Choosing the right dining chairs comes down to five key factors: style, material, colour, size and comfort. The best dining chairs should complement your dining table, fit comfortably within your available space and suit your lifestyle requirements, whether that's easy-clean faux leather, durable wooden dining chairs or luxurious velvet dining chairs. This dining chair buying guide covers everything you need to know before buying dining room chairs for your home.
What Dining Chair Materials Should I Get?
Choosing the right dining chair material is all about balancing style, comfort and practicality. Faux leather dining chairs are a popular choice for busy households thanks to their easy-clean finish, while velvet and linen-look fabric dining chairs add softness and texture for a more luxurious feel. Wooden and metal dining chairs offer durability and timeless appeal, and if comfort is a priority, a cushioned dining chair can make long dinners and entertaining even more enjoyable.
Faux Leather Dining Chairs
Faux leather has a Contemporary look and a popular choice. Easy wipe-clean with a damp cloth.
Velvet Dining Chairs
Velvet chair fabric adds texture, which contrasts beautifully against the clean lines of dining tables.
Linen-look Fabric Dining Chairs
Linen-look fabric dining chairs combine the soft, textured appearance of natural linen with the durability needed for everyday dining.
Wood Dining Chairs
Wood dining chairs are a timeless choice that bring natural warmth and character to your dining space. Available in finishes such as oak and walnut, they're durable and versatile
Lorenzo Black Faux Leather Dining Chairs
What Dining Chair Leg Material Is Best?
Choosing your chair leg material is mostly about aesthetics and the design you like. Sprayed black legs are a subtle option which doesn't detract from the seat design, whereas silver chrome adds a more modern look. Going for gold is great for those who are feeling brave and want their dining chairs to be statement pieces.
Black Leg Dining Chairs
Black chair legs are one of the most versatile options, complementing almost any dining table material or colour. Their understated look helps keep the focus on the chair design while adding a modern finish.
Silver Leg Dining Chairs
Silver and chrome dining chair legs create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that's perfect for modern dining spaces. Their reflective finish can help brighten a room and pairs particularly well with glass and high-gloss dining tables.
Gold Leg Dining Chairs
Gold leg dining chairs add a touch of luxury and make a stylish statement in any dining room. They're perfect for those looking to introduce warmth, elegance and a more premium feel to their interior.
Wood Leg Dining Chairs
Wood chair legs bring natural texture and warmth to your dining area, creating a softer, more relaxed look. They're especially popular in Scandi, rustic and contemporary interiors where natural materials take centre stage.
Pesaro Cream Velvet Dining Chairs Gold Legs
How To Choose Dining Chair Colours
The colour of your dining chairs can completely transform the look and feel of your dining room. Whether you're creating a calm, neutral space or adding a bold accent colour, the right dining chairs help tie your décor together while showcasing your personal style.
Grey Dining Chairs
Grey dining chairs remain one of the UK's most popular choices thanks to their versatility and timeless appeal. They work effortlessly with almost any dining table and complement both modern and traditional interiors.
White Dining Chairs
White dining chairs create a bright, clean aesthetic that helps smaller dining spaces feel larger and more open. Their fresh, minimalist look works particularly well in contemporary homes.
Green Dining Chairs
Green dining chairs bring a natural, calming feel to your dining area while adding a subtle pop of colour. From rich emerald tones to softer sage shades, they're perfect for creating a stylish focal point.
Blue Dining Chairs
Blue dining chairs offer a sophisticated way to introduce colour without overwhelming your space. Navy, teal and muted blue tones work beautifully in both contemporary and classic dining rooms.
Black Dining Chairs
Black dining chairs deliver a bold, modern look that never goes out of style. Their versatility makes them easy to pair with wood, glass, marble and high-gloss dining tables.
Beige Dining Chairs
Beige dining chairs are a popular choice for creating warm, inviting dining spaces. Their neutral tones blend seamlessly with a wide range of interiors and colour schemes.
Cream Dining Chairs
Cream dining chairs bring softness and elegance to a dining room while maintaining a timeless appeal. They help create a light, airy look that's perfect for both traditional and modern homes.
Oak and Walnut Wood Dining Chairs
Wood dining chairs in oak and walnut shades showcase the beauty of natural wood grain while adding warmth and character to your dining space. These classic finishes work across a variety of interior styles, from Scandinavian to mid-century modern.
Beaumont Green Fabric Dining Chairs
What Dining Chair Styles Are Best?
The best dining chair style for your home depends on your existing décor, the dining table you've chosen and the overall atmosphere you want to create. From minimalist modern designs to statement-making contemporary pieces, dining chairs can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your space.
Minimalist Dining Chairs
Minimalist dining chairs focus on clean lines, simple shapes and clutter-free design. They're ideal for contemporary homes where practicality and understated style are key.
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs
Characterised by curved silhouettes, tapered legs and timeless appeal, mid-century modern dining chairs continue to be one of the most sought-after furniture styles. They're perfect for adding warmth and retro-inspired charm to your dining room.
Bold Eclectic Dining Chairs
Bold eclectic dining chairs allow you to showcase your personality through colour, texture and unique design details. They're ideal for creating a standout dining space that feels creative and individual.
Industrial Dining Chairs
Industrial dining chairs combine metal accents, darker finishes and practical designs for an urban-inspired look. They pair particularly well with wood dining tables and modern loft-style interiors.
Scandi Boho Dining Chairs
Scandi boho dining chairs blend simple Scandinavian design with natural textures and relaxed styling. Think soft fabrics, curved shapes and warm wood tones that create a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere.
Isola Grey Fabric Dining Chairs Black Legs
We're always adding new designs to keep our dining chairs fresh and new, check out the full dining chair category to get the latest.
Are Dining Benches a Good Alternative to Dining Chairs?
Dining benches offer a versatile and space-efficient alternative to traditional dining chairs. Perfect for family dining, entertaining guests or maximising seating around your table, a dining bench can create a more relaxed and sociable dining experience while giving your space a contemporary look.
Why Choose a Dining Bench?
One of the biggest advantages of dining bench seating is flexibility. Benches can often accommodate more people than individual dining chairs, making them ideal for larger families, dinner parties or homes where seating requirements regularly change.
Dining benches are also a great solution for smaller dining spaces, as they can be tucked neatly underneath the table when not in use. This helps create a more open feel while maintaining comfortable seating for everyday use.
Mix Dining Benches and Chairs
You don't have to choose one or the other. Many homeowners are opting for a combination of dining chairs and benches to create a modern, designer-inspired dining setup. Pairing dining chairs on one side of the table with a wooden dining bench on the other can add visual interest while providing the best of both worlds.
Tobermory Rectangular Whitewash & White Wood Dining Bench
Should Dining Chairs Match Your Dining Table?
No, dining chairs don't need to match your dining table exactly. Mixing materials, colours and textures is a popular interior design trend that can create a more personalised, designer-inspired look. For example, velvet dining chairs can soften the appearance of a wood dining table, while wooden dining chairs can add warmth to marble or glass tables.
The key is maintaining some visual connection between the pieces, whether through complementary colours, matching leg finishes or a shared design style. This helps create a cohesive dining space without everything looking identical.
How Big Should A Dining Chair Be?
It's recommended that you allow for at least 30cm of space between the top of the seat and the tabletop to allow your guests to sit comfortably. For standard dining tables the common dining chair seat height is between 45 and 58cm. The seat height is the distance between the floor and the part of the chair you sit on (the seat).
You also want to ensure that the seat depth or chair depth is comfortable to allow your guests to sit back comfortably and not find themselves teetering on the edge of the seat which can dig in to the back of their thighs.
What's The Weight Capacity For Dining Room Chairs?
Manufacturers will weight test their dining chairs as part of their safety tests. Our dining chairs are weight tested up to 130kg.
How To Care For Dining Chairs
Avoid strong or abrasive cleaning products, a simple damp cloth should be enough to get your dining chairs cleaned up and looking new. For dried on or tougher stains then some washing up liquid mixed with warm water and a gentle scrub with a sponge should do the trick.
Find Your Perfect Dining Chairs at Furniturebox
Whether you're looking for practical faux leather dining chairs, luxurious velvet designs, timeless wooden dining chairs or the latest interior trends, you'll find a style to suit your home at Furniturebox. Our stylish dining chair collection includes a wide range of colours, materials and leg finishes, making it easy to find dining chairs that complement your dining table and reflect your personal style.
Where Next?
We love seeing how our customers style their Furniturebox products so be sure to give us a follow on Insta and tag us in your product pics. We've also got heaps more inspiration over on Pinterest so give us a follow there, too.
