These are nice as well, from Crate and Barrel. Great topic by the way. I'm in the market for a number of them (small LR, good closets) and would love to see what other people come up with.

I have those Ikea standard folding chairs that "everyone" seems to have -- light wood with a circle hole in the middle of the back.

I guess they are okay. I do feel a bit strange to whip out some folding chairs when guests are visiting, but I chalk it up to apartment living. I can't see paying $100 for a better folding chair. I think my money is better invested someplace else.

The ikea slatted ones work fine, come in different stains, look pretty OK (more traditional than modern, which is what I prefer), and are really cheap. I do like those leather ones- if I'm never going to have the space, why not have NICE folding chairs? (besides the fact that I'm poor...)

Target and Bed Bath and Beyond also have great folding chairs for around $40-$60 each. In particular the cherry finish folding chair looks great. They're great cause they don't look anything like folding chairs. New guests are always surprised when I start folding them up.

Cm'on people. I would love to see some additional good finds in this category. I'm particularly looking for some durable wood chairs with a more modern style. Most of the wood ones I've seen before don't look all that durable.

I was thinking of getting one of those kitchen tables where the center section is quite narrow and the wings that fold up from that are proportionately large. This way, I can have a big kitchen table when I need it and a small side table when I am alone.

Some interesting stuff here. u will find some nice folding tables and a great home office setup as well. (207.158.59.35/index.cfm)

I tried out the Lina chairs, picture above, yesterday at DWR. They're pretty nice. They could really be used daily, which makes the cost much more reasonable.

These are my top 4... Lena being my fav

1. Acrylic Folding -
$27 at target
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-15/qid=1158768519/ref=sr_1_15/602-3054644-7643845?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000CO6X8W

2. Black Wood Folding Chair:
$34 on overstock
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1729154

3. SA-85 Folding Side Chair
$80 at Beufurn.com
http://beaufurn.com/detail.aspx?ID=268

4. Lina Leather Folding Chair
$110 at DWR... can you get this anywhere else?
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=1334

Those ikea chairs may be cheap... but they are terribly uncomfortable! I wouldnt want to have to sit in one any longer than it takes to fill my self up with turkey and stuffing!

last year we bought a card table set on sale from k-mart. definitely not in the same category as those already posted, but they were CHEAP ($30 for table and 4 chairs) and they are COMFORTABLE. and they don't look too bad either, the chairs are black with black padded seats.

I like the design of these "Mahogany Finished Premium Wood Folding Chairs". At a quick glance they look like standard chairs, not folding chairs. They sell for $49 for 2 chairs.

I agree with me -- those slatted Ikea chairs are terribly uncomfortable. If you want your guests to stick around the table, get some cushions too!

Our co-op bought a group of folding chairs and a coat rack a couple years ago. This is one area where apartment dwellers can really work as a group. If someone has a party, the coat rack goes up in their hall and you can keep your bed clean (and dry... why do I always have parties rain/snow) and you can use or not use the extra chairs. Otherwise, it all sits in the basement.

I see some interesting models in the Calligaris catalog I picked up at Jensen-Lewis. You have to register for suggested pricing at C, and only one is listed on the J-L site: the Alu at 90 bucks. Too high for my budget. The Skip and Space models show promise.

I like the NICK chairs from IKEA --> http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=11298&langId=-1&categoryId=15657&chosenPartNumber=10027377

I used one as a desk chair for my first two years of law school, and I was quite pleased with it - cheap ($9.99!), comfortable (and believe me, that chair got A LOT of use), reasonably attractive, etc. The seat frame eventually started to warp a bit, but I imagine that they'd last a lot longer if only being used for the occasional dinner party...

I have a set of what is named "the telescoping chair" because of the way the back legs telescope out when they fold up. Once folded, they lay extremely flat. They are available in various shades of translucent acrylic. Ours are plain clear.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000GIHFIG.01-AEUC6GAA8XY7Y._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V63979418_.jpg

Ok, I love this blog but sometimes, I just don't get you guys. With all of the money you spend on things that are supposed to be cheap like folding chairs, why don't you just save up and move to a bigger apartment? Seriously now, $250 for a folding stool? That's insane. If you can afford $250 on a folding stool, quit complaining about having an apartment that's too small for normal chairs.

Well, it may not be totally "designerly," but I've been collecting these inexpensive folding stools for awhile (price in CAD):

http://tinyurl.com/y7h492

I snap up one or two every time they come on sale, usually for $10 CAD. They're not fancy, though when I'm not able to spend much, I prefer a simple/utilitarian look. They're not too bad in the comfort department, though I am thinking of making some kind of slip-on padded covers for them, for those w/o the benefit of a padded butt. And they're also very sturdy, plus they double as quick occasional tables in the living room or on the balcony.

.

> Ok, I love this blog but sometimes, I just don't
> get you guys. With all of the money you spend
> on things that are supposed to be cheap like
> folding chairs, why don't you just save up and
> move to a bigger apartment?

A.) My folding chairs are only $99 each
B.) I'm not complaining about a small apartment

However, in defence of others, an extra $250 ain't gonna getcha' much 'round here.

Sorry, that last link may not work if you don't have a Canadian postal code!

Try this:
http://tinyurl.com/yaxo7u

Wow, those leather folding chairs are the most beautiful folding chairs I have ever seen.

My vote goes to the Flipit. Brilliant. Watch the videos

Well these aren't too purdy but it's cool that they are more solid. I am thinking of getting some of these and painting them/ changing the seat fabric. Then I think we'll have something decent.
http://www.londonluggage.com/stakmore.htm

I am always on the hunt for good folding chairs since we do trade shows. It has to look good but also fit into a crate. What I really want though is a Chinese Chippendale chair that folds. Please! West Elm or someone I wish you would make one!

Here's a super resource I just spotted. :

http://www.chairs.ws/folding-chairs.htm

My grandfather bought a set of 16 folding chairs for coop meetings in the Bronx in the 1940s. Back then coops met affordable housing for middle-class people -- how times have changed. In any case, I still use these chairs 60 years later because they're perfect for apartments, and they fold down much like the flipit chair, except they look beautiful and are padded.

I don't know how to find them, but if anyone ever sees elegant chairs like this out there please email me! zthacher at Google's email.