If You Host Long Dinner Parties, Get These Dining Chairs

Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give them a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)

The assignment…

To see if these side chairs from Apt2B Modern Furniture ($1,048/set of two) are comfortable enough to use at a dining table. Long dinner parties mean hours sitting on your butt, and I’m a firm believer in padded seats.

Straight A’s in…

• Comfort. These chairs are comfortable. When I sit down, I sink in a little, which I love. I want something underneath me with cushion, especially if I’m gonna be hosting a group of people and at the table for a while. I also did not mind the lack of arms. For dining chairs, I actually prefer no arms. 

• Style and quality. They’re sleek, and easily fit into my apartment decor. The seat is light brown, made from 100% genuine leather. It’s easy to wipe clean, which is a huge plus. The black frame is also pretty sleek and minimal, and since the legs aren’t bulky, they easily slide underneath my dining table. 

• Size. These chairs are the perfect size for my space. At 35 inches high, I don’t feel too high or low off the ground. I’m able to rest my elbows comfortably. My last set of chairs was too low, so I felt like a little kid whenever sitting. 

• Arrival state. The chairs come assembled, so there was no extra handy work I needed to complete. I unboxed them, slipped off the protective packaging, and boom — they were ready for use.

Room for growth…

• Price. The price is obviously high for a set of two chairs, but you’re paying for quality and durability. I have zero doubt these chairs will last me a long time, and since I love the look and feel of them so much, I’ll take them along with me wherever I live next. They’re also incredibly versatile, so I could easily see myself using one at a desk. Also, Apt2B Modern Furniture does provide a pay-over-time option, which I appreciate (especially if I was buying multiple pieces of furniture at the same time). 

• Delivery scheduling. This isn’t really something to attribute to Apt2B Modern Furniture, but I want to make note of the delivery scheduling process. Once I got my shipping notification from the brand, I was contacted by a third-party delivery company. They were harder to work with, in full transparency. We ended up playing phone tag a bit, and there was a bit of communication confusion. After some back and forth, my delivery was scheduled and the chairs did arrive with zero issue.

Works best for…

• Anyone who despises dining chairs that are only aesthetically pleasing. Why would I want to sit on a hard, unyielding surface? No, thanks.

• Someone decorating their space who’s looking for chairs that are both modern, comfortable, and versatile.

Gets extra credit for…

• Apt2B Modern Furniture offers quality pieces across the board. Shop for your living room, bedroom, or dining room, or check out area rugs, wall decor, pillows, and more. There’s a lot of variety on the site, and you can also build your very own sectional. 

• There’s also a clearance section, which is more cost-effective. 

How I did my homework…

• I worked with Apt2B Modern Furniture to select chairs that matched my decor and were padded enough to work at a dining table. I really wanted something that married style and comfort, since I want whoever is sitting at my table to be relaxed. (I have a pet peeve about stiff dining chairs, sue me.) Once the chairs shipped, I worked with a company called Metropolitan Warehouse to schedule a delivery, and then all I really had to do was live with them. I hosted dinner parties, had friends over, worked from my table, etc. I’ve sat in these chairs for hours on end, so rest assured, they’re comfortable.  

Footnotes…

• Earl Side Chair; set of two for $1,048

• Dimensions: ​​18.5 inches wide by 22 inches deep by 35 inches high

• Two colors available: light brown and white

• Free delivery, 100-day return policy