Design Chairs

A design chair is more than something to sit on — placed around a dining table or tucked into a living room corner, it sets the tone for the whole room. At Diiiz, our design chairs collection covers dining chairs, kitchen chairs and accent chairs for every budget, in wood, metal, plastic or leather. Every chair is manufactured in Europe or Asia to strict quality standards, sold direct from the factory.

Looking for an office chair, a lounge chair, a bistro chair or an outdoor chair instead? Browse our full range on the Modern and Iconic Chairs collection page, with a detailed buying guide and design icons from Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen and Pierre Jeanneret.

How to choose the right design chair

By use: dining room, kitchen or living room

A dining chair needs to balance comfort with good posture support for long meals: a seat that's neither too soft nor too firm, at a height that matches a standard table (28-30 in / 72-75 cm). For the kitchen, look for easy-clean materials (plastic, metal, varnished wood) and stackable designs if space is tight. In a living room, a design chair can sit lower and wrap around you more, working as a decorative piece in its own right — a swivel chair or lounge chair fits beautifully here.

By budget

• Under $220 / €200: metal, plastic or solid wood chairs with an already accomplished design — like this organic and trendy wooden chair, this metal designer chair with cushion, or this Scandinavian-style wooden chair, all with genuinely refined finishes.
• $220-$330 / €200-300: premium finishes (gold metal, leather), such as this gold leather and fabric dining chair, perfect as a statement piece for a dining room or event space.
• $330+ / €300+: signature, more technical pieces, like this iconic swivel chair, built to last for decades.

By decor style

What material should you choose for a design chair?

Design chair: original edition or replica?

Many iconic models — a swivel chair on a central base, a wooden chair with a Y-shaped backrest — exist as licensed original editions at a high price, and as design-inspired versions made from the same materials but without the rights to the original designer's name. That's what drives the big price gap, even when build quality is often comparable. Diiiz offers, for example, its iconic swivel chair and its Danish-inspired wooden chair, built to strict quality specs (reinforced frames, certified fabrics) at prices well below the licensed editions.

How to care for your design chair

Caring for wooden design chairs

To clean a wooden design chair, use a cloth dampened with warm water and a mild soap (black soap works well). Specialist wood care products are also available.

Caring for velvet design chairs

Velvet design chairs are easy to maintain. Brush the fabric regularly in the same direction (velvet is a two-way fabric) to remove dust. Use a damp cloth occasionally for stains, dabbing the area first so the stain doesn't set into the fibres.

Caring for plastic design chairs

Plastic design chairs are among the easiest to clean. Just use the soft side of a sponge with soapy water to remove dust, smudges and grime — especially on outdoor chairs.

Caring for metal chairs

Metal is also easy to clean. Wipe the chair down with a cloth dampened in soapy water and dry it immediately, taking care not to scratch the finish.

Caring for leather design chairs

Leather needs a little more care. Use a cleansing or moisturising milk to nourish the leather and lift stains. For set-in stains, try a sponge with water and a touch of vinegar. Always patch test a new product on a small, hidden area first.

The most iconic design chair models

• Dizo wooden chair: solid ash and woven cane, Y-shaped backrest inspired by Scandinavian design — a timeless classic.
• Curvetto organic and trendy wooden chair: clean Japandi lines, bouclé wool seat, a safe bet for a warm interior.
• Tulip iconic swivel chair: made in Italy, an instantly recognisable sculptural silhouette, pure mid-century style.
• Bettie metal designer chair: welded chrome steel wire frame that reads like a sculpture, chic and industrial.
• Veil gold leather dining chair: gold metal frame and leather seat, the most luxurious piece in the collection.

FAQ

What's the best affordable design chair?

On a tight budget, a metal designer chair around $220 offers a great look-to-price ratio. With a slightly bigger budget, a solid wood chair or a wood and rattan chair gives you better long-term value.

How do I choose a design chair for my dining room?

Check the seat height against your table (aim for a 10-12 in / 27-30 cm gap between seat and tabletop), go for medium-density padding for long meals, and pick an easy-care material if you entertain often.

Design chair vs. classic chair: what's the difference?

A design chair is defined by a strong aesthetic point of view and a recognisable silhouette, while a classic chair is built mainly around function. Both can be comfortable and long-lasting.

How much does a good quality design chair cost?

Expect to pay between $165 and $275 (roughly €150-250) for a well-made solid wood or metal chair, manufactured in Europe or Asia with contract-grade materials. Premium finishes (gold metal, leather) sit around $220-275, and signature, more technical pieces like a swivel chair often go above $380.

What's the best design chair for a small space?

Go for a slim metal frame or a compact model, like a metal designer chair, which is easy to tuck away and keeps the room feeling open.

You may also like

• Modern and Iconic Chairs — the full collection and complete buying guide
• Office Desk Chairs
• Lounge Chairs
• Bistro Chairs
• Wooden Chairs
• Outdoor Chairs