When you have ever been to my condo for a cocktail party, I’ll owe you an apology. I’ve seemingly required you to shovel rooster Marbella in your mouth whereas squatting on an vintage milking stool like a Bruegel portray peasant, or to squeeze onto a ground poof whereas sipping a glass of crimson wine. Not very elegant, and never very handy for non-finger meals gatherings (exempting the New York Renaissance Faire).
To be truthful, internet hosting is difficult in an enormous, costly metropolis like New York. Until you reside in what my pal group calls a “house-house” (metropolis communicate for any non-divided brownstone or multi-level constructing), you’ll have to determine a intelligent technique to comfortably seat your treasured company for a sit-down meal. Not too long ago, Eater senior reporter Bettina Makalintal wrote about embracing extra informal, potluck-style gatherings as a workaround to formal sit-down dinners. However for holidays, extra formal gatherings, or any event while you need everybody to dine comfortably and at a correct desk, you’ll want actual seating — and for us small-space occasion hosts, the answer is foldable or stackable chairs which you can retailer in a closet or nook once they’re not in use and unfurl as wanted. However that doesn’t imply you must skimp on design, and lots of of
So, what must you search for in impromptu seating and stashable chairs? Aesthetics think about, after all, however so do sturdiness, space-saving options, snug seats, and the power to mix seamlessly with different enticing decor. Armless folding chairs may be probably the most versatile alternative, however for different desk configurations or residences, stools may be a better option.
Beneath, please discover some vetted, verifiably interesting stashable seating together with the very best foldable and/or stackable eating chairs and even a few of these honorable-mention stools. (Taking a look at you, Alvar Aalto dupes.)
The Finest Foldable Eating Chairs
A contact of rattan caning
Rattan, however make it moodier
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897240/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_3.54.28_PM.png)
| Wayfair
AllModern Rattan Folding Chairs (Set of two)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
AllModern didn’t skimp when it got here to the caned detailing on this set’s again and seat parts, that are additionally framed by a starker, and barely extra subtle black-colored wooden.
For a comfortable Japandi really feel
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897244/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_3.56.49_PM.png)
| Homefun
Homefun Stackable Chairs (Set of two)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
Along with their ample and really inviting cushioning, these chairs even have detachable seat covers which you can toss within the wash after a very spirited pasta dinner.
You’re a 70s design buff
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897250/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_4.02.45_PM.png)
| The Twillery Firm
The Twillery Firm Alcorn Stackable Acrylic Folding Chair Set (Set of two)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
I’d like to splurge on an unique Giancarlo Piretti Plia Chair, and there are many classic units on websites resembling Etsy for beneath $500. However I’ve additionally watched design-obsessed pals be taught, the exhausting manner, simply how a lot of a threat it may be to put money into classic plastic furnishings that’s susceptible to cracking. Convey house these rather more inexpensive dupes as an alternative, which are available in a delightfully Nineteen Seventies amber colorway in addition to mild pink, child blue, and clear choices.
The Finest Stackable Eating Chairs
The right indoor-outdoor chair
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897253/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_4.06.10_PM.png)
Trade West Aero Stackable Eating Chair
Costs taken at time of publishing.
Trade West delivers in terms of deep-set eating chairs, and this matcha-colored, indoor-outdoor possibility offers your visitor with 18.5 inches of reclining area. These chairs are at a better value level as a result of they’re constructed to final for years to come back even when uncovered to the weather, however the present sale shaves a candy $40 off.
Combine corduroy materials for visible curiosity
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897258/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_4.07.33_PM.png)
| Wayfair
17 Tales Abdalhai Corduroy and Steel Chairs (Set of 4)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
This set of 4 stackable eating chairs may be the very best deal on our shortlist. There’s a really grown-up high quality to those chairs, which reduce a minimalist profile due to these glossy metal legs (I’m feeling a bit Googie leg-saturated in the meanwhile). The seats are additionally made out of corduroy (the Proustien madeleine of materials, am I proper?) in an inviting amber colorway.
You’ve been eyeing Cesca chairs
Don’t neglect to test secondhand websites
Honorable Point out: Stashable, Stackable Eating Stools
Should you’re an Alvaar Alto fan
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897277/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_4.24.01_PM.png)
| Wayfair
George Oliver Isolinda Stools (Set of 4)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
Don’t low cost the handiness of a eating stool, particularly in the event you reside in a very storage-starved condo. Arguably probably the most iconic stacking stool of our time is that this design by Alvar Aalto, which can also be famously duped by IKEA (given the lovable $400 value of the unique). This set of 4 comparable stools prices beneath $100 and comes as a mix-n-match coloration set with mild inexperienced, pink, white, and pure wooden grain seat colorways.
This set turns right into a aspect desk
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25897282/Screenshot_2025_03_04_at_4.24.59_PM.png)
| In any case Wooden
In any case Wooden Stackable Stools (Set of 4)
Costs taken at time of publishing.
Genius. Not one, not two, however a set of 4 stools make up this very Scandi-coded set of stools that may be transformed right into a sidetable.
Now invite some pals over for raclette already.