We researched dozens of dining chairs from top brands, evaluating them on comfort, sturdiness, and style. Our favorites include options from West Elm, Tomile, Serena and Lily, and the Pottery Barn Aaron Dining Chair for its solid construction, easy upkeep, and five finish options. Here are the best dining chairs. There are five finish options, which are created using a layering technique and sealed with lacquer to lock in the stain color of the wood. In keeping with a Cottagecore aesthetic, these chairs are also slightly distressed along the edges.  You can order the Aaron Dining Chair with or without side arms to further personalize it to your dining room. The only hesitation is the high price, considering that the chairs are sold individually and not as a set.  Price at time of publish: $349 Price at time of publish: $179 Price at time of publish: $105 Choose between several leather colors and several metallic finishes for the base, customizing these beautiful chairs to match your style perfectly. Price at time of publish: $779 Price at time of publish: $328 However, the best part has to be that the Ripple Chair is stackable, allowing you to easily store away extras until they’re needed around your table. Because they are plastic, they can also be wiped down with soap and water, making them a wonderful option for homes with young kids. Price at time of publish: $195 Price at time of publish: $299 Price at time of publish: $229 The metal construction is covered in scratch-resistant paint, which is beneficial, given that you can stack them on top of each other for more compact storage. The chairs are hearty enough for outdoor use on a balcony or porch. Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $175 Price at time of publish: $119 Price at time of publish: $390

Material

Dining chairs are made of various materials, each of which provides a different look and feel. Wooden chairs are typically one of the most sturdy and versatile, as you can change their finish if desired. Metal chairs are durable but can have reflective properties. Other common chair materials include upholstery fabric, which is comfortable and attractive but harder to clean, and rattan, which will add texture to your space.

Arms

Dining chairs are available with or without arms, and you’ll need to decide which style suits your needs. Armless dining chairs take up less space than armchairs and are often used along the long sides of dining tables. However, armchairs are usually more comfortable, as they provide somewhere to rest your elbows and stability when you’re standing up and sitting down.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce, The Spruce Pets, and The Spruce Crafts. With a background in textiles and design, she’s an expert in selecting the best fabrics and furnishings for the home. For this list, she considered each chair’s dimensions, whether it’s available with or without arms, and the materials used. If cleaning wooden dining room chairs, you’ll still want to check the care instructions, but generally, you can use a small amount of mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth to clean them.