15 Best Dining Chairs (Review) In 2021
Kate is our interior design expert. Thanks to her keen eye for detail and vast knowledge surrounding design trends, she knows exactly what finishing touches all homes need. From compact rooms to large spaces, no job is too complicated for her artistic mind! Kate has built a rewarding career from her passions, working as a freelance interior designer and content creator. In terms of style inspiration, her main interests focus on 70s bohemian decor. This is clear to see through her beautifully designed home that features in many major publications.
1. FDW Metal Dining Chairs
Key Features
Iron construction
Non-slip rubber feet
Rust-resistant
Ergonomic backrest
10 – 15 minute assembly
Stackable
Our best choice for the best dining chairs for dining tables and anything else is the versatile, simple, but effective FDW Metal Dining Chairs. Its iron construction makes them highly durable, while the non-slip rubber feet provide both stability and protect your hardwood floors from potential damage. The ergonomic backrest provides lasting comfort, and with its stackable qualities, you will easily save on space. They may not be for everyone, especially if you’re trying to cultivate a certain decor, but that doesn’t stop them from being effortlessly useful and reliable for most people.
Pros
Modern design stands out in dining room
Easy to put together
Lightweight and easy to move
Stable
Cons
Scratch easily
May not blend with certain decors
2. Furmax Pre Assembled Modern Style Dining Chair
Key Features
Set of 4
Alloy steel frame
Simple and hassle-free assembly
275 pound weight limit
Matte-finished molded plastic seat
Real wooden legs
For a mix of convenience and top quality, the Furmax Pre Assembled Modern Style Dining Chair offers plenty to get excited about. This set of four gives you everything you need for building a beautiful dining room, and with the alloy steel frame and matte finish seat, you’ve got something that will blend into most dining rooms the right way. Its real wooden legs denote quality, but the back might flex a little too much for some people, giving you a slight scare should you lean back too far.
Pros
Ergonomic design
Versatile mid-century design
Bend-resistant high-quality back
Non-scratching plastic foot protects floor
Cons
Back flexes slightly more than you might expect
Screws may need tightening regularly to maintain sturdiness
3. FurnitureMaxx Lotusville Vintage PU Leather Dining Chairs
Key Features
Hand-crafted
PU vintage leather cover
Strong and comfortable
Iron frame with black finish
Set of 2
Sleek antique design
With a stunning hand-crafted design, there is nothing better than the FurnitureMaxx Lotusville Vintage PU Leather Dining Chairs if you’re looking for the best value dining chair. It comes with a PU vintage leather cover that’s both sophisticated and easy to clean, and the iron frame is sturdy and durable, which adds to the antique design. Some might find the chair a little too round, and they aren’t stackable, but these are minor issues that still make it stand out as a superb choice.
Pros
Soft cushioning
Cruelty-free fake leather
Affordable
Stylish design suitable for a range of environments
Cons
Seat may be too rounded for some
Non-stackable
4. HomePop Parsons Classic Upholstered Accent Dining Chair
Key Features
Range of pattern and color options
Set of 2
Suitable for traditional decor schemes
Dark walnut finish
250 pound weight limit
Easy to spot-clean upholstery
If you’re hoping to make your dining room pop, there is no better choice than the HomePop Parsons Classic Upholstered Accent Dining Chair. Here, you get a variety of color options that can make your dining room look like nothing people have ever seen before, making it ideal for various traditional decor schemes. The upholstery is easy to clean, and the chair is easy to assemble, although you might run into a few issues when locating the drill holes.
Pros
Only minor assembly required
Minimalist design
Contrasting dark/light colors
Soft cushioning and fabric
Cons
A little tricky to find the holes for assembly
Legs are not genuine wood
5. Homy Grigio Modern Living Dining Chairs
Key Features
Multiple set-size options
Range of seat colors
Solid wood legs with natural finish
Durable frame
300 pound weight capacity
High-density foam cushion
The Homy Grigio Modern Living Dining Room Accent Arm Chairs gives multiple set-size options to suit both small and large households. Its range of seat colors makes it more appealing than the standard single-colors offered by other products, while the solid wooden legs and natural finish make it suitable for just about anywhere, adding to the reliable frame. The high-density foam cushion is comfortable, too, but beware that they are not as large as they appear on pictures.
Pros
High-quality upholstery
Elegantly curved silhouette for maximum comfort
Simple assembly
Comfortable and durable
Cons
Not as large as they appear on pictures
Not as versatile as other options
6. Roundhill Furniture Biony Tan Fabric Dining Chairs
Key Features
Includes nail-head trim
Sturdy hardwood frame
Dark espresso finish on legs
Cotton fabric upholstery
Minor assembly required
Set of 2
Complete with a nail-head trim that adds stunning accents to your modernist dining chairs, you might consider the Roundhill Furniture Biony Tan Fabric Dining Chairs to be the best option for you. It is upholstered to suit more traditional homes, and the dark espresso finish on the legs provides exceptional contrast. The set of two may not be perfect for larger households, but you can always buy more. However, the cushions flatten a little too easily, and there’s also a distinct chemical odor at first, although this will fade.
Pros
Stylish and modern design
Affordable
Dependable customer service if needed
Lightweight
Cons
Seat cushions flatten quite quickly
Slight chemical odor at first
7. Christopher Knight Home Phinnaeus Fabric Dining Chairs
Key Features
Rubberwood frame
Distressed wood design
Soft edges along the chair
Set of 2
Extra plush seating
Durable enough for everyday use
Anyone looking for high-quality room chairs set should consider the Christopher Knight Home Phinnaeus Fabric Dining Chairs which uses a rubberwood frame with a distressed wood design to captivate guests, giving you something that blends perfectly into your home. The soft edges around the chair provide comfort, which combines with the extra plush seating. It is perfect for everyday use and extended seating periods, but we still found them a little unstable, which is surprising considering the price.
Pros
Sturdy
Comfortable back cushion
Easy to assemble
Ideal for sitting for long periods
Cons
Not as stable as we’d like them to be
Wooden surface is a little too coarse
8. Signature Design by Ashley Whitesburg Dining Room Chair
Key Features
Range of color options
Set of 2
Contemporary ladder back
Easy to assemble
Durable construction
Easy to clean and maintain
The Signature Design by Ashley Dining Chair comes with a variety of colors to choose from and uses a stylish and contemporary ladder back style perfect for modern environments while also providing breathability. It is durable and easy to assemble, clean, and maintain thanks to the straightforward instructions, and the two-tone finish adds an appealing contrast without going overboard. As it’s a solid wood seat, though you might need a cushion to relieve some of the pressure if you’re sitting down for the foreseeable future.
Pros
Straightforward assembly instructions
Two-tone finish
Fit easily around the dinner table
Comfortable when sitting down for dinner
Cons
Solid wood seat may require a cushion to improve comfort
Legs will not be even if you do not follow instructions to the letter
9. Yaheetech PU Leather Cushion Dining Chair
Key Features
Set of 4
Solid wood legs
High-quality materials
Soft padding
Plastic feet on legs to protect floor
Versatile placement options
With four dining chairs in a set, the Yaheetech PU Leather Cushion Diner Chair is ideal for adding the finishing touches to your family home. It boasts high-quality materials as well as plastic feet on the bottom of the legs to protect the floor. The padding is soft, and the overall design gives you some versatile placement options. It is breathable and solid, but it’s smaller than you might expect when looking at the pictures, which would be a disappointment if you’re not careful.
Pros
297.6 pound weight limit
Solid structure
Foam padded seat
Breathable material
Cons
A little smaller than they look on pictures
Some quality control issues
10. Safavieh American Homes Collection Dining Chair
Key Features
Set of 2
Breathable spindle-style chair back
Black finish
Rubberwood construction
Splayed tapered legs for stability
Easy to assemble
Breathable and stable, the Safavieh American Homes Collection Dining Chair is easy to assemble and combines a black finish with rubberwood construction that gives you plenty to love. Its comfortable curved back will give you somewhere to lean back on without it digging into your back. It is also affordable, lightweight, easy to move, but also sturdy, ensuring lasting durability. We just wish they improved the packaging, as this could cause some issues before it even arrives.
Pros
Comfortable curved back
Affordable
Lightweight and easy to move and store
Sturdy construction
Cons
Packaging could do with some improvement
May require a cushion to improve comfort if sitting for a long time
11. Ashley Furniture Signature Design Dining Chair
Key Features
Set of 2
Modern splat chair back design
Turned block feet
Neutral paisley upholstery seating cushion
Easy-to-follow assembly instructions
Clean curves
The Ashley Furniture Signature Design – Leahlyn Dining Upholstered Side Chair combines the standard with the ambitious thanks to the mix of the modern splat back chair design with neutral paisley that adds something unique to your dining chair options. It is easy to assemble, and its clean curves give you something that ensures comfort for anybody while blending into any living room. The legs, however, will get wobbly a little sooner than you might want them to, and we still have some concerns over its durability.
Pros
Durable construction
Easy to clean
Quick assembly time
Blends into any dining room
Cons
Legs will loosen quite quickly
May not be ideal for consistent, long-term use
12. Ivinta Modern Dining Room Accent Arm Chairs
Key Features
Set of 2
4 colors options
Lightweight but sturdy
300 pound weight capacity
Fast 5 minute assembly
Sturdy x-shaped support frame
The Ivinta Modern Living Dining Room Accent Arm Chairs is one of the most convenient options you will come across thanks to its speedy five-minute assembly. Besides this, you’re also guaranteed some choice with four colors to pick from, while the lightweight design will trick you into thinking this isn’t one that’s built to last. In fact, it is one of the sturdiest choices around because of the x-shaped support frame. It might be too low for some dining tables, though, and some may find the seat a little too narrow.
Pros
Breathable chair back
Memory foam cushioning
Versatile placement options
Comfortable upholstery
Cons
Chair might be too low for some dining tables
Seat might be slightly too narrow for some
13. HomePop Parsons Upholstered Accent Dining Chair
Key Features
Set of 2
Range of upholstery patterns
Full-chair upholstery design
Light cherry wood finish on legs
Easy to assemble
250 pound weight limit
Offering a wide variety of upholstery patterns to suit everybody, the HomePop Parsons Upholstered Accent Dining Chair is one of the most appealing products around. Its full-chair upholstery design provides an exceptional look, and it tops this off with the light cherry wood finish on the legs. The high back offers support, and its exquisite detailing makes it one of the most impressive choices around, even if some parts feel a little cheaper than the pictures suggest.
Pros
Easy to spot clean upholstery
High back provides support for neck and shoulders
Exquisite detailing
Decent price
Cons
May have some issues with threading the bolts correctly
Parts might feel a little cheap
14. Christopher Knight Home Francie Fabric Dining Chairs
Key Features
Light Gray/Walnut color combination
Set of 2
Mid-century design
Cushioned seat
Compact style
Rubberwood construction
Boasting an attractive light gray and walnut color combination that enhances the mid-century design, there’s plenty to love about the Christopher Knight Home Francie Fabric with Walnut Finish Dining Chairs. The compact style is great for small spaces, while the breathable chair back makes sitting down all day quite enjoyable. However, this also comes with the issue that the slim chair back might not be the most comfortable when leaning back, but this at the very least might teach you to correct your posture for good.
Pros
Breathable chair back design
Comfortable polyester seat
Lightweight
Durable enough for everyday use
Cons
Slim chair-back might not be comfortable for everybody
Assemble is not as straightforward as other options
15. POLY & BARK Sedona Velvet Dining Chair
Key Features
3 color options
Set of 2
Mid-back, armless design
Walnut-color legs
Velvet fabric for back and seat
Non-marking rubber feet
The POLY & BARK Sedona Velvet Dining Chair is the perfect addition for any readers that want to make a statement. The sleek velvet design comes with three colors to choose from that bring the mid-century style to the forefront, while the walnut color legs and non-marking rubber feet add crucial elements for durability. It is easy to assemble, completed in just five minutes while the foam padding and retro style make it both comfortable and surefire conversation starter. Just be prepared to care for the velvet more often than you would a regular upholstered chair.
Pros
Sturdy wood-look metal legs
Simple 5 minute assembly
Foam padding
Ideal for retro decors
Cons
Cushions are not super plush
May need to brush the velvet to maintain appearance
Features To Consider With Dining Chairs
Material
The material is certain to impact your overall enjoyment of your dining chair. Picking the wrong material means you'll never be able to get comfortable while sitting down, and this can ruin your favorite time of the day: dinner time. There are plenty of materials to choose from, both for an upholstered dining chair, such as cotton, leather, or even velvet, as well as the type of material used for the frame and legs.
The best choice is up to you, of course, but it's worth thinking about what will fit in your dining room, or even your kitchen if you want to use a smaller table to sit around with your family. Consider how the material will affect the floor (marks and scratches), as well as how it will impact the overall weight, which could make it difficult to move if you need somewhere for your guests to sit and relax.
Style
One of the great things about the best dining chairs is that they come in a variety of styles that will suit any home decor. On the one hand, you have the high-back styles perfect for more traditional setups. On the other, other types of dining room chairs offer a minimalistic style that can bring a modern touch to the home.
The style you think is best may also be dictated by your current dining table, kitchen island, and decor. You might want a specific style that you think is best, but try something a little different and choose contrasting styles over matching ones.
Durability
The best dining chairs for anyone must be durable. You want to trust them to survive years of sitting down enjoying hearty meals, so make sure you look for the right materials to make this possible. The durability is dictated by the frame which will be solid wood or metal such as iron. As these are the two most durable materials, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Your dining chair will come with a maximum weight limit, which is important to remember when deciding which is the best choice for you. The maximum weight capacity for your new dining chair will be around 250 pounds, although you can find a range of chairs that will support at least 300 pounds.
Knowing the weight limit will guarantee lasting durability, but you will also need to make sure you care for and maintain your chair to maximize its lifespan and keep it an integral part of your new dining room set up for years.
Comfort
Most meals are over and done within about an hour, but you should still consider which type of chair provides the best comfort for you and your family. The obvious route is to go for a chair with plush cushions, as this will provide the exceptional pressure relief you need when sitting for longer than an hour, especially if you use your dining chair set for playing games around the dinner table.
Anything soft is usually a winner, although you'll need to remember that leather (even PU leather) will get sticky and uncomfortable on hot days. Hardwood chairs for dining rooms can also be comfortable for a time depending on the shape of the seat. Some people may prefer harder seats, but if not, you can always invest in cushions to relieve the pressure and make those long family dinners that quickly evolve into game nights much more comfortable.
Quantity
A dining chair set will come in one of four types. You can get a single chair, two chairs, four chairs, or six chairs, but this can vary between brands, and you might find products with more options. When shopping for the best dining chairs, make sure you think about how many you need, and whether this amount will fit around your dining table.
Ideally, you want as many chairs as possible in one set to suit your family, depending on the size. But may you want to replace an older chair of the same style, or perhaps you just need to add additional chairs to save for when guests come over. Larger sets might be more economical and affordable, but don't buy the chairs if you don't need them.
Support
Back, neck and shoulder support are all crucial components you need to think about when selecting the best dining chair to bring into your home. We all know how painful it can be after sitting down for a while without adequate support, so you need something with a chair back that is high enough to support you without being too high that you sit at an awkward and unnatural angle.
You could say the same for the height o the chair, as one that has the seat too high off the ground won't allow you to plant your feet, meaning you won't be able to support yourself properly. There are also arms on the chair which may or may not be useful, as well as the shape of the chair back (straight versus curved) or whether it is a full back seat or one without a panel around the lower back area.
Dining Chair FAQ
Q: What are the most comfortable dining chairs?
It's impossible to determine which is the most comfortable dining chair as everybody has their preference. Some prefer soft, plush cushioning, whereas others are more inclined to take a seat on solid wood seats. Still, there are several factors you can look out for when choosing the most comfortable dining chair for your needs.
One of the most important places to look is the chair's height. You don't want something too low that will cause you to slouch over, which affects your posture and unnecessarily pressures your lower back, shoulders, and neck. Conversely, you don't want a chair that's so high that your legs will dangle off the end, which puts pressure on the back of your thighs. The average chair height is around 77-inches, which is ideal for most people.
You also must think about the seat width, which should accommodate most people, even those considered Big and Tall. A wide-enough seat allows you to slide in and out without feeling squished. Finally, there's the chair back height to think about. Again, this can vary between people, and both low, mid, and high-back chairs have their benefits. You know better than us what you prefer, and we've selected a variety of chair styles to suit every need.
Q: What is the best material for dining room chairs?
Considering your dining room is where you eat most of your meals, picking the best material is essential. Not only does the material need to be comfortable, but it must also be easy to clean if (or more likely, when) someone (not you, though) inevitably spills some food of drink all over the upholstery.
The good news is that there is a range of materials you can use to find the best option for your upholstered dining chair. An easy-to-clean material, such as PU leather, is arguably the best option for your dining chair set, as the sauce, liquid, or grease won't soak in. Fabric options, whether cotton or velvet (among others) usually come with simple spot-clean features as long as you catch it early enough.
Besides easy clean-up, you should also think about the sturdiness and quality of the frame. Typically, there are two materials considered the best when it comes to choosing the perfect chair for these factors. These are metal and wood, although you might also find plastic models. Still, metal and wood provide the sturdiness and durability that plastic doesn't while many options include a combination of the two, with a wooden seating area and metal legs, which provides the best of both worlds and makes your search much easier.
Q: Are wooden dining chairs comfortable?
Wooden dining chairs might not seem as comfortable as those with plush cushioning, but that doesn't mean they are not as good as other products. Designers recognize that wood is not the best in terms of comfort, especially if you're sitting on it for a while, so they design the chair to counteract any potential pains and strains.
The shape of the chair plays a significant factor. You can't expect a flat wooden dining chair to be as comfortable as one with grooves for you to nestle comfortably into. The lack of padding can also be an issue, as it will cause discomfort faster compared to plush cushioned products. You should also consider the back of the chair. A straight-back chair will make it difficult to lean back compared to a curved back, so bear this in mind.
If you're set on wooden dining room chairs but still find it uncomfortable, there are always cushions you can purchase to set on the chair seat so you can sit comfortably for longer.
Q: Can you mix and match dining chairs?
There's nothing in the rulebook that says you can't mix and match dining chairs. However, many people want some consistency in their furniture, which is why they will look for a matching chair set, even if you can only purchase in sets of two at a time.
Still, while this may be the more popular idea, there are always a few people who will search for multiple colors and styles to add some dynamism to your dining room. This can be the same chair with different upholstered colors, going for a range of bright and dark, or it might be a range of entirely different chair designs. You can combine your dining chairs with kitchen benches, also. This can come with some problems, though, as there's the risk someone will not be as comfortable as others, and that might hinder their enjoyment or even cause some issues with their neck and back if they are sat down for too long.
Q: Should the dining chairs match the table?
No, not necessarily. Again, it comes down to the type of consistency you want to maintain in your home. You could pick dining chairs that match your table if you're looking for something more traditional. This will keep everything in order and give your home a flow that remains the same throughout your home.
But, not everybody wants a traditional look, and that's why more modern homes might opt for a wooden or upholstered dining chair that contrasts entirely with the existing dining table. You can go for the always-successful dark-versus-light contrast, or you might even want to contrast materials with a wooden table but metal chairs (along with fabric cushions).
As we know already, the choice is entirely up to you, so pick whatever you think is best for your home to determine whether you want to match or contrast your dining chairs with your dining table.
Q: Should dining chairs have arms?
Chairs with arms have an ergonomic edge compared to chairs without arms, like bar stools. By being able to rest your arms on the chair, you relieve the pressure on your neck and shoulders, which will reduce the risk of pains and strains when you're sitting down for too long.
But is this the same for dining room chairs? Well, if you've ever tried eating in a chair with arms, you'll know that the arms can get in the way, and as your mind doesn't expect them to be there, this can be a little tricky when handling the knife and fork. Arms on dining chairs still have their place, especially if you're looking for a dining chair that's not just best for your home, but also versatile. An armed dining chair is one of the best solutions for sitting with a coffee, playing games around the dining room table, or an additional chair in the living room. Plus, younger kids might feel safer in these chairs, especially if they have outgrown their highchair but still aren't old enough for a full-sized armless chair.