More of us are entertaining at home—whether it’s a quick weeknight pasta with friends or a full-blown garden soirée—and that means our dining spaces are getting a little extra attention. While I’ve previously reported that formal dining rooms are shrinking to make space for open kitchens, they’re not disappearing entirely. In fact, they’re evolving.
Designers are seeing a shift toward warmer, more layered spaces that mix old and new, and make you want to linger long after the dishes are cleared. The dining room is having a quiet glow-up—and it’s not just about dramatic lighting or maximalist tablescapes. It’s about comfort, character, and (maybe most importantly) chairs you actually want to sit in.
To find out what styles are resonating now, we tapped four interior experts across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Below, they share their go-to dining room chairs for 2025: the trends they’re loving, the timeless pieces they recommend again and again, and the silhouettes they’re buying for their own homes.
What Makes a Great Dining Chair, According to Experts
If there’s one throughline across all our experts’ picks, it’s this: Comfort is non-negotiable, but it’s not the only factor.
“The way a chair supports your body—or works against it—becomes apparent within seconds of sitting down,” says Alyssa Anselmo, founder of Studio Anva. She looks for chairs with weight—visually and literally—often preferring vintage pieces for their sturdy frames and quality materials like structured leather and real wood.
Meghan Shadrick, of Meghan Shadrick Interiors, echoes that balance between style and function. “A dining chair must be as stylish as it is comfortable to sit in,” she says. She leans into mid-century vintage styles, especially Scandinavian and German designs, for their timeless silhouettes and just-flexible-enough structures (case in point: Marcel Breuer’s iconic Cesca chair).
Avery Neal, of Cedar & Oak Homes, adds that maintenance plays a big role. She loves the Six Penny dining chairs because the slipcovers are stylish and washable. “We’re all about designing homes to hold lots of life being lived,” she says. “It encourages lingering over a homemade meal or paper plates with pizza huddled over a board game.”
Miranda Caldwell, a Toronto-based realtor and designer, suggests mixing textures as well as styles: “Ideally we have a soft surface seating option (something upholstered) in addition to a more ‘hard’ surface, like a metal, wood, or hard plastic (a chair, bench, or stool that’s easier to clean).”
What’s Trending in Dining Rooms Right Now
Here’s what designers are seeing (and loving) in client homes and their own spaces:
1. Dining Nooks Are In
Forget formal—people are cozying up. Miranda says dining nooks are the vibe for 2025. “It’s nostalgic, casual, and playful in a sense, but from a physical and psychological perspective the dining nook feels like a safe space,” she says. And her ideal setup? A dining nook sectional with an L-shaped bench that doubles as storage, a round table, two standard chairs, and a stool.
2. Mix-and-Match Everything
Uniform dining sets? Not in this economy. Designers are leaning into the mix-and-match look, combining different chair styles to bring character, depth, and a lived-in feel to dining spaces. “We really love to combine different dining chair styles in one room,” says Avery. “Recently, we paired upholstered chairs on the ends of the dining table with a wooden antique chair.” The result feels layered and intentional—and it gives guests options. As Miranda puts it: “It gives guests a chance to choose their preferred seating format.”
3. Nostalgia, but Make It Fresh
Meghan is seeing a return to familiar forms—think pieces that feel nostalgic, but not dated. “I think people are gravitating toward styles they remember in their parents’ or grandparents’ homes,” she says. She’s especially drawn to modern takes on Windsors, Thonet bentwoods, and Cesca chairs. The bonus? These designs aren’t just stylish—they’re practical. “The clean, simple silhouettes are really well-suited for high-traffic dining areas,” she adds.
4. Durable Upholstery Is Back
Soft yet sturdy. Alyssa is seeing leather (and faux leather) making a strong comeback—not just for its chic factor, but because it holds up. “Structured leather, especially, adds instant polish without being too precious.” Meghan agrees. “For upholstered seating, I’m seeing leather or faux leather in varying shades make a resurgence,” she adds.
Designer-Approved Brands to Shop in 2025
The designers shared their favorite go-to shops for chairs that deliver on both form and function:
If you love modern classics...
- HAY – Playful yet practical updates on iconic shapes
- Cassina – Italian craftsmanship with design-world cred
- Thonet – The original bentwood legends
- Design Within Reach– A go-to for authentic modern design, including licensed classics from Eames, Saarinen, and more.
If you’re team vintage forever...
- 1stDibs – A goldmine for vintage Scandinavian and German chairs
- Chairish – Especially good for mid-century gems and quirky finds
If you’re mixing modern with cozy...
- Six Penny – Soft, slipcovered silhouettes that are totally washable
- Serena & Lily – Breezy coastal pieces, like the painted modern Windsor
- Schoolhouse Electric – Streamlined Americana meets sturdy utility
- Rejuvenation – High-end finishes and vintage-inspired shapes
Top Dining Chairs to Buy in 2025
Here are the standout styles our designers actually recommend—and the ones you’ll want to sit in for hours:
1. Marcel Breuer’s Cesca Chair
Recommended by: Meghan Shadrick
Why we love it: That cantilevered base has just enough bounce, while the rattan seat adds warmth. Bonus: It works with pretty much any table. "The tubular metal base is so clean, modern and simple," she says
2. Thonet Bentwood Chair
Recommended by: Meghan Shadrick & Alyssa Anselmo
Why we love it: Iconic, compact, and perfectly proportioned. Thonet basically invented modern seating—these are the forever chairs. As Meghan puts it: "[They're perfectly proportioned for everyday use, and the bentwood offers a streamlined and sophisticated look with a nod to the past".
3. Carter Dining Chair, Serena & Lily
Recommended by: Meghan Shadrick
Why we love it: A modern Windsor shape with coastal flair. Painted finish, easy to mix with neutrals or colors.
4. Six Penny Upholstered Dining Chairs
Recommended by: Avery Neal
Why we love it: Comfy enough for hours at the table, but the slipcovers make them actually practical. It also brings in the right amount of warmth, especially when paired with wooden chairs.
5. Custom Mix & Match Antique Chairs
Recommended by: Avery Neal, Miranda Caldwell & Alyssa Anselmo
Why we love it: Curated, not chaotic. Pairing an antique wood chair with a more modern piece brings balance and uniqueness to your dining space. Check vintage shops or sites like Chairish.
What are you go-to dining room chair styles? Which of these are you loving?
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