You don’t have to have long, blonde curly locks and a penchant for breaking and entering to know what makes for the best dining chair. But with so many designs to choose from, finding one that perfectly suits your style and feels comfortable to sit in can be quite the mission.
Fortunately, I’ve tried and tested a wide range of dining chairs from online homeware brands such as Next, Loaf, Dusk and Grain & Frame to bring you our edit of the very best. I’ve selected a range of materials and colours including wood, leather, faux leather and plush velvet, plus they look eye-catching set against one of the best dining tables.
But before you click to buy the dining chair that catches your eye, it’s important to consider the practicalities and your setup. Do you need chairs for a formal dining room or are you in search for something that will fit a casual open-plan area, for example? Also think about who will be sitting on the chairs – if you’ve got kids, then chairs that are easy to clean are crucial.
Dining chairs are usually sold in pairs of two, which allows you to spread the cost if needed, or mix and match styles. Your table will indicate how many chairs you need, but measure carefully before you buy to ensure the chairs will neatly fit underneath the tabletop. For a standard 4-6 seater table, you might want to opt for two carver chairs at either sides of the table and four standard dining chairs without arms at the sides. If you have an extendable table and don’t have the budget to buy the extras in one go, check that the chairs you buy are staple designs and will be available throughout the year as opposed to end of line stock.
In my edit of the best dining chairs, I’ve included designs to suit both modern and traditional tables. I’ve tested each chair in my own open-plan kitchen/dining area and highlighted the best options to help you buy the most eye-catching designs.
Read more: Best ergonomic office chairs, tested
The best dining chairs for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Next Valencia upholstered dining chair, pair: £310, Next.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Lakeland Furniture Marco dining chair in burnt orange: £89.99, Lakeland-furniture.co.uk
- Best velvet option – Dunelm Ariana dining chair, pair: £119, Dunelm.com
- Best for mid-century style – Swyft dining chair 01, pair: £439, Swyfthome.com
- Best black frame option – Dusk Jade dining chair, pair: £219, Dusk.com
Read more: The best armchairs, reviewed
Next Valencia upholstered dining chair
Best: dining chair overall
Why we love it
- Classic and timeless design
- Sturdy frame and legs
- Gold tone tip legs look elegant
- Supportive padded back
Take note
- Darker fabrics may be easier to keep clean
- Polyester fabric not as nice as cotton
Next’s Valencia dining chairs are the best I’ve tested and stood out for me because of their sturdy and tactile frame, with a supportive, padded high back and attractive legs that come with a gold tone tip.
The chairs come as a set of two, and each design has four legs that need to be screwed on, but the necessary screws and an Allen key come in the box. This minor bit of DIY was easy and the chairs were up and ready to be sat on in no time.
I love the neutral yet elegant nature of this dining chair design, which I think lends itself well to both traditional and modern room schemes. It’s sober in style, which makes it look good in the morning and evening light. The gold tone tip on the end of the legs and ribbed fabric back adds a subtle hint of glamour that’s perfect for entertaining.
I chose the cool pebble fabric finish with oak light wood legs that looks good against my oak dining table, but you can buy the chair with darker wooden legs or darker fabric finishes to match your scheme. With kids around, it might be a little harder to keep the pebble colourway box fresh long term, but the fabric is wipeable with a slightly water-dampened soft cloth and feels durable enough for everyday spills.
Key specifications
Buy now £310, Next.co.uk
Lakeland Furniture Marco dining chair
Best: budget dining chair
Why we love it
- Very comfortable to sit in
- Easy to assemble and spot clean
- On-trend burnt orange colourway
Take note
- Limited colourways available
- Black legs may not suit all styles
Finished in a plush burnt orange velvet that is very on trend right now, the Lakeland Furniture Marco dining chair is an eye-catching, budget-friendly design. It comes with a black cantilever style leg frame that looks good set against its burnt orange finish. This was easy to screw on minutes after taking it out of the delivery box.
In terms of ergonomics, this has to be one of the most comfortable dining chair designs I’ve tried. The kids seemed to agree and made it their go-to at every meal. This is because of its tactile velvet finish and supportive frame that complements the shape of your back and hypnotically moves back and forth if you press against it.
The chair slides smoothly under the table without snagging on the floor and the seat is easily accessible, too. If the orange shade is too bold for you, you can also choose to have it finished in up to four faux leather fabrics or a choice of two more velvet finishes including mustard or pink (I’d love to see a green fabric added to the lineup to match my kitchen).
Key specifications
Buy now £89.99, Lakeland-furniture.co.uk
Dunelm Ariana dining chair
Best: velvet dining chairs
Why we love it
- Excellent value for such a stylish design
- Elevates dining style with luxurious good looks
- Comfortable velvet seat pad
Take note
- You’ll need to vacuum the seat to keep it free of dirt and crumbs
Arguably the most glamourous set of chairs in my round up, the Ariana dining chair has enough to upgrade any casual dining table. As well as excellent value, this chair has it all – comfort, style and a look of luxury.
On arrival, the legs need to be fitted, but all the screws come in the box and I found it very easy to assemble. While they may not be to everyone’s liking, the black legs with gold tips made a statement against my oak table and lifted the look of my otherwise sober dining area.
I like the dark green colourway as it’s easy to keep clean and means stains over time will be nicely disguised. A simple vacuum in the edges and wipe down with a damp cloth keeps the velvet in check too.
It comes in a choice of six brooding colours including burnt orange, mink and pacific blue, and has a beautifully soft velvet finish. The gold effect tipped feet, black metal legs and button-back detailing all add to its character.
Key specifications
Buy now £119, Dunelm.com
Dusk Jade dining chair
Best: black dining chair
Why we love it
- Black frame makes a statement in the dining room
- Timeless wishbone frame looks super stylish
- Easy to dust and wipe clean
Take note
- The black finish can scuff if scraped against a wall
- It would be nice if there was a cushion to match
You’ll be spoilt for choice for dining chair designs over on the Dusk website. The furniture brand sells a wide range of wooden and upholstered chairs alongside stylish dining tables to match. The Jade dining chair, which comes in a set of two, instantly caught my eye as it’s made from beech wood with a brooding black finish and natural rope seat.
Out of all the dining chairs I trialled, I’d say this design was the easiest to handle. It’s lightweight and therefore a breeze to carry ,but it still has that expensive wood feel as it’s so solid and well built.
Its legs smoothly slide in and out from the table without scraping the floor too, which is testament to how well it’s designed. The same wishbone frame is also available in other combinations, including a light beige wood frame with a natural boucle seat or a black frame with chenille seat. The chair comes preassembled and is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Key specifications
Buy now £219, Dusk.com
Swyft dining chair 01
Best: mid-century style dining chair
Why we love it
- Classic mid-century style design is timeless
- Practical finish that’s easy to wipe clean
- Short enough to fit under a standard table for neat storage
Take note
- Limited lower back support
- May be too short for some table designs
Easy on the eye, Swyft’s dining chair 01 comes in a pair with a curved solid white oak frame in light oak or walnut, and choice of padded seat including the head-turning maple leather finish I tested. I like the way that the feet glide smoothly around the floor and the back is short enough so that the chair fits neatly underneath the table and out of the way when not in use.
The wood frame is easy to wipe clean and I made sure that any spills the kids made on the leather seats were instantly removed with a damp cloth and dried.
The mid-century style chair is designed to team perfectly with Swyft’s range of dining tables including the dining table 01 (£1,199, Swyfthome.com) that seats up to ten. It’s such a classic design that I think it would pair beautifully with just about any wooden table going, however.
You can also buy a version with the seat in either a velvet, linen or on-trend boucle finishes, in a choice of colourways including an attractive green vine or more neutral oatmeal.
Key specifications
Buy now £439, Swyfthome.com
Habitat x Morris & Co. Canterbury oak dining chair
Best: vintage style dining chair
Why we love it
- A design classic
- Comfortable curved design
- Easy to wipe clean with soft cloth
Take note
- A seat pad would be a good addition
- Width of seat makes it best suited to larger tables
For anyone who admires the skill and craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts movement, this chair celebrates the principles of the iconic William Morris. The timeless piece is made from oak and is inspired by design that combines utility and beauty.
Even as a single item on its own, this chair made a statement in my living area. It is sold individually and comes fully formed so I didn’t need to call on my basic DIY skills to set it up. I’m a huge fan of William Morris and love the spindle design on this chair, which is surprisingly comfy. I like the comfort that the curved back provides and the way I can sit back and rest my arms on the frame. There’s also a Morris & Co Canterbury oak dining bench (£309, Habitat.co.uk) and table (£860, Habitat.co.uk) to match.
Key specifications
Buy now £145, Habitat.co.uk
Loaf kitchen drummer chair
Best: solid oak dining chair
Why we love it
- Beautiful craftsmanship
- A classic look to suit most oak tables
- Sturdy and built to last
Take note
- You may want to buy a seat pad to match
- Heavy design, although this does add to its premium feel
Loaf’s solid oak dining chair comes in a set of two, in either a light or dark oak. The chair has a low raked back to keep the design as comfy as can be. You can buy soft scoot seat pads to complement the chair, which I recommend if you want to soften the feel of the base.
The chair pairs beautifully with Loaf’s handcrafted dining tables, but the light oak colourway and design is classic enough to look good against any light oak table. I love the wood grain on the chair that adds to its authenticity and highlights the attention to detail in its craftsmanship.
It has a groove around the curvaceous seat and the spindles are delicately carved so they are smooth and tactile. The chair is noticeably heavier compared to others, and this gives it a premium feel and makes it stand out as a design that is built to endure season after season. As it doesn’t have arms, its back slides neatly up to the tabletop.
The chairs come with a care guide in the box, which includes useful advice on how to look after the wood including cleaning quickly with a cloth, protecting from sunlight and heat, and waxing when needed.
There are also bar stools (£345, Loaf.com) with the same spindle back to match, which I think would look stunning in an open-plan kitchen/dining area.
Key specifications
Buy now £590, Loaf.com
Grain & Frame dark solid oak Scandinavian dining chair
Best: Scandi-style dining chair
Why we love it
- Looks good and is beautifully tactile
- Solid dark oak feels premium
- Handcrafted using traditional woodworking techniques
Take note
- The seat may be harder to keep pristine over time
- It’s best suited to dark wood finishes
Walnut and dark oak finishes are becoming increasingly popular and this Scandinavian style dark oak chair from Grain & Frame is simply stunning. It comes with a solid oak frame and pale handwoven Danish cord seat that contrasts beautifully with its dark wood finish. The chair is joined using traditional woodworking techniques and has a premium feel to it.
The top of the chair is 76.5cm high, which makes it a little taller than some of the other wooden designs I’ve tried. Its back doesn’t fit underneath the standard 75cm table I tested it on, but it does sit neatly around it and its seat slides effortlessly in. As its frame has a curved back this makes it easy to lift, and pull in and out from the table.
While the chair is made from solid hardwood, it’s sprayed with lacquer to make it durable and smooth. This also lends itself well to dusting and cleaning with a soft cloth.
I also tried the natural solid oak Scandinavian dining chair with oatmeal linen (£258 for two, Grainandframe.com), which looks beautifully understated and stylish, plus it has a padded seat that makes it super comfy to sit on.
Key specifications
Buy now £378, Grainandframe.com
Furniture Box Beaumont green fabric dining chair
Best: upholstered dining chair
Why we love it
- Very comfortable to sit on
- Easy to assemble
- Attractive tailored design
- Feels robust
Take note
- Only comes in three colourways
Sold in a set of two, the Beaumont dining chair comes finished with a black trim and black powder-coated metal tapered legs. The square bucket-shape chair has short arms, which come up at the sides just enough to create a secure seat to support your back.
With seven screws to attach the legs to the seat, assembly was a little more fiddly than some of the other chairs I’ve put together. Nonetheless, the screws fit smoothly and the chair felt very secure once I’d assembled it.
The dining chair instantly made me feel at ease when I sat down on it. It feels solid and well built, but its smooth, upholstered finish is luxurious under hand and comfortable to sit on. With its black PU leather-look piping, the design is elegant and timeless, and I think does well to suit both modern and traditional styles.
The only downside is that this chair only comes in three colourways – fortunately, its attractive green and black design matches my green kitchen and black aluminium doors perfectly. Its polyester cover is also easy to wipe clean – particularly in the darker green colour that I think will hide wear and tear stains well over time. There’s also a comprehensive product care guide that comes in the box, which is a nice touch.
Key specifications
Buy now £159.99, Furniturebox.co.uk
Cult Furniture halston dining chair
Best: walnut dining chair
Why we love it
- Smooth and solid finish
- Luxurious craftsmanship
- Delicious mix of wood and fabric options to choose from
Take note
- Walnut finish not suited to more modern oak schemes
A wonderful mix of Nordic and mid-century design, the Halston dining chair comes in a range of unique colourways. This blush pink sustainable velvet upholstery with walnut metal frame option is simply stunning, but there are plenty of other combinations to choose from olive green and walnut design to speckled stone and brass.
The chair frame comes pre-assembled, so on arrival all I needed to do was screw the chair pad to the legs, which was very smooth and straightforward to do. While I don’t have a walnut table to match, I really admire this chair for its beautiful craftsmanship and high-quality finish. It feels luxurious yet robust in design, and as the seat is both padded and supportive it’s very comfortable to sit on.
Key specifications
Buy now £169, Cultfurniture.com
Your questions on dining chairs answered
What are the best dining chairs?
With so many excellent designs to choose from it’s hard to pinpoint a favourite, but Next secures the spot as the best overall dining chair for its Valencia upholstered dining chair. I love its solid structure, with a comfortable and supportive cushioned seat and elegant oak and gold tone tip legs.
Meanwhile, the Lakeland Furniture Marco dining chair, which is finished in an on-trend burnt orange, has been highlighted as the best budget buy. Its comfortable cantilever design is just the ticket for you to sit back and relax as you dine. Dunelm’s Ariana dining chair is another excellent affordable option, too.
How I tested dining chairs
In my search for the ideal dining chair for my open-plan living room, I called in a mix of popular chairs from online homeware brands. I chose modern and classic styles in a range of materials and colourways including wood, leather, cotton, metal and velvet. For the purposes of this test, I positioned them around the Dusk Heidi solid oak table and rated each chair by the following criteria:
How to clean fabric dining room chairs
“Focus on gentle cleaning and keeping moisture to a minimum,” says Emma Mannion, cleaning expert at Astonish who offers up these simple tips:
- Vacuum the fabric using an upholstery attachment to remove crumbs and dust. Pay attention to seams where debris collects.
- For marks or general refreshes, use a mild solution of warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid. Lightly dampen a cloth and blot the fabric rather than rubbing, as this helps lift stains without driving them deeper into the fibres. Avoid over-saturating the material, as fabrics can hold onto moisture, which can lead to water marks or lingering dampness.
- For more stubborn stains, it’s worth bringing in a specialist upholstery cleaner to target the area. Apply the product directly to the stain and allow to sit briefly so it can break down. Then gently blot with a clean cloth, working from the outside in, to avoid spreading it further.
- Once cleaned, allow the chair to dry naturally in a well-ventilated space.
- Finishing with a fabric refresher can help lift any lingering odours and leave the chair feeling clean as well as looking it. Lightly mist the surface and allow it to air dry.
Read more: Best vacuum cleaners, tested
How to clean leather dining chairs
“Leather requires a gentle touch, so follow these simple steps,” says Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol.
- Wipe off any excess dirt, dust, or food debris with a damp cloth.
- Use a leather-specific cleaner, or simply a mild soap, and apply it gently with a clean cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Once you have cleaned the surface, immediately use a clean cloth to pat the leather dry.
- If you have a leather conditioner or polish in your cleaning armoury, this is the perfect time to apply it to keep the material beautifully supple.
How to clean wooden dining chairs
“Steer clear of acidic cleaners like citric acid, brown malt vinegar or alcohol as these can easily strip protective finishes, cause discolouration, or damage the wood,” says Green. Instead, follow these steps:
- Keep it simple: a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild detergent is all you need. Soak a sponge or cloth in the soapy mix, wring it out so it is barely damp, and gently wipe down the arms, legs, backs, and slats.
- For carved areas, spindle backs or joints/nooks and crannies, use an old clean toothbrush in your soapy solution and gently scrub.
- Remember to turn the chair upside down and check for dust, debris, pet hair and cobwebs.
- Dry thoroughly straight away – never leave wood damp, as sitting water can warp the material or allow bacteria to thrive.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest is The Independent’s expert-driven shopping section. We extensively test every product we feature to bring you unbiased reviews based on real-world use. Emily Peck is a lifestyle journalist with more than 20 years of experience writing about interiors, smart homes, gardens, wellbeing, fitness, and modern living. She has tested furniture from the best armchairs to the best garden sofa sets for IndyBest, so she knows first-hand what makes for a great buy.
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