9 Best Dining Chairs Architectural Digest Editors Use Actually Use 2025 | Architectural Digest

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No dining space—whether it’s a formal room or a tiny breakfast nook in your kitchen—would be complete without at least one of the best dining chairs. Eating from the comfort of your couch is all well and good, but having a grown-up set of dining chairs is a sophisticated way to keep some extra seating options on hand whether you’re hosting a few friends or a full-blown bash.

In a world with countless chair types (and one too many knockoffs), honing in on one style can feel overwhelming. To steer you in the right direction, our team is on hand to tell us about what’s been surrounding their dining tables. Scroll down for their unfiltered opinions on the best dining chairs, period.

Design Within Reach

Designer

Tom Kelley for Ton

Specs

I bought four of these chairs when I was moving into my apartment in 2021. At the time, these chairs were cheaper than their other offerings by a long shot and were therefore the only real option within our budget (although perhaps inflation has changed that). The chairs are thin and slim in a way that works perfectly for the (not huge) dining table in our Brooklyn apartment. When I bought them, I was worried that the black paint might chip. So far that hasn’t happened at all, but I am starting to think that the paint on some of the seats is thinning. We had to add felt pads to the bottom of the legs so that they wouldn't scratch our floor, and it was tricky to be able to cut the kind you can order on Amazon so that they were small enough.

If given the opportunity, I’d buy these chairs again! I could see myself having them for years and purchasing more of them down the line to build out my dining-chair set—if I ever have the space! —Madeleine Luckel, design editor

Design Within Reach

Designer

Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn

Specs

I lucked out in finding a pair of Wishbone chairs at an antique sale in a small Maine town. Though the handwoven paper cord seats needed some repair, the Danish beauties—designed by Hans Wegner in 1949—still managed to be incredibly sturdy and comfortable in their age. After an attempt at restringing the seats (letting my partner do 99% of the work), I can say just how skillfully and thoughtfully the chairs are constructed. The sculptural frame is elegant, available in 48 material and color options and will absolutely last you a lifetime of dining delight. —Zoë Sessums, senior digital design editor

Design Within Reach

Designer

Bruno Rey

Specs

I know I’m not the only one on staff who was a little too excited when Hay partnered with Dietiker to relaunch the full Rey Collection this past June with nine new colors. It’s important to choose function over fashion when it comes to seating in your dining area, because who wants to feel uncomfortable while they eat? Hands down this is one of the most comfortable wood chairs I’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting in. Trust me, you won’t find a better stackable chair with a screwless wood-to-metal connection. For people like me that live in small spaces where every inch counts, the Rey Chair is a godsend. (There’s also a junior version for kids!) It is truly a timeless piece that’s a must-have for fans of contemporary modern design regardless of what aesthetic you’re into. And if you really want to flex on all your friends, enemies, lovers, and haters, brag about how the Rey Chair is also featured in the Swiss Museum of Design in Zurich. —Sydney Gore, contributor

Chairish

Designer

Friso Kramer

Specs

When Dutch designer Friso Kramer created the Revolt chair in the mid-1950s both ergonomics and economics were top of mind. In the innovative perch, two bent-steel sheets support a seat and back made from paper and resin. It was lightweight, elegant, and relatively easy to manufacture, making it a popular chair across the Netherlands. When I scored my black and white vintage ones on Craigslist back in 2014, I didn’t know much about Kramer. I chose them for their industrial schoolhouse vibe and Prouvé-ish qualities. But in the years since, Kramer has been ushered back into the spotlight—this chair and its sister, the Result, are now produced by Hay in a range of colors and materials (the back and seat now comes in oak or plastic, from $325). Assuming the new ones are made to the same discerning standards of the original, I can attest to their hardworking comfort. They’re not exactly cushy, of course, but there’s a slight flexibility in the back and a subtle curve in the seat that makes for easy, long-duration sitting, whether for a leisurely dinner or a day of work from home. —Hannah Martin, senior design editor

Design Within Reach

Designer

Harry Bertoia

Specs

Though the Bertoia Side Chair is potentially an exquisite outdoor seat, I love the sleek piece for an industrial moment indoors. With welded steel grids that make up the seat, the icon of midcentury-modern design comes in a variety of colors (with powder-coated finishes to hold up outdoors) and has sturdy, changeable seat cushions that also suit any number of hue preferences. Designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia, the Knoll chair holds up historically and—in my personal opinion—holds up as a perfect dining chair. —Zoë Sessums

Design Within Reach

Designer

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Specs

I’ve been obsessed with the Bauhaus era ever since I visited Dessau-Roßlau a few years ago, but what I’m even more of a sucker for is a seat in a corset, so the MR Chair really scratches that itch. A man of the mindset that less is more, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe did a take on the classic cantilevered chair and transformed it into a pure vision of beauty with the MR Chair. I have an authentic pair of vintage MR10 chairs that I purchased from Carefully Curated in 2021. Since I prefer not to work from a desk at home, I spend most of my day at the dining table sitting in this chair, and, once I take a seat, my cheeks are glued to it! Knoll claims that the MR chairs were intended to be “a modern derivative of 19th-century iron rocking chairs,” which means that you can really lean back while sitting in one of these without breaking them too. What has surprised me the most about this chair is that it’s as functional as it is beautiful, and that’s the power of good design. The MR Chair is an investment that is 100% worth making. —Sydney Gore

West Elm

Designer

West Elm

Specs

I use this cushy velvet dining chair from West Elm as a desk seat in my home office/bedroom. Everyone always asks me how I can stand working from home without a proper office chair, but I swear it is quite comfortable! I never have back pain after sitting it in for hours. Furthermore, I appreciate the softness of the velvet fabric against my skin. It’s basically how I can pretend I’m relaxing on a sofa while actually at my desk in Zoom meetings all day. I tend to be more of a black and gray person, but the navy shade brings a nice subtle amount of color to my apartment. I’ve had it for a few years and it’s held up well—it’s easy to wipe down the performance velvet upholstery if I accidentally spill some coffee on it. All in all, it’s a sturdy but stylish chair that could work for dining or desking. –Allie Weiss, US digital director

Lulu and Georgia

Designer

Sarah Sherman Samuel

Specs

After moving into my new apartment, it was time to finally invest in furniture that did not come flat packed. We have a tulip-style dining table and the sculptural frame of these gorgeous, modern dining chairs from Lulu and Georgia’s collection with Sarah Sherman Samuel perfectly mimic the same curved shape of the table. They are elegant and minimalist, and the bouclé upholstery on the padded seat lends a touch of warmth. We love to continue sitting at the table long after we have cleaned our plates and these dining chairs are incredibly comfortable while still keeping a low profile in our small space. Plus they’re pretty enough to be an accent chair all on their own. —Kelsey Borovinsky, audience development manager

Etsy

Designer

Heinz Meier for Landes Stendig

Specs

When you know you know. Renewfinds posted a pair of Asconas on Instagram when I was headed out of town for a weekend retreat and I had a feeling that it would be gone before I got back and I knew I would regret not seizing the opportunity. Since I had been wanting one for so long, I decided to go for it, and I’m glad that I trusted my gut! The frame is in overall great vintage condition and the newly reupholstered cushions are so plush it feels like sitting on top of a marshmallow. (The Maharam Minicheck fabric by Alexander Girard is also a nice touch, though I’m aware that not everyone is as enthusiastic about the checkerboard print as I am.) Regardless, I’m a chrome girl for life so this chair will always work for me, however I choose to curate my space. I currently have it in my living area where it is the star seat of the table, but I like the idea of playing musical chairs and moving it to different spots around my apartment. —Sydney Gore

Crate & Barrel

Athena Calderone’s Crate & Barrel collection is full of gems to furnish all areas of your home, but especially the dining room. The velvet-upholstered Ceremonie chair from the capsule has a reinterpreted wishbone shape that’s ideal for building out modern spaces. The handsome darkwood frame gives the piece an elegant silhouette, while the padded seat and backrest ensure that long-winded dinner conversations can be enjoyed comfortably.

Castlery

Castlery’s Thierry dining chair has an elevated-yet-casual feel thanks to its mixed materials. It’s the kind of seat where the kids can enjoy their morning cereal or you can comfortably entertain adult guests. The eclectic combination of oak, metal, and upholstery makes it easy to build out a dining room set that marries different textures—especially if you’re looking to get creative with placemats or serveware.

Article

Article’s interpretation of a Shaker chair scores major style points with its clean lines and dark walnut hue. We think they’re an elegant way to dress up your kitchen table or more casual dining spaces, plus they’re easy to clean and the wooden construction will look great for years to come.

Design Within Reach

Designed by Marcel Breuer (of Wassily chair fame), senior design editor Hannah Martin called the Cesca chair “a staple at dinner tables around Europe and America.” The distinct combination of cane with tubular steel make the stool standout among its contemporaries—it’s a design that has sparked dupes for generations to come. Looking for a true vintage seat? We recommend checking out the stock at 1stDibs and Chairish to score both sets and individual Cesca pieces.

Amazon

Amazon has no shortage of dining chairs, no matter what your taste or budget might be. In the spirit of bringing natural elements indoors this season, this teak wood dining chair with a woven seat is a good way to dip your toes into the wicker movement without going all in.

IKEA

If your aesthetic is strictly Scandi, Ikea is one of your best bets for building a dream dining set. The Stockholm 2025 chair combines light colored oak with a leather seat for enhanced visual appeal. The moon-shaped design is built to comfortably house guests whether it’s around a dinner table or during game nights with friends.