The best dining chairs in Australia balance a comfortable seat height with a finish that survives daily meals, spilled sauce and the occasional dragged-back chair on tile flooring. A dining chair is judged on frame stability, seat padding and how easily the upholstery cleans, not on how it looks empty in a showroom.
Most sets fall into a handful of upholstery types: faux leather for easy wiping, velvet for a softer formal look, linen fabric for natural texture, PU leather for a casual or waterproof finish, and teddy velvet for the plushest budget option. Frame styles split between straight Parsons legs, curved cantilever frames and rattan-look bent metal.
A standard dining chair seat sits around 45cm (17.7 inches) from the floor, matching a table height of roughly 75cm (29.5 inches). Beyond that measurement, the details that matter most are how the fabric handles spills, whether the frame flexes under a heavier adult, and whether the set includes two or four chairs to match the table.
This guide compares ten dining chairs stocked by Australian retailers, ranging from wipe-clean faux leather two-packs to full four-chair fabric sets, alongside the best recliner chairs for anyone furnishing the rest of the living space at the same time.
Quick Picks:
Leather Parsons Dining Chair, Set of 2
A wipe-clean faux-leather Parsons chair that suits almost any table.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Velvet Barrel Dining Chair with Curved Armrests, Set of 2
A curved velvet barrel chair with armrests for the head of the table.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Teddy Velvet Dining Chair, Set of 4
A plush teddy-velvet set of four at the lowest price in this guide.
CHECK CURRENT PRICEBest Dining Chairs in Australia Compared
| Product | Link | Type | Best For | Key Spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather Parsons Dining Chair, Set of 2 | Check price | Faux leather | Wipe-clean family meals | Set of 2, powder-coated steel legs |
| Velvet Dining Chair, Set of 2 | Check price | Velvet | Small dining nooks | Set of 2, solid timber legs |
| Velvet Cantilever Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | Velvet | A curved, softer look | Set of 4, curved cantilever frame |
| Channel-Tufted Leather Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | Faux leather | Monochrome dining rooms | Set of 4, channel-tufted backrest |
| Linen Fabric Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | Linen fabric | Natural, textured settings | Set of 4, timber-look frame |
| Linen Parsons Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | Linen fabric | Muted, neutral rooms | Set of 4, high-back linen seat |
| Velvet Barrel Dining Chair with Curved Armrests, Set of 2 | Check price | Velvet | A statement dining set | Set of 2, curved armrests |
| PU Leather Rattan-Frame Dining Chair, Set of 2 | Check price | PU leather | Rattan-style decor | Set of 2, bent rattan-look frame |
| Teddy Velvet Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | Teddy velvet | Budget-conscious buyers | Set of 4, matte black metal legs |
| PU Leather Dining Chair, Set of 4 | Check price | PU leather | Large family tables | Set of 4, waterproof PU seat |
1. Leather Parsons Dining Chair, Set of 2 – Best for Easy Cleaning
This set of two dining chairs pairs a faux-leather seat with a boxy Parsons silhouette, the kind of shape that slots under most Australian dining tables without fighting the existing decor. The upholstery is stitched over a foam-padded seat and backrest, with black powder-coated steel legs that stay put on tile or timber floors.
Faux leather wipes clean in seconds, which matters more at a dining table than almost anywhere else in the house. The seat height suits standard-height tables, and the straight-sided frame stacks neatly against a wall when the chairs are not in use.
The trade-off is grip in warmer months, since faux leather can feel sticky against bare skin on a humid Queensland evening. A young family that eats messy dinners most nights will get more out of this chair than a household chasing a soft, breathable seat.
Pros
- Wipes clean instantly after spills
- Neutral black finish suits most table styles
- Sturdy steel-leg frame
Cons
- Faux leather can feel warm in humid weather
- No breathable fabric option in this listing
Key specs: Set of 2, powder-coated steel legs
CHECK CURRENT PRICE2. Velvet Dining Chair, Set of 2 – Best Compact Fit
Grey velvet upholstery covers this set of two dining chairs from the seat through to the backrest, with solid timber legs finished in a light natural tone. The proportions are narrower than a typical armchair-style dining seat, built for tables where floor space is tight.
The velvet has enough weight to sit flat without pilling early, and the timber legs give a warmer look next to a wood dining table than the more common black-metal-leg alternative. Two chairs slide in comfortably either side of a round table for four.
Velvet is not the easiest fabric to clean after a red wine spill, so a household prone to boisterous dinner parties should think about a protective spray before first use. Anyone furnishing an apartment dining corner rather than a full six-seat table will find the scale a better match.
Pros
- Timber legs suit wood dining tables
- Compact frame fits small dining spaces
- Substantial velvet weight, resists sagging
Cons
- Velvet needs a fabric protector for spill resistance
- Only sold as a pair, not a larger set
Key specs: Set of 2, solid timber legs
CHECK CURRENT PRICE3. Velvet Cantilever Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best Curved Silhouette
Four chairs upholstered in green velvet sit on a curved cantilever frame, the bent-leg design that traces back to mid-century dining sets. The curve absorbs a small amount of flex when someone leans back, rather than transmitting the movement straight into a rigid joint.
Green is a less common dining chair colour, and it reads as a deliberate style choice next to a plain timber or marble-look table rather than blending into the background. The set of four covers a standard rectangular table without needing to mix and match finishes.
Cantilever legs take up slightly more floor space when pushed back from the table than a straight four-leg design, worth checking against a narrow dining room. Anyone building a dining space around a specific colour palette rather than starting from the table itself should look here first.
Pros
- Distinctive green upholstery, not a common finish
- Cantilever frame flexes slightly under load
- Full set of four for a standard table
Cons
- Bent-leg frame needs more clearance than straight legs
- Colour will not suit every existing dining set
Key specs: Set of 4, curved cantilever frame
CHECK CURRENT PRICE4. Channel-Tufted Leather Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best for a Monochrome Table
This set of four chairs uses channel-tufted faux leather in white, the vertical stitched-panel look usually reserved for higher-end dining sets. The backrest runs the tufting from seat to headrest height, giving a taller profile than a plain-back chair.
White faux leather brightens a dark-toned dining room and photographs well against timber or marble-look tabletops. The tufted channels add a small amount of texture without needing a patterned fabric, which keeps the look easy to match with existing furniture.
Light-coloured faux leather shows scuffs and dark clothing dye transfer more readily than a mid-tone finish, so it suits a formal dining room ahead of a household with young kids and coloured textas nearby. A monochrome or Scandinavian-style dining room benefits most from the tall tufted backrest.
Pros
- Channel-tufted backrest adds a premium look
- White finish brightens darker dining rooms
- Full set of four included
Cons
- Light colour marks more visibly than darker finishes
- Not the easiest choice around young children
Key specs: Set of 4, channel-tufted backrest
CHECK CURRENT PRICE5. Linen Fabric Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best Natural Texture
Beige linen fabric covers this set of four dining chairs, built on a timber-look frame that leans into a natural, textured look rather than a glossy finish. The seat pad sits slightly firmer than the velvet options in this list, holding its shape after repeated use.
Linen brings a woven texture that most faux leather and velvet chairs do not have, and the beige tone works as a neutral base under almost any table finish. The timber-look frame legs match warm-toned flooring better than a stark black metal leg would.
Linen is more prone to staining than faux leather, so a splash of sauce needs attention sooner rather than later. A household that already leans toward natural materials, rattan, timber, woven textures, will find this set fits straight into that existing look.
Pros
- Woven linen texture, distinct from leather or velvet
- Timber-look frame suits warm-toned rooms
- Firm seat pad holds shape over time
Cons
- Linen stains more easily than faux leather
- Beige shows dirt faster than a darker fabric
Key specs: Set of 4, timber-look frame
CHECK CURRENT PRICE6. Linen Parsons Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best for a Muted Palette
Dark grey linen upholsters this set of four Parsons-style dining chairs, keeping the same boxy silhouette as the black faux-leather option earlier in this list but in a softer fabric finish. The frame legs are a matching dark tone rather than a contrasting timber or steel.
Dark grey hides everyday marks better than the lighter beige linen chair above, while still keeping the woven texture that faux leather cannot replicate. The Parsons shape means all four chairs stack visually as a uniform block around the table, which suits a symmetrical table setting.
Linen still needs more careful cleaning than a wipeable surface, even in a forgiving dark tone. A household that wants the tactile feel of fabric but is nervous about maintenance will find the darker colour a safer everyday choice than the beige version.
Pros
- Dark tone hides everyday marks well
- Uniform Parsons shape suits symmetrical tables
- Matching dark frame legs
Cons
- Still needs fabric-specific spot cleaning
- Boxy shape offers less lower-back curve than a barrel chair
Key specs: Set of 4, high-back linen seat
CHECK CURRENT PRICE7. Velvet Barrel Dining Chair with Curved Armrests, Set of 2 – Best Statement Design
This set of two chairs wraps black velvet around a rounded barrel back with curved armrests built into the frame, a shape closer to an occasional armchair than a standard dining chair. The curve wraps around the shoulders rather than stopping at a flat backrest.
The armrests are the main functional difference from every other chair in this list, giving somewhere to rest an elbow during a long dinner rather than holding arms in against the table edge. Black velvet reads as the most formal option in this lineup, suited to a dining room used for entertaining.
Armrests add width, so a table built for six flat-back chairs may only fit four of these comfortably at the ends. Anyone furnishing the head-of-table positions rather than the full run of seats gets the most value from this design.
Pros
- Curved armrests, unusual for a dining chair
- Rounded barrel back supports the shoulders
- Formal black velvet finish
Cons
- Wider footprint than a flat-back chair
- Only practical for two seats at a standard table
Key specs: Set of 2, curved armrests
CHECK CURRENT PRICE8. PU Leather Rattan-Frame Dining Chair, Set of 2 – Best Rattan-Look Frame
Brown PU leather covers this pair of chairs on a bent rattan-look frame, a warmer alternative to the black steel legs used across most of this list. The rattan styling comes from the bent-metal shape rather than actual cane, so it keeps the low maintenance of a metal frame.
PU leather cleans up in the same wipe-down motion as faux leather, and the rattan-look bend gives the chair a more casual, cafe-style presence than a boxy Parsons chair. It suits a dining nook that already leans toward a relaxed, indoor-outdoor look.
The bent frame flexes slightly more than a straight four-leg design, which some buyers read as comfort and others as instability on an uneven floor. A household after a casual breakfast-nook look rather than a formal dining set is the better fit here.
Pros
- PU leather wipes clean like faux leather
- Rattan-look frame suits casual dining spaces
- Warmer brown tone than typical black-leg chairs
Cons
- Bent frame has more flex than straight legs
- Sold only as a pair
Key specs: Set of 2, bent rattan-look frame
CHECK CURRENT PRICE9. Teddy Velvet Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best Budget Pick
Four chairs in plush teddy velvet sit on matte black metal legs, giving the softest seat texture in this entire list. Teddy fabric has a longer, curlier pile than standard velvet, closer to a sherpa jacket than a dining upholstery fabric.
The extra pile height makes this the most tactile chair here, and the black legs keep the overall look from feeling too casual for a dining setting. It is priced toward the lower end of this list without dropping the seat padding thickness that most budget chairs cut first.
Teddy fabric attracts pet hair and lint more readily than a smooth velvet or leather finish, worth factoring in for a household with cats or dogs. A first dining set for a share house or a rental, where budget matters more than long-term fabric maintenance, suits this chair well.
Pros
- Plush teddy texture, softer than standard velvet
- Full set of four
- Padding thickness matches pricier chairs in this list
Cons
- Attracts pet hair and lint more than smooth fabric
- Teddy pile flattens faster than tighter-weave velvet
Key specs: Set of 4, matte black metal legs
CHECK CURRENT PRICE10. PU Leather Dining Chair, Set of 4 – Best for Large Families
This set of four uses a black waterproof PU leather seat on a plain metal frame, built as a practical option for a table that sees daily use rather than occasional entertaining. The waterproof coating sits slightly thicker than standard PU leather.
Four chairs at once covers a full family table in one purchase, and the waterproof finish handles spilled drinks better than the standard faux leather chairs earlier in this list. The plain metal frame keeps the visual weight low, useful in a smaller dining room.
The trade-off is a firmer seat than the padded velvet and teddy options, since the waterproof coating sits over a thinner foam layer. A larger household juggling kids, pets and regular spills gets the most practical use out of the full set of four.
Pros
- Waterproof PU seat handles spills well
- Full set of four in one purchase
- Low-profile metal frame
Cons
- Firmer seat than the padded fabric options above
- Waterproof coating feels less soft than teddy or velvet
Key specs: Set of 4, waterproof PU seat
CHECK CURRENT PRICEHow to Choose Dining Chairs in Australia
Match the seat height to the table. Most Australian dining tables sit around 75cm high, which calls for a chair seat height near 45cm once the cushion compresses. A chair that sits too high pushes elbows above the table edge; too low and knees hit the underside of the table.
Choose upholstery based on how the table gets used. Faux leather and PU leather wipe clean in seconds, which suits a household with young kids or frequent messy dinners. Velvet and linen feel softer against bare skin but need a fabric protector spray and quicker attention after spills.
Count the chairs against the table, not the room. A set of two suits a small table or a pair of head-of-table seats alongside a bench, while a set of four covers a standard rectangular table on its own. Buying two separate two-packs in different finishes can look mismatched once they are pushed in around the same table.
Consider the frame shape against how the chair gets used. Straight Parsons legs are the most stable option for a chair that gets dragged in and out several times a day. Curved cantilever and rattan-look bent frames add a small amount of flex, which some people read as comfort and others avoid on an uneven floor.
Check for armrests only if the seating plan needs them. Armrest chairs suit the head of the table or a smaller two-seat setting, but they take up more width than a flat-back chair and rarely fit six around a standard table. Reserve them for the seats where an elbow rest actually gets used.
Factor in Australian conditions before locking in a fabric. Humid coastal climates in Queensland and northern New South Wales make faux leather feel stickier against skin than a cooler southern state would, while a bright north-facing dining room fades dark velvet faster over a few Australian summers. Anyone furnishing an outdoor-adjacent dining area alongside an indoor table should also see this guide to outdoor furniture sets in Australia for weather-rated seating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard seat height for dining chairs in Australia?
Most Australian dining chairs sit around 45cm (17.7 inches) from the floor to match a standard table height of roughly 75cm (29.5 inches).
Is faux leather or fabric better for dining chairs?
Faux leather and PU leather wipe clean faster and suit households with kids or frequent spills, while fabric options like velvet and linen feel softer but need a protective spray and prompt spot cleaning.
Do dining chairs need armrests?
Armrests suit the head of the table or a two-seat setting but add width, so most buyers reserve them for one or two chairs rather than a full set of six.
How many dining chairs come in a standard set?
Dining chairs are commonly sold in sets of two or four, with sets of four covering a standard rectangular table without needing to mix finishes.
Are velvet dining chairs practical for everyday use?
Velvet holds its shape well and looks formal, but it stains more easily than faux leather and benefits from a fabric protector in a household with frequent spills.
What frame type is most stable for daily use?
Straight Parsons-style legs are the most stable option for a chair that gets pulled in and out several times a day, compared with curved cantilever or bent rattan-look frames.
Verdict
For most Australian dining tables, the Leather Parsons Dining Chair set of two earns its spot through sheer wipe-clean practicality, while the Velvet Barrel Dining Chair with Curved Armrests suits anyone furnishing the head of a more formal table. Buyers on a tighter budget who still want a full set of four should look at the Teddy Velvet Dining Chair, which matches the padding thickness of pricier options here at the lowest price in this guide.
