If you have ever been to my apartment for a dinner party, I may owe you an apology. I have likely required you to shovel chicken Marbella in your mouth while squatting on an antique milking stool like a Bruegel painting peasant, or to squeeze onto a floor poof while sipping a glass of red wine. Not very elegant, and not very convenient for non-finger food gatherings (exempting the New York Renaissance Faire).
To be fair, hosting is hard in a big, expensive city like New York. Unless you live in what my friend group calls a “house-house” (city speak for any non-divided brownstone or multi-level building), you will have to out a clever way to comfortably seat your precious guests for a sit-down meal. Recently, Eater senior reporter Bettina Makalintal wrote about embracing more casual, potluck-style gatherings as a workaround to formal sit-down dinners. But for holidays, more formal gatherings, or any occasion when you want everyone to dine comfortably and at a proper table, you’ll need real seating — and for us small-space event hosts, the solution is foldable or stackable chairs that you can store in a closet or corner when they’re not in use and unfurl as needed. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on design, and many of
So, what should you look for in impromptu seating and stashable chairs? Aesthetics factor in, of course, but so do durability, space-saving features, comfortable seats, and the ability to blend seamlessly with other attractive decor. Armless folding chairs might be the most versatile choice, but for other table configurations or apartments, stools might be a better choice.
Below, please find some vetted, verifiably appealing stashable seating including the best foldable and/or stackable dining chairs and even some of those honorable-mention stools. (Looking at you, Alvar Aalto dupes.)
The Best Foldable Dining Chairs
A touch of rattan caning
Awonde Foldable Dining Chairs (Set of 2)
- $170
Prices taken at time of publishing.
A little caning or rattan detailing can really warm up the joint. This set of armless, foldable dining chairs does just that, but also has cushy non-rattan seating for those long and winding dinner conversations.
Rattan, but make it moodier
AllModern Rattan Folding Chairs (Set of 2)
- $349
Prices taken at time of publishing.
AllModern did not skimp when it came to the caned detailing on this set’s back and seat portions, which are also framed by a starker, and slightly more sophisticated black-colored wood.
For a cozy Japandi feel
Homefun Stackable Chairs (Set of 2)
- $180
- $210
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
In addition to their ample and very inviting cushioning, these chairs also have removable seat covers that you can toss in the wash after a particularly spirited pasta dinner.
You’re a 70s design buff
The Twillery Company Alcorn Stackable Acrylic Folding Chair Set (Set of 2)
- $64
- $76
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
I would love to splurge on an original Giancarlo Piretti Plia Chair, and there are plenty of vintage sets on sites such as Etsy for under $500. But I have also watched design-obsessed friends learn, the hard way, just how much of a risk it can be to invest in vintage plastic furniture that is prone to cracking. Bring home these much more affordable dupes instead, which come in a delightfully s amber colorway as well as light pink, baby blue, and clear options.
A tropical touch
VINGLI Bamboo Folding Chair (Set of 2)
- $130
Prices taken at time of publishing.
The White Lotus fans to the front, please. Consider integrating bamboo furniture into your home to capture some of that luxury tropical vacation magic everyone has been drooling over this season. Minus the drama, of course.
The Best Stackable Dining Chairs
The perfect indoor-outdoor chair
Industry West Aero Stackable Dining Chair
- $210
- $250
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Industry West delivers when it comes to deep-set dining chairs, and this matcha-colored, indoor-outdoor option provides your guest with 18.5 inches of reclining space. These chairs are at a higher price point because they’re built to last for years to come even if exposed to the elements, but the current sale shaves a sweet $40 off.
Integrate corduroy fabrics for visual interest
17 Stories Abdalhai Corduroy and Metal Chairs (Set of 4)
- $295
- $400
- 27% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This set of four stackable dining chairs may just be the best deal on our shortlist. There’s a very grown-up quality to these chairs, which cut a minimalist profile thanks to those sleek steel legs (I’m feeling a little Googie leg-saturated at the moment). The seats are also made out of corduroy (the Proustien madeleine of fabrics, am I right?) in an inviting amber colorway.
You’ve been eyeing Cesca chairs
Zesthouse Natural Rattan Dining Chairs (Set of 4)
- $300
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Again, a Knoll Cesca chair can run you upwards of $800 if new (and $400 if vintage). Alternatively, you could pay rent on time and bring home not one but four of these stackable Cesca alternatives with cushy, moss green seats.
Don’t forget to check secondhand sites
Vintage Stackable Metal and Wood Dining Chairs (Set of 4)
- $376
Prices taken at time of publishing.
… Where else would find a set of stackable Frasurbane dining chairs? Chairish, 1stDibs, Etsy, and Ebay are all fair game when it comes to finding something unique for your home.
Honorable Mention: Stashable, Stackable Dining Stools
If you’re an Alvaar Alto fan
George Oliver Isolinda Stools (Set of 4)
- $78
- $85
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Don’t discount the handiness of a dining stool, especially if you live in a particularly storage-starved apartment. Arguably the most iconic stacking stool of our time is this design by Alvar Aalto, which is also famously duped by IKEA (given the cute $400 price of the original). This set of four similar stools costs under $100 and comes as a mix-n-match color set with light green, pink, white, and natural wood grain seat colorways.
This set turns into a side table
Anyways Wood Stackable Stools (Set of 4)
- $190
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Genius. Not one, not two, but a set of four stools make up this very Scandi-coded set of stools that can be converted into a sidetable.
Now invite some friends over for raclette already.
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There are so many reasons to be excited for spring, not the least of which are all the celebrations in the springtime! Easter Sunday is almost here! (Click here for some great Easter-themed event decorations from the DIY home décor website WooHome)
Are you ready to celebrate the warmer weather by hosting your event outside in the spring sunshine? Because McCourt Manufacturing has everything you’ll need to ensure your party is the event of the season!
Seating
When you’re in the market for long-lasting outdoor furniture you need to keep two primary things in mind: easy to clean and weatherproof.
Check out one of the crowning achievements of our folding chair line: The Gala Series Chair! This chair is made of 100% weatherproof polypropylene resin, which is stain resistant (just wipe clean!) and UV protected to prevent fading from being outdoors. This lightweight design disguises heavy duty manufacturing, as it supports up to lbs. It also comes with a removable padded foam seat for maximum comfort!
Folding chairs are easy to transport and arrange to your liking!
McCourt folding and stacking chairs are expertly crafted with simple two-step locking mechanisms that make set-up and tear-down a breeze! The warmer spring weather provides the perfect opportunity to try out our weatherproof party equipment. You can be sure that these durable chairs require little maintenance and wouldn’t look out of place in either an outdoor or indoor setting!
Tables
Folding tables are the easiest to maneuver at outdoor events. And just like with seating, easy to clean and weatherproof are important requirements for outdoor tables. However, the most important requirement is support. Especially when you’re looking for a reliable buffet table, which is constantly going to be laden down with foodstuffs, drinks, and tableware.
Our Commercialite Folding Tables are built on welded steel frames that can support up to lbs. They’re super lightweight with a plastic top that’s stain-resistant and easy to clean, which is ideal for outdoor events.
Dance Floor
What better way to celebrate spring festivities than with a little dancing? McCourt’s OvationTM Portable Dance Floor is the perfect addition to outdoor events! Springtime wedding receptions, family reunions, music festivals – your guests will have a blast dancing on our premium wood vinyl flooring, which is scratch resistant and easy to clean! The dance floor is divvied up in 3’x3’ panels that are easy to transport and reassemble to fit your ideal dance floor size.
The 3’x3’ square floor panels provide the authentic look of a hardwood dance floor, but with the benefit of being much more lightweight. All the floor sections lock together securely and seamlessly with the heavy duty Cam-Lock system. The dance floor’s backing has a layer of nonskid GatorBackTM coating, which provides traction and resists moisture to prevent slippage. Perfect for the outdoors!
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