There’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family around the dinner table, whether it’s for the holidays or just a casual get-together or potluck. Having a quality set of dining room chairs goes a long way in creating that inviting atmosphere.
The best dining chairs should suit your home’s needs as well as your style — a dining chair should blend in with and complement your interior design. Plus, they should be comfortable enough to double as an impromptu workstation (probably a pretty familiar concept by now), a place to eat breakfast while reading the newspaper (or more likely Pocket articles on an eReader) and of course, somewhere to actually eat dinner.
Comfort is always worth considering, but it’s arguably less important with dining chairs than, say, your couch or reading chair. You don’t necessarily want a chair that you’d sink into, but rather something that supports you for lively dinner chatter and delicious meals. That’s why it’s important to look for chairs that suit your personal sense of style that will complement your home or apartment; we’ve rounded up some of the best dining room chairs in a range of styles and prices.
1. 17 Stories Lilian Stacking Side Chair (Set of 4)
BEST OVERALL
If you’re looking for cafe-style chairs, this set embodies the classic look of a bistro dining patio. The metal construction also gives them an industrial look. If you don’t want anything too industrial, these chairs also come in vibrant colors like red and orange. Best of all, they’re stackable, making them a great option for a smaller apartment.
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2. AllModern Jago Dining Chair
BEST DESIGN
Modern design can be pretty expensive, but AllModern is a lifesaver for their offerings of affordable, stylish and mid-century-inspired furniture. The Jago dining chair has a stylish two-tone design, with light wood legs and a plastic seat. Several colors are available, though there’s something especially striking about the black and tan color combination.
3. Signature Design by Ashley Dining Room Chair, Set of 2
TRADITIONAL LOOK
If you’re looking for a more traditional design, go for this chair from Ashley furniture’s affordable offshoot, Signature Design. These dining room chairs come in a set of two and are upholstered with a vinyl seat inspired by leather.
4. George Oliver Bryen Side Chair
SCANDI-INSPIRED
Ikea isn’t the only brand that does Scandinavian minimalism well. These dining chairs from Wayfair (technically billed as side chairs) have a simple design with a curved back and a fabric seat. The set includes two chairs.
5. IKEA TOBIAS Chair
CONTEMPORARY LOOK
Ikea cycles through new designs pretty regularly, but the TOBIAS chair is one that’s stuck around for quite a while. It’s not hard to see why. It has a stylish, contemporary look with a transparent seat made from sturdy plastic.
6. Industry West Circuit Side Chair
INDUSTRIAL-INSPIRED
Industry West is a brand to keep on your radar if you’re a mid-century modern enthusiast. The brand offers a range of modern pieces inspired by the 20th century. This dining chair looks like a school chair but in a surprisingly stylish way. It has a steel frame with a walnut veneer seat.
7. Design Within Reach Salt Chair
SHAKER-INSPIRED
There’s a lot of love for 20th-century design, but what about 19th-century design? The Shakers were a Christian sect that spread from England to the US, but arguably they’re best known for their craftsmanship — they handmade durable and very simple furniture. This “Salt” chair from Design Within Reach clearly takes inspiration from Shaker design, and it’s so named because its simplicity makes it as “fundamental as the salt shaker on your table.” Hard to argue with that.
8. Carson Carrington Fabric Dining Chairs (Set of 4)
BEST VALUE
Many of the options on this list are single chairs or sets of two, but if you’re looking to buy enough seating for four without breaking the bank, this option from Carson Carrington is a good bet. The chairs have a simple design, with four legs and a one-piece seat covered with fabric. A range of colors is available, too.
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