8 Dining Chair Trends to Try in 2026

Eight trends stand out in dining chairs at the moment: chocolate and cognac leather, a revival of tubular chrome, striped and ticking upholstery, deep burgundy and oxblood, skirted and slipcovered chairs, carvers at the head of the table, low backed designs for open plan rooms, and stackable chairs that are genuinely well designed. What links them is a slightly nostalgic mood, balanced by the practical demands of a table that now hosts work calls and homework as well as dinner.

Some of these suit a complete set. Others work better as a pair or a single statement. We have noted which is which as we go.

Chocolate and Cognac Leather

Leather dining chairs have moved away from black and grey towards warm browns. Chocolate, tobacco, cognac and tan feel inviting, and they pair naturally with the warm timbers and earthy wall colours currently favoured in British homes.

Leather is also practical. It wipes clean after meals, suits households with children, and good quality hides soften and deepen in colour with use. Look for stitched details, a comfortable padded seat and a frame that feels solid. Our leather dining chairs UK sale range includes warm brown tones in both contemporary and classic shapes.

Works as: a full set, particularly around oak or walnut.

The Return of Tubular Chrome

Bent tubular steel, often in polished chrome, has made a return after years in which matt black dominated metal furniture. Cantilevered chairs, which have no back legs and rest on a continuous looped frame, are a notable part of this. They have a gentle springiness when you sit down, which many people find comfortable.

Chrome brings light and reflection into a room, which helps darker dining spaces. It pairs well with cane seats, leather and tweedy fabrics, and with both glass and timber tables. The polished finish does show fingerprints, so a quick wipe is part of the routine.

Works as: a full set in a modern kitchen diner, or two chairs mixed with timber seating.

Stripes and Ticking

Striped upholstery has become one of the more characterful choices in dining rooms. Narrow ticking stripes feel relaxed and slightly country. Wider awning stripes feel bolder and more playful. Both bring a sense of pattern without the complexity of a floral or geometric print.

Stripes work well when the rest of the room is quiet, with plain walls and a simple table. They are also a good way to bring two colours into the room at once, for example a cream and rust stripe that picks up both the walls and the woodwork.

Works as: a pair of statement chairs or a full set in a simple room.

Burgundy and Oxblood

Deep red has returned in a sophisticated form. Burgundy, oxblood, claret and deep plum sit somewhere between red and brown, which makes them warmer and easier to live with than a bright red. In velvet or leather, they look rich and slightly traditional. In a smooth wool, they feel more contemporary.

These shades flatter evening light and candlelight, which suits a room used mostly for dinner. They pair well with dark wood, brass, warm white walls and olive green. If a full set feels too bold, try two burgundy chairs at the ends of the table with neutral chairs along the sides.

Works as: either a full set or an accent pair.

Skirted and Slipcovered Chairs

Chairs with a fabric skirt that falls towards the floor, or a loose slipcover over the whole frame, have a relaxed, lived in look that has grown in popularity. They soften a dining room and bring a sense of comfort that suits period homes and country kitchens.

Slipcovers have a practical side too. Removable covers can be taken off and cleaned, and some can be swapped seasonally. A pale linen cover in summer and a heavier wool blend in winter changes the feel of the whole room. Always check the care instructions, as not every slipcover is suitable for a home washing machine.

Works as: a full set, or a pair of skirted carvers at the head and foot of the table.

Carvers at the Head of the Table

The carver, a dining chair with arms traditionally placed at each end of the table, has come back into use. Rather than buying a full set of identical chairs, many people are choosing two armchairs for the ends and simpler armless chairs for the sides.

This approach adds comfort where there is room for it, since the ends of a table usually have space for wider chairs. It also creates a sense of structure and occasion. Carvers do not need to match the side chairs exactly; a shared colour, material or wood tone is enough.

Works as: a pair, always.

Low Backed Chairs for Open Plan Rooms

In large kitchen diners and knocked through spaces, tall dining chair backs can block the view across the room. Low backed chairs, with backs that sit around the height of the tabletop or a little above, keep sightlines clear. From the kitchen or sofa, you see the table and the room beyond rather than a row of chair backs.

Low backed chairs also tuck in neatly, making the table look tidy when not in use. Comfort depends on good lower back support and a well shaped seat, so try before committing if you can. If you are planning a new dining area from scratch, a coordinated modern dining table and chairs sets UK option can make proportions easier to judge.

Works as: a full set.

Stackable Chairs With Design Credentials

Stackable and folding chairs have long been associated with village halls. That has changed. Well designed stacking chairs in moulded wood, powder coated steel or recycled plastic now look good enough to use every day, and they stack away when you need space.

These are particularly useful in smaller homes where the dining table has to adapt. Keep four at the table and two more stacked in a cupboard for guests. They also make sense in rooms that double as a workspace or playroom.

For households that regularly switch between everyday use and larger gatherings, pairing stackable chairs with one of our extending dining tables UK designs gives a lot of flexibility in a compact footprint.

Works as: a full set, or extra seating alongside a main set.

Combining Trends Without Overdoing It

Several of these trends sit comfortably together. Cognac leather carvers with low backed side chairs make a relaxed but ordered table. Burgundy velvet and tubular chrome evoke a slightly retro, cocktail hour feel. Striped slipcovers and a scrubbed wooden table create a calm country kitchen.

A few combinations are best avoided. Stripes, burgundy and chrome together can feel busy. Skirted chairs and tubular chrome belong to very different moods. As a guide, choose one trend for the chair form and one for colour or fabric, and keep the rest of the room quieter.

Matching Trends to Your Room

The layout and light of your dining space will favour some of these ideas over others. In a narrow terrace dining room with a single window, chrome and cognac leather both help: chrome reflects what light there is, and warm leather keeps the room from feeling cold. Low backed chairs are less important here, as there is no wider view to protect.

In a large rear extension with rooflights and glazed doors, the opposite applies. Low backs keep the garden view open, and deeper colours such as burgundy give the dining zone some presence in a bright, expansive room. Skirted chairs and stripes suit period cottages and farmhouse kitchens, where their softness sits well against beams, stone and painted cabinetry.

If your dining table sits in a room that doubles as a home office, favour comfort and practicality first. Carvers offer the most support for long sitting, and wipeable leather copes well with coffee cups and laptops.

Thinking About Longevity

Trends change, but a good chair should last. When choosing, consider the frame first: solid construction, sturdy joints and a finish that will stand up to daily use. Colour and pattern are easier to update later, particularly with slipcovered or reupholsterable designs.

Warm leather, carvers and low backed chairs tend to have staying power because they solve practical problems. Stripes and burgundy are more of a style statement but can be introduced through a pair of chairs, which keeps them easy to change. If you are refreshing more than the chairs, our dining room furniture UK sale section brings tables, chairs and storage together in one place.

At Furniture in Fashion we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chrome dining furniture back in style?

Yes. Tubular chrome chairs, especially cantilevered designs, have returned, often paired with cane, leather or textured fabric.

Are carver chairs necessary at a dining table?

No, but they add comfort and a sense of occasion. Two carvers at the ends with armless chairs along the sides is a practical arrangement.

What colour dining chairs are on trend at the moment?

Warm browns, cognac, burgundy and oxblood are all popular, alongside earthy greens and rust tones.

Are low backed dining chairs comfortable?

They can be, provided they support the lower back and have a well shaped seat. Try them before choosing if possible.