Picking the right seat

Four classic designs that will suit a range of modern looks and lifestyles

KID-FRIENDLY

For busy families with young children who tend to experience messy dinner times, innovative fabrics such as smart luxe velvet carry stain- and water-resistant qualities, which are easy to clean and maintain and offer a tactile alternative to leather upholstery. The Austen dining chair, £279, Heal’s, has this option, pictured here in a Velvet Indigo finish.

EASY ELEGANCE

Natural leather upholstery is an incredibly durable choice and can last a lifetime with minimal care. Avoid bonded leather, which is a blend of leftover hides and will be much more likely to peel and crack without much use. The Stax chair by Bensen is a beautifully simple design – the mitred corners create the illusion of a continuous wood grain. £641, Viaduct.

STACK THEM UP

If you’re limited on space or have an extendable table, consider lightweight, stackable wooden designs, such as the Originals stacking chair by Ercol – a stunning linear design – so that you can easily extend the footprint within the room and accommodate more diners when needed. It was first launched in 1957 and is available in nine shades. £475, L.ercolani.

MODERN TWIST

In dining rooms that are used for evening entertaining or special occasions, choose dramatic and sculptural options, such as Tom Dixon’s Fan dining chair, which has a striking silhouette and will create a cocooning seat to relax and sink into. It’s a contemporary take on the classical Windsor chair. £1,590, Tom Dixon.