What are the strongest dining chairs?

02 Apr.,2024

 

No dining space—whether it’s a formal room or that tiny corner of your kitchen—would be complete without at least one of the best dining chairs to serve the right vibes when you take a seat at the table. Listen, we’re not here to judge if you enjoy your meals from the comfort of your couch, but having a grown-up set of dining chairs on rotation will distract your guests from asking one too many intrusive questions while also providing you with some extra seating options.

In a world full of an abundance of chair types (and too many knockoffs), one can get overwhelmed, so we consulted our colleagues at Architectural Digest to tell us about what they’ve been sitting on—at the table and beyond. Scroll down for their unfiltered opinions on the best dining chairs that money can buy on a budget.

Wooden Chairs
Upholstered Dining Chairs
Metal & Leather Dining Chairs

Wooden Dining Chairs

Designer: Tom Kelley for Ton
Specs: Solid beech wood, molded plywood, and wood seat 
Dimensions: 33.2"H x 17"W x 18.5"D

I bought four of these chairs when I was moving into my new apartment in January 2021. At the time, these chairs were cheaper than their other offerings by a long shot and were therefore the only real option within our budget (although perhaps inflation has changed that). The chairs are thin and slim in a way that works perfectly for the (not huge) dining table in our Brooklyn apartment. When I bought them, I was worried that the black paint might chip. So far that hasn’t happened at all, but I am starting to think that the paint on some of the seats is thinning. We had to add felt pads to the bottom of the legs so that they wouldn't scratch our floor, and it was tricky to be able to cut the kind you can order on Amazon so that they were small enough.

If given the opportunity, I’d buy these chairs again! I could see myself having them for years and purchasing more of them down the line to build out my dining-chair set—if I ever have the space!– Madeleine Luckel, design editor

Comfort: B
Value: B+
Delivery and assembly: A
Overall chair rating: A
Style: A

Designer: Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn
Specs: Solid wood frame, wooden legs, and paper cord seat
Dimensions: 29.13"H x 21.64"W x 19.68"D

I lucked out in finding a pair of Wishbone chairs at an antique sale in a small Maine town. Though the handwoven paper cord seats needed some repair, the Danish beauties—designed by Hans Wegner in 1949—still managed to be incredibly sturdy and comfortable in their age. After an attempt at restringing the seats (letting my partner do 99% of the work), I can say just how skillfully and thoughtfully the chairs are constructed. The sculptural frame is elegant, available in 48 material and color options and will absolutely last you a lifetime of dining delight. –Zoë Sessums, digital design editor

Shopping for dining chairs isn’t easy! There are SO many options where even the “most affordable” ones still add up to A LOT of money because you at least need four for most dining tables. But Emily discovered one easy way to narrow your search…The curved-back chair. There’s honestly no downside. They feel great to sit on, you can comfortably converse with the person next to you, AND they look great. Why do they look great, do you ask? Well, if you know us, you know we love to mix and match shapes (ie. you don’t want all squares or all curves in one space). What a curved-back chair does, especially for a rectangular table, is nicely contrast that shape. Your guests will ask you if you hired a designer! Isn’t that what we all really want?? But the truth is you are just smart and learned all this good design advice for free, here:) It’s all about visual interest baby (and comfort)!

Ceremonie Green Mohair Dining Chair

This green mohair dining chair from Crate & Barrel was an INSTANT love match for Emily and her sunroom. It’s also what really made her “team curved-back” dining chair after getting some real use out of them.

Sure, they are clearly beautiful, but more than that, they are so comfortable to sit in. And I can attest to that! I usually sit in that middle one on the right (my unofficial farmhouse sunroom work chair). So while this table is a pill shape and isn’t technically a rectangle, there are SO many other straight, graphic lines in this room. These chairs really soften the overall look. Then when you want to chat with the person next to you, that little curve gives you a really comfortable armrest. 10/10!

So in hopes of helping you find a functional AND beautiful dining chair. Here are our favorites online right now:

Let’s start out real strong with what looks (and is rated high) to be a beautiful and comfortable dining chair! The color is gorgeous and also comes in three other more neutral options. At $399 it’s not cheap (few good dining chairs are) but it is a stunner and a bestseller so that is saying something, right?! Also, it could easily be a great accent chair:)

A modern take on the classic wishbone that I truly love. The light ash wood is so pretty with that natural flecked wool-blend fabric (which also looks very forgiving with spills). The curved back may not be upholstered but I’ve sat in wishbone chairs because and love how they feel. Originally, this chair was $349 but Crate & Barrel is having a Dining Room Event (aka a good sale) so right now this puppy is $279 each. Oh, and it’s made from sustainable wood!

Back to upholstered backs! If you know me you know I love this one. The scale of the tubular back is slim and chic but still looks substantial enough to be comfortable for maximum eating and conversation time around the dining table! While this cutie is $648 each, it’s a very special and unique chair. If you go to the product page and see it in people’s homes you’ll see what I mean.

Modern and moody! This is the same fabric in a different color as the first one but this one is clearly more sleek and minimal. I also think the style and color are wildly versatile and can work with a ton of different home styles. This cutie comes in at $379 with a 4.6-star rating!

What a vintage Shaker-inspired stunner. But I also feel like the design very much took cues from the Scandinavian vintage dining chairs we saw Em considering for the farmhouse. Honestly, it makes total sense since the style/vibe of Emily’s house is Scandinavian Farmhouse:) It’s also a beautiful dining chair that looks comfortable and is easy to clean up with that leather seat.

More leather and more modern shapes! This pricey ($995) but beautiful chair would elevate anyone’s home. It’s current yet timeless at the same time. I just think it’s the coolest.

I found an affordable AND colorful option at $100 a pop! Target came through with a simple, luxe, and fun dining chair. A gently curved back with a gentler piece tag. It also comes in cream and green however those colors seem to be sold out online but you can check back for them.

Man, I love this one too! Very similar to Emily’s chairs but the wooden, darker, warmer version. Look at that joinery detail that says “modern” instead of “only farmhouse”. The seat also comes in a cream but I feel like this color is a bit more forgiving. Both are beautiful though. Love the options!

Another vintage-inspired piece that is made from real wood and is still only $269 (I know that is still a lot but it’s a great price for a piece like this). It also comes in a few different colors if you love the shape but want another tone.

I clearly needed to add in some other materials so rattan it is! This chair truly looks like it’s giving you a hug and how the seat is shaped also looks really comfortable. It comes in this natural color, black as well as white, and is $520 each. It would add not only that beautiful contrasting shape but also help you mix in another texture into your home!

For this one, it’s a little less rattan and a little more cushion which is nice for you and your guests. It’s neutral but still interesting and again looks really comfortable chair! The price tag of $600 isn’t nothing but if you have the budget and want a beautiful chair, this could be it.

Another far more affordable option at $130! No assembly is required and this sleek but rounded design is perfect for almost every home. It also comes in a light wood:)

Yikes, I also love this one. You can lean back with extra cushion and comfort, the frame wood is kiln-dried which they say makes it sturdier, and it’s gorgeous. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive at $449.

Reid Wood Upholstered Dining Chair (Set of 2)

How good is that wood detail under the arms? It’s super simple but a nice touch. This one also comes in a handful of other colors and for two chairs it costs $750.

This one might be cheating because calling this a curved-back dining chair is a stretch but look how COOL it is. The shape of the back is too good and that dark mauve color is just to die for. This chair comes in at $349.

That’s it for curved back chairs! More than anything I hope this helps you think about mixing shapes and profiles when designing a room. This is a great start if you are in the market.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson and ARCIFORM | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Favorite Spot In The Farmhouse: Our Sunroom Reveal!

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What are the strongest dining chairs?

Shopping For Dining Chairs…Consider A Curved-Back Option (Wisdom From A Pro Stylist)

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