6 best dining chairs that are comfortable and stylish

With its open back, the Scottie proves a striking, design-led piece, but one that offers enough support where you need it. In fact, the curved wishbone backrest proves perfectly comfortable, as does the paper rattan seat. Crafted from solid oak with a light blonde finish, the dining chair brings a welcome Scandinavian cool to the table. Thanks to its simple design, the Scottie also tucks in and blends neatly, whether it’s paired with an equally calming light wood dining table or a contrasting rustic reclaimed wooden number. This one is sleek, well-crafted, and effortlessly stylish.

Sold in sets of two, these faux-leather dining chairs work out at less than £100 each and offer great value. Simple in form, with a continuous curvy and ergonomic shaping, the upholstered chairs are padded for extra comfort and offer excellent support for the lower back, enabling diners to sit for longer. The upholstery material has all the tonal variations and mottled visual texture of real leather, while the contrasting solid steel looping legs in black offer a slice of cool, industrial chic. Surprisingly real-looking and surprisingly comfy.

If you’re after seriously plush seating at your dining table, Oak Furnitureland’s Marlene hits all the right notes. As with all the brand’s wooden furniture offerings, this dining chair is crafted from a high-quality solid wood, yet, in this case, we only see the mid-toned, honey-hued oak legs. Upholstered in a rich polyester velvet, the ergonomically designed seat proves incredibly comfy, with both lower and upper back support, while the material itself is reliably hard-wearing.

If you’re buying a new table from the brand, too, you can get these chairs for half price.

Inspired by mid-century modern design, the Layla is an instant classic. Where true vintage dining chairs of this ilk are often upholstered in squeaky man-made materials, Atkin and Thyme’s take is seriously plush. Both the seat pad and backrest are given more depth than usual, and both are covered in a rich cotton velvet that feels luxurious to the touch. The dark, stained-wood frame is stylishly curved yet solid and chunky enough to give it some pleasing weight, and a feeling of being grounded and steady. A luxe update on a Danish original.

Designed to blend with the brand’s stylish wishbone dining chairs, bar stools and benches in the same range, Dunelm’s Lara junior dining chair is as cute as it is functional. Downsized to suit little diners, and with a raised footrest and wraparound backrest to keep them steady at the table, it’s one for design-savvy parents and kids alike. The woven cane seat is shaped for support, while the wooden frame is either a natural beech or sleek black for a pleasing contrast. We love this thoughtfully designed piece, which gave our little tester a proper seat at the table.

Combining laidback Seventies appeal with a cool, Scandi aesthetic is this generously proportioned dining chair, sold in a set of two. The Turner requires some very simple self-assembly with an allen key, to attach the seat and backrest to the tubular frame. Once put together, the chair gives instant impact, with its sleek silhouette and attractive contrasting materials: intricately woven PVC rattan is outlined in black wood, while the frame is a shiny chrome. The seat may look perfectly flat, but it gives a little bounce when you sit down, making it firm but comfy. We also loved the way the chair slides under the table, keeping the look clean-lined and fuss-free.

Although these chairs are currently out of stock, you can leave your email with the retailer to be the first to know when they’re available again.