Extra of us are entertaining at residence—whether or not it’s a fast weeknight pasta with associates or a full-blown backyard soirée—and meaning our eating areas are getting a bit of further consideration. Whereas I’ve beforehand reported that formal eating rooms are shrinking to create space for open kitchens, they’re not disappearing totally. Actually, they’re evolving.
Designers are seeing a shift towards hotter, extra layered areas that blend previous and new, and make you wish to linger lengthy after the dishes are cleared. The eating room is having a quiet glow-up—and it’s not nearly dramatic lighting or maximalist tablescapes. It’s about consolation, character, and (possibly most significantly) chairs you really wish to sit in.
To search out out what kinds are resonating now, we tapped 4 inside specialists throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Under, they share their go-to eating room chairs for 2025: the developments they’re loving, the timeless items they advocate time and again, and the silhouettes they’re shopping for for their very own properties.
What Makes a Nice Eating Chair, In keeping with Specialists
If there’s one throughline throughout all our specialists’ picks, it’s this: Consolation is non-negotiable, nevertheless it’s not the one issue.
“The way in which a chair helps your physique—or works in opposition to it—turns into obvious inside seconds of sitting down,” says Alyssa Anselmo, founding father of Studio Anva. She seems for chairs with weight—visually and actually—typically preferring classic items for his or her sturdy frames and high quality supplies like structured leather-based and actual wooden.
Meghan Shadrick, of Meghan Shadrick Interiors, echoes that stability between model and performance. “A eating chair have to be as trendy as it’s comfy to take a seat in,” she says. She leans into mid-century classic kinds, particularly Scandinavian and German designs, for his or her timeless silhouettes and just-flexible-enough buildings (working example: Marcel Breuer’s iconic Cesca chair).
Avery Neal, of Cedar & Oak Properties, provides that upkeep performs a giant position. She loves the Six Penny eating chairs as a result of the slipcovers are trendy and washable. “We’re all about designing properties to carry plenty of life being lived,” she says. “It encourages lingering over a do-it-yourself meal or paper plates with pizza huddled over a board recreation.”
Miranda Caldwell, a Toronto-based realtor and designer, suggests mixing textures in addition to kinds: “Ideally we’ve a smooth floor seating choice (one thing upholstered) along with a extra ‘exhausting’ floor, like a steel, wooden, or exhausting plastic (a chair, bench, or stool that’s simpler to scrub).”
Picture by Schoolhouse
What’s Trending in Eating Rooms Proper Now
Right here’s what designers are seeing (and loving) in shopper properties and their very own areas:
1. Eating Nooks Are In
Neglect formal—individuals are cozying up. Miranda says eating nooks are the vibe for 2025. “It’s nostalgic, informal, and playful in a way, however from a bodily and psychological perspective the eating nook appears like a protected house,” she says. And her very best setup? A eating nook sectional with an L-shaped bench that doubles as storage, a spherical desk, two commonplace chairs, and a stool.
Picture by Schoolhouse
2. Combine-and-Match The whole lot
Uniform eating units? Not on this economic system. Designers are leaning into the mix-and-match look, combining totally different chair kinds to carry character, depth, and a lived-in really feel to eating areas. “We actually love to mix totally different eating chair kinds in a single room,” says Avery. “Lately, we paired upholstered chairs on the ends of the eating desk with a wood vintage chair.” The outcome feels layered and intentional—and it offers visitors choices. As Miranda places it: “It offers visitors an opportunity to decide on their most well-liked seating format.”
Picture by Chase Daniel
3. Nostalgia, however Make It Contemporary
Meghan is seeing a return to acquainted varieties—suppose items that really feel nostalgic, however not dated. “I believe individuals are gravitating towards kinds they bear in mind of their mother and father’ or grandparents’ properties,” she says. She’s particularly drawn to trendy takes on Windsors, Thonet bentwoods, and Cesca chairs. The bonus? These designs aren’t simply trendy—they’re sensible. “The clear, easy silhouettes are actually well-suited for high-traffic eating areas,” she provides.
Picture by Schoolhouse
4. Sturdy Upholstery Is Again
Delicate but sturdy. Alyssa is seeing leather-based (and pretend leather-based) making a powerful comeback—not only for its stylish issue, however as a result of it holds up. “Structured leather-based, particularly, provides prompt polish with out being too treasured.” Meghan agrees. “For upholstered seating, I’m seeing leather-based or fake leather-based in various shades make a resurgence,” she provides.
Designer-Authorized Manufacturers to Store in 2025
The designers shared their favourite go-to outlets for chairs that ship on each type and performance:
Should you love trendy classics…
- HAY – Playful but sensible updates on iconic shapes
- Cassina – Italian craftsmanship with design-world cred
- Thonet – The unique bentwood legends
- Design Inside Attain– A go-to for genuine trendy design, together with licensed classics from Eames, Saarinen, and extra.
Should you’re crew classic ceaselessly…
- 1stDibs – A goldmine for classic Scandinavian and German chairs
- Chairish – Particularly good for mid-century gems and quirky finds
Picture by Schoolhouse
Should you’re mixing trendy with cozy…
- Six Penny – Delicate, slipcovered silhouettes which are completely washable
- Serena & Lily – Breezy coastal items, just like the painted trendy Windsor
- Schoolhouse Electrical – Streamlined Americana meets sturdy utility
- Rejuvenation – Excessive-end finishes and vintage-inspired shapes
Picture by Schoolhouse
Prime Eating Chairs to Purchase in 2025
Listed here are the standout kinds our designers really advocate—and those you’ll wish to sit in for hours:
1. Marcel Breuer’s Cesca Chair
Really useful by: Meghan Shadrick
Why we adore it: That cantilevered base has simply sufficient bounce, whereas the rattan seat provides heat. Bonus: It really works with just about any desk. “The tubular steel base is so clear, trendy and easy,” she says
2. Thonet Bentwood Chair
Really useful by: Meghan Shadrick & Alyssa Anselmo
Why we adore it: Iconic, compact, and completely proportioned. Thonet principally invented trendy seating—these are the ceaselessly chairs. As Meghan places 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
Photo by Alyssa Anselmo
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?
