Your questions on dining chairs answeredWhat are the best dining chairs?With so many excellent designs to choose from it’s hard to pinpoint a favourite, but Next secures the spot as the best overall dining chair for its Valencia upholstered dining chair. I love its solid structure, with a comfortable and supportive cushioned seat and elegant oak and gold tone tip legs. Meanwhile, the Lakeland Furniture Marco dining chair, which is finished in an on-trend burnt orange, has been highlighted as the best budget buy. Its comfortable cantilever design is just the ticket for you to sit back and relax as you dine. Dunelm’s Ariana dining chair is another excellent affordable option, too. In my search for the ideal dining chair for my open-plan living room, I called in a mix of popular chairs from online homeware brands. I chose modern and classic styles in a range of materials and colourways including wood, leather, cotton, metal and velvet. For the purposes of this test, I positioned them around the Dusk Heidi solid oak table and rated each chair by the following criteria: Durability and ease of cleaning: I live in a busy household with two kids, who seem to get more food on the chairs and floor around them at meal times than they do in their mouths. For this reason, I was keen to find chairs that are easy to clean and stay looking box fresh. Ease of assembly: I assessed how easy it was to put each chair together myself, as smooth and effortless assembly can be an indication of good design. Comfort: Over two weeks, I tried the dining chairs myself at each meal and asked family members and visitors to test them out too. Design: I rated the overall look of the chair, its fabrics and craftsmanship. While comfort is key, it’s also important to have a chair that looks good, is made from attractive materials and complements your style. I rated how sturdy and robust the chairs felt and whether I think they will stand the test of time. I also rated the chairs on how smoothly the arms sat underneath a standard wooden table. Practicalities: I was keen to see how smoothly the dining chair sat on the surface of my warm brushed oak Karndean flooring (pictured beneath the table). There’s nothing worse than a chair with feet that scratch awkwardly against the floor, so I awarded marks to designs that glided smoothly against the surface without snagging. How to clean fabric dining room chairs“Focus on gentle cleaning and keeping moisture to a minimum,” says Emma Mannion, cleaning expert at Astonish who offers up these simple tips: Vacuum the fabric using an upholstery attachment to remove crumbs and dust. Pay attention to seams where debris collects. For marks or general refreshes, use a mild solution of warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid. Lightly dampen a cloth and blot the fabric rather than rubbing, as this helps lift stains without driving them deeper into the fibres. Avoid over-saturating the material, as fabrics can hold onto moisture, which can lead to water marks or lingering dampness. For more stubborn stains, it’s worth bringing in a specialist upholstery cleaner to target the area. Apply the product directly to the stain and allow to sit briefly so it can break down. Then gently blot with a clean cloth, working from the outside in, to avoid spreading it further. Once cleaned, allow the chair to dry naturally in a well-ventilated space. Finishing with a fabric refresher can help lift any lingering odours and leave the chair feeling clean as well as looking it. Lightly mist the surface and allow it to air dry. Read more: Best vacuum cleaners, testedHow to clean leather dining chairs“Leather requires a gentle touch, so follow these simple steps,” says Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol. Wipe off any excess dirt, dust, or food debris with a damp cloth. Use a leather-specific cleaner, or simply a mild soap, and apply it gently with a clean cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Once you have cleaned the surface, immediately use a clean cloth to pat the leather dry. If you have a leather conditioner or polish in your cleaning armoury, this is the perfect time to apply it to keep the material beautifully supple. How to clean wooden dining chairs“Steer clear of acidic cleaners like citric acid, brown malt vinegar or alcohol as these can easily strip protective finishes, cause discolouration, or damage the wood,” says Green. Instead, follow these steps: Keep it simple: a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild detergent is all you need. Soak a sponge or cloth in the soapy mix, wring it out so it is barely damp, and gently wipe down the arms, legs, backs, and slats. For carved areas, spindle backs or joints/nooks and crannies, use an old clean toothbrush in your soapy solution and gently scrub. Remember to turn the chair upside down and check for dust, debris, pet hair and cobwebs. Dry thoroughly straight away – never leave wood damp, as sitting water can warp the material or allow bacteria to thrive.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsIndyBest is The Independent’s expert-driven shopping section. We extensively test every product we feature to bring you unbiased reviews based on real-world use. Emily Peck is a lifestyle journalist with more than 20 years of experience writing about interiors, smart homes, gardens, wellbeing, fitness, and modern living. She has tested furniture from the best armchairs to the best garden sofa sets for IndyBest, so she knows first-hand what makes for a great buy.Looking for more ways to serve up dinner in style? Read our review of the best dining tables