Design 101 - Styles of Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs

Did you know the right style of dining chair can make or break the look of a dining setting?Wow! However, nowadays you don’t need to stick to one style of mid century modern dining chairs only. You may mix and match dining chair styles as long as you keep them in unifying pattern or composition in the same color.It’s a hot trend!

For today’s blog post, we’ve rounded up some of the most coveted dining chair styles worldwide. This way, you’ll be able to select your favorite dining chair! Intrigued? Keep reading to find out all about the styles, including a brief history.

Contemporary Dining Chairs

Industrial Cafe

Visionary French designer Xavier Pauchard brought to market in 1934 the Tolix Chairs, a.k.a. Elio Dining Chairs, a prime symbol of industrial design. Thanks to their French bistro connotations, these galvanized steel beauties with an industrial vibe are quickly becoming a favorite in airy cafes, upscale restaurants, pubs, wine bars and stylish homes internationally.

Why? This is not only thanks to the unique style that Xavier Pauchard’s industrial dining chairs offer, but also thanks to the top quality manufacturing process and durability of such furniture pieces.

Modern Molded Plywood

With molded plywood back in the mid century modern era, some furniture designers went absolutely crazy. Somehow, American designer and architect Norman Cherner was able to mold his masterpiece in a single piece of plywood in 1958. Pretty amazing!Nowadays, you may even find successful reproductions of this mid century modern icon by Cherner like our Wooden Side Chairs. I mean, who wouldn’t love these curvy, streamlined beauties?

Transitional Dining Chairs

Windsor

The Windsor Chair is named after the renowned English town Windsor, where it originated back in 1710. This style of mid century modern dining chairs have a wooden seat in which the sides and back consist of multiple thin spindles which are attached to a perfectly sculpted seat.

Our solid elm wood Amble Dining Side Chairs with a durable finish take inspiration from Windsor Chairs. They work effortlessly with small tables thanks to their compact footprint. Trying to add retro style with casual charm? Consider these English design icons!

Vintage French

Vintage French chairs like our Regents Dining Chairs are absolutely gorgeous to look at.This classic Louis XVI chair goes modern in trendy walnut.People worldwide appreciate them for their sophisticated, yet simple look - a must-have for those who love classic mid century modern design icons! These regal beauties may not only be used as mid century modern dining chairs, they may also be used as occasional chairs and accent chairs. The possibilities are endless!

Parsons

The elegant Parsons Chair with a linear look was designed in the 1930s in Paris, France, by a designer at the famous Parsons School of Design. Featuring button tufting, velvet upholstery, simple and clean lines,our upscale Niles Dining Chairs are inspired by the Parsons Chairs.

These velvet wrapped beauties with gold pencil legs takes a mid century design classic to a whole new level of luxury. Expertly designed for comfort, these mid century modern dining chairs are the perfect fit for many dining space decor styles.

Classic Dining Chairs

French Bistro

It's impossible to discuss Paris café society without imagining an iconic French bistro dining chair. Not surprising, if you consider they’ve long been ubiquitous in Paris ever since the 19th century when cafés flourished. Both American novelist Ernest Hemingway and French writer Simone de Beauvoir spent hours talking and drinking coffee while seated on classic bistro chairs.

Easy to move and light, these chairs are an ideal option not only in bistros, but also for dining rooms and kitchens. They let you come up with your own personal cafe at home! Beautifully crafted with durable materials like woven rattan, they’re made to weather the elements.

Traditional Bentwood

German-Austrian cabinet maker Michael Thonet was the person who began a massive production of these bentwood dining chairs in Vienna, Austria back in 1859. Thonet’s iconic No. 14 Chair, similar to our Eon Dining Side Chair, became highly recognizable and popular in a short period of time.

People loved these solid elm wood chairs with a lovely finish right from the start thanks to its shape, its weightlessness, durability and elegance. It’s hard to imagine Austria without these classic bentwood chairs! They fit perfectly contemporary or classical interiors.

Cross Back

Very similar to the aforementioned bentwood chairs by Thonet, the Cross Back dining chairs, similar to our Gear Dining Side Chairs, orgininated in 20th century French bistros. Due to their classic, iconic design, they’re guaranteed to have timeless appeal.

It will also be a great companion for any dining table style.Made from solid elm wood with a natural rattan seat, these mid century modern dining chairs bring practicality and style to any home. They are so elegant!.

We hope you find this information highly inspirational. Did you like this post? Which style of mid century dining chairs is your favorite? We’d love to know your feedback. Tell us in the comments section below! For the iconic pieces featured here, visit Manhattan Home Design. Get stated and browse our extensive catalog!