Chairs are one of those things we mix between budget finds and pricier investments. On the low end we’ve had a $30 thrift-store egg chair, $32 stools from a school supply site, and $35 secondhand office chairs. But we’ve also splurged on a few nicer pieces: a $230 leather chair from Target in our office, a $199 armchair from Joss & Main in our bedroom, and two $118 Dolce lounge slipper chairs from Target that moved from our first house to the guest room.
Recently we added a new kitchen chair. It was hard to pass up free shipping and a sale price of $298 (originally $498) from Joss & Main. We wanted something with more presence than the short white Ikea chair that had been shoved into that kitchen corner “just for now” after our move. That little white chair worked fine for a while, but it disappeared visually in the room—so we decided to find something more substantial and more appropriate for the spot.
The new chair has clean lines and a tailored look with tasteful tufting on the back cushion. It also features slim legs that give it a neat profile without feeling heavy. From afar you can’t miss it: the taller back makes the chair visible from across the room, which helps the corner feel intentional instead of empty.
Here’s why we thought this chair would work well in the kitchen:
- Dark fabric: The color helps disguise food messes and sticky little fingers, which is practical in a room where kids often eat.
- Taller back: Unlike the previous short chair, the new chair’s back is visible from a distance, so the corner reads as part of the room rather than a void.
- Good side profile: The rounded, curvy shape looks nice from multiple angles, which matters when a chair is visible from several doorways.
- Versatile design: Its neutral tone and clean shape mean that if it didn’t work in the kitchen, we could easily use it elsewhere—like the playroom, office, or bedroom.
When it arrived, it fit the space perfectly. The dark hue grounds the corner and ties into the darker floors, balancing the bright, white counters and cabinets so the kitchen doesn’t feel washed out. Coincidentally, the fabric is very similar to the dark gray on our sectional in the living room, which creates an unexpected but pleasing visual connection between the rooms. That fabric has held up well with a kid and a dog in the living room, so we’re hopeful it will be equally durable in the kitchen.
Another win: Clara can now sit in the chair and eat without us holding our breath. She enjoys Jammy Sammies in this spot, which used to be nerve-racking when she took them to the old white chair. The taller back also means we can actually see the chair over the peninsula, so the corner no longer looks like a blank gap from across the room.
We paired the chair with an ottoman that’s been with us for a while. At first we tried a white pouf that tends to travel through the house, but it was too low. The taller ottoman feels incredibly comfortable—almost like a recliner because your feet are fully supported—so it stays. The chair’s back even comes up over my shoulders, making it a cozy spot to read while Clara interrupts me a minute later to request board books. Even a hundredth reading of the same story is easier when you’re settled in a genuinely comfortable chair.
Small upgrades like this make the fireplace corner feel more inviting and functional. We have a few more ideas to improve this often-overlooked space and we’ll share those as we make progress. As for the old white Ikea chair, it’s not gone for good—we plan to move it into the sunroom near the white daybed once we get around to finishing that untouched space.
So that’s the latest chair update: a practical, stylish addition that improves both the look and function of our kitchen corner. Do you mix budget and splurge pieces in your home too? Any recent chair upgrades or makeovers you love?
Psst—don’t forget to check out our river adventures over on Young House Life for more family moments (and Burger’s stick-chewing skills).