The Best Dining Chairs for Eating and Entertaining in 2024
Updated: Feb. 21, 2024
Complete your dining set with one of the best dining chairs for comfortable seating around the table.
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Have you finally found the perfect kitchen table and need some dining chairs to go with it? This is a great opportunity to get a little creative—and have a little fun with your space. At least that’s what interior designer Heather Disabella recommends.
“Dining chairs have dual functionality,” she explains. “They’re both providing a comfortable place to sit, but oftentimes they are the one piece in the space that you can make a statement with.” Because dining chairs are a repetitive element, they’re an opportunity to play with color, pattern and shape, she says, for a “curated and unique look.”
Heather emphasizes that the chair influences the entire space and acts as a focal point, so you want something aesthetically pleasing. But it also must be comfortable. After all, “the sign of a good dinner party is that no one wants to leave,” she says.
What to Look for When Buying Dining Chairs
According to Heather, there are three main things to consider when choosing dining chairs. First, comfort. This pertains to both the seat and the back. Maybe the seat cushion has memory foam for more padding, or maybe the back has a contoured curve that allows you to comfortably linger post-meal.
Second, style. You’ll want a set of chairs that coordinate with the decor style of your dining area, whether that’s mid-century modern or Scandinavian. Look at the design features of the seat back and legs along with the chair color and material. Third (and perhaps the most important), is quality.
“The last thing you want is someone to accidentally break a chair back when they’re over for dinner,” Heather jokes.
With that in mind, we set out to find some of the best dining chairs for every space and every budget. Whether you’re searching for a classic wood dining chair, a stylish upholstered chair, or even an outdoor seating option for your patio set, we’ve rounded up customer-favorite picks below.
Best Overall
Ashley Owingsville Modern Farmhouse Dining Chair
This modern farmhouse dining chair is an easy and affordable way to turn any kitchen table into one of the best kitchen table sets. The contemporary ladder-style back, glossy finish (which comes in either black or white) and stained wood seat allow you to make the chair as casual or as upscale as you’d like. It looks just as good pulled up to a breakfast nook in an eat-in kitchen as it does around a luxurious wood dining table designed for entertaining.
While the wood chair isn’t cushioned, it’s still plenty comfortable and also surprisingly sturdy. It’s easy to assemble, with many Amazon shoppers saying they were able to put it together in under five minutes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Classic design won’t go out of style
- Supportive ladder seat back
Cons
- Requires assembly
Best Outdoor
Hampton Bay Stackable Steel Sling Patio Dining Chair
Like the best outdoor dining tables, good outdoor dining chairs must be three things: durable, lightweight and weather-resistant. This one from the Hampton Bay brand checks all those boxes. Apart from a powder-coated steel frame that’s plenty sturdy, the polyester sling seat is comfortable for summer evenings lounging on the back patio.
The chairs dry quickly—so leave them outside in the rain—and stack together nicely for off-season storage. Plus, they pair well with almost any outdoor dining table.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Stackable for storage
- Easy to wipe clean
Cons
- Rust somewhat easily
Best Upholstered
Pottery Barn Layton Upholstered Dining Chair
Upholstered dining chairs are as chic as they are comfortable. While there are plenty of options out there, we like this version from Pottery Barn the best. With a tall curved backrest and contoured foam-filled seat, it’s designed for lingering over a family meal. Additionally, the durable oak wood construction should last for years and years of frequent use.
Bonus: Customize both the wood finish—with options like mahogany, gray wash and vintage amber—and fabric color, whether you like oatmeal, moss or even florals. Shoppers can also choose the fabric type, including linen and velvet.
Pros
- Many customization options
- Comfortable curved back
- Sturdy oak wood
Cons
- Pricey
- Easy to stain
Best Wood
Tolman Solid Wood Windsor Back Dining Chair
Folks can’t go wrong with a classic wood dining chair like this one from Wayfair. Available in four finishes—natural oak, black, white and gray—it’s a versatile option that completes any of the best dining table sets or breakfast nooks. The Windsor-style seat back is slightly curved for both comfort and stability, and the turned legs are held together with braces that act both as footrests and added supports.
In addition, the solid rubberwood construction is of great quality and holds up well unlike some of the other budget-friendly chairs out there, so you won’t have to keep replacing these every time your rowdy uncle comes over.
Pros
- Timeless
- Very stable
- Comes in multiple colors
Cons
- Not as durable as others on our list
Best Modern
Wade Logan Axia Tufted Velvet Dining Chair
Between the tufted velvet upholstery, curved wingback silhouette and tapered gold legs, this Wade Logan dining chair is the epitome of mid-century modern elegance. The seat’s well-cushioned foam padding offers just the right amount of support—it’s comfy while still providing lift—and the chair itself is made with a durable wood and iron frame.
Available in gorgeous colors like ivory, teal and blush pink, this chair will add a little extra glamour to your everyday space when paired with one of the best dining tables.
Pros
- Classy and elegant
- Soft velvet material
- Built-in floor pads to prevent rocking
Cons
- Requires assembly
Best Leather
Crate & Barrel Lowe Leather Dining Chair
Lest you think leather is just for recliners and overstuffed club chairs, think again. This sumptuous dining chair is upholstered with soft pebbled leather with double saddle stitching for added durability. Plenty of padding on the seat makes it a comfortable seating option and the sturdy acacia wood frame ensures the chair will hold up for many dinner parties to come.
Available with either ebony or natural wood legs, the popular Lowe chair comes in 10 sophisticated colors, including chocolate, pewter and moss green. Now you just need one of the best bar carts to complete the luxurious lounge ambiance.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Available in a bunch of colors
- Comfortably cushioned
Cons
- Expensive
Best Rattan
Birch Lane Wyn Solid Wood Weave Dining Chair
A rattan dining chair is an easy (and trendy) way to bring a bit of the outdoors indoors, whether you have one of the best round dining tables or one of the best extendable dining tables. With its woven wicker seat and striking single-splat back, this Birch Lane chair strikes a perfect balance between breezy Bohemian and structured modern.
The curved low back wraps around you for maximum comfort, while the beech wood frame is tough and high quality—it’ll hold up to wear and tear. The best part is that the chair comes fully assembled, so there’s no work required on your end.
Pros
- Made of solid wood
- Springy yet supportive seat
- Simple yet modern silhouette
Cons
- Difficult to clean
Best Metal
Threshold Carlisle High Back Dining Chair
Metal dining chairs bring a trendy industrial-chic vibe into your space. This Carlisle one from Target’s popular Threshold brand does that at a budget-friendly price. Available in both natural metal and black, the chair features a minimalist silhouette and subtle matte finish that fits seamlessly into almost any decor style.
Not only does the high back have a slight curve for added comfort, but the narrower seat makes them great for smaller spaces. Plus, the metal is very strong and sturdy—you won’t have to replace these for a while—and they’re easy to assemble.
Pros
- Very sturdy
- Simple design that matches most decor
- Built-in floor protectors
Cons
- Only sold in sets
Why You Should Trust Us
As a 30-something woman who eats at least three meals a day (plus the occasional second breakfast) and whose home office is the kitchen table, I’ve spent a lot of hours sitting on dining chairs. Some have been comfortable, some not so much. As a result, I’ve become an accidental expert on what makes a good chair. I’ve also been in the media industry for over a decade, with most of my experience in service journalism—I’ve written hundreds of product reviews over the years. I know what to look for when it comes to selecting quality products, specifically in the home and kitchen world.
How We Found the Best Dining Chairs
If you’ve ever googled “dining chairs,” you know just how many hundreds of options are out there. To narrow down our list, I sifted through pages and pages of chairs from popular trusted retailers like Wayfair, Target and Crate & Barrel. I looked for dining chairs with the highest average ratings and the most positive reviews from shoppers just like myself. I considered the quality, materials and workmanship of each chair and included expert advice from an interior designer. For this story, I tried to include chairs in a variety of styles at different price points.
FAQ
What is the best seat height for a dining chair?
Your dining chair height—which is the distance from the floor to the top of the seat—matters. Too high and your thighs are squeezed under the table. But too low and your legs are all bent up. A standard dining table is around 30 inches tall, which makes the ideal dining chair height between 18 and 23 inches.
How do I know what size dining chair to get?
When looking at the size of a dining chair, you’ll want to not only consider the seat height (see above) but also the chair width. The average dining chair is between 16 and 20 inches wide. To determine the best size for your table, consider the size of your dining table and how many people you’d like to fit around it.
Estimate how much space you want between each chair, add it to the width of your specific dining chair and then divide the overall size of your table by that total to determine how many chairs will fit. If you want more chairs, you’ll want narrower dining chairs or those without arms to save space.
What is the best material to use for dining room chairs?
The best material for a dining chair is going to come down to personal preference. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Consider the decor of your space. Metal plays well into an industrial aesthetic. On the other hand, natural materials like rattan are good for farmhouse or cottage-chic style. Other common materials for dining chairs include plastic and acrylic.
If you’re buying upholstered dining chairs, the fabric also makes a big difference in comfort and durability. Some of the most popular fabrics are cotton, polyester, leather and velvet. Polyester is the most affordable of that list and has the added benefit of being stain-resistant and easy to clean.
Originally Published: February 02, 2024
