The Perfect Dining Chairs

February 4, 2024 1:37 PM

I'm looking for the perfect dining chairs to match this round walnut dining table. Any suggestions of specific models would be excellent.

My price range ideally under $300 dollars per chair, but that's movable if I find the perfect chairs.

Must haves:

• Matches the look of the table. This doesn't have to be exact, but grey or light woods would not work.
• No leather or leather substitutes.
• Comfortable! These chairs will be used for game nights and dinner parties, so folks will be sitting in them for hours. The seat must be upholstered/cushioned, and probably the back. I suspect a higher back would be better, but I'm not sure on that. A wider seat would also help.
• Able to buy at least 4.

Wants, but not hard requirements:

• Style: I prefer a modern/post-modern/mid-century-modern style. I don't like farmhouse, traditional, or industrial looks.
• Chairs without arms would be preferable.
• Color: Saturated blues, yellows, oranges, or greens are good are preferred, but if the chair design is excellent, white/grey/beige might work. Patterns might be okay.
• Solid wood construction or similar. Metal might be okay but I can't imagine what type of metal would look good with walnut wood.
• Fabric that a cat won't want to claw up.

posted by arcolz to Shopping (14 answers total)

On a lark I spun through the IKEA catalog because scandi design and there's a few. the STOCKHOLM has arms but looks very comfortable (black only). ODGER is a scoop seat and comes in a few colours. LISABO has no arms and is inexpensive but might not be good for long term seating. I don't think there's any perfect fits here but at least they're not outrageously expensive and you can definitely get four of them or four hundred.
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:49 PM on February 4, 2024

These don't meet your price point, but they might give you some inspiration, search wise: Cherner dining chairs.

You can occasionally find display models for a bit of savings on the "Sale" page.
posted by notyou at 1:55 PM on February 4, 2024

The Wishbone chair is the perfect dining chair. You can get it in walnut, and you can get cushions in any color you like. This is a chair you can sit in for hours and hours. It is not cheap, but you can have it for life, or you can find it used, it is so solid and unbreakable. I have some vintage ones that I have spray-painted red. And some new oak ones.
posted by mumimor at 1:56 PM on February 4, 2024 [2 favorites]

Are these legs too dark? I think they fill the bill in all other respects.
posted by kate4914 at 1:58 PM on February 4, 2024

Ugh. Link isn't working despite repeated efforts, even though it's fine if I paste it into a search engine. So as to not abuse the edit window, spelling it out here. https://www.article.com/product/20342/nosh-andaman-blue-walnut-dining-chair#details
posted by kate4914 at 2:04 PM on February 4, 2024 [4 favorites]

Burrow might have some options you like, though I've not sat in any of these chairs so I can't speak to comfort or if the fabrics are kitty-friendly. I do have a Burrow coffee table and have been impressed at the durability of its finish.
posted by misskaz at 2:24 PM on February 4, 2024

blu dot chip chair? They offer a dark wood option. Uphosltery colors aren't quite saturated, but close. The fabric might be cat-claw temptation though.

You might like to look at blu dot's selection in general - they have some some nice designs (I can't personally speak to durability though, I've merely appreciated from afar.)
posted by marlys at 2:32 PM on February 4, 2024

I don’t have a link for you, but a search tip. My walnut TV stand is manufactured with black lacquered metal legs, it looks great. I encourage you to include black + upholstery items in your search.
posted by shock muppet at 2:34 PM on February 4, 2024 [1 favorite]

I have the Feast mid century modern upholstered chairs from Article and I think they’d look great with your table. Mine are 4 years old and holding up pretty well - I think they’re about as good as you’ll get comfort and durability-wise for something at the $300-ish price point.
posted by A Blue Moon at 3:07 PM on February 4, 2024

I have a nearly identical dining table and have been very happy with these chairs in the gray fabric, which is a nice smooth tweed-y texture. The legs and chair base are solid wood. They are incredibly comfortable. The seat is wide and deep enough for me to sit criss-crossed with my feet up (and I have pretty long legs), and the chairs themselves are sturdy.

I originally wanted chairs in your exact color palette but couldn’t find any that fit these seat and height dimensions, so instead I went with a teal rug and colorful dishes for some variety.
posted by perpetual color at 3:16 PM on February 4, 2024 [1 favorite]

I came to recommend the Parson's chair from Wayfair and see that perpetual colour has beaten me to it. Mine are blue and look great with my walnut table.
posted by rpfields at 5:38 PM on February 4, 2024

I have these walnut veneer chairs from West Elm. I've got cats and didn't want anything with fabric or leather so there would be less stuff to get scratched up.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:58 PM on February 4, 2024

a good source of inspiration, kai christensen made /makes incredibly comfortable danish modern chairs. I love the no 42 - incredibly comfortable, as the back pivots as you shift around, so there is always support. the arm rests are also more like elbow rests - there is you want them but otherwise innocuous.
The no 42 has many admirers around the world, who have used this design for inspiration. have a google to see if there are any local people.

looking for replicas
posted by insomniax at 1:51 PM on February 5, 2024

Solid walnut will hopefully match - walnut is often clear-coated instead of stained.

These come in a saturated blue option.

This could fit the bill.

This is nice looking and on sale.
posted by amaire at 11:58 AM on February 6, 2024