Chairs

Discover the Best Chairs in the UK: From Nordic Nest Elegance to Ebebek's Kids' Comfort

Why the Right Chair Makes All the Difference

Have you ever sat down and felt instantly at home — or instantly uncomfortable? The chair you choose can make a room feel welcoming, support your back during long work sessions, and even change the way a meal tastes. Beyond looks, chairs are functional pieces that must balance comfort, scale, and durability. Whether you're hunting for a sculptural accent chair, a dining seat that fits under your table, or a sturdy nursery rocker, the right chair can elevate both form and function in your home. In this guide we'll walk through standout stores, top product picks, and practical tips so you end up with a chair you actually enjoy using.

Spotlight: Nordic Nest — Scandinavian Design and Quality

Nordic Nest is a go-to for lovers of clean lines and thoughtful details. If you’re drawn to muted palettes, natural materials, and pieces that look modern yet timeless, this store’s curation is hard to beat. Think oak frames, braided linen seats, and heritage pieces reinterpreted for contemporary homes. From barstools to armchairs, they stock items that work in compact flats as well as roomy living rooms.

Top picks from Nordic Nest

If you want concrete inspiration, Nordic Nest range features gems like &tradition Betty Tk4 Bench Oak with a natural braided linen seat and &tradition Betty Tk5 Bench Black with the same tactile seat — both great as a dining bench or at the end of a bed. For mid-century vibes, Swedese Laminett Arm Chair Oiled Oak with sheepskin in moonlight beige gives plush texture, while the Swedese Lamino Armchair and footstool in varnished beech with charcoal sheepskin is perfect for curling up with a book. For dining or meeting corners, Muuto Visu Chair with a wooden white-oak base mixes modern silhouette and natural warmth. If you need a taller perch, the Blomus Eli Barstool at about 30 inches in seat height offers sleek simplicity. These picks show how Nordic Nest blends craftsmanship and comfort — ideal if you prefer Scandinavian restraint with a tactile twist.

Who should shop at Nordic Nest?

If your style leans minimalist, if you appreciate sustainable materials like oak and linen, or if you value Scandinavian design pedigree, Nordic Nest is a natural fit. Their pieces suit people who want furniture that ages gracefully. Designers, renters who want a polished look without overt trendiness, and anyone creating a calm, cohesive living space will find the selection impressive. You’ll pay a bit more for quality, but the investment often pays off in longevity and style.

Spotlight: Ebebek — Chairs Designed for Children and Nurseries

Shopping for children's chairs is a different game: safety, size, and softness matter as much as style. Ebebek specialises in nursery and young-child furniture that blends playful design with practical builds. From Montessori-inspired wooden pieces to cushioned nursery chairs, their range supports developmental needs and family life. If you’re furnishing a toddler room, a play corner, or a baby’s nursery, Ebebek offers many kid-friendly solutions.

Standout children's chairs at Ebebek

Ebebek carries charming and practical items like a Montessori Wooden Child’s Rocking Chair — big enough for little ones to develop balance — and the Tidlo range of animal-themed seating such as the Elephant Chair and Leopard Chair which encourage imaginative play. For parents who spend late nights feeding or soothing babies, the Ickle Bubba Eden Deluxe Nursery Chair and Stool in charcoal grey or pearl grey creates a comfy, upholstered nook. Their Dursley Rocking Chair, available in pearl grey and blush pink, adds a gentle rocking motion without taking up too much room. These selections show Ebebek’s focus on proportions and safety, giving parents confidence and kids a cozy place to sit.

Safety and materials to watch for in kids' chairs

When choosing a children's chair, look for non-toxic finishes, rounded edges, and sturdy bases that resist tipping. Upholstery should be easy to wipe clean and durable against spills and crumbs. Seat heights commonly range from about 6 to 12 inches for toddlers and 12 to 16 inches for preschoolers — measure against your child’s height to get the best fit. Also check that any rocking chairs have a broad base so they don’t tip easily. Ebebek tends to prioritise these features, but always double-check product specs if you’re pairing a chair with other nursery items.

Other UK Stores Worth Your Attention

The UK market for chairs is rich and varied — from high-street to boutique. If you’re exploring options beyond Nordic Nest and Ebebek, several reputable retailers deserve a spot on your shortlist. John Lewis & Partners tends to offer a range of designer collaborations and mid-market staples, while Made.com often provides trend-forward silhouettes at competitive price points. Habitat blends contemporary and classic designs, and Wayfair UK gives huge variety if you want endless choices and fast filtering by style, material, or price. For sofas and lounge seating, DFS remains a familiar name in the UK, while IKEA is unbeatable for budget-friendly basics and clever modular options.

What each retailer is best for

Choose John Lewis for dependable customer service and a balance of style and substance; pick Made.com if you want modern, statement chairs that make a room pop; go to Habitat for curated capsule collections and a design-forward sensibility; use Wayfair when you want to compare hundreds of options quickly; opt for DFS if you’re focused on sofas and upholstered loungers; and visit IKEA when you need inexpensive, practical chairs that are easy to source and replace. Each store has its niche, and mixing pieces from a few can yield a layered, interesting home.

How to Choose the Right Chair for Your Space

Picking a chair isn’t just about looks — it’s about scale and use. First, measure the area in front of the chair: allow at least 24 inches of clearance behind a dining chair when it’s pulled out, and 12 to 18 inches between a coffee table and lounge seating for comfortable movement. For dining chairs, aim for a seat height around 18 inches so most people can sit comfortably at a standard table. For a work chair, consider seat depth of roughly 16 to 18 inches and lumbar support that sits about 6 to 8 inches above the seat. Think about traffic flow, the chair’s footprint in feet and inches, and whether you’ll need stain-resistant fabrics for families with pets or kids.

Measure before you buy — quick sizing tips

Don’t guess: measure your space in inches. A typical dining table is about 28 to 30 inches high; match a seat height around 18 inches. Lounge chairs usually need a seat depth of about 16 to 20 inches for relaxed sitting. For armchairs, ensure total width allows for at least 6 inches between adjacent seats so people aren’t shoulder-to-shoulder. If your room is narrow, look for chairs with slim profiles and open legs to keep the space feeling airy. Measuring in advance prevents buying a beautiful piece that doesn’t fit — a common and costly mistake.

Material Choices: Fabric, Leather, Wood, or Metal?

Materials affect comfort, maintenance, and aesthetics. Upholstered fabrics feel warm and inviting but can require cleaning; choose performance fabrics if spills are likely. Leather ages beautifully and wipes clean easily, but it can be pricey and sensitive to direct sunlight. Wood offers timeless warmth, especially oak and beech which are popular in Nordic Nest collections, and they pair well with natural textiles like linen. Metal frames suit industrial or modern interiors and often give chairs a lighter visual weight. Think about pet claws, kid spills, sun exposure, and your willingness to care for upholstery when making a choice.

Mixing materials for interest and longevity

Don’t be afraid to mix woods, metal, and upholstery to create layers. A wooden dining table with upholstered chairs softens the space; metal-framed accent chairs add an edgy contrast; a leather armchair anchors a cosy reading nook. Mixing materials also helps longevity: high-wear seats get durable fabric, while occasional chairs use more delicate textiles. This approach keeps rooms visually interesting and practical for everyday life.

Styling Tips: Match Your Chair to Your Room’s Personality

Styling chairs is part art, part common sense. Want a cohesive dining set? Match the chair height and seat depth to your table, but vary finishes for character — for instance, pair a dark oak bench with light oak dining chairs. For living rooms, create conversational groupings with a sofa and two chairs across from it; place a rug that fits all furniture legs to anchor the set. Accent chairs are the perfect place to introduce colour: a single bold chair in a corner can be the focal point without overwhelming the room. Think of chairs as punctuation marks — they stop the eye and communicate the room’s tone.

Buying Online: Practical Tips to Save Time and Money

Shopping online opens huge choice, but it’s easy to get lost. Always check dimensions in inches, read multiple reviews for real-world insights on comfort, and look for clear photos from different angles. If a store offers fabric swatches, order them to see colour and texture in your own lighting. Compare prices across retailers like Nordic Nest, Made.com, John Lewis, and Wayfair to spot sales. Consider warranty or guarantee periods on frames and upholstery — they’re often a sign of a brand’s confidence in their build quality. And don’t forget to measure doorways and stairs in inches to ensure the chair can be delivered inside your home.

Sustainability and Ethical Choices

More people now ask where furniture comes from and what materials were used. Look for certifications like FSC for wood or suppliers that disclose production practices. Brands that use solid oak, responsibly sourced beech, or recycled upholstery show growing eco-awareness. Smaller manufacturers often use artisanal techniques that last longer, reducing the need for replacement. If sustainability matters to you, prioritize durable construction and timeless design over cheap, disposable pieces — a well-made chair can be a companion for a decade or more.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect chair in the UK is a rewarding mix of measuring in inches, matching materials to lifestyle, and trusting your style instincts. Nordic Nest shines with Scandinavian charm and crafted details, while Ebebek excels at child-friendly and nursery seating that puts safety and scale first. Combine the strengths of specialist retailers with broader UK stores like John Lewis, Made.com, Wayfair, Habitat, DFS, and IKEA to find the chair that fits your budget, back, and aesthetic. With a little planning — measuring, material-checking, and reading reviews — you’ll end up with chairs that don’t just fill space but make living there better.