I Tested Every Article Dining Chair IRL — Here Are the Best Ones for Every Style and Need

Up until recently, I didn’t have the space in my apartment for a dining table. But now that I finally have one, all I can think about is how crucial it is to find the right dining chairs to go with it. I’m literally always sitting at my dining table — eating, working, crafting, or puzzling. And when I host friends and family, it’s the main gathering point aside from my sofa. So I want my dining chairs to feel comfortable to sit in for long periods of time, to be easy to move around my apartment, and to look good, of course. All of these things are pretty much impossible to determine from an online listing alone, which is why I visited Article — the buzzy DTC furniture and decor brand — at their flagship store in Vancouver to test every Article dining chair IRL. 

As your very own Personal Shopper, I help you find the best pieces for your space by visiting stores to test furniture in person and reporting back with my findings. We’ve visited big-box stores like Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Ashley, but the Personal Shopper series is even better when we get to review brands like Article that primarily sell online.

Article is mostly an online-only business, except for the brand’s flagship showroom in Vancouver, Canada — which means unless you live within driving distance of that store, you won’t be able to touch and feel their products before purchasing. And if you’ve seen as many Article products online as I have, you might already be tempted to make a purchase, because the brand makes some of the most stylish mid-century modern and Scandinavian-inspired furniture out there. That’s why I did the investigative work for you by sitting in every single dining chair in the store. 

Article has over a hundred dining chairs and stools to choose from, so there’s something for everyone — whether you lean mid-century modern, Scandinavian, contemporary, or boho. And because Article works directly with manufacturers, they’re able to make high-quality, high-end pieces at a more reasonable price point than their luxury competitors. One thing to remember is that all of the brand’s dining chairs are sold and shipped in pairs, and the list price shown is always for a single chair. 

When it comes to delivery, you have two options: white-glove delivery (for $199) for the ultimate experience, and inside room delivery ($119), which means the delivery person will bring your order to whatever room you choose (without assembly), sparing you from lugging a heavy box up your stairs or through a tight apartment hallway. 

I evaluated every dining chair based on the following five criteria to find the best Article dining chair for every need, whether you’re looking for stackable chairs you can whip out while hosting, or for a comfy dining armchair for long post-dinner conversation. 

• Comfort: Does the chair have any padding or cushion? Does the shape have an ergonomic feel? Can I sit back comfortably without straining? Could I sit in it for an extended period of time? 
• Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., rounded lines, wood finishes, classic silhouettes) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, modern silhouettes, bold colors)?
• Size: Is the dining chair bulky? Do the armrests take up a lot of space at the table? Does the size make it harder to squeeze more chairs around the table? Is it stackable? 
• Weight: How heavy does the dining chair feel? Could I easily pick it up and move it around the room? Is it light enough to pull away from the table without any effort? 

Every Article dining chair was tested by me, Alexa Casanova. As Apartment Therapy’s shopping writer, it’s essentially my job to test, review, and recommend products, whether it’s easy-to-assemble bed frames, modular sofas, coffee tables, and anything else you may be looking for. I’ve covered them all, so I know what makes a piece of furniture worth buying. I was previously the commerce editor at Design Milk and Well+Good. 

I spent the day at Article’s flagship store in Vancouver — specifically, at their stunning “chair wall” — to evaluate the brand’s dining chairs for their design and comfort level.

What impressed me: The Munk dining chair gives you all the cushion and support of an upholstered dining chair without any of the excess bulk. It’s a sleek, armless silhouette with a lower-than-normal curved back, which hit me at about mid-back and felt comfortable and supportive. It’s also generously padded — perfect for lingering post-dinner conversation. In the event of a spill, the performance velvet upholstery should clean up like a dream, while feeling plush and luxurious to the touch. One Article rep said she uses the Munk as a desk chair, it’s that comfortable. 

It’s on the heavier side, but easy enough to pick up by its back and move around the table if you really need to. After all, the chunky cylinder legs and frame are all made of hefty solid wood. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 31″ high, 22.5″ wide, 22″ deep
• Materials: Frame: solid oak, plywood; Filling: foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 100% polyester
• Colors: Hale Earth, Hale Green, Ivory, and Sandstone

What impressed me: The Morton chair has a rustic, modern folklore feel to it, due to its textured wood grain and overall antique look. I didn’t think it would be all that comfortable at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. An angled beam below the back gave me solid lumbar support, and I could totally see myself leaning back and resting my elbows on its curved top rail after a meal. It’s also made of solid wood, so you can expect it to feel sturdy and durable. It’s the kind of chair you’ll keep at your dining table for years to come! 

The seat obviously lacks a cushion, so it may not be the comfiest for long hours of sitting, but a tie-on seat cushion could easily fix that! 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 29.75″ high, 21.25″ wide, 21.5″ deep
• Materials: Solid oak, rubberwood, plywood
• Colors: Oak, Smoked Oak, Black Ash

What impressed me: Featuring clean lines, sharp angles, and a rich walnut stain, the Meja dining chair immediately drew me in with its mid-century look. I saw the chair in two finishes: the Algonquin Green performance fabric upholstery, which had a soft woven texture and beautiful color variations up close; and the black leather upholstery, which had a sleek, modern vibe and would be my top rec if you want to fully lean into the vintage aesthetic. I could just as well see the Meja fitting into a dining area with more contemporary styling, too. 

In terms of the seat, the chair’s curved top comfortably hugs my back for ergonomic support. The angled arms, while easy on the eyes, are on the taller side, so I had to lean back a bit to rest my elbows on them comfortably. Ultimately, it felt like the kind of chair I could happily sit in for a long get-together, but not one I’d choose for a full eight-hour workday. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 30″ high, 21.5″ wide, 22.5″ deep 
• Materials: Frame: solid rubberwood, walnut veneer, plywood, steel; Filling: foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 100% polyester
• Finishes: Oak, White Oak, Walnut
• Cushion Colors: Hestia Caramel, Ratine Buff, Taos Brown Leather

What impressed me: If you’re looking for something small-dining nook-friendly, but don’t want to sacrifice style to get it, go with the Gusfa dining chair. Its sleek design features architectural details like the faceted finish on the top rail, all within a tight, armless silhouette. And it’s stackable, so you can pile several of them high to save on floor space when they’re not in use. The seat is also quite wide, so I didn’t feel like I was slipping over the edges. 

While the faceted structure has clear visual appeal, it does lack that ergonomic feel I found in the curvier chairs I tested. It also has an open back and doesn’t bring any lumbar support to the table (no pun intended). So it may not feel great for long periods of sitting, but it’s perfect for everyday meals, homework sessions, or game nights. Besides, it’s pretty lightweight, so moving it around the table or carrying it from room to room is truly effortless — a fair trade-off! 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 32.5” high, 21.5” wide, 20.5” deep
• Materials: Oak, MDF, oak veneer, plastic feet
• Finishes: Oak, Smoked Oak, Black

What impressed me: I’d seen Article’s best-selling Svelti chair online and loved the stylish array of color options — but I’ll be honest, I worried it’d feel flimsy. Boy was I wrong, because it felt super sturdy when I sat on it IRL. The molded plastic seat is strong, durable, and UV-resistant, making it well-suited to outdoor use. It also contoured to my back for a surprisingly comfy and supportive sit, and showed no signs of warping or creaking under my weight. It’s a chair I could definitely sit in for hours. 

It’s also stackable, so they’re easy to store when they’re not in use. Aside from Article’s chair wall, I saw the Svelti styled in a kids’ room setup as a desk chair — proof that it works anywhere in the house, inside or out. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 34.5″ high,18″ wide, 20.5″ deep 
• Materials: Frame: powder-coated metal; Seat: molded polypropylene, fiberglass
• Colors: 11 options

What impressed me: I mean, just look at it! The Everse chair is incredibly striking. The thick, blocky legs and full barrel silhouette give it a sculptural look, while completely surrounding you in comfort. It’s also generously padded, making it a chair I could genuinely sit in for hours on end. 

The velvet upholstery is super soft and has a subtle striped texture for extra interest. Truthfully, the Everse is so gorgeous, you won’t want to relegate it to a dining room alone. It could be styled as an accent chair in a living space or entryway, or a desk chair in a glamorous home office. All that style comes at a splurge, though, at $399 a chair.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 29″ high, 29″ wide, 23.5″ deep
• Materials: Frame: solid rubberwood, plywood, LVL, steel; Filling: foam, polyester fiber;
• Fabric: 100% polyester
• Color: Melange Green

What impressed me: If you’re the host with a long and winding guest list, the Nosh dining chair’s armless design is narrow enough (20 inches wide) to squeeze multiple around a table. Its full backrest hits right at my shoulder blades for total support, and it has thick padding in the seat and back to keep you comfortable during long hours of conversation. 

Aesthetically, the Nosh has a more traditional look than the other chairs I looked at, with its subtly tapered legs and classic shape. But I’d argue that you could make it work in dining areas of any decor style. There are seven upholstery options to choose from, including two leather options that give it a more modern look. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 31″ high, 20″ wide, 21″ deep
• Materials: Frame: rubberwood legs, plywood; Filling: foam; Fabric: 100% polyester
• Colors: Chalk Gray, Denim Blue, Hemlock Green, Quarry Gray, Rosehip Orange, Black Leather, Lucia Tan Leather

What impressed me: It’s hard not to feel like the most important person at the table when you’re sitting in the Rosin dining armchair — it looks so sophisticated! And it’s beyond comfortable, with a foam-padded seat and relaxed, cradling back. Even the arms are generously padded, so you can lean back and tune into the table convo. That being said, this cozy silhouette has some heft. 

I saw the Rosin in the Sand Ivory upholstery, a stain-repellent performance fabric that looks airy and bright, even on spaghetti night. Combined with the oak-finished frame, the chair takes on a cool, coastal appearance, but you could always opt for the Welsh Green and Smoked Oak combo for a more classic style. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 32″ high, 24″ wide, 24″ deep 
• Materials: Frame: solid acacia, solid rubberwood, plywood, steel; Filling: foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: polyester, viscose, linen, cotton
• Colors: Sand Ivory, Welsh Green

What impressed me: Featuring clean lines and softly rounded edges, the Mikkel is Scandinavian simplicity at its finest. It’s one of the narrowest chairs that I tried at only 18 inches wide, so it tucks neatly into small dining nooks or bistro tables. The back rest is slightly angled, too, which gave me a comfy touch of recline when I sat down. Factor in the bubbly foam padding, and you’ve got a comfortable place to sit while dining, working, playing board games, you name it. 

One small note: It is heavier than it looks, so moving it around isn’t exactly effortless, but I say it’s a testament to the solid rubberwood and plywood construction.

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 31″ high, 18″ wide, 21.5” deep 
• Materials: Frame: Solid rubberwood, plywood, iron hardware; Filling: foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 100% polyester
• Colors: Algonquin Green, Santolina Gray

What impressed me: The Ecole dining chair riffs on old-school MCM desk chairs with its curved top rail, subtle angles and tapered legs. Honestly, it’s a silhouette that’s been duplicated over and over by tons of other brands, but Article’s is by far the best take on the style that I’ve come across. For starters, it feels durable and well-made (no squeaking or creaking here!). It is also incredibly lightweight, so you can pick it up and move it from your dining table to your desk in a pinch. 

The padding on this one is minimal at best, but thanks to the subtle dip in the seat and the enveloping back, it does provide some level of comfort. 

Specifications: 

• Dimensions: 31″ high, 20″ wide, 18″ deep
• Materials: Frame: walnut veneer, rubberwood; Filling: foam; Fabric: polyester, viscose, linen, cotton
• Wood Finishes: Oak, Walnut
• Colors: Welsh Green, Welsh Taupe, Toscana Tan Leather

• Josra Dining Chair 
• Rus Dining Chair 
• Sylvo Stackable Dining Chair 
• Zola Leather Dining Chair 
• Ulka Dining Chair 
• Fonra Dining Chair 
• Alta Dining Armchair 
• Odin Dining Chair 
• Rosin Dining Chair 
• Wosla Dining Chair 
• Munk Velvet Dining Chair 
• Morton Dining Chair
• Meja Dining Chair
• Gusfa Stackable Dining Chair
• Nosh Dining Chair 
• Rosin Dining Armchair 
• Svelti Dining Chair 
• Everse Velvet Dining Chair 
• Mikkel Dining Chair 
• Ecole Dining Chair