The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the dining room is for big talk as each member of the household returns from the outside world and reports on their day.
Playground politics, water cooler chat, that big project you’ve got coming up: it all gets unloaded and unpacked as you sit together for the evening meal. Better get comfortable.
Or, a different scenario: you’ve finally agreed to a date with your pals for a dinner party, and you’ve got three courses on the menu. The wine is flowing, and the night is young; you’re doing as every host should by ensuring your guests’ comfort is paramount - which includes noticing if they’re shifting around in their seats. Either they need the loo and are too polite to say, or that chair they’re sitting on could be better.
In any scenario with a dining table, a great set of chairs is naturally part of the equation. While your table may have come with an entourage of coordinating seats, over time you may want to upgrade them for a different look, swapping the standard style for something new.
Of course, a dining chair needn’t be for dining per se. Find a statement one you love, and you could use it for all sorts of things; as a desk chair for your WFH office, or even as an accent chair in the bedroom to hold discarded-but-not-quite-ready-for-a-wash items, more commonly known as a ‘chairdrobe’.
Whatever the reason you’ve sought out dining chairs, you’ve ended up in the right place. We’ve found some truly excellent styles, which we’ve brought together here for your shopping ease. From designs with a rattan aesthetic to upholstered polished perches, here’s our pick of the best dining chairs to buy now.
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Cult Furniture Chiswick Wooden Dining Chair, Walnut & Black
A retro-inspired mid-century design that will always be a classic, the Chiswick Wooden Dining Chair is a sleek addition to any home. Made from a thick wooden frame stained with a rich walnut dark wood finish, the curved backrest and the padded faux leather seat are designed for comfort.
Buy now £179.00, Cult Furniture
Philippe Starck for Kartell Victoria Ghost Chair
The chair that inspired a thousand dupes, the Ghost Chair is iconic for a reason. First and foremost, the different design schemes that this seating option can slip seamlessly into are endless, whether you are going for a modern or traditional aesthetic. The see-through construction makes it a breeze to slot alongside minimalist or maximalist spaces, all while preventing a cluttered feel.
Buy now £238.00, John Lewis
Laura Ashley Provencale Dining Chairs, Set of 2, Ivory
Whether you are recreating the Regency aesthetic made famous in Bridgerton or you’re going for an elegant French farmhouse look, these Provencale Dining Chairs will fit the bill. It comes as a set of two, both of which have the same sculpted silhouette and the finest attention to detail demonstrated in the carving and delicate patina.
Buy now £645.00, John Lewis
Hayward Dining Chair With Arms
If you’re on the mid-century modern design wave that we’ve been seeing so much of, this dining/office chair combo is for you. Originally designed for one of the many Soho Houses across the globe, this sturdy wonder is built from solid oak with a natural cane, rattan-style back. It’s upholstered with a wonderfully padded cushion on both the seat and arms. You can scoop up this beauty in three colourways: indigo, fern and taupe.
Buy now £550.00, Soho Home
Barker and Stonehouse Jessa Black Wood Dining Chair With Faux Leather Seat
Prone to spillages? No problem as with the Jessa Black Wood Dining Chair from Barker and Stonehouse. The easily wiped clean design makes for a practical but elegant addition to your dining space with its oak frame complete with a black lacquer finish and accompanying faux leather seat cushion.
Buy now £79.00, Barker and Stonehouse
Philippe Starck for Kartell Limited Edition Masters Chair
A chair that doubles up as an intriguing and sculptural design detail, look no further than the limited-edition Masters Chair created by Philippe Starck for Kartell. The silhouette references three of the brand’s iconic designs of the years to become a fashion-forward piece of furniture.
It comes in five colourways and is crafted from entirely recyclable materials so has an eco-conscious nod too. Practical to boot, it can be wiped clean and is lightweight and stackable.
Buy now £223.01, John Lewis
Dunelm Lara Dining Chair
Looking for something different? The angles on Dunelm’s Lara chair won’t fail to bring in compliments, as well as the choice of colours it comes in. There’s navy, green, grey, orange, white, black and a black/beige mix, but this pink is the one that speaks to us the most. Now on sale from £169.
If you like the look enough to get four of the same chair, Amazon has a similar style for £249.99 for four chairs in a black frame with a straw-coloured seat.
Buy now £109.00, Dunelm
Three Posts Accent Dining Chair
With elegant curves, tapered legs and a smattering of padded faux leather where it counts, this is a chair that will harmonise with any interior style. Give it a starring role in your living room or bedroom, or get multiple ones to give your dining table a sophisticated little lift.
Buy now £157.99, Wayfair
John Lewis Hemingway Cane Carver Chair
Your dining space is likely a multipurpose area that needs to be able to suit all manner of activities, from hosting to work. For a chair that will keep you supported through the 9 to 5 but makes an elegant addition to your space, the Hemingway is on hand. It is a well-made and sturdy design with its Melia ash and pippy oak veneers but it is also remarkably comfortable with the cane backing and plump upholstered seat.
Buy now £359.00, John Lewis
Cult Furniture Kenton Dining Chair, Natural & Black
A quick and easy way to tick off both a cantilever chair and rattan detailing, Cult Furniture’s design does it all - and it doesn’t compromise on comfort, either. There is a reason why it has already become a firm favourite among the fashion set - it brings style and substance in spades.
Buy now £149.00, Cult Furniture
Dunelm Astrid Chair
A splash of sunshine yellow can be all it takes to give your dining space a cheery little refresh. Dunelm’s contemporary design features upholstery in a flatwave fabric topping Scandi-style legs. Some assembly is needed but it’s perfectly straightforward.
Buy now £69.00, Dunelm
Hykkon Rocio Velvet Upholstered Side Chair (Set of 2)
These plush velvet chairs are the quickest way to add a gentle pop of colour to your dining space - with comfort guaranteed. Each comes with a matching seat cushion and they’re available to purchase through Klarna, making a high ticket spend that much more affordable with monthly instalments.
Buy now £205.99, Wayfair
Furniture123 Set of 4 Beige Fabric Dining Chairs - Colbie
No need for a total dining room renovation: breathing new life into your space can be as simple as changing the chairs. Furniture123 has this set of four dining chairs in a beige chenille fabric to overhaul your space of mix and match with your existing seats. Armrests add to the comfort levels.
Buy now £439.94, Furniture123
MADE Set of 2 Amalyn Dining Chairs
As the home of great design, you can always count on MADE for something that looks head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. A perfect example is these walnut, velvet and brass dining chairs. The sturdy seat is padded for comfort and the curved back will make sure your back is happy all night long.
Buy now £349.00, MADE
IKEA ÖSTANÖ Chair
Just because something may be considered a budget buy doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish or comfortable. Case in point: IKEA’s ÖSTANÖ chair. Available in a red-brown or a black-grey hue, each chair is just £25, meaning you can get a set of four for £100. It’s made from a sturdy metal frame, soft seat and backrest and a timeless design that will see you through any season of life.
Buy now £20.00, IKEA
