When choosing contemporary dining chairs, look for soft, muted colours such as sage, clay, stone, warm grey and deep ink blue; materials with texture, including boucle, velvet, performance weaves, natural oak and matte metal; and shapes that are rounded, sculptural and comfortable rather than rigid. The strongest contemporary chairs combine a clear silhouette with a tactile finish, and they sit comfortably in open plan rooms where the dining area is always on view.
Contemporary is a broad term. It simply means design of the present moment, which is why it shifts over time. Today it is less about gloss and chrome than it once was, and more about warmth, comfort and materials you want to touch. The sections below break down the colours, materials and forms that define contemporary dining chairs right now, with practical guidance on choosing for your own home.
Sage, eucalyptus and olive greens have become a staple of the contemporary palette. They are calming, easy on the eye and connect the dining room to the garden, which is particularly effective in kitchen diners with doors onto a patio. Green chairs work with pale woods, white walls and brushed brass details.
Warm, baked shades bring a relaxed, sun washed feel. Used on upholstered chairs, they add colour without harshness. They pair beautifully with natural linen, stone and oak, and they help north facing rooms feel warmer.
For those who prefer neutrals, the contemporary approach favours warmer versions over stark white or cool grey. Oatmeal, putty, mushroom and stone all look soft and considered. They suit rooms where you want the table, lighting or artwork to be the focus.
Ink blue, forest green, aubergine and chocolate brown offer drama without flashiness. A set of deep coloured chairs can anchor a pale room and give it a sense of depth. They are also forgiving of everyday marks.
Boucle has become a signature of contemporary seating. Its looped yarn creates a soft, cloud like texture that softens rooms full of hard surfaces. It works best on rounded chair forms, where the texture follows the curve. For dining use, choose a tightly woven boucle, which is more resistant to snagging than looser versions.
Velvet remains a firm favourite for its depth of colour and gentle sheen. Performance velvets, treated to resist stains and wear, make it more practical for everyday dining than traditional versions. Our modern velvet dining chairs UK collection includes designs in many of the contemporary colours mentioned above.
Chenille, tweed and heavy linen blends offer a relaxed, tactile look that suits both modern and more rustic homes. They are generally hardwearing and good at hiding small marks. Browse our contemporary fabric dining chairs UK sale selection for chairs in these finishes.
Oak, ash and walnut remain central to contemporary design, often used in simple, solid forms with rounded edges. Light oak brings a Scandinavian calm, while walnut feels richer and more grown up. Wood also pairs well with upholstery, so many contemporary chairs combine a timber frame with a padded seat.
Metal legs are still widely used, but the finish has changed. Matte black, bronze and soft brushed brass have largely replaced polished chrome. These quieter finishes feel more considered and work with a wider range of interiors.
Woven natural materials add lightness and pattern. Cane backs on a wooden frame feel breezy and informal, and they allow light through, which helps in compact rooms.
Curves are the most noticeable shape trend. Tub chairs, barrel backs and horseshoe arms all create a sense of embrace, making dining feel more like relaxing in a lounge chair. They also soften the rectangular lines of tables, cabinets and windows.
Low backed chairs sit neatly beneath the tabletop line, keeping sightlines open across a room. They suit open plan layouts where you want to see through to the kitchen or living area. They also look less formal than tall backs.
Chairs with arms were once reserved for the ends of the table. Now many people choose carvers for every seat, trading a little space for comfort. If your table and room are generous enough, this creates a relaxed, restaurant quality feel. Check that the arms clear the underside of the table so the chairs still tuck in.
Chairs with a continuous metal frame that forms a sled or cantilever base have a clean, architectural look. They also glide more easily on hard floors than chairs with four separate legs, and there is a subtle spring to cantilever designs that many people find comfortable.
The most successful contemporary dining rooms usually choose one feature to lead. If the chair has a strong sculptural shape, keep the colour calm so the form can be appreciated. If you want a bold colour, a simpler shape prevents the chair from becoming too busy. If the material is highly textured, such as boucle, a plain table and simple walls let it shine.
It also helps to limit the number of materials in the room. Choose perhaps three: for example, oak, boucle and black metal. Repeat them in the table, chairs and lighting so the space feels coherent.
Contemporary chairs pair well with a range of table styles, but a few combinations work especially well.
If you prefer to take the guesswork out of it, our modern dining table and chairs sets UK sale bring together pieces that have been designed to work with each other.
Sit on a chair for a few minutes if possible, or check the seat height, depth and width. A seat height of around 45 to 48 cm suits most standard tables. A seat depth of roughly 45 cm is comfortable for most adults. Wider seats and arms add comfort but need more space.
Consider how the chair will be used. For a busy family table, performance fabrics, faux leather or removable covers make life easier. For an occasional dining room, you can be more adventurous with delicate textures and paler colours.
Rounded and armed chairs often have a larger footprint than slim side chairs. Measure your table and allow around 60 cm of width per diner, plus clearance behind each chair of at least 75 cm.
Contemporary does not have to mean short lived. Choosing a strong shape in a durable material, with a colour that sits comfortably in your home, means the chairs are likely to feel right for many years. Bolder colours can always be introduced through cushions, table linen or artwork, which are easier to change.
Few of us redesign a dining room from scratch. More often, new chairs join an existing table, a favourite sideboard or a room with period features. Contemporary chairs can sit very happily in these settings, provided there is a thread linking old and new.
In a Victorian or Edwardian home, rounded upholstered chairs in a muted colour soften the formality of high ceilings and ornate cornicing, while still respecting the character of the room. Pair them with an existing antique table and the contrast feels deliberate rather than accidental. In a new build flat, where the architecture can feel plain, a chair with a strong sculptural shape adds interest without the need for many accessories.
If you are keeping an older table, take a photograph of it and a small sample of its finish when comparing chairs. Matching the undertone of the wood, whether warm, cool or neutral, often matters more than matching the exact colour.
Beyond the chairs themselves, a few finishing touches help the whole room feel current:
At Furniture in Fashion, we bring together contemporary dining chairs in a wide mix of colours, materials and shapes, making it easier to find pieces that suit your space and the way you like to live.
Current favourites include sage and olive greens, clay and terracotta, warm neutrals such as oatmeal and stone, and deeper accents like ink blue and forest green.
It can be, especially tightly woven boucle, which resists snagging. Regular vacuuming and prompt attention to spills will keep it looking good.
They do not need to match exactly, but they should share something, such as a wood tone, metal finish or colour, so the dining area feels considered.
Low backed, rounded or open frame chairs keep sightlines clear and help an open plan room feel spacious and connected.
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