10 Iconic dining chairs that design dreams are made of

What’s What’s the most important element of the dining experience? The table? The chairs? The food we share? Or the people we enjoy it all with? We’d argue it’s a delicate balance of all four.

As we’re focusing on what we know best (and having already explored dining tables) we’ve pulled together a “save me a seat” shortlist of dining heroes to sink your teeth into. These are the designs that have you scrambling (pun intended) for an excuse to gather friends and family to the table. The sort of around-the-table action that would have even King Arthur browsing the menu for a longer stay.

So, feast your eyes, prepare your moodboards, and discover below 10 of the most iconic dining chairs that your home could have.

When compiling a list of the most important interiors in history, a general rule of thumb is that if it was designed by Charles and Ray Eames, it usually makes the cut. From lounge chairs to wall racks, and even the occasional elephant, their work includes designs the world will never forget. In this case, the Eames Shell Chairs stand (or sit) as the very embodiment of the mid-century dining setting: shapely, subtle, and suitable for almost any space. After all, there’s a reason Vitra continue to produce modern variations to this day.

The aptly named Wishbone Chair sits high on the wish lists of design enthusiasts the world over. Nearly 75 years ago, it debuted as an instant icon, marking the beginning of Hans J. Wegner’s legendary collaboration with the Scandinavian masters Carl Hansen & Søn. Crafted through more than 100 artisanal steps, the result is a serene and stylish piece that wouldn’t look out of place in the dining rooms of Nordhavn.

A Knoll collection that needs no introduction by a designer of equal stature, Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Dining Chairs remain a timeless icon. Rooted in pure mid-century style and defined by generous sweeping curves, their sculptural pedestal base was Saarinen’s answer to what he called “the slum of legs” beneath the dining table. More than 65 years on, they endure as an award-winning, film-featured, retro-futuristic favourite.

As feats of invention go, 1955 was a golden year. Velcro was patented, the first microwave was introduced and, most importantly, Arne Jacobsen unveiled his magnum opus: the Series 7 Dining Chair. Unlike many of his other designs, it wasn’t created for a specific project, giving it a unique advantage: versatility. From the cosiest cottages to the grandest lecture halls of Oxford, Fritz Hansen’s finest remains an essential wherever Scandinavian design is celebrated.

Much like the band, once Gubi’s Beetle Dining Chair was discovered by the design world, its popularity soared. A true line-blurrer, it transcends genres of interior design, adapting effortlessly to countless styles and settings. In our showroom, its many variations have been among the longest-standing features in an ever-evolving display. Why? First, because it works seamlessly with almost everything. And second, because ten years after GamFratesi first designed it, it remains exactly what furniture lovers want.

The 0414 Chair by Gallotti & Radice is where curves meet comfort. One of the more detail-oriented designs on this list, it features a series of strong pillars that frame a softly upholstered seat, forming a perfect partnership of engineering and elegance. Designed in-house by Studio G&R, this piece has remained in the same safe pair of hands throughout the entire production process, making it a true labour of love for the Italian manufacturing giants.

Sometimes tributes to legends become themselves legend. This is true of the Kartell Masters Dining Chair. If this piece of furniture looks a little familiar that's because you've already seen it. A monument to the classics of the design world, the seating solution is shaped from the silhouette's of the aforementioned Series 7, Tulip & Shell Chairs. While inspired by timeless greats, Philippe Starck's chair became its own design hero when winning a Red Dot award in 2013.

 Thonet are celebrated for one thing above all others: creating smooth, sweeping shapes out of materials that are traditionally the opposite. While their forte is wooden wonders, they're also partial custodians of Marcel Breuer's metal masterpieces, more specifically for the sake of this list the S64 Dining Chair. Tubular steel sculpted into a cantilever base balances decades of history and bauhaus brilliance on its surface

Depending on the size of the family (or the meal) you can spend more time at the dining table than you'd expect. This is why a Poltrona Frau-level comfort is also a key factor in your choice of seat at the table. The Archibald is, in essence, a lounge chair tailored to the proportions of dining. Plush, inviting and destined to keep you seated long into the night, it’s a design made for savouring moments with your nearest and dearest.

From one end of the leather spectrum to the other. Imagine a dining chair upholstered in its own tailored jacket, with sleeves made to measure and sleek style to match. This is why the Cab Dining Chair by Cassina is the definition of debonair. No excess, just saddle leather and signature suave presence of a furniture legend's genius, Mario Bellini.