“Every room needs a touch of black, just as it needs at least one antique piece.” – Jan Showers, Interior Designer

And your dining room is no exception – black dining chairs are an excellent way to introduce a dash of black to achieve the perfect pop of contrast and balance for an effortlessly elegant dining room.

Why black dining chairs?

Black dining chairs can transform a flat and bland dining room into a lovely and layered space.

Many are afraid that adding black to space will make it feel heavy, dark, or smaller, but the color black actually signifies simplicity and functionality as it coordinates beautifully with any style. Black dining chairs can add just the right amount of contrast without taking away from the lighter elements.

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Here are 3 things to consider when picking out the perfect black dining chairs.

1. Style

Black dining chairs can be an easy way to transform your dining space into something both fresh and timeless.

Spindled black dining chairs are a wonderful option for adding a modern twist to a traditional-inspired look, while cane and rattan styles lend a more casual and coastal feel. For something sleek and polished, all-black curved and exposed styles open up your space while adding an undeniable class (as well as peace of mind) to any design.

Captain Chairs

One fun option for incorporating black dining chairs into your design is through black captain chairs. While a full set of matching chairs gives a cohesive and formal look to your dining area, mixing in a varied style as captains chairs adds interest and dimension. 

Choose chairs with a similar style, size, and material for a subtle-yet-special feel. And also keep in mind how armchairs will work with your dining space and table height versus armless styles.

2. Shape, Size & Silhouette

Shape, size, and silhouette play a huge part in striking the right balance with your black dining chairs. Leaning into these characteristics can do so much to help you express your specific, unique style.

Exposed

Black dining chairs with exposed silhouettes can take away from the heaviness of the dark tones for a refreshingly open and inviting feel.

With Curves

Choosing black dining chairs with curves is an easy, eye-catching way to make a space feel softer and more inviting.

Size

Regardless of the shape or silhouette you go with, you’ll want to choose the right size and height for your dining table. In terms of size, avoid selecting larger or wider styles for smaller or tighter areas to ensure there is plenty of space to move around your table and chairs.

As far as height goes, the top of the seat of the chair should be between 9” and 12” from the bottom of the dining table so there’s plenty of legroom.

Arm vs. Armless

Armless dining chairs are a simple, compact solution for minimizing visual clutter, given they easily slide underneath your dining table. Armchairs are a great option for captain chairs and offer additional comfort for guests or family members who spend a lot of time at the dining table.

3. Material

Incorporate different materials and finishes that coordinate with your design to create a luxuriously layered feel.

Wood

When it comes to wooden black dining chairs, there are stained-wood options, like our Lewis Windsor Chair, which impart a fresh, modern feel to any dining space.

Painted-wood dining chairs, like our Gregory Dining Chair in black oak, offer a bit more of a polished feel that speaks to a more traditional-inspired design.

Metal

Metal is a fun way to mix black dining chairs into your dining room design. With its shiny finish, this material looks spectacular in modern- and mid-century-modern-inspired spaces to create an engaging and dynamic look, especially when combined with natural materials like wood and leather.

Leather

Finding the right black dining chairs is about aligning your taste with your lifestyle. The lovely thing about black leather dining chairs is they are the perfect combination of beauty and function — and who doesn’t love something that’s both beautiful and functional? Not only do they add a modern, sleek feel, but they are also easy to clean, making them the ideal low-fuss choice for making a big statement.

Fabric

Upholstered fabric black chairs blend seamlessly into any design. While fabric might require a bit more upkeep, this look lends itself beautifully to many traditional- or transitional-inspired spaces and adds a soft touch to your dining space.

Rattan

Rattan has been around for years, making this timeless material easy to style, especially outdoors. From black rattan to a combination of black and natural rattan weaved together, this material adds texture as well as a bit of a coastal feel when paired with complementary tones and materials. 

Mixed Material

Depending on which way your style leans, you might consider choosing a black dining chair style that mixes materials as it’s a simple way to add depth and interest to your dining space. For example, a black fabric paired with a wooden frame can create more of an organic-modern feel versus choosing something that combines leather and metal can impart a more industrial look. 

Black is always in style.

Every room needs a pop of contrast to create depth and balance, and black dining chairs are an easy and perfect way to ground your dining space with a subtle layer of timeless elegance. We hope this simple designer secret is something valuable you can add to your bank of interior design knowledge and offer to friends and family when they come to you for advice.