The dining room table is a central staple in any home, but no dining room table is complete without the right dining chairs – and even more importantly – without the right chair material to make your seat comfortable and functional. Dining chair materials vary in price range, aesthetic appeal, durability, and comfort. These are important factors to consider as you browse to help narrow your search and ensure you find the best option. Below, we walk you through each material for dining chairs so you can make your decision with confidence.

Keep reading or jump to a material section:

Wood
Upholstered
Metal
Plastic and Acrylic

Wood

There are a few variations of wood materials to look out for when choosing a wooden dining chair. These variations affect the look, durability, and price range of the chair itself. Review these options to determine which wood material works best for your ideal dining chair.

Solid Wood

Solid wood chair materials include hardwood (walnut, oak, maple, and other tree species that shed their leaves) and softwood (spruce, pine, cedar, and other evergreen tree species). Solid wood comes from harvested trees, creating chairs that are naturally durable thanks to the trees’ dense, intact wood fibers. Therefore, solid wood dining chairs are the way to go if your top priority is long-lasting, durable pieces. Weigh the pros and cons of choosing solid wood for your dining chairs, below.

Pros:

• Durability & Lifespan: Solid wood is unrivaled in its strength and durability because it comes straight from mature trees. The strength and density of the wood fibers add to solid wood's quality composition. So if you're looking for staple wood dining chairs you can use for years to come, go with a solid wood material.
• Appearance: Solid wood furnishings feature natural wood grain patterns from the harvested tree. For this reason, solid wood dining chairs can add unique character to your dining room that you won't find anywhere else.

Cons:

• Price-Point: When choosing a wood material for your dining chairs, solid wood tends to be more expensive because it's composed solely of real wood, rather than wood composites and filler materials. However, this also guarantees the top-notch quality of solid wood dining chairs.
• Moisture-Resistance: The same wood grain patterns that make solid wood so durable and desirable can also become susceptible to moisture damage. Some manufacturers apply waterproof coatings to solid wood furnishings during the finishing process. For the best results, keep solid wood dining chairs indoors unless specified by the manufacturer.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood produces a more affordable alternative to solid wood – it is produced by combining wood fibers, sawdust, and other wood materials during the manufacturing process. Engineered wood includes manufactured wood products like plywood or wood veneer. Review these points to learn more about engineered wood as a dining chair material.

Pros:

• Affordability: This type of chair material allows you to get the wood aesthetic you want at a typically lower price point than solid wood products. This is because engineered wood products don't require intact wood slabs for creation.
• Durability: At times, the composition of some engineered wood can actually enhance its durability. Some furniture manufacturers reinforce solid wood pieces with engineered wood for this reason. Look for engineered wood chairs with a medium-high density of materials for the best results.
• Moisture-Resistance: Because engineered wood lacks the natural creases of wood grains, it actually helps prevent moisture from seeping through and warping the wood overtime. Therefore, engineered wood dining chairs might be a more flexible option for outdoor dining. Be sure to review a specific chair’s manufacturing manual before attempting outdoor use.

Cons:

• Overall Durability: Engineered wood still doesn't have the same across-the-board durability as solid wood because of its lack of the natural wood fibers that help to strengthen solid wood pieces. Low-density engineered wood furniture is typically the most affordable, but it might not last as long as higher-density engineered wood furniture and solid wood furniture.
• Appearance: Although engineered wood dining chairs and furniture can take on the appearance of solid wood, nothing beats the look of real, natural wood grains.

Tip!

Determine if a dining chair is made of solid wood or engineered wood by referencing the description tab on a chair's product page.

Wicker/Rattan

Wicker and rattan materials come from natural elements like bamboo, rattan reed, grasses, or willow branches, which make them a strong and stylish choice for dining chair materials. Review these pros and cons to determine if wicker/rattan is the right material for your dining chairs.

Pros:

• Appearance: Wicker/rattan dining chairs instantly add cozy texture and a touch of warmth to any dining space thanks to their intricate woven patterns.
• Adaptability: Wicker/rattan furniture can take on a variety of design styles through different weave techniques and stains. So whether you want a mid-century modern, traditional, or bohemian style, there's likely a wicker/rattan dining chair that fits your dining room aesthetic.
• Durability: Materials like bamboo and willow provide natural strength and durability, which is what makes wicker/rattan furniture such a strong and dependable choice for dining chairs.

Cons:

• Comfort: The woven construction of wicker/rattan dining chairs may make them less comfortable. However, this can be easily fixed. A lot of wicker/rattan chairs come with built-in upholstered cushions. You can also add a bit of your own style to wicker/rattan dining chairs with cushions of your choice.
• Price-Point: Wicker/rattan furniture consists of woven natural materials, which makes it cost more than other furniture materials. However, wicker/rattan’s durability ensures chairs will last for the long haul.
• Moisture-Resistance: Some dining chairs made of wicker/rattan materials are only suitable for indoor use. When in doubt, look for resin-coated wicker/rattan furniture to prevent moisture damage and warping.

Tip!

Want to achieve the look of wicker/rattan-woven dining chairs at a lower price-point? Look for plastic or resin chairs designed to mimic the look of wicker.

Upholstered

Upholstered dining chairs take the number one spot for comfort when it comes to chair materials. Fabric dining chairs encompass a range of options, including both natural or synthetic materials. Check out these upholstery options to determine the best fabric for dining chairs in your home.

Tip!

Use the "Search this Category" tab under the filters tabs on product pages to filter for cotton, linen, polyester, and other specific fabric dining chairs.

Polyester/Polyester-Blend

Polyester and polyester-blends are budget-friendly synthetic options for dining chair upholstery. Read below for more insights into polyester as a dining chair fabric material.

Pros:

• Affordability: Polyester upholstery is super affordable because it's human-made and widely-produced. This makes it even more budget-friendly than cotton! So if you have a tight budget for your dining chair upholstery, polyester is a great starting point.
• Durability: Polyester's synthetic properties make it extremely durable. Most polyester upholstery is designed to prevent wrinkling and fading overtime so it will always look fresh and new.
• Stain-Resistance: Because polyester is made using synthetic materials and plastics, it doesn't absorb liquid like natural fabrics. This makes it easier to remove stains from polyester furniture. Note: use baking soda to raise oil-stains from polyester furniture for the best results.
• Appearance: Polyester can take on a variety of colors and patterns for ample design possibilities. This means you can find upholstered dining chairs tailored to your interior design scheme.

Cons:

• Hypoallergenic Properties: Polyester upholstery tends to trap pet hair because of its static properties. You can use a fabric-safe vacuum attachment or a lint roller to remove pet hair from polyester upholstery.
• Pill-Resistance: Polyester and other synthetic fabric materials tend to pill more than natural materials like cotton or linen. This is because one or more of the fibers used to create the fabric has a weaker composition. The weaker fibers tend to come loose and cause the pilling to occur. There are special pill-removing devices you can use to get rid of pills when they start to form.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural material commonly used for dining chair upholstery. Keep reading to learn more about cotton material for dining chairs below and to help narrow your upholstery search.

Pros:

• Affordability: Despite being a natural upholstery material, cotton is a super affordable option for your dining chairs! This is because it's so widely available. So if you want the quality of natural fabric minus the high price, cotton is the way to go.
• Breathability: Cotton is a great breathable material choice for dining room chairs because of its natural fibers and absorbent qualities. This helps keep you cool and comfortable as you dine. A lot of outdoor seating has cotton/cotton-blend cushions for this reason.
• Hypoallergenic Properties: Natural cotton upholstery prevents skin irritation and keeps allergens like pet dander, hair, and pollen from getting trapped in the fabric.
• Versatility: Cotton can take on a variety of color dyes, which makes it a great natural upholstery choice for dining chairs when you want a range of options to choose from.
• Pill-Resistance: Upholstered dining chairs may naturally pill (accumulate loose clusters of fabric strands) due to constant contact with your clothing when seated. Cotton is less likely to pill than other fabrics because of its natural composition. Cotton blends may be more subject to pilling because of the presence of synthetic fibers.

Cons:

• Stain-Resistance: Cotton absorbs moisture, which is great for breathability, but also means liquid stains are more likely to stick. Remedy this by opting for cotton-blend upholstery. Synthetic properties help to increase cotton's strength and stain-resistance.
• Fade-Resistance: When exposed to direct sunlight often, dyed cotton can tend to fade. Ensure dyed cotton dining chairs maintain their rich color by keeping them out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

Tip!

Having trouble choosing between cotton or polyester upholstery? Check out Cotton vs. Polyester: Take Your Pick for more helpful comparisons.

Linen

Another natural material, linen upholstery gives dining chairs a fresh, breathable vibe with the quality to match. Look over the pros and cons of linen as a potential material option for your dining chairs.

Pros:

• Breathability: Linen upholstery has long, loose fibers that help to circulate air and keep you cool while sitting. This in combination with its absorbent properties make it a breathable material choice for dining chairs.
• Hypoallergenic Properties: Like cotton, linen is a great hypoallergenic upholstery option for dining chairs. It doesn't attract dust or dander, and it's antimicrobial (which means no odor build-up).
• Pill-Resistance: Linen is the best upholstery choice for long-term durability and pill resistance because it has longer fibers than those found in polyester and cotton. Therefore, if pilling is something you want to avoid, linen might be the way to go for your upholstered dining chairs.

Cons:

• Price-Point: Linen is usually more expensive than other natural upholstery materials like cotton, due to the growing process of flax plants and the creation process for linen. However, the result is unbeatable quality and breathable fabric.
• Stain-Resistance: The same absorbent properties that make linen breathable and cool can also trap stains in linen fabric. When in doubt, apply a solution of light detergent and warm water to stains and dab gently with a wash cloth until the stain comes out.
• Wrinkle-Resistance: Linen upholstery has a tendency to wrinkle, especially after getting wet. For dining chairs with linen slipcovers, you can easily remove wrinkles with a quick spin in the dryer. For unremovable linen upholstery, check the product care manual.

Velvet

Velvet is made from a combination of natural materials like cotton, silk, and wool and synthetic materials like nylon, rayon, or polyester. The result? An equally durable, soft, and luxe-looking upholstery material for dining chairs and other furniture. Learn more about velvet as a material below.

Pros:

• Appearance: Velvet upholstery has a luxe sheen that makes it a desirable dining chair material. It's also available in a variety of rich colors and patterns to help add interest to your dining room.
• Comfort: If you're looking for optimal comfort in a chair material, velvet does the job. The combination of silk, cotton, and synthetic fibers makes it irresistibly smooth and soft.
• Durability: Thanks to the help of synthetic fibers, velvet is a surprisingly durable furniture material. It's naturally wrinkle- and pill-resistant due to its tight weave, and velvet with polyester tends to be stain-resistant as well. This will allow your dining chair upholstery to preserve its appearance and quality over time.

Cons:

• Price-Point: Velvet varies in price depending on which materials it is made of. However, it usually has a higher price point because of its luxe look and feel.
• Fade-Resistance: Velvet can lose its color over time when constantly exposed to direct sunlight. Preserve the quality of dyed velvet dining chairs by keeping them out of direct sunlight when possible.
• Hypoallergenic Properties: Velvet can attract and trap pet dander and dust, so this is something to keep in mind if you have allergies. However, you can easily clean velvet upholstery using a vacuum furniture attachment.

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather dining chairs exude style and get better with time. Use the information below to determine if genuine leather is the right material for your dining chairs.

Pros:

• Appearance: Each animal hide is unique, so naturally, so is the leather upholstery that results from it. Leather undergoes a tanning and finishing process that makes it buttery soft and rich to look at. It also becomes more distressed over time, which only adds to the character of leather furnishings.
• Durability & Lifespan: The tanning process that leather undergoes helps to strengthen the material and helps keep bacteria from breaking it down. Leather can also undergo different treatments to make it waterproof or scratch-resistant. This makes leather a smart choice for dining room chairs you want to have for years to come.
• Hypoallergenic Properties: Leather is an impermeable material, which means no allergens, dust, pet hair, or odors can get trapped inside it. This makes leather an allergy-friendly upholstery material.

Cons:

• Price-Point: Genuine leather is understandably more expensive than other upholstery options because of the uniqueness of the animal hide, the overall quality, and luxe appearance of the material.
• Scratch-Resistance: Leather upholstery made with top-grain leather is usually more prone to scratches when compared with full-grain leather. Some leather products have scratch-resistant coats, or you can use leather repair products to minimize scratches.

Tip!

Check out our Guide to Leather Care for information on how to maintain leather furniture over time.

Faux Leather

Faux leather is a modern, affordable alternative to genuine leather upholstery. Read further to determine if faux leather dining chairs are in your future.

Pros:

• Affordability: Faux leather upholstery provides the leather appearance you deserve at a much more affordable price-point because it's made using human-made materials instead of animal hides.
• Appearance: When looking for leather dining chairs with a unique appearance, faux leather can give you more options. This is because faux leather is made from plastic and other composite materials that can be easily manipulated to take on a range of colors. So if you want leather dining chairs in untraditional colors, faux leather is the way to go.
• Fade-Resistance: Unlike genuine leather, faux leather doesn't fade in color over time. It can also withstand direct sunlight exposure better, due to its synthetic composition.

Cons:

• Durability: Although faux leather has evolved to be similar to genuine leather, it still doesn't have the same durability and lifespan. Faux leather can be more susceptible to tearing, unlike genuine leather, which has more elasticity.
• Hypoallergenic Properties: Faux leather isn't naturally hypoallergenic like genuine leather, which means it has potential to trap allergens and interfere with sensitive skin.

Metal

Metal dining chairs are super versatile, sleek, and durable. They can easily translate to modern, farmhouse, industrial, or traditional interior aesthetics, which makes them a flexible material choice. Below are two types of metal materials commonly used for dining chairs.

Steel

Steel dining chairs are visually appealing and super durable. They are available in a range of styles and designs to meet your aesthetic preferences. Learn more about steel as a material for dining chairs below.

Pros:

• Appearance: Steel furniture can take on a variety of finishes and color for a wide range of possibilities.
• Durability: Steel furniture is made to last, which makes it a smart option for staple dining room furniture. Its metal composition allows it to withstand daily wear and tear with ease.
• Affordability: Steel is a budget-friendly metal option because it's widely available and easy to produce. So steel is a good option if you want metal dining chairs at an affordable price point.
• Portability: Steel is a lighter metal compared to iron. This makes it a good type of metal for furniture you plan to move around or rearrange – like dining chairs.

Cons:

• Rust-Resistance: Steel furniture has a tendency to rust when exposed to moisture. Therefore it's best to keep steel pieces like dining chairs and other furnishings inside. Wipe up any spills quickly to ensure the surface remains dry. Look for stainless steel furnishings or those with rust-resistant coatings for added protection.

Iron

Iron is another common type of metal used for furniture because of its strength and versatility. Here are some important considerations when reviewing iron as a material for dining chairs.

Pros:

• Appearance: Like steel, iron can take on a variety of shapes/designs, colors, and finishes, so the possibilities are endless.
• Durability: Iron is extremely durable, which makes it an excellent choice for dining chairs and other furnishings that you use often.
• Affordability: Iron is typically more expensive than steel furnishings. However, it is still a more affordable furniture option than wood!

Cons:

• Portability: Like steel, iron is a heavy material. This makes it more difficult to move iron furniture around. However, this can prove a smart choice when selecting outdoor furniture because the weight of the iron prevents weather and other factors from moving it.

Plastic and Acrylic

Plastic and acrylic materials are a fun alternative to traditional furniture materials like wood or metal. Look over the pros and cons of plastic/acrylic materials for dining chairs to aid your decision.

Pros:

• Affordability: Dining chairs and other furnishings made of plastic vary in price depending on the type of plastic and secondary materials used. However, overall plastic furniture is typically very affordable.
• Adaptability: Plastic and acrylic furniture can take on a variety of furniture designs. Clear acrylic dining chairs are perfect for modern aesthetics and come in a variety of colors. Plastic chairs typically pair with wood or metal frames for added strength and visual appeal.
• Easy Maintenance: Plastic/acrylic dining chairs are super easy to clean. Simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove dust or drink spills. No spot-treating or other care required!
• Durability: Plastic furniture doesn't rust, rot, or break down like other materials like wood, metal, or leather. This makes it an ideal choice for dining furniture and other furnishings prone to food and drink spills or frequent use.

Cons:

• Comfort: Some plastic dining chairs have cushioned seats for added comfort or have ergonomic seat designs that add comfort. If not, you may want to add seat cushions to enhance your comfort when seated around the dinner table.

If you can't decide on one dining room chair material, you don't have to! A wide range of dining chair designs have a combination of wood and metal, wood and upholstery, or plastic and wood or metal in their construction. Browse some of our go-to material combinations below:

Tip!

With these chair materials in mind, it's time to choose the right chair size for your dining table. Review our Dining Chair Dimensions guide to select the perfect size for your dining table.

Browse for the perfect material for your dining chairs, now.