The Best Affordable Dining Chairs (That Look More Expensive Than They Are)
As the king of your castle (apartment), you deserve a stylish, affordable throne (dining chair)
A dining chair can make or break a meal for me. That isn’t to say that all of my dining chairs have been top-tier examples of swish Scandinavian design; many have been rare curb finds, shoddy hand-me-down chairs, or just straight up floor poufs. The best dining chairs, however, should inspire a near-subconscious level relaxation. Sometimes, they can even stack and fold themselves away. But they should always encourage lingering and languid dinner chat, and bring some dignity to the head of the table.
As someone who has furnished several apartments of various sizes in the 12 years in which I moved around Paris and New York, I have had to be resourceful with both my budget and the way I use space. As much as I would love to spend my tax return on a flight of Brutalist dining chairs for a Beowulf-esque wood dining table, I sadly do not live in a kingly mead hall. I live in Bushwick, and my railroad apartment begets more budget- and size-friendly solutions.
I believe in mixing and matching. I think you can splurge on a prominent head-of-the-table chair, and then collect comfortable, more affordable dining chairs with time; as Stacey London once taught us all on What Not to Wear: things don’t have to match, they just have to “go.” Look for dining chairs with any or all combinations of wide seats, plush cushions, and versatile designs. Keep your eyes out for designer dupes, visit secondhand sites often, and remember that your bum deserves the best.
The best dining chairs under $100
This Japandi chair (that looks way more expensive than it is)
A pop of color
Keep tabs on vintage and second-hand picks
The best dining chairs under $200
A set of Cesca dupes
This Scandinavian-inspired chair
Give me ample seat space
The best dining chairs under $300
This Middle Ages Modern chair
Invest in a swivel dining chair
Soft around the edges
This Wegner Wishbone chair alternative
Now you’ll look really good sitting next to your best tablecloth.
