How to Get Designer Button Back Dining Chair Style for Less

You can get the designer button back look without designer spending by focusing on the details that make these chairs look expensive: deep, evenly spaced buttons, a well shaped back, good quality fabric and proportions that suit your table. Many of the refined chairs seen in hotel restaurants and interiors magazines rely on those same features, and they are all things you can check for yourself when choosing.

The trick is knowing where the quality really shows and where it does not. Below we look at what gives a button back chair its high end character, how to spot a well made piece, and how to style it so the whole room feels considered.

Why Button Back Chairs Look So Refined

Buttoning is an old upholstery technique. It was originally used to hold padding in place on sofas and chairs, long before foam existed. Over time, it became a decorative feature in its own right, associated with gentlemen’s clubs, grand dining rooms and classic Chesterfield seating.

That history is part of the appeal. A buttoned backrest instantly suggests craftsmanship, even on a simple modern frame. The regular pattern of buttons catches the light, adds depth to the fabric and gives the chair a tailored look that plain upholstery does not have.

Contemporary designs have simplified the idea. Instead of heavy, dark leather, you now see buttoning on slim, curved backs in velvet, linen, boucle and faux leather, often raised on brushed metal or tapered wooden legs. The effect is lighter and fits comfortably into modern homes.

The Details That Signal Quality

When a chair looks luxurious in a photograph but disappointing in person, it is usually down to one of the following. These are the areas to look at closely.

Button Depth and Spacing

On a well made chair, the buttons sit in soft, clearly defined dimples and are spaced evenly across the back. The fabric folds neatly between them. Shallow buttons that barely indent the padding tend to look flat and can work loose. Uneven spacing is easy to spot once you look for it, and it makes a chair appear hurried.

The Shape of the Back

A gently curved back that wraps slightly around the shoulders looks more expensive than a flat rectangle. It is also more comfortable. Look at the chair from the side as well as the front: a subtle backward tilt and a smooth line from seat to backrest are signs of a thoughtfully designed frame.

Fabric Choice

Fabric makes an enormous difference to perceived quality. Velvet with a dense pile catches the light around each button and looks rich. Textured weaves such as boucle or chenille add depth and hide everyday wear well. Faux leather can look smart but should feel supple rather than plasticky. Exploring our modern velvet dining chairs UK range is a good way to see how different pile depths and colours change the look of a buttoned back.

Legs and Finishing

The legs are often what give a cheaper chair away. Look for solid wood or sturdy metal, a finish that matches across the whole set and neat caps or glides on the feet. Brushed brass, matt black and dark oak all read as considered choices. Check that the fabric is neatly finished where it meets the legs and underneath the seat.

Seat Comfort

A deep buttoned back is only half the story. The seat should be firm enough to support you through a long meal, with padding that springs back when you stand up. A seat that feels soft and sinking in the first week is likely to flatten over time.

Where You Can Save and Where You Should Not

Not every feature needs to be top tier for a chair to look and feel excellent. It helps to think about which elements you will notice every day.

Worth prioritising: a solid frame, firm seat padding, neat buttoning and legs that feel stable. These determine how the chair wears and whether it still looks good in a few years.

Less critical: hand tied springs, rare hardwoods or bespoke fabrics. These are lovely, but a well made chair with a good foam seat and a quality woven fabric will serve most households very well.

It is also worth being flexible on design. A slightly simpler back with fewer buttons, or a single row of buttons across the top, can look just as elegant as a fully buttoned back and is often more comfortable to lean against.

Choosing Colour and Fabric for Your Room

Colour is where you can make a button back chair feel personal. A few approaches work particularly well.

Soft neutrals. Oatmeal, stone and warm grey let the buttoning speak for itself. These suit rooms with plenty of natural light and pale floors, and they sit comfortably alongside timber or white marble.

Deep jewel tones. Emerald, navy, plum and rust bring drama and look particularly good in velvet. They suit dining rooms that are used mainly in the evening and pair well with darker walls and warm lighting.

Tonal schemes. Matching chair fabric closely to wall colour creates a calm, enveloping feel that is common in boutique hotels. A sage green chair against sage panelling, for example, looks deliberate and restful.

If you have children or pets, textured fabrics with some pattern or a performance finish are easier to keep looking fresh. Our fabric dining chairs UK collection includes weaves that suit busy homes as well as more delicate options for formal dining.

Styling the Room Around Your Chairs

A button back chair tends to become the focal point of a dining room, so the surrounding pieces should support it rather than compete.

The Table

Round pedestal tables pair beautifully with curved button back chairs, softening the overall shape of the room. For a more formal look, a rectangular table in dark wood or stone gives the chairs a strong base. A table from our modern marble dining tables UK range, set with a row of velvet buttoned chairs, is a classic combination that feels polished without being stiff.

Lighting

Buttoned upholstery looks its best in soft, directional light that picks out the texture. A pendant or cluster of pendants hung over the centre of the table, set on a dimmer, will make the chairs feel richer in the evening.

Walls and Floors

Panelling, picture rails or a painted lower wall all work well with buttoning because they echo its sense of tradition. On the floor, a rug with a short pile keeps chairs easy to move while adding warmth.

Accessories

Keep the table styling simple. A single large vase, a pair of candlesticks or a low bowl is enough. The chairs already provide plenty of detail, and too many objects can make the room feel busy.

Mixing Button Back Chairs With Other Seating

You do not have to commit to a full matching set. Two buttoned carvers at the ends of the table with simpler chairs along the sides give a layered look that feels collected over time. Alternatively, pair four buttoned chairs with an upholstered bench on one side for a more relaxed kitchen diner.

If you do mix styles, keep one element consistent. The same leg finish, the same fabric colour or the same seat height will tie different chairs together.

Looking After Buttoned Upholstery

Buttoned backs collect dust in the dimples, so a regular pass with a soft upholstery brush is the most useful habit. Spot clean spills promptly with a clean, damp cloth, blotting rather than rubbing. For velvet, brush gently in the direction of the pile once dry.

Check the buttons from time to time. If one begins to loosen, it is far easier to have it secured early by an upholsterer than to deal with a button that has come away completely.

Rotating chairs around the table occasionally spreads wear more evenly, particularly if one or two seats are used far more than the others.

Bringing It Together

The designer look comes from good proportions, neat detailing and fabric that suits the room. Focus on those and you will have chairs that feel special every time you sit down. If you are refreshing the whole space, it is worth browsing our dining room furniture UK sale pages to see tables, chairs and storage together.

At Furniture in Fashion, we select modern button back designs in a range of fabrics and finishes so you can find a style that suits your home and the way you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are button back dining chairs comfortable?

Generally yes. The buttoning creates a gently padded back that supports the spine well. For the best comfort, choose a chair with a slightly curved back and a firm, well padded seat.

Do button back chairs suit modern interiors?

They do. Choose a slim frame, metal or tapered wooden legs and a plain fabric in a contemporary colour. The buttoning then reads as a tailored detail rather than a traditional one.

Which fabric shows buttoning off best?

Velvet is hard to beat because the pile catches the light around each button. Textured fabrics such as boucle also look good and are more forgiving in busy homes.

How do I clean dust from between the buttons?

Use a soft upholstery brush or the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner on a low setting. Work gently around each button rather than pressing into the dimples.

Can I mix button back chairs with plain chairs?

Yes. Keeping one element consistent, such as leg finish or colour, stops the mix looking accidental. Buttoned chairs at the ends of the table are a simple and effective way to do it.