Buying guide

The Best Fabric for Dining Chairs

Updated October 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Dining chairs are the hardest-working seats in the house. They're sat on several times a day, pulled in and out, and sooner or later they meet spilled wine, pasta sauce and sticky hands. The good news: reupholstering them is one of the easiest and most satisfying projects there is.

What dining chair fabric needs

Cleanability first

Spills are a matter of when, not if. Choose a fabric with cleaning code W or W/S, or one that's bleach cleanable, so food and drink can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. Avoid code S and X for dining chairs. See upholstery cleaning codes.

Stain resistance

A performance fabric makes spills bead up so you can blot them away. Crypton goes further, stopping liquid from soaking through to the seat foam. See Crypton vs. performance fabric.

Durability

People slide on and off dining chairs constantly. Look for 30,000 double rubs or more for a family table, and higher for restaurants. See double rubs explained.

A smooth, tight weave

Crumbs and grit work into deep textures and loose weaves. A tight, flat or lightly textured weave is easier to wipe and brush clean. Save chunky bouclé and loose linen for chairs that aren't used for meals.

The best fabric types for dining chairs

• Performance fabrics in solid colours or small patterns. Shop performance fabric.
• Crypton, for the most protection with children. Shop Crypton.
• Bleach-cleanable fabrics, easy to disinfect and ideal for busy kitchens. Shop bleach-cleanable fabric.
• Microsuede, soft, tightly woven and easy to wipe. Shop microsuede.
• Faux leather and vinyl, which wipe clean in seconds.

Colour and pattern

• Mid-tones and small patterns hide marks between cleanings far better than pale solids.
• Avoid large patterns on small seats: they need extra fabric to centre on each chair and can look cut off.
• If you love a light colour, choose it in a bleach-cleanable or Crypton fabric.

How much fabric you need

Add extra for a large pattern repeat so each seat is centred. Use our yardage calculator for your exact fabric.

Reupholstering drop-in seats yourself

Most dining chairs have drop-in seats that unscrew from underneath. With a staple gun you can recover a set in an afternoon:

1. Unscrew the seat and photograph how the old fabric is folded at the corners.
2. Remove the old fabric (and the staples). Replace the foam if it's flat or crumbling.
3. Cut the new fabric about 3 to 4 inches larger than the seat on every side, with the pattern centred.
4. Staple the middle of each side first, pulling evenly, then work out toward the corners.
5. Fold the corners neatly, staple, trim the excess and screw the seat back on.

Common questions

What is the most durable fabric for dining chairs?

Tightly woven performance fabrics, Crypton and microsuede with 30,000 or more double rubs are the most durable choices for dining chairs.

How much fabric do I need for 6 dining chair seats?

About 5 to 6 yards of 54-inch plain fabric for six seats. Add extra for a large pattern you want centred on each seat.

Is velvet good for dining chairs?

A performance velvet with a water-based cleaning code can work well and looks elegant. Avoid delicate or code S velvets for chairs used every day.

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