When discussing what makes the best dining chair, my colleague put it succinctly: “The best dining chair is couch.” While we couldn’t agree more, we are adults and we do need to provide a proper place for our guests to rest their tuchuses when we invite them over for dinner, game night, or cookbook club. (And no, before you ask, mismatched folding chairs you found on the curb do not count—sorry).
You have no idea what a chic set of dining chairs can do for a room; slender, stackable styles will make small spaces feel much more open and airy, while chunky wooden Japandi or mid-century modern dining chairs help ground larger spaces, and can make the dining room the focal point of your home. You might not think about it on the regular, but let’s face it: All the best times we can remember involve sitting around a big table with family and friends stuffing our faces, drinking to excess, and playing games that leave us in stitches from laughing so hard.
Think of this as our #official guide to the best dining chairs for every style, at every price point. Whether you have a formal dining room you could skate in or a tiny nook for entertaining a few pals, there’s a style for you. We’ve gathered some of the most iconic chair designs (and they’re more affordable cousins) that will have your guests raving about your excellent taste, even if you’re on a Miller High Life budget. Congratulations: Having ample seating automatically transports you to the next level of adulthood—your folks will be proud.
Wishbone Chairs
You know ‘em, you love ’em—it’s the classic Carl Hansen Wishbone Chair. This is the dining chair of chic, sophisticated adults across the globe who can afford to spend $600 on a single dining chair. If that’s you, go off king. (If you’re more comfortable with paying that much for a set of six chairs, don’t worry we got you covered too.)
Carl Hansen & Søn
Wishbone Chair
$635 at Design Within Reach
$635 at Design Within Reach
Bungalow Rose
Black Cantero Solid Wood Chair (Set of 2)
$458$226.99 at Wayfair
Yaheetech
Weave Arm Chair Set of 2
$154.99$134.99 at Amazon
Ghost chairs
You couldn’t go to any hot new restaurant in the early aughts without being seated upon a Philippe Starck Ghost Chair (shoutout to my first job at Katsuya). That’s because they’re modern, while still being subtle—the design blends into any decor and is super lightweight, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Kartell
Victoria Ghost Chair
$415 at Design Within Reach
$415 at Design Within Reach
Flash Furniture
Cheryl Ghost Side Chair
$137$89.53 at Amazon
Cesca chairs
If you favor Brutalism and the works of Marcel Breuer, you’re no stranger to the Cesca Chair. Designed by Breuer in 1928 and produced by Knoll since the late-’60s, the cantilevered chair with cane detailing is a timeless choice. Thankfully, the style’s iconic stature has inspired other brands to offer similar alternatives to the classic Cesca at a much less brutal price tag.
$1169 at Design Within Reach
$1169 at Design Within Reach
Stol Kamnik
Cesca Chair 1970s B32
$442.61 at 1stDibs
All Modern
Walsh Side Chair (Set of 2)
$337$285 at All Modern
$430 at Urban Outfitters
Shell chairs
Often imitated the instantly recognizable shell chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames was an innovation in fiberglass and wire bending in the 1950s, becoming a staple of mid-century modern design. More contemporary models are now made from 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, helping save approximately 122 tons of plastic per year, according to Knoll. If you’re not financially ready to invest in the real deal, there are plenty of affordable options available while you save up.
Herman Miller
Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair
$695 at Design Within Reach
$695 at Design Within Reach
CangLong
Modern Mid-Century Side Chair
$59 at Amazon
George Oliver
Jorja Solid Back Side Chair (Set of 4)
$134.99$108.99 at Wayfair
$134.99$108.99 at Wayfair
Vico Magistretti chairs
Speaking of classic mid-century modern style, Magistretti Chairs are the platonic ideal of a simple dining chair that can integrate itself into any decor style. Thankfully, these Rowan chairs from Urban Outfitters give the same vibe for a lot less cheddar.
Cassina
Vico Magistretti / Charlotte Perriand Style Rush Dining Room Chairs
$2241.06 at 1stDibs
Urban Outfitters
Rowan Dining Chair (Set Of 2)
$299 at Urban Outfitters
Saarinen Tulip chairs
Every hot, cool, financially stable creative we know is working remotely from their Knoll Saarinen (tulip) table (whether it’s authentic or not, they’ll never tell). Whether you’ve got the OG from Knoll, or happen to already own a round dining table and need to find complementary seating, these are a solid, complimentary mod option.
Knoll
Saarinen Tulip Side Chair
$2242 at Design Within Reach
$2242 at Design Within Reach
All Modern
Escapade Upholstered Plastic Solid Back Side Chair Dining Chair
$198$170 at All Modern
Pierre Jeanneret chairs
Yes, these are the dining chairs Kim Kardashian has in her Axel VerVoordt-designed dining room, and no we don’t expect you to shell out $10,000 for a set of chairs (unless you’re rolling in it, and in that case, stop reading and start snapping those bands). However, if you’re a working stiff and you’re still feeling the effects of inflation (like the rest of us), you can get the same look for a lot less.
Cassina
Capitol Complex Office Chair
$2915 at Design Within Reach
$2915 at Design Within Reach
Urban Outfitters
Sid Solid Wood Dining Chair (Set Of 2)
$629 at Urban Outfitters
All Modern
Ches Arm Chair (Set of 2)
$370$324 at All Modern
Stackable and folding dining chairs
The best option for “cozy” apartments and teeny houses are chairs that fold up or stack, so they can be hidden away when not in use. There are tons of transformable dining tables that can go from bistro-size (for everyday dining) to Last Supper for dinner parties—just grab the extra chairs out of the front closet and boom—instant banquet.
Joss & Main
Brown Sambac Solid Back Folding Arm Chair
$216 at Wayfair
Joss & Main
Donner Folding Chair
$125 at Joss & Main
Ball & Cast
Modern Folding Chairs
$169.99$152.32 at Amazon
West Elm
Benson Stacking Dining Chair
$229 at West Elm
All Modern
Dan Rattan Folding Chair (Set of 2)
$330 at All Modern
Who knew that chairs would make us so… hungry?
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