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Folding chairs are perfect if you've got limited space. They're also ideal for dinner parties, garden parties or home events, where temporary seating is a must. They come in a range of styles, from wooden chairs that wouldn't look out of place in any dining room to upholstered comfy foldaway seats.
With so much selection, it can be difficult to decide between each one. Luckily, we've put together this buying guide of essential tips to help you choose the right chair for your dining needs. Once you've taken note, head on to our ranking of the top 10 best folding chairs for dining in the UK. We've got some great products from popular brands such as IKEA and Habitat, available to buy through UK sites like Argos, John Lewis and Amazon.
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Table of Contents
Technically speaking, you can take any chair outside, but many aren't suitable for outdoor use because they're not weatherproof. If you want to use your foldable dining chair outdoors, it's best to buy one that's specifically been made for the garden.
Look for garden chairs made from treated wood as it stops decay and deters bugs that could cause damage. Eucalyptus wood is a popular choice as it has good moisture resistance and darkens with age. Of course, you can always buy an indoor chair and simply treat it yourself!
Coated aluminium chairs feature material covers to stop the chair from becoming too hot in the sun. Look out for covers made from a blend of polychloride and polyester. These are excellent for a seat cover as they're entirely waterproof, so you'll be able to leave the chairs outdoors all year round.
While you're here, why not amp up your home dining experience by getting a dinnerware set?
It's best not to take chairs outside if they're recommended for indoor use only. Indoor chairs are often made from metal, steel and various types of wood. Metal is easy to clean, which is perfect for dining areas that get messy. It's also much less expensive and unlikely to scratch.
Steel has similar properties to metal, but it's much stronger. It's an alloy that's not as malleable, so it's less likely to bend or break under heavyweight. Just make sure you consider the thickness of the frame, as thin frames will reduce their strength.
Wooden indoor chairs come in various styles and shades like beach wood or rubberwood. Many people think that wood generally looks better than metal or steel, and it can be painted for a custom finish. Wood is also sturdy and can support large weights, although it is more susceptible to wear and tear.
Decorate your dining table with our favourite table runners.
Upholstered chairs usually have a foam cushion on the seat or back that's covered in fabric, which makes the chair more comfortable to sit on for long periods. This is ideal if you're hosting a dinner party that might last well into the early hours.
Regarding materials, faux leather and suede are some of the most popular for upholstered chairs. Faux leather is easy to wipe clean, which is ideal for dining, whereas suede is soft and feels nicer to sit on, although it can be more difficult to clean.
Alternatively, some chairs that aren't upholstered feature a cover. These covers can be made from various materials such as plastic or rattan and make the chair look attractive and feel more comfortable.
If you often host big gatherings at home, browse our extendable dining sets so that you will always have enough seating for everyone.
Some foldable chairs come fully assembled, so they're ready to use as soon as they arrive. Pre-assembled furniture is ideal for anyone who struggles with D.I.Y, but it's also a great alternative for anyone without the time to assemble things themselves.
If you're willing to have a go at assembling the chair yourself, they'll be even more options to choose from. Even if you're not that into DIY, there's no need to worry as most self-assembly chairs come with full instructions and fixtures, so you should be able to put them together easily. They are also often cheaper than buying fully-assembled furniture.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners Rattan Folding Chair | £99.00 High Mid | An Attractive High-Quality Wooden Piece | ||
2 | Habitat Macadam Metal Folding Chair | £16.00 Low Mid | A Sturdy Chair Made From Durable Coated Steel | ||
3 | Charles Bentley Acacia Wooden Foldable Armchairs | £74.99 High Mid | Weather-Resistant Acacia Hardwood | ||
4 | Habitat Wooden Folding Chair | £19.00 Low Mid | A Sturdy, Slim Design That’s Easy to Store | ||
5 | Deuba Garden Dining Chair | £85.95 High Mid | Weatherproof Covers For Outdoor Protection | ||
6 | Bravich Deluxe Grey Beige Fabric Cushioned Folding Chair | £99.95 High Mid | Comfortable Chairs With a Padded Seat | ||
7 | IKEA GUNDE Folding Chair | £17.90 Low Mid | Practical Chair That Features a Safety Lock and Handle for Easy Storage | ||
8 | Stakmore Folding Chair Cherry Finish | £71.39 High Mid | Traditional Look With a Comfortable Padded Seat | ||
9 | Anika Home Paris Faux Leather Chair | £29.99 Low Mid | Faux Leather Upholstery That’s Easy to Clean | ||
10 | HOMION Padded Bar High Chair | £27.83 Low Mid | A High Bar Stool for Tall Tables |
This luxury folding chair has the best design on our list, putting it in our number one position. The contrast between rattan cane seats and black painted beach wood is stunning, making the chair look both modern and stylish. You definitely get what you pay for here with this top-quality product made by a family-run woodwork manufacture in Italy.
It comes fully assembled, so you don't need to mess around putting it together before you can use it. The chair is also lightweight, so it's easy to carry around and fold away, which is particularly useful if you're using it for additional seating.
If you're struggling to find foldable chairs that match your space, this design comes in eight different colours, so you should be able to find something that works. You could even mix and match if you want to buy more than one! The chair also features rubber feet to stop it from slipping on wooden floors.
The chair is made from metal, which is durable and hardwearing. Furthermore, it's well-made and doesn't squeak or rattle when sat on. This option really is of excellent quality, so will hopefully last you for years to come.
We highly recommend these gorgeous folding garden chairs if you're looking to dine outside. They're weather-resistant and made from Acacia wood, so you can safely leave them outside all year round. They even have armrests for comfort and safety while you eat.
The wood is FSC-certified which means that it meets both social and environmental standards - you can sleep easy knowing you're not damaging any forests while purchasing this product. They're also excellent quality and super sturdy, so will last you years!
Next up, we have a versatile chair made from dreamy beech wood. This sturdy indoor chair has an attractive light finish that looks wonderful inside, but if you want to add your own stamp to it, it can easily be adapted by painting or treating the wood so that it's suitable for outside.
It's fairly lightweight compared to other wooden chairs, weighing just 3.1 kg, and as it's slim, it's really easy to move around and store in any small space that you can find. Best of all, even though it's lightweight, it still can support up to 100 kg.
If you often find wooden chairs a bit too expensive, these aluminium garden chairs are an excellent alternative. Featuring a polychloride and polyester cover and treated metal, the entire chair is weatherproof. It's also easy to wipe clean and unlikely to stain.
The chairs also feature a reclining back, so you and your guests can really relax in the garden while sipping away at a refreshing drink. The chairs also have a wide back, making them fit a wide range of people. A great pick for anyone!
If you're looking to kit out a new dining area or host a large family dinner, this set of four chairs is the perfect choice! The chairs are upholstered with a slight cushion covered in soft fabric for extra comfort - you won't get a stiff bottom when sitting down on these!
Whenever they're not in use, you can simply collapse and store them neatly without taking up much space as they fold flat. While these chairs are not specifically made to be outdoors, they'd still look great for a garden party - just remember to bring them inside when you're done!
This unique foldable chair features a handle on the backrest, which provides a simple solution to carrying and storage - grab it by the handle and plonk it on a hook! It will keep things tidy and save you space. The chair is not only practical, but as it completely locks into position, it's also one of the safest options out there.
Sad to say, there's no protection on the bottom to prevent scratches from appearing on the floor. That said, you could purchase floor protectors separately to stick on yourself. On a positive note, it's easy to wipe clean, making it ideal for use in the kitchen or dining area.
At first glance, you wouldn't think this chair was foldable because it looks like a regular dining chair! The chair is upholstered, featuring a padded seat encased in suede, which is comfortable and provides a luxurious finish. All the benefits of a foldable chair while still maintaining a traditional dining room look!
Made from high-quality wood, this chair is certainly sturdy, and the dark cherry finish makes it look even more homely. That said, it is a little stiff to unfold, so you might want to consider purchasing some WD-40 to keep it lubricated.
This steel frame chair with faux leather upholstery is ideal for both kitchen and dining use. Unlike many folding chairs, this one was built for comfort. It features a padded back and seat and is curved along the back to provide optimal support. The faux leather is also easy to wipe clean and unlikely to stain.
Unfortunately, this product is a little flimsy and doesn't support much weight. Despite this, the chair has grips on the bottom to stop it from slipping, making it a safe choice if you have shiny laminate flooring.
Standard chairs are ideal for regular dining tables, but what happens if you have a bar or high table? Well, the solution is to get yourself one of these foldable high chairs! It has a seat height of 58 centimetres, so it will allow you to reach higher surfaces, and because the chair is upholstered, it's super comfy too.
This isn't the strongest chair as the weight limit is only 80 kg, and the metal frame is a little weak, however, this chair is perfect for petite guests or small children. There's even a bar at the bottom to rest your feet on, which is handy for those who aren't blessed with natural height.
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners|Rattan Folding Chair
No. 2: Habitat|Macadam Metal Folding Chair
No. 3: Charles Bentley|Acacia Wooden Foldable Armchairs
No. 4: Habitat|Wooden Folding Chair
No. 5: Deuba|Garden Dining Chair
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