As someone who’s had to retire more than my fair share of poorly constructed chairs, I’m skeptical of any “best dining chairs” list that doesn’t take into consideration the sturdiness of the seating in question.
Maybe I’m hyperaware of a seat’s sturdiness because I’ve watched in horror as a dinner guest leaned back on two legs of a wobbly wood chair I found on the street. Or because I had to re-home the first set of new chairs I ever bought after the seats caved in one by one. Or because I’ll never forget when my now colleague Anna Hezel broke the internet witha review of her broken West Elm couch. And then there’s the fact that I’m married to a big, burly guy whose first question about any potential furniture purchase is: “But is it sturdy?”
So when putting together this list of the best dining chairs to buy in 2022, I paid special attention to the materials and construction of each and every one. But don’t worry, I’m also very shallow and made sure to pick chairs that are as stylish as they are sturdy.
The best minimalist dining chairs
If you’re looking for a barely there dining chair, consider the Threshold Northwood Metal Cafe Dining Chair designed with Studio McGee at Target. It looks like a dainty wood seat, but it’s actually made from sturdy powder-coated steel. I love the semimatte black finish too—almost as much as I love the price tag.
The best velvet dining chairs
This fully upholstered velvet dining chair from Anthropologie is like a piece of art for your dining room, but it would look just as good in a living room or bedroom. I love that the backrest curves into armrests, making it function like a dining armchair without being too bulky or stuffy. And it’s more interesting and substantial than the velvet chair with splayed gold legs that has beeneverywherefor the last 10 years.
The best dining chairs for small spaces
To make a cramped dining space feel bigger, you need chairs that don’t take up too much space physicallyor visually.That means armless chairs with a fairly narrow footprint and nothing too dark or bulky. The Bolla Clear Dining Chair from CB2 checks all the boxes and then some. In addition to being practically invisible, this stackable solid acrylic chair is deceptively comfortable according to many customer reviews. (With a comfy cushion, these make pretty office chairs too.)
The best cane dining chairs
If you’re really into the idea of dining chairs with cane accents but you’re worried about longevity, opt for a cane backrest instead of a cane seat. Even faux cane is more delicate than a solid material—and it’s more likely to last if it’s not constantly bearing weight and surviving spills. This Octavia dining chair with a cane back from Joss & Main is made from solid wood, has a padded seat cushion for extra comfort, and comes in two different colors (I prefer the brown, but the black is cool too). The Octavia also has a more timeless look than boho/modern design you often see with cane furniture.
The best modern take on the Parsons chair
帕森斯的椅子,它几乎弯曲木legs and fully upholstered seat and back is a classic. But the style can feel a bit tired, especially if there are too many embellishments like exaggerated nailheads or out-of-date upholstery. For a slightly more modern dining chair, Pottery Barn’s Zoe has all the elements of a traditional Parsons chair in a contemporary package. The solid wood frame is made of sustainably harvested rubberwood and the wood finish veneer on the legs has a gray wash for a neutral look. The Zoe upholstered chair is available individually or as a set and if you don’t love wood legs, there’s anoption with metal legsas well as afaux-leather version.
The best stackable dining chairs
Unless you’re so short on space that you needfolding chairs, stackable dining chairs are a great way to add extra seating only when you need it. I love this Ripple stackable dining armchair from Industry West because it’s stylish, supportive, and super versatile. The curved minimalist design works with a variety of home decor styles, armrests and a curved backrest provide enough support for sitting through leisurely dinner parties, and the plastic construction means it’s safe to leave outside on a deck or patio. And just because youcanstack it doesn’t mean you have to. The Ripple looks so good you might just want to use it as a living room accent chair when you don’t need it at the dinner table.
The best affordable wishbone dining chairs
If you want a wood dining chair but you also want it to have some curves, consider a wishbone chair. This classic style has a fairly low profile, a Y-shaped ergonomic back support, and armrests that don’t actually look like armrests. These chairs function as armchairs without looking stuffy or bulky, and the mixed materials add subtle warmth and texture to any dining area. While wishbone chairs are pretty easy to find, we were thrilled to come across this brand making the midcentury-inspired chair in a handful of fun colors—and for less than $200 a pop. To stay true to the original Scandinavian design, opt for the natural ash wood or have some fun when you choose from 10 different color options.
The best real leather dining chairs
如果你想挥霍真皮的餐厅chairs, they might as well be buttery soft and built to last. I’m obsessed with these luxe Marissa Industrial chairs from Kathy Kuo Home. I seriously love everything about them: the leather seat cushion and backrest with a French seam, the skinny iron legs finished in gold, and the fact that it looks like something my grandfather might have owned had he been an Ivy League professor instead of a Midwestern Methodist minister.
The absolute sturdiest dining chairs
If you’re looking for a super sturdy, versatile dining chair, look no further than this powder-coated Black Metal Hairpin chair from World Market. Yes, it’s technically an outdoor dining chair, but I love to use it inside too. Though the slatted iron construction may not look comfortable, it is thanks to a high back and a slightly recessed seat that’s wider than most chairs in this style. Plus, you can always add a cushion.
Looking for a dining table to complete your space? See our picks forthe best modern dining room tables.
