The Best Modern Dining Chairs for 2022
/
Best Modern Dining Chairs
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are affiliate links in this post. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. I will only ever promote the products and services that I trust and 100% recommend. You may read my full disclosure policy for more information. Thank you for supporting my business in this way.
These chairs offer a simple and easy way to add both functional and beautiful features to your home. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best modern dining chairs currently available.
UPDATED: March 25, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Eames Dining Chair because it offers a modern design that is functional, comfortable, lightweight, and easy to clean. I chose these chairs for my own dining table.
A quality dining chair needs to be comfortable, easy to clean, and beautiful. This selection deals with all three requirements.
RELATED: The Best Bar Stools
Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a specific chair:
Materials
Most of these chairs are constructed from a variety of materials that provide both the structure and the seating surfaces. The back of the chair can be made from wood, polypropylene, or metal to provide a rigid structure. The seats are often a continuation of the back materials, so wood and polypropylene are common. Fabrics can offer breathability and a soft texture.
Chair Legs
The legs of a dining chair are a critical component of the design because they are often subjected to the most stress. As a result, most legs are constructed from metal or wood to provide a rigid and strong base. Cross bracing between the legs offers additional support to prevent movement and provide rigidity.
I feel like I shouldn’t have to mention it, but for the sake of your beautiful new chair, please don’t lean back in it. This puts all of your weight on the two back legs and can cause damage or a collapse. Not only is this potentially the end for the chair but it also isn’t great for you either.
Seat Height
The seat height of each chair will vary based on the manufacturer and the specific model. The standard range is from approximately 16 inches up to around 19 inches. Depending on your height and personal preferences you may wish to go with a higher or lower option.
Check the seat height of any existing chairs you have to see how it feels. The ideal ergonomic seating position is when your neck and torso are vertical, with your upper legs horizontal, and your lower legs vertical, with your feet on the floor.
Cleaning
By definition, dining chairs are often placed in areas for eating and drinking so it is important to consider the stain resistance of the materials. It becomes a balance between interior design and practicality. For example, a fabric-covered seat may fit well with your kitchen aesthetic but not your kid’s eating habits.
I personally love polypropylene as it offers a modern simple appearance and is extremely easy to clean. Polypropylene is immune to spills and just wipes right off. It will also not warp, crack, or fade over time as can happen with wood.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Where will you be placing these chairs? If you a putting them in an indoor dining room you are free to choose whatever material works with the space. I love to dine outside, however, if you are placing the chairs outdoors, take into consideration the weather conditions in your area.
Typically the best material to go with for durability is simply painted or coated steel. This offers protection from the elements and can survive for long periods outside. It is best if possible to store them in a protected area if they will not be in use during winter. This will help to prolong the life of the finish and material.
Avoid using chairs with fabric or wood outdoors unless specifically designed to be used outside as these will fade and deteriorate over time.
Chair Weight
Since you are constantly moving these chairs around, taking the total weight into consideration is important. Some of these chairs weigh as little as seven pounds each while others are 20+ pounds. The lighter the chair the easier it is to slide back when getting up and to arrange around the table.
The construction materials of the chair will have a major impact on the overall weight. Generally speaking, the more metal components the heavier it will be. On the other hand, a material such as polypropylene offers a strong yet lightweight structure. Depending on the thickness and species of wood it can range from light to heavy.
Weight Limit
The manufacturers will provide a maximum weight limit in the chair's product description. This is a rating that should not be exceeded for the safety of the user. The standard weight limit is typically around 250 to 300 pounds.
Protective Feet
Most chairs will include protective feet at the bottom of the legs that prevent floor scratches. These are typically made from fabric or rubber to reduce marring, particularly on wood floors. If the chair you decide to go with does not include these protective feet you can always just pick up a set at your local hardware or big box store. They will usually just attach with a sticky adhesive backing or with a nail for wooden legs.
Storage
If you are going to be storing the chairs regularly, an important feature to look out for is whether they stack. This can greatly cut down the space needed to store them, making it possible to fit several in a closet.
Now, on to the individual products. I’ve compiled a list of the top models available from well-known manufacturers, most notably, Herman Miller. Each unit has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
So here is my list of The Best Modern Dining Chairs for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair
The Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This is the set I have for my personal dining table.
Features a biomorphic form that is not only comfortable but also easy to clean.
Made of durable, 100 percent recyclable polypropylene.
Features a subtly textured finish that provides a slight grip when sitting.
Available in a range of colors and base options including wood and wire legs.
Offers a lightweight design that makes them easy to move around.
Includes protective feet that prevent floor scratches.
Runner-up: Eames Molded Plywood Dining Chair (DCW)
The Eames molded plywood dining chair was once hailed by Time magazine as the “Best Design of the 20th Century”.
The iconic DCW or “Dining Chair Wood” (1946) began as an experiment in the Eames’ apartment, where they were molding plywood in what they called the “Kazam! Machine.”
Crafted with a molded seat and back from the same molded plywood.
Provides support in a comfortable ergonomic position.
Equipped with rubber shock mounts buffer against jarring movement.
Best Eames Reproduction: Furmax Modern Dining Chair
The Furmax Modern Dining Chair features a matte finish one-piece seat and back design for comfort and easy cleaning.
Includes sturdy steel frame design for long-lasting use.
Ergonomic formed polypropylene seat material.
Includes plastic feet to protect the floor from scratches.
Features a seat height of 16.5 inches.
Weighs 7.5 pounds each.
Comes as a set of four.
Best Fabric Option: CangLong Dining Chairs
The CangLong Dining Chairs feature an X-design leg mount for sturdiness and quick assembly.
Features a seat and chair back that are wrapped in fabric with a simple seam at the base of the back for a refined appearance.
Equipped with metal legs with a wood-look that includes rubber feet to reduce the risk of floor scratches on hard surfaces.
Weighs 9.28 pounds each.
Comes as a set of four.
Available in a range of colors to suit your interior home decor.
Best Budget Option: Monarch Specialties Dining Chair
The Monarch Specialties Dining Chair features a curved back design.
Covered in a white leather-look material.
Include a cushioned seat for comfort.
Features a U-shaped chrome metal base.
Includes two accent stitch rows on the back of the chair.
Features a 19” seat height.
Comes as a set of two.
Best Hybrid Design: Magis Steelwood Dining Chair
The Magis Steelwood Dining Chair by French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.
Features materials that offer both a durable and long-lasting design.
Available in several different wood and metal combinations to match the interior design.
Note that this chair weighs 21 pounds so it is quite heavy compared to other options.
Features a seat height of 18 inches.
Best Lightweight Design: Eames Wire with Bikini Pad Dowel Dining Chair
The Eames Wire with Bikini Pad Dowel Dining Chair is an iteration of the single-shell wire Eames Shell Chair.
Equipped with a crisscross two-piece “bikini” that offers an unexpected and unique perspective on the traditional form.
Features back and seat pads that are available in a variety of colors.
Offers a unique design that maximizes both lightness and strength for a long-lasting chair.
Best All-Metal Design: Tolix Marais A Chair Dining Chair
The metalworker Xavier Pauchard was ahead of his time when he took the process of galvanizing steel to the next level by creating the Marais A Chair in 1934.
Features a design that became an iconic cafe chair it offers both strength and elegance.
Equipped with surface abrasions and markings for a weathered design aesthetic.
Made in France.
Offers a stackable design up to ten units high.
Best Classic Design: CH36 Side Dining Chair
For 58 years, Danish designer Hans Wegner conceived iconic furniture for Carl Hansen & Søn, the same company that continues to produce these same chairs today. Wegner was a gifted designer that was able to create durable yet lightweight furniture.
Features a solid wood frame for long-lasting durability.
Equipped with a classic handwoven paper cord seat.
Made in Denmark.
Best Premium Opiton: Møller Model 77 Dining Chair
In 1944, Niels Otto Møller founded J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik in Denmark. "My father never compromised on anything," says Jørgen Henrik Møller. "When he designed a chair, he would find the materials and then design the furniture. Each design took him five years to complete."
Uses hand-selected raw wood from environmentally friendly sources to form the chair.
Features a premium design that is polished by hand instead of by machines as is typically done.
Møllers is still a small family-owned business and is now managed by Jørgen Henrik Møller.
Made in Denmark
I hope this list of the best modern dining chairs was helpful, if you think I left out one that is important, let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, see also my posts on:
The Best Architect Lamps
The Top 50 Most Essential Architect Supplies
Good luck!
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Have a suggestion for a future blog post? Please let me know in the comments below.
