The right dining chairs depend on how you use the table. Swivel chairs suit open-plan rooms where people turn towards the kitchen or living area, faux leather wipes clean for families, boucle and velvet bring softness for slower dinners, and indoor-outdoor chairs suit alfresco areas and homes that move between the two.
Key takeaways
- Choose the chair type for how the table is used, then the colour and finish.
- Swivel dining chairs need a little extra space around the table so they can turn.
- Faux leather and tight weaves are the easiest to wipe clean after meals.
- Boucle and velvet feel soft and look rich but need gentler cleaning.
- Indoor-outdoor chairs are made for weather and work inside too; standard upholstered chairs are for indoors only.
Which type of dining chair suits the way you eat?
Start with the table’s job. A table that hosts quick breakfasts, homework and takeaway needs chairs that are easy to clean and move. A table for long weekend lunches and dinner parties can take softer, more upholstered chairs that invite people to stay.
Height and spacing still matter whatever the type: our dining chairs size guide covers seat height and table clearance, so this guide focuses on choosing between the types.
- Busy family table: faux leather or a tight-weave fabric on a sturdy frame.
- Open-plan kitchen and dining: swivel chairs that turn towards the action.
- Entertaining and long dinners: boucle, velvet or upholstered chairs with a supportive back.
- Alfresco or a dining area that opens to the deck: indoor-outdoor chairs.
| Chair type | Best for | Cleaning | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swivel | Open-plan rooms, kitchen-facing tables | Depends on the fabric | Extra space to turn |
| Faux leather | Families, everyday meals | Wipe with a damp cloth | Warm in direct sun |
| Boucle | Soft, relaxed look | Vacuum, spot clean gently | Loops can catch on rough edges |
| Velvet | Rich colour, evening dining | Brush with the pile, spot clean | Fading in strong sun |
| Indoor-outdoor | Alfresco and dual-use spaces | Hose or wipe down | Check it is rated for outdoor use |
Are swivel dining chairs practical?
Swivel dining chairs turn on their base, so you can face the table, the kitchen bench or the conversation in the living room without dragging the chair across the floor. That makes them a good fit for open-plan Australian homes, and they are kind to timber floors because the chair does not need to be pulled back as often.
Because the seat turns, allow a little more space between chairs and around the table than for fixed chairs, and check that arms clear the tabletop as the seat rotates. The Asti swivel dining chair in charcoal and black and the Asti in ivory and black show how a swivel chair can still look tailored at the table.
- Measure the space behind each chair position; add a little extra for the turn.
- Check the arm height against the underside of your table.
- Try the turning direction you use most, towards the kitchen or the living area.
Is faux leather a good choice for dining chairs?
Faux leather (often sold as PU) is one of the most practical dining chair finishes: spills sit on the surface and wipe away with a damp cloth, which is why it is popular with families. It also gives a sleek, tailored look that pairs well with stone, timber and black-framed tables.
The Fiore dining chair in black faux leather is a clean, modern example, while the Miso chair in solid timber and black PU mixes warm wood with an easy-care seat. Keep faux leather out of strong afternoon sun and wipe it with mild soapy water rather than harsh cleaners.
Boucle or velvet dining chairs: which is easier to live with?
Boucle has a soft, looped texture that makes a dining room feel relaxed and current; the Miri dining chair in white boucle with black legs shows how well it contrasts with a dark frame. Velvet has a smooth pile and deep colour; the Lex black velvet dining chairs suit evening dining and darker, moodier rooms.
Both are softer than faux leather. Blot spills straight away, vacuum boucle with a soft brush and brush velvet in the direction of the pile. If the table is used for messy meals every day, keep boucle and velvet for the end chairs or a second dining area and choose an easier fabric for the everyday seats.
Do black dining chairs work in a light room?
Black chairs are one of the easiest ways to give a light dining room definition. Against white walls, light timber floors or a pale table they outline the setting, and they hide everyday marks better than pale upholstery.
To keep black from feeling heavy, choose open or slim frames, or mix black legs with a lighter seat, like the Felix dining chair in cream with black legs or the Soren in beige with black legs. Repeat black once or twice more in the room, such as a pendant light or picture frames, so the chairs feel planned. For mixing two styles at one table, see our guide to mixing and matching dining chairs.
Can indoor-outdoor dining chairs be used inside?
Yes. Chairs made for indoor and outdoor use are designed to handle weather, so they also cope well with busy indoor tables, kids and spills. They are a smart choice for homes where the dining area opens onto a deck or courtyard, or where chairs move outside for summer entertaining.
The Pivot indoor-outdoor dining chairs and the Echo indoor and outdoor dining chairs are made for this. Standard upholstered indoor chairs are not, so keep them under cover. For the outdoor setting itself, read 10 factors to consider when buying an outdoor dining set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most practical type of dining chair for a family?
Faux leather or a tight-weave fabric on a sturdy frame is the most practical, because spills wipe away and the finish copes with daily use. Indoor-outdoor chairs are another easy-care option.
Do swivel dining chairs need more space?
A little. Allow some extra room around each chair so it can turn without hitting its neighbour or the table, and check that any arms clear the tabletop as the seat rotates.
Are boucle dining chairs hard to clean?
They need a gentler routine than faux leather: vacuum with a soft brush and blot spills straight away. For a table used for messy meals every day, boucle works best on end chairs or in a second dining area.
Should all my dining chairs be the same type?
Not necessarily. A common approach is easy-care chairs along the sides and two softer or more distinctive chairs at the ends. Keep one element consistent, such as leg colour or seat height, so the set looks intentional.
Can I leave indoor dining chairs outside under a pergola?
Only chairs made for outdoor use should live outside, even under cover, because rain, humidity and sun reach under most pergolas. Indoor upholstered chairs are best kept inside.
The best dining chairs are the ones that match how your table is really used: swivel for open-plan living, faux leather for busy families, boucle and velvet for slower dinners, and indoor-outdoor chairs for homes that spill onto the deck. Choose the type first, then the colour, and explore the Ele Living range of dining chairs to finish your setting.
