When furnishing my dining room, I struggled to choose the right chairs. I was overwhelmed by so many options – from upholstered to wooden, armless to ladder-back. After weeks of searching and sitting in various chairs, I finally found the ones I liked.
I’m covering the main types of dining room chairs to save you from the extensive hunting I had to do. I’ll cover their key features and tips for selecting the best ones for your space and style. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking chairs that perfectly suit your dining area.
24 Types of Dining Room Chairs
Curious about the different types of dining room chairs but don’t want to read this whole article? I’ve got you covered with this quick reference list, and I’ve organized it based on type:
Dining chair designs:
- Side chairs
- Parsons chairs
- Armchairs
- Cross-back chairs
- Latter-back chairs
- Lattice-back chairs
- Queen Anne chairs
- Scroll-back chairs
- Slat-back chairs
- Splat-back chairs
- Windsor chairs
- Wingback chairs
Dining chair styles:
- Traditional chairs
- Shaker chairs
- Modern chairs
- Rustic chairs
- Coastal chairs
- Contemporary chairs
Dining chair materials:
- Upholstered chairs
- Wood chairs
- Metal chairs
- Leather chairs
- Wicker chairs
- Plastic chairs
Design
1. Side Chair
Our first design is the most common chair used in kitchens and dining rooms throughout the world: the side chair. This is a standard dining chair without arms, and our wood frame example features an arched back with a plain wood seat.
2. Parsons Chair
First created in the 1930s, the original Parsons chair design sought to retain function and comfort while stripping away excess ornamentation and other historical influences that tended to dominate the furniture designs of the time.
The end result was a simple dining chair with clean lines that would fit nicely into just about any area of the home and is in the category of upholstered dining chairs.
3. Armchair
The armchair features, as one would guess, arms in addition to the traditional side chair design.
Although the frame dining chair style can morph the way the arms appear on the chair, the most common design, as pictured here, attaches the arms to the back and seat via narrow pieces. I went to IKEA and tested out their armchairs to find the best one, which I recommend checking out.
4. Cross-Back Chairs / X-Back Dining Chairs
Cross-back chairs, also known as X-back dining chairs, as the name suggests, feature a distinctive X-shaped design -two crossing frames- at their backs. This dining chair is designed to offer optimum comfort, support, and durability. Not only are they stylish and versatile, but they are also great for adding a touch of rustic charm to both traditional and modern dining settings.
5. Ladder-Back Chairs
Ladder-back chairs are an ever-classic choice for dining rooms. These chairs are characterized by a unique back design, made up of horizontal slats arranged to resemble the rungs of a ladder. These slats can vary in number, ranging from 2 to 5 or 6.
Typically crafted from hardwood, the ladder-back dining chair comes in various finishes, making it adaptable to various interior designs.
6. Lattice-Back Chairs
Lattice-back chairs are a sophisticated type of dining area chairs, distinguished by a lattice or crisscross patterned back. Their intricate and decorative design makes them highly versatile and blendable into most dining settings.
Despite their stylish appearance, this dining chair also offers ergonomic comfort, making it a good choice for those seeking a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
7. Queen Anne Dining Chair
Queen Anne dining chairs are a classic piece of furniture that reflects the elegance of the Queen Anne period in the late 17th and early 18th century. These chairs are characterized by cabriole legs and vase-shaped backrests and are upholstered chairs. These features are aesthetically pleasing and provide ergonomic support for comfortable dining.
Queen Anne dining chairs are mostly suitable for both formal and traditional dining rooms and are a great choice if you appreciate the beauty of classic, timeless designs.
8. Scroll-Back Dining Chairs
Scroll-back dining chairs are characterized by their gracefully curved backs, which often take on a scroll or wave-like shape. This dining chair also comes with seats with upholstery that make them both comfortable and elegant. Typically crafted from solid wood, scroll-back dining chairs will make a sophisticated and unique addition to your dining table.
9. Slat-Back Dining Chair
Defined by their backrests, which feature vertical slats, slat-back chairs can be considered the inverse forms of ladder-back chairs. These chairs are not only classic but practical seating options for dining areas, as they offer excellent back support. Their straightforward designs create a simple yet timeless look for a dining chair that seamlessly blends into casual and formal dining decor.
10. Splat-Back Dining Chair
Splat-back dining chairs have a unique back design with a central vertical splat, typically flanked by curved stiles. These chairs are mostly made of wood, making them wooden dining chairs, and can be designed to showcase different furniture periods. This dining chair comes in various styles, including English, French, Gothic, and Chinese, allowing you to choose one that best complements your dining room.
11. Windsor Chair
The Windsor chair is an iconic piece of furniture from the 18th century characterized by a backrest made up of multiple spindles, a saddle-shaped or shallow dish seat, and diagonally splayed legs. Windsors come in various styles, including the bow-back, fan-back, hoop-back, and sack-back, each with its unique backrest shape.
12. Wingback Dining Chair
Wingback dining chairs are distinguished by their high, upholstered backs and gracefully curved wings extending from both sides, providing extra coziness. Depending on their design, the curve of the wings can range from slight to semi-circular, giving them a regal yet functional appearance. The typical wingback dining chair also has seats with upholstery, typically decorated with welted seams, button-tufting, or nailhead trims.
Style
13. Traditional
Traditional dining chair styles typically offer a detailed, rich texture with carved wood construction. These chairs, like any traditional furniture, are basically timeless, with details making up for lack of freshness with eternally popular flair.
14. Shaker
Shaker style is a very specific strain of utilitarian, minimalist design. These chairs, equipped with a “ladder back,” are designed to be hung up when not in use. Our example shows off the flat angles and unfussy touches common in this style.
15. Modern
Modern style concerns itself with a perfect blending of form and function, with minimal embellishments and beautiful minimalism. Our example is a Parson chair with a curved wood back.
16. Rustic
The rustic style evokes a pastoral, old-fashioned sense through unpolished natural wood, rough-hewn edges, and playfully loose design. Our featured chair consists of a “log” style frame with patterned upholstered seat smaking them upholstered chairs.
17. Coastal
Coastal is a style, as the name implies, meant to evoke a seaside feeling. Lighter tones, unstained wood, and a relaxed air come into play with these chairs, as seen in our example below.
18. Contemporary
Contemporary design, covering any and all styles currently new and thriving, is a loose term that can point to a wide range of chairs. Our featured example is one of the minimalist, curved wood dining chair styles contrasting old-fashioned materials with up-to-date shaping.
Seat and Frame Material
Independent from the frame in many cases, the seat material of a dining chair defines how it feels when in use and how it looks when displayed.
Comfort is always a factor, as is the visual sense. Each of these models exemplifies its particular type of seat material to help you decide on what works best in your home.
19. Upholstered
Upholstered seats are the most comfortable option, with a soft texture and cushioned bottom. These seats can be found on any and every type of frame, either matching or contrasting with the rest of the chair.
20. Wood
Wood frame chairs often come unadorned with upholstery. Instead, they may sport a molded wood seat for a more direct, minimal look while still offering comfort and style. They make for an excellent dining room chair.
Wooden chairs for dining are by far the most popular models you’ll find when shopping. The most traditional build material is also the most varying, offering a wide range of dining chair styles and shapes.
21. Metal
Metal seats most often appear on metal frame chairs with holistic designs. Our example dining chair, for instance, is entirely crafted from a single material, with the molded seat seamlessly rising from the frame.
Metal frames often appear on more modern creations but can be found holding any variety of seats in the dining room. Our featured dining room furniture example boasts of the retro design, with colored leather upholstered seats over a chromed metal frame.
22. Leather
Leather seat dining chairs are incredibly popular for a good reason: they offer the comfort of a typical upholstered chair, with the rich sheen and luxurious quality that only leather can imbue.
23. Wicker
Wicker is a general definition of a type of woven fabric or synthetic material. It’s pliant, tough, and richly textured, making a great dining room seating material.
Wicker frames are most commonly found on dining chairs meant for patio use. Still, the durable material can reach into the upper levels of luxury, depending on build quality and style. Our featured example showcases a hybrid wood and wicker design with an upholstered cushion seat.
24. Plastic
Plastic seating typically only arrives within a plastic frame when it comes to dining chairs. These models can range from budget options all the way to ornate, crystalline constructions like our pictured example, which is also an oval-back dining chair.
Plastic frames may seem like a more low-end option, but that is simply no longer the case. Our featured example chair is a unique, highly detailed creation boasting multiple hues and finely detailed shapes.
Which of These Types of Dining Chairs Is Right for You?
Due to the sheer number of dining chair designs available, making a choice could be overwhelming. One thing is certain, however, regardless of your taste, there is definitely a dining chair design for you. Ultimately, the right choice boils down to your personal preferences, dining space, and home interior design style.
If you want grand-looking chairs that make a statement, the Queen Anne chair or Wingback chair are great choices. For classic and decorative pieces, however, Windsor chairs, ladder and lattice-back chairs, and scroll-back chairs may be just what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Tell If a Dining Chair Is Good Quality?
To assess the quality of a dining chair, carefully examine its construction. High-quality chairs are often made from sturdy materials like hardwood or metal, with secure fastenings. Make sure that it is sturdy and balanced and that the seat material is comfortable and durable. Also, pay attention to the chair finishing, looking out for splinters or rough edges.
What Are the Chairs at a Dining Table Called?
The chairs at a dining table are commonly referred to as “dining chairs” or “dining space chairs.” These chairs are specifically designed to provide comfort and support during meals. They come in various styles and designs that can complement the appearance of the dining area and home in general.
Which Chair Is Best for Dining Table?
The best chair for a dining table is one that complements the unique design of the dining area, while providing optimum comfort and functionality. Some common types of dining chairs include ladder-back, lattice-back, slat-back, Queen Anne, wingback, Windsor, and scroll-back dining chairs. When choosing, consider your personal preferences, chair material, durability, and style.
Conclusion
Dining chairs come in many styles, designs, and materials, each offering a mix of beauty and function. Whether you prefer older elegant designs or modern classic ones, ensure your choice values comfort, durability, and aesthetics.
