The 13 Best Dining Chairs of 2023

Pottery Barn Aaron Dining Chair

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Pottery Barn has well-made, classic chairs that you can use for years. The Aaron dining chair works with casual and formal styles. You can go casual with side chairs around a family table or opt for arm chairs with a formal set. Because you can purchase chairs individually or in sets of two, it is also easy to have side chairs and two arm chairs at the head and foot of the table.

Handmade by artisans out of solid rubberwood, these chairs come in four finishes: seadrift and gray wash for a lighter look, smoked nutmeg for a mid-range stain, and mahogany for the darkest finish. (Pottery Barn sells other furniture pieces in the same finishes, making it even easier to match your chairs with the rest of your dining room). 

Each chair is constructed with mortise-and-tenon joinery—instead of being nailed or glued together, the pieces of wood are shaped to “lock” in place with one another and then reinforced with either glue or pins. This can generally increase the stability and durability of the chair. Just note that, because they’re made of wood, these chairs might not be the most comfortable to sit on for hours at a time; for increased padding, we recommend adding a cushion of your choice.

Price at time of publish: $349 for a side chair, $499 for an armchair 

_{Dimensions: 22 x 23.5 x 37 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Number in Set: 1 or 2 | Arms: Optional | Assembly Required: No}

West Elm Slope Leather Dining Chair

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The Slope Leather dining chair creates a modern look that you’d expect from West Elm. It is made with top-grain leather or vegan leather, including colorized options. Some take up to six weeks or more to ship, but there are also in-stock choices available to ship sooner. The base is made of metal for support and to provide a striking contrast in texture to the leather.

The chair has a natural curve in the back and in the seat for comfort. The iron base also has slides on the bottom so it’s even easy to push the chair in and out when needed. They come in a set of two.

Price at time of publish: From $519 for a set of 2

_{Dimensions: 19 x 24.4 x 33.3 inches | Material: Leather, vegan leather, iron | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Number in Set: 2 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: Yes}

Kelly Clarkson Home Lila Tufted Linen Upholstered Arm Chair

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The Lila Tufted Solid Back Chair would work great as a dining or accent chair. The tufted back suits traditional or classic style. Available in five neutral fabric options, including three neutral shades of linen and two easy-to-clean microfiber choices, the arms are low and include a slight slope for added detail. This chair is larger than other options on this list, making it a great, statement-making piece for the head of the table.

Assembly is required, though the chair comes with everything you’ll need. If you prefer to have someone else do the work of assembling the chair, you can pay an extra $86 for professional assembly. The seat has a height of nearly 20 inches, which should work well with most standard-height tables.

Price at time of publish: $398 each

_{Dimensions: 41 x 25.5 x 31 inches | Material: Linen, microfiber | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Number in Set: 1 | Arms: Yes | Assembly Required: Yes}

Pottery Barn Layton Upholstered Dining Chair

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If you prefer an upholstered look, the Pottery Barn Layton chair is just for you. There are a wide variety of fabric choices available, including basketweaves, boucle, tweed, and velvet. Some of the combinations are made to order, which, unlike the ready-made options, are non-returnable and can take longer to ship (up to 12 weeks). Along with myriad upholstery options, you can also opt for four leg and base finish options: gray wash, seadrift, black, and mahogany. 

This chair is also designed for comfort, with a curved backrest that supports your spine. The wood frame is solid oak, which makes it durable and capable of supporting up to 275 pounds—about the average weight capacity of many options on this list. Some assembly is required, but you can add on  Pottery Barn’s White Glove service to deliver and assemble the chair, as well as remove any packaging. (The cost for this service varies by product cost and your location, but won’t exceed $429 total.) If you really like the shape and style, you can mix and match with other options in the Layton line, including a leather chair and barstools.

Price at time of publish: From $279 each

_{Dimensions: 25.5 x 31 x 41 inches | Material: Fabric, oak | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Number in Set: 1 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: Yes}

Ruggable Scandinavian Dining Chair

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Many slip-covered chairs aren’t actually machine-washable, which is why we love these dining chairs from Ruggable. With dozens of machine-washable covers to choose from, these chairs are ideal for busy households or those who like to switch up their decor often. It takes just a few minutes to remove the covers on the seat and backrest pads, which are made of a highly responsive foam and fully detach for added convenience. 

These chairs have a Scandinavian-inspired look with a rubberwood frame that comes in your choice of two stains (walnut and white oak).  While they’re versatile enough to suit everything from eclectic to mid-century modern-inspired dining rooms, they might not be the best for sleeker, more contemporary spaces. To round out your collection, Ruggable offers a handful of other washable chair styles, including lounge chairs and swivel chairs.

Price at time of publish: $219 each

_{Dimensions: 31.5 x 22.5 x 18.25 inches | Material: Solid hardwood, high resilience foam | Weight Capacity: 275 lbs | Number in Set: 1 | Arms: Yes | Assembly Required: Yes}

Tomile Wishbone Chair

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This chair is a budget-conscious option that is sure to add a touch of boho chic style to your dining room. The wishbone back is curved to create a backrest and two armrests in one fluid line. The wood is bent using a thermal process that preserves the strength of the wood while shaping it. It comes in three colors, two of which are also available in a set of two. They are made of solid beech or ash wood, two lightweight yet durable options.

The seat is woven, which looks great and will conform to your shape as you sit. You won’t need to assemble the chair, which is an added bonus.

Price at time of publish: $160 each

_{Dimensions: 20.7 x 21 x 30 inches | Material: Beech, Ash | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Number in Set: 1 | Arms: Yes | Assembly Required: No}

FDW Metal Dining Chairs

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For outdoor or informal dining spaces, the FDW Store metal dining chairs are a convenient and affordable option. They come in a set of four and stack for a space-saving perk. There are nine color options that are all made of painted metal that is scratch-resistant. 

If you will be sitting for a long time, the metal surface may not be the most comfortable option since there isn’t any padding. The backrest is curved for comfort and support, though it can be removed to transform the chairs into backless stools. You can also get seat pads, although that adds to the cost.

Price at time of publish: $105 for a set of 4

_{Dimensions: 21 x 17 x 33 inches | Material: Metal | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Number in Set: 4 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: Yes}

Signature Design by Ashley Owingsville Modern Farmhouse Dining Room Side Chair (Set of 2)

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These side chairs would go perfectly with a modern farmhouse style. They come in a set of two and have a high-back design that looks great at a large or small table. The ladderback design has a traditional appeal that can complement other armchairs (or even benches) you might want to style them with.

There are only two finishes available (white and black) but the seat is dark wood in both cases. The chairs are budget-friendly, although they aren’t solid wood so may not be as durable in the long term as some of the other options on our list.

Price at time of publish: $252 for a set of 2

_{Dimensions: 22.63 x 18.25 x 38 inches | Material: Engineered and veneer wood | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number in Set: 2 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: Yes}

Joss & Main Sheffield Solid Wood Dining Chair

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A Shaker-inspired style makes the Sheffield dining chairs a top choice. Constructed with solid wood, these chairs have a very sturdy feel that is accentuated by their angled leg base. Each chair comes with a curved back for comfort, though it might not suit people in bigger bodies (the weight capacity is also on the lower side, at 225 pounds). These dining chairs are light enough to move around the room for extra seating, and you can also opt for bar and counter-height stools in the same style.

They do take a long time to ship, estimated between 10 and 12 weeks. Certain finishes can also be out-of-stock, resulting in even longer waits for the chairs. The white chair has a natural wood seat. Assembly is required. 

Price at time of publish: $214 for a set of 2

_{Dimensions: 30 x 21.3 x 20.5 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds | Number in Set: 2 | Arms: Yes | Assembly Required: Yes}

Rejuvenation Ronde Teak Side Chair

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Outdoor dining sets benefit from weather-safe materials. The Ronde side chair is made of teak, which naturally repels water and weathers perfectly even in the rain and snow. The wood is also treated with a specialty protection layer that allows it to patina without worrying about the material getting damaged.

While these chairs are on the more expensive side, because they are so durable, you can be sure that they’ll last for a lifetime. You can also add armchairs, a bench, a dining table, and a sofa from the same line to complete the look. If you want to keep your chairs from being exposed completely, Rejuvenation has a chair cover that is specifically designed to fit over the Ronde side chair.

Price at time of publish: $959 for a set of 2

_{Dimensions: 19 x 34 x 24 inches | Material: Teak | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number in Set: 2 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: Yes}

StyleWell Kipling White Metal Dining Chair

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With a farmhouse-inspired silhouette and industrial appeal, these metal dining chairs are well-suited for dining spaces with a more eclectic or modern style. They come in three colors (white, black, and gray), all of which have a glossy finish that is easy to wipe and keep clean.

While the chair seats are molded to provide some extra comfort, they are still made of metal, which means no padding. As with a few other wooden and metal options on this list, we recommend adding a chair pad of your choice for increased comfort. Assembly on these chairs is required.

Price at time of publish: $159 for a set of 2

_{Dimensions: 15.94 x 20.86  x 32.67 inches | Material: Metal | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Number in Set: 2 | Arms: No | Assembly Required: No}

Crate & Barrel Addison Flange Slipcovered Dining Chair

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If you like the look of fabric chairs but want to be able to clean and remove the cover, a slip-covered option is a great compromise. While the linen-polyester blend cover on the Addison dining chair isn’t machine-washable, you can still remove it to spot treat any stains (or replace the cover entirely, depending on the severity of the mess). You can choose between a slipcover with flange stitching at the corners or without; chairs that come with the flange stitching have a more put-together look, while those without look a bit more undone. You can also purchase this style in armchair or side chair designs. 

The slipcover comes in eight color options. Unfortunately, all of them are spot clean only, so you can’t put the slipcovers in your washing machine for a thorough clean. The slipcovers drape well over the chair but you might need to steam them to keep wrinkles out, especially if you are taking them on and off frequently or keeping them in storage.

Price at time of publish: $419 each

_{Dimensions: 19 x 25 x 37 inches | Material: Wood, linen | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Number in Set: 1 | Arms: Yes or no | Assembly Required: Yes}