over the years.
• High-Resiliency Foam: The foam cores are designed to bounce back, holding their shape and comfort level through daily use, and are even backed by a lifetime warranty.

This is exactly why we stand behind these pieces so confidently at Tanger’s. Unlike mass-produced furniture that might look good for a season or two, a Smith Brothers chair is a genuine long-term investment in your home.

It Is All in the Details

Beyond the big-ticket items like the frame and springs, the dedication to quality is evident in the smallest details. Every joint is reinforced, and premium padding is applied over the entire frame—not just the seat and back. This simple step prevents the fabric from rubbing against hard edges, dramatically reducing wear and tear over time.

“When we talk about the ‘Home’ Philosophy, this is what we mean. It’s about investing in pieces that bring you comfort and joy for years, not just for a season. The unseen quality in a Smith Brothers chair ensures it becomes a part of your family’s story.”

Knowing what goes into your furniture is the key to making a smart purchase. To dig deeper into how different fabrics and leathers affect durability, you can learn more in our guide to understanding upholstery materials. Whether it's for your living room or a high-traffic professional space like our Commercial Office projects, this level of construction guarantees a return on your investment. And with flexible Financing available, bringing this kind of quality home is more attainable than ever.

Making It Yours: Designing the Perfect Chair

This is where the fun really starts. At Tanger’s, we’ve always believed that your furniture should be a genuine reflection of you, not something pulled straight off a production line. With a Smith Brothers of Berne chair, you’re not just a customer—you’re the designer.

The process puts you in control, giving you the power to create a piece that is truly and uniquely yours. You can pick from over 1,000 different fabrics and a beautiful selection of top-grain leathers, ensuring the final look and feel is a perfect fit for your home. It goes so much deeper than just picking a color; it’s about crafting a chair that fits your life.

The Custom Design Experience in Our Showroom

Walking into our Bellefontaine showroom is less like shopping and more like stepping into a design studio where your vision is the only blueprint that matters. We know that staring at a thousand fabric swatches online can feel overwhelming. That’s why we take a friendly, hands-on approach.

We want you to touch the materials, see the colors in natural light, and feel the difference between a soft, plush chenille and a tough performance weave. Our design staff, who have been part of the Logan County community right alongside us since 1964, are here to guide you, not sell you. We’ll help you explore every option, making the whole process feel like a fun, creative collaboration.

• Fabric and Leather Selection: We’ll walk you through our huge library of fabrics and leathers to find the perfect match for your lifestyle. Need something that can handle pets and kids? Or are you looking for pure, simple luxury? We’ve got you covered.
• Cushion Comfort: You get to choose your cushion type to strike the ideal balance of softness and support. Do you prefer a firmer seat that’s easy to get out of, or a deep, sink-in feel for cozy evenings? We’ll help you find what feels right.
• Finishing Touches: The details are what make a design truly personal. You can select the wood finish for the legs to complement your existing furniture and even add accents like nailhead trim for a classic or more modern look.

This diagram shows the core components that are the foundation of every single custom chair we help create.

From the solid maple frame to the supportive springs and long-lasting cushions, every element is chosen and built with enduring quality and comfort in mind.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

Our whole approach is designed to help you "Love Your Home" by creating pieces that feel personal and intentional. It’s about more than just furniture; it’s about being your partner in building a space that brings you joy every single day.

Our team is here to help you visualize the final piece, making sure all your choices come together beautifully. We can also talk about protecting your new chair for years to come. While these chairs are built to last, simple accessories can keep them looking brand new. For example, a good guide to fitted armchair covers can be a fantastic resource for preserving your custom piece.

At Tanger's, we believe the best furniture is a collaboration between expert craftsmanship and your personal style. We provide the quality and the options; you provide the vision.

This commitment to custom-fit solutions isn’t just for your home. Our Commercial Office division uses the same principles, helping local businesses create professional spaces that are both incredibly durable and a true reflection of their brand.

And with our Low Price Promise, you can be confident you’re getting exceptional value for true custom quality. Our flexible Financing options also make it easier to invest in the right pieces without straining your budget. To see just how straightforward the journey is, you can read more about how we make custom furniture simple from start to finish. Once you’ve made your selections, our professional Service & Delivery team handles all the heavy lifting, making the entire experience effortless for you.

How to Choose the Right Chair for Your Space

Finding the perfect Smith Brothers of Berne chair is about more than just falling in love with a style. It’s about making sure that chair fits your life and your room like it was made for them—because, with Smith Brothers, it will be.

A great chair should work with your space, not against it. Taking a few moments to think through your home's layout and how you'll use the chair will make all the difference, ensuring it feels just right from the moment it arrives.

Measuring for a Perfect Fit

Let's start with the basics: measurements. This simple step is the key to avoiding that all-too-common headache of furniture that’s just a little too big or too small for the room. Before you get too deep into styles, it's crucial to understand how a chair's dimensions will work in your home. For a great overview of standard sizes, you can consult this complete furniture dimensions guide.

Think about these key factors for your home:

• Function: Will this be a cozy reading chair tucked away in a quiet corner? Or a durable, everyday seat in a high-traffic family room? The chair's main purpose will help point you toward the right fabric and style choices.
• Scale: How does the chair’s size relate to the other furniture in the room, like your sofa or coffee table? A delicate armchair can get lost next to a bulky sectional, while an oversized recliner might completely overwhelm a small den.
• Lifestyle: For homes with kids or pets, we almost always recommend looking at performance fabrics. These materials are specifically designed to resist stains and wear, keeping your investment looking beautiful for years to come.

Solutions for Professional Spaces

The same principles of thoughtful selection apply to our professional clients, too. Through our Commercial Office division, we help local businesses create welcoming and functional spaces using the same high-quality brands we trust in our own homes.

Since its start back in 1926, Smith Brothers of Berne has become a benchmark for American manufacturing, growing from a local operation into a custom upholstery powerhouse that produces over 2,500 pieces every week. For our commercial clients, this legacy means you're getting durable, ergonomic office solutions built to stand the test of time.

For a local Bellefontaine business, a stylish and comfortable Smith Brothers chair in a waiting room instantly communicates a sense of quality and care to clients. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact.

Whether it’s for a waiting area, an executive office, or a hospitality setting, the timeless style and robust construction of a Smith Brothers of Berne chair make it an outstanding choice. We even offer space planning services to ensure your layout is both efficient and impressive.

And with flexible Financing available, upgrading your professional space is a smart and accessible investment.

From Our Showroom to Your Living Room: The Tanger Promise

Finding and designing the perfect Smith Brothers of Berne chair is an exciting moment, but our commitment to you doesn’t stop there. For us, that’s really just the beginning of our partnership. We want the entire experience, from the moment you walk into our showroom to the day you sink into your new chair at home, to be completely effortless.

That’s what our Tanger Essentials promise is all about. It’s a set of commitments we make to every neighbor we serve in the Bellefontaine area, ensuring you feel taken care of long after you've made your decision. It covers everything from our pricing to the moment our delivery team arrives at your door.

Making Heirloom Quality Attainable

We believe everyone deserves to own furniture built to last for generations, and that shouldn't feel like an impossible stretch. With our Low Price Promise, you can feel confident you’re getting exceptional value on an investment piece that will stand the test of time.

To make things even easier, we also provide flexible Financing options. Our team is here to help you find a payment plan that works for your family’s budget, so you never have to compromise on the quality your home deserves.

White-Glove Service, Right to Your Door

Once you’ve found the perfect chair, our work is just getting started. We take care of the final, crucial step: getting your new furniture home safely and professionally. We don’t just leave a box on your doorstep—our own team handles every detail with care.

• Professional Delivery: Our in-house delivery crew treats your home with the same respect we’d show our own. They’ll carefully bring your new Smith Brothers chair inside and place it exactly where you envision it.
• Ongoing Peace of Mind: Our relationship doesn’t end at delivery. We provide in-house Service Requests, giving you a direct line to our team for any questions or needs that pop up down the road. You always know who to call.

We’re able to offer this level of personal service because we partner with true American craftsmen like Smith Brothers of Berne. Their dedication to quality is why they're a major force in U.S. upholstered furniture, bringing in an impressive $124.9 million in annual revenue as of 2024. For our family, which has been serving Ohio since 1964, their incredible customization options fit perfectly with our goal of helping you create a home that’s truly yours. You can learn more about their amazing journey on the Smith Brothers of Berne website.

We take immense pride in making the entire process worry-free. You can see exactly how our team ensures a safe and careful arrival for your new furniture by reading about our local furniture delivery service.

And finally, we’d love for you to join our Love Your Home Club! It’s a community where you’ll get exclusive offers and expert tips to help you continue creating a space you absolutely adore.

Your Smith Brothers Chair Questions Answered

Choosing a new piece of furniture is a big decision, and it’s natural to have questions. We hear a lot of the same ones in our Bellefontaine showroom, especially when it comes to a significant investment like a Smith Brothers of Berne chair.

We've always believed in a "no-pressure" approach. Our job is to give you the honest information you need to feel great about the furniture you bring into your home. Here are some of the most common questions we answer every day.

How Long Will It Take to Get My Custom Chair?

This is usually the first thing people ask! Since every single Smith Brothers chair is built to order in Berne, Indiana, it takes time to get it just right. Generally, you can expect your custom chair to arrive in about 8 to 12 weeks.

That timeframe gives the artisans the space they need to hand-build the solid maple frame, set the springs, and meticulously apply the exact fabric or leather you picked out. It’s a different process than buying off a big-box store floor, but the result is a chair made exclusively for you. We’ll be upfront about the timeline and keep you in the loop.

Is a Smith Brothers Chair a Good Investment?

Without a doubt. You'll notice the price tag is higher than mass-produced furniture, but a Smith Brothers of Berne chair is an investment in quality that pays for itself over the long run. This isn't a chair you'll need to replace in a few years—it's an heirloom piece built to last for decades.

At Tanger’s, we’ve built our reputation since 1964 on offering furniture that provides real value. Smith Brothers chairs are a perfect example of this philosophy—they are an investment in lasting comfort and style that pays off over time.

When you factor in that you won’t be shopping for a replacement for years, the value becomes obvious. Our Low Price Promise guarantees you’re getting the best deal, and we offer flexible Financing to make it work for your budget. Plus, our Love Your Home Club provides exclusive offers that make the investment even better.

Visit our showroom in Bellefontaine to see our custom options in person or browse our collections online to start your journey. Have a specific design question? contact our design staff today or join our Love Your Home Club for expert tips delivered to your inbox.