Dining Chairs in Dubai: A Buyer's Guide to Wooden & Solid Wood Dining Chairs

In short: the best dining chairs for Dubai homes are made from a solid hardwood such as oak, walnut or teak, joined with mortise-and-tenon joints rather than screws, with a seat height of 45–48 cm to suit a standard 75 cm table. At Adams Furniture, our wooden dining chairs in Dubai cost AED 950–2,200 each. Most are made to order in our Al Quoz workshop in 4 weeks, and they can be made in your choice of wood and fabric.

There are thousands of dining chairs for sale in Dubai, from flat-pack sets to designer imports, and most product pages tell you very little about how a chair is actually made. This guide explains what to look for in wooden and solid wood dining chairs: which woods last in the UAE's air-conditioned homes, how to check whether a chair is really solid wood, the sizes that work with your table, and what you should expect to pay.

Why solid wood dining chairs are worth it in Dubai

A dining chair takes more abuse than almost any other piece of furniture. It is dragged across tiles, tipped back on two legs and sat on several times a day, and every movement puts force through the joints where the legs meet the seat. Cheap chairs almost always fail at these joints first, which is why they start to wobble within a year or two.

Solid hardwood chairs last because the wood itself is strong enough to hold a proper joint, and because a loose joint can be re-glued and tightened instead of the chair being thrown away. Many families in Dubai also move villas or apartments every few years, and a well-built wooden chair survives moves far better than a chair made from particleboard or a thin metal frame.

"Solid wood" vs "wooden": what the labels really mean

Not every wooden dining chair is solid wood. When you shop for dining chairs in Dubai, you will see these terms used loosely:

• Solid wood: every structural part (legs, rails, back and seat frame) is cut from whole pieces of timber. This is what you want for a chair that lasts decades.

• Solid wood with veneer: a solid frame with a thin layer of real wood glued over plywood for curved or wide parts such as a backrest. This is fine when the legs and rails are solid.

• Rubberwood or "Asian hardwood": a real but softer plantation timber used in many mass-market chairs. It is serviceable, but it dents easily and is usually stained to look like oak or walnut.

• Engineered wood, MDF or "wood effect": board or printed laminate. It is not suitable for chair legs or joints, however good it looks in photos.

How to check in a showroom: turn the chair over. On solid wood, the grain runs continuously around the edges and the end grain is visible where you would expect it. A veneered or laminated part shows a thin line at the edge or a repeating pattern. A solid oak or walnut chair also feels noticeably heavier than a rubberwood one of the same size. If a website doesn't say which wood a chair is made from, ask for it in writing.

The best woods for dining chairs in Dubai

Hardness matters for chairs, because the legs and seat edges get knocked constantly. The Janka hardness test measures how much force it takes to press a steel ball into a piece of wood, so a higher number means the wood resists dents better. Here is how the woods we use compare:

• White oak (Janka 1,360 lbf): hard, stable and easy to finish in natural, whitewashed or smoked tones. It is the all-round best choice for family dining chairs. See our guide to solid oak furniture.

• Ash (Janka 1,320 lbf): almost as hard as oak, lighter in colour, with a bold grain. It flexes without breaking, which is why it has been used for chairs for centuries. See our ash wood furniture guide and ash vs oak comparison.

• Teak (Janka 1,155 lbf): naturally oily and stable, so it copes well with humidity changes and spills. It is the only wood on this list we also recommend outdoors. See solid oak vs teak.

• Walnut (Janka 1,010 lbf): slightly softer but very strong for its weight, with a rich chocolate colour that makes a room feel instantly more formal. See our solid walnut furniture guide and walnut vs oak.

For comparison, Honduran mahogany rates around 800 lbf. Any of the four woods above is strong enough for a lifetime of daily use. The choice between them is really about colour, grain and the look of your dining table.

How a well-made wooden dining chair is built

Two chairs in the same wood can last very different lengths of time depending on how they are joined. Here is what to look for:

• Mortise-and-tenon joints: the end of each rail is shaped into a tongue (the tenon) that fits into a slot cut in the leg (the mortise), and the two are glued. This gives a large gluing surface and is the strongest traditional chair joint. Whoever makes your chairs, ask which joints they use.

• Corner blocks under the seat: small glued and screwed blocks in each corner that stop the frame racking sideways.

• Stretchers: rails between the legs lower down. They add a lot of strength, especially on chairs people tip back on.

• Screw-only or dowel-only joints: common in flat-pack chairs. They loosen as the wood shrinks and swells, and that is the main reason cheap chairs wobble.

Dubai adds one extra stress. Air conditioning runs almost all year and can pull indoor humidity well below 30% in summer, so wood slowly dries and shrinks. Properly seasoned, kiln-dried timber and glued mortise-and-tenon joints cope with this far better than joints held only by metal fixings.

Dining chair sizes: how to match chairs to your table

Comfort depends far more on proportions than on padding. Use these measurements when choosing dining chairs in Dubai:

• Seat height: 45–48 cm for a standard dining table height of 74–76 cm.

• Leg room: leave 25–30 cm between the top of the seat and the underside of the table (not the tabletop). Measure under any apron or frame, because these reduce the space.

• Width per person: allow about 60 cm of table edge per chair, and around 65–70 cm for chairs with arms.

• Space behind: leave about 90 cm between the table edge and the wall or the next piece of furniture, so chairs can be pulled out without scraping.

• Armchairs: check that the arms sit a few centimetres below the table underside so the chair can tuck in.

As a rough guide, a 180 cm rectangular table seats six, a 220–240 cm table seats eight, and a 120 cm round table seats four comfortably. For more on table sizing, read how to choose a dining table for your Dubai apartment or villa.

Seats and backrests: upholstered, cane, woven or all-wood

The frame decides how long a chair lasts, but the seat decides how it feels and how you clean it.

• Upholstered seats: the most comfortable for long dinners. In Dubai we recommend performance fabrics for homes with children or pets. See our sofa and upholstery fabrics guide, child and pet friendly fabrics, and Martindale rub counts explained. Bouclé looks great on curved chairs; our honest bouclé guide covers how it wears.

• Leather: easy to wipe and it ages well. See our leather furniture guide.

• Natural cane: light, breathable and cool in summer. It suits Scandinavian, Japandi and coastal interiors.

• Woven rope or cord seats: hard-wearing, comfortable and easy to replace if damaged.

• All-wood seats: the easiest to keep clean and the most durable, but best with a seat cushion for long meals.

Our wooden dining chairs in Dubai, by wood

Every chair below is available now, and most can be made in another wood or fabric. Prices are per chair.

Solid walnut dining chairs

• Cortona Walnut Dining Chair – AED 1,600. Solid walnut frame with a softly curved upholstered back, 58 x 58 x 71 cm, made in the UAE.

• Nova Walnut Dining Chair – AED 1,400.

• Jessica Walnut Dining Chair – AED 1,800. Walnut with leather upholstery.

These pair naturally with our walnut dining tables.

Solid oak dining chairs

• Dune Oak Dining Chair – AED 1,500. Solid oak with chunky bouclé, 63 x 54 x 75 cm.

• Arlo Boucle Dining Chair – AED 1,500. Solid oak frame with bouclé, 48 x 59 x 85 cm.

• Belluno Oak Dining Chair – AED 1,800. Solid oak upholstered in high-performance linen.

• Lyra Oak & Leather Chair – AED 1,450.

• Luna Oak Dining Chair – AED 1,350.

• Haven Dining Chair – AED 1,200. Solid oak frame in an aged grey oak finish.

• Bombay Cane Dining Chair, Whitewashed Oak – AED 1,500. Solid oak with natural cane webbing.

• Oak Curved Chair – AED 2,200.

See them with our oak dining tables.

Solid teak dining chairs

• Kyoto Teak Dining Chair – AED 1,600. 100% solid teak with a curved teak backrest.

• Solano Teak Dining Chair – AED 1,450.

• Soma Teak Dining Chair – AED 1,100.

• California Woven Teak Dining Chair – AED 1,100. Solid teak with a woven rope seat.

• Noa Teak Woven Chair – AED 1,100.

• Bombay Teak & Cane Chair – AED 1,200.

• Kaia Teak Woven Dining Chair and Fern Teak Dining Chair – AED 950 each, in natural teak.

Classic shapes and upholstered chairs

• Wishbone Dining Chair – AED 1,100.

• White Washed Cross Back Chair – AED 950.

• Aurora Dining Chair – AED 950. Solid wood with velvet upholstery.

• Lana Dining Chair – AED 1,500. Wool bouclé, 46 cm seat height.

Browse the full range of dining chairs in Dubai.

How much do wooden dining chairs cost in Dubai?

Prices in Dubai vary widely, and the price usually tells you how the chair is made:

• Under AED 500 per chair: typically rubberwood, engineered wood or metal frames, often sold in flat-packed sets. They are fine for short-term rentals but rarely last.

• AED 950–2,200 per chair (our range): solid oak, walnut or teak frames with glued joinery, made to order and customisable.

• Above AED 2,500: designer imports and branded pieces, where part of the price is the name and the shipping.

A set of six solid wood dining chairs from us starts at about AED 5,700, depending on wood and upholstery. For wider pricing across tables, sofas and beds, see our custom furniture cost guide.

Caring for wooden dining chairs in the UAE climate

• Keep chairs at least a metre from AC vents, and use a humidifier if indoor humidity drops far below 40%.

• Keep them out of direct afternoon sun, which bleaches walnut and yellows oak.

• Fit felt pads to the feet to protect both the chair and your floors.

• Wipe spills with a damp cloth and dry them straight away, and avoid silicone polish sprays.

• Re-oil oiled finishes once or twice a year. Never use olive or coconut oil, which go rancid.

• If a chair starts to feel loose, have it re-glued early, before the joint wears.

For teak chairs, see our full teak care guide for Dubai.

Custom, commercial and reupholstered dining chairs

Because we make our chairs in our own Al Quoz workshop, we can change the wood, stain, fabric, seat height and width, and supply large matching batches for restaurants, cafés and hotels. See our guides to restaurant furniture in Dubai, contract upholstery fabrics and banquette seating, which pairs well with loose chairs in a dining nook.

Already have good chairs with tired seats? We also reupholster dining chairs. See armchair and dining chair reupholstery in Dubai.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy solid wood dining chairs in Dubai?

Adams Furniture makes solid oak, walnut and teak dining chairs to order in its Al Quoz workshop, priced from AED 950 to AED 2,200 per chair. You can see and sit on them at the showroom in Al Quoz 3, opposite Unimix, or browse them online at adamsinternational.ae/dining-chairs.

What is the best wood for dining chairs in Dubai?

Oak is the best all-round choice: it is hard (1,360 lbf on the Janka scale), stable and easy to finish. Walnut gives a richer, more formal look, teak copes best with humidity and spills and can also be used outdoors, and ash is a lighter, flexible alternative to oak.

How much do wooden dining chairs cost in Dubai?

Mass-market chairs under AED 500 are usually rubberwood or engineered wood. Solid wood chairs with proper joinery typically cost AED 950–2,200 each; at Adams Furniture a set of six starts at about AED 5,700. Designer imports usually cost more than AED 2,500 per chair.

What is the standard height of a dining chair?

Most dining chairs have a seat height of 45–48 cm to suit a standard 74–76 cm dining table. Leave 25–30 cm between the seat and the underside of the table for comfortable leg room.

How can I tell if a dining chair is really solid wood?

Turn it over and look at the edges and end grain: solid wood shows continuous grain, while veneer or laminate shows a thin edge line or a repeating pattern. Solid oak or walnut chairs are also noticeably heavier. Ask the seller to confirm the wood species in writing.

Can I order custom dining chairs in Dubai?

Yes. Adams Furniture can change the wood, stain, fabric, seat height and width of most of its dining chairs, and can supply any quantity from the same batch so the finish matches. Most designs take 2–4 weeks.

Do wooden dining chairs crack in air-conditioned Dubai homes?

Well-seasoned hardwood with glued mortise-and-tenon joints copes well. Keep chairs at least a metre from AC vents and out of direct sun, keep indoor humidity around 40–50% if you can, and re-oil oiled finishes once or twice a year.

Do you deliver dining chairs across the UAE?

Yes. Adams Furniture delivers and installs across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the wider UAE, and delivery and installation are free on all orders.

Visit our showroom and workshop at Warehouse 5, Al Quoz 3 (opposite Unimix), Dubai, open every day from 9am to 6pm. You can also call +971 4 529 9742 or browse all our dining chairs in Dubai online.