How to Spot a Keeper: Dining Chairs Edition

Keeper’s Dining Chairs Buying Guide

We often call the table the heart of the home—but it’s the dining chairs that let you settle in and stay. Whether it’s family lunch, a dinner party, or homework after work, comfort matters more than we realise.

Shared meals have real benefits: from boosting kids’ vocabulary to lowering stress. But too often, we fidget or shift without knowing why. A good dining chair invites you to linger.

Unlike tables, chairs support the body. They’re moved, leaned on, rocked, dragged—and expected to last.

So what makes a dining chair a Keeper? We asked four experts: makers from Marchmont Workshop, ercol, Kaplan 1934, and design consultant and craftsman Simon Haase, for their advice on what to look for.

This guide shares the seven questions to ask before buying and how to choose a chair that truly lasts. And at the end, you’ll find a curated selection of Keeper-worthy dining chairs from iconic designs to craftsmanship-led pieces built to stay.

1. Does this dining chair suit your life not just your room?

Before falling in love with a shape or style, consider your everyday life:

• Who’s sitting here—and how long? A family of five eating every day? A couple hosting often? Someone working from the table part-time?
• How often do you move them? Look for lightweight chairs if you tidy often. Ash and oak—used by Marchmont and ercol—are light enough to move easily but strong enough for daily use. Marchmont even steam-bends curves so wood fibres follow the grain, making the legs lighter and stronger.
• Do they need to stack or store well?
• How tight is your space? Chairs without arms or with a slim profile let you squeeze in more seats.

Let your daily habits guide you. Choose a dining chair that fits your rhythm, not just your room.

2. How does the dining chair fit with your table and your space?

A comfortable dining chair means little if it doesn’t work with your table or fit your space.

• Can the chairs tuck under the table easily? Tables with corner-set legs or stretcher beams may block chair arms or limit legroom.
• Are you working with limited space? Armless or slim chairs help fit more people around a tight table.
• Buying a table too? Look for pedestal or inset-leg tables to maximise leg and chair space.
• Need to squeeze in guests? Make sure chairs can be pulled in close without crowding knees.

Comfort starts with fit. Make sure your table and chairs don’t fight each other for space.

3. Can I sit here through dinner and stay for stories?

Too many dining chairs are chosen for their looks, not their feel. But the right chair should invite you to stay—through dessert, conversation, or homework.

Ask yourself:

• Does the chair feel stable and supportive or do you shift around?
• Is the backrest angled just right? A 10–15° recline (or 100–105° seat-to-back angle) encourages ease without tipping into lounge mode.
• Do you want armrests? They offer comfort but can make it harder to get in and out—especially in smaller spaces.
• Is the seat height right for your table and your household? If not, a cushion or felt pad might help fine-tune the fit.

Simon suggests: “If you’re not sure, test a few heights. Or add a simple cushion to adjust. And always check if the chair makes you feel relaxed—without slouching.”

Marchmont’s rush-woven seats shape naturally to your body and stay breathable for long meals. ercol’s Lugo chairs add comfort with shaping and armrests.

Comfort isn’t a luxury. It’s what keeps you at the table when the stories begin.

4. What kind of joints are holding it all together and will they last?

Dining chairs get more wear than almost anything else in the home. They’re dragged, leaned on, rocked back, and shifted daily. The joints—the quiet connectors beneath the surface—often determine how long they’ll last.

• Seek interlocking joints, not shortcuts. Mortise-and-tenon and wedged joints have been trusted for centuries. For metal dining chairs, opt for welded joints.
• Avoid chairs overloaded with screws. Screws on a removable seat are fine. But if the whole frame relies on them, expect wobbles and yearly tightening.
• Skip flat-pack builds. Even small shifts in humidity during shipping—or one misstep in home assembly—can weaken the structure.

Kaplan assembles every chair in-house, in a climate-controlled workshop. “The humidity is stable, the machining is precise,” they explain. “That guarantees long-term durability.” Their chairs use hydraulically pressed mortise-and-tenon joints, left to dry slowly—no shortcuts.

ercol uses wedged joints—legs passed through the seat and locked in with a wooden wedge.

Marchmont assembles joints almost without glue. As greenwood dries, the leg shrinks around the tenon. “It creates a lock stronger than glue,” Sam explains.

Whether through glue, wedge, or moisture-driven contraction—choose a chair whose joints are designed to last.

5. What finish fits your lifestyle and will you care for it?

The finish on your chair shapes how it ages and how you care for it. Choose one that fits your lifestyle.

• Natural oils let wood breathe and age gracefully. They’re soft to the touch and easy to renew. But spills can stain and oil finishes need occasional upkeep.
• Lacquer seals the surface, offering better protection from moisture and stains. But scratches are harder to fix and refinishing may require a return to the maker.
• Metal finishes should be powder-coated (not painted) if coloured—for better scratch resistance. Stainless steel lasts longest; aluminium resists oxidation and can be anodised.
• Upholstery looks polished but adds upkeep. Simon suggests: use a plain wooden seat and add a removable cushion.
• Rush seats offer comfort and breathability. Sam from Marchmont explains: “A rush seat will last 30 to 40 years if it’s taken care of. It’s water-resistant. Spill something? Just dry it by a radiator.”

A beautiful patina comes from living with a chair not worrying about it.

6. Will this dining chair still feel right in ten years?

Timelessness isn’t about looking “classic”—it’s about still feeling right after years of use.

Ask yourself:

• Is this chair honest in design or chasing trends?
• Will it still feel at home if you repaint the room or move house?

Simon put it best: “You’re not marrying a chair—but you are choosing how long it stays in your life.” He warns against buying cheap dining chairs you’ll throw out in a few years. Even recycling them takes energy and resources. Better to invest in one that stays in use or holds value when passed on or resold.

Kaplan spends months refining structure and connections before releasing a new design.

ercol’s spindle-back chairs date to the 1920s and remain in use today. Several dining chairs in their collection—spindle-back, turned-leg classics—date back to the 1920s. Their timeless appeal is matched by durability: “We regularly hear from customers who pass them down through generations.”

Marchmont still uses a reference chair from 1868 it’s never been restored and still holds strong. “It just works,” Sam says. And when something works for over a century, that’s not nostalgia. That’s good design.

7. Who made the dining chair and does it show?

Chairs are among the hardest pieces of furniture to get right. They must be strong but light, precise yet flexible, and comfortable enough for long dinners.

That’s why it matters who made them. Simon says: “The best chairmakers spend 300 hours designing a chair not five.”

Kaplan spent over a year balancing engineering and elegance in their Elica chair. “Some parts must be slim, others must be strong. You need to get the design right, and at the same time the joints need to certain construction so they stay for years to come.”

At ercol, some craftsmen have worked for decades, using machines from the 1920s because they still make the best chairs.

So if you want a chair that lasts, look for one of two things: a specialised maker or a time-tested design.

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Dining Chairs Worth Keeping: A Curated Selection

These aren’t just beautiful chairs, they’re pieces chosen to match real needs, thoughtful design, and timeless construction. Whether you’re working with limited space, prioritising comfort, or searching for a chair you can pass down, this selection reflects the questions and qualities from our guide. All are made in Europe, with care and longevity in mind.

Dining Chairs for Tight Spaces or Frequent Moving

If you clean often, host in a small space, or need to rearrange regularly, go for lighter, armless designs—ideally stackable or slim-profile.

Dining Chairs with Armrests (If You Have Room to Stretch)

Perfect for long meals in dining rooms with more generous space.

Time-Tested Designs (Pre-1960 Icons Still Made Today)

Heritage designs that still feel good, look good, and hold up decades later.

Craftsmanship-Focused Dining Chairs (From Forest to Finish)

Made by people who live and breathe chairs—with care, precision, and slow production methods.

Final Takeaway

In the end, what makes a dining chair a Keeper isn’t just the look—it’s the quiet decisions behind it:

A shape that fits your space.
A seat that supports long meals.
Joints that don’t wobble.
Materials that age well—and can be cared for.
Design that feels right years from now.
And the hands that made it with thought and skill.

Buy once. Buy well. And you might just pass it on.

And one last thing—don’t forget: “If you sit too long, it cuts off blood supply,” Simon reminds us. “In Germany, we say sitting is the new smoking.”

Enjoyed this guide? Read our Dining Table Buying Guide and subscribe to The Keepers for more expert tips, maker stories, and timeless pieces that stay with you—for years, not seasons.