The Kitchn received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
It’s hard to feel like an adult when the only perch for plates you currently have is a coffee table that you also use as a WFH desk and a nightly dining spot. This leads you here: You’re in need of a dining table and chairs, but you also don’t have a lot to spend right now. So, you need an affordable find that also speaks to your style.
Don’t stress: It’s absolutely possible to get grown-up furniture while also sticking to a budget — you just have to know where to look. Yes, there’s always the (very solid) option of scouring flea markets and thrift stores for quality pieces at bargain-basement prices, but for anyone who needs something, like, now (or would rather do their shopping online), we’ve got seven of the best sites for scoring a full dining set on a low budget.
Now, “low budget” is subjective, so let’s make a few things clear. Typically, at mid-range to higher-end retailers (and even some “budget” big-box stores), a dining set including a table and four chairs can easily break the $1,000 mark — often being twice or three times that much. That’s why, for the sake of this article, we committed to finding shops with a good offering of tables in fresh, modern styles for less than $300 and chairs under $100.
The only problem with shopping for furniture on Amazon is that the options are seemingly endless. Narrow things down by filtering for only pieces from their in-house brands.
Expect to find: Pretty much everything, if you have the time to scroll and sort.
If you’re thinking that Walmart doesn’t have furniture that’ll mesh with your style, you’re incorrect! The retailer brings some serious design power when it comes to dining furniture, including modern bucket-style seats, tufted chairs that look way more expensive than they are, cool benches, and more.
Expect to find: An array of traditional, mid-century, and industrial pieces that will seriously surprise you.
Wayfair might not be the most surprising retailer on this list, but it would be a shame not to include an excellent e-commerce resource just for the sake of shock and awe. A quick filter to set your budget will render hundreds of results in all kinds of aesthetics.
Expect to find: Traditional and transitional styles, plenty of upholstered seating, and pedestal tables.
Owned by Wayfair, Joss & Main used to be a flash-sale site (when that was still a regular thing) that sold furniture and home decor. The site’s style tends to lean more “modern traditional,” which, yes, sounds like a contradiction, but just means well-known and -loved silhouettes/colors/fabrics with a bit of a modern, fresh twist. Be sure to check out another sister site: AllModern.
Expect to find: Well, plenty of “modern traditional” furniture, lots of Louis XVI-type French seating, and plenty of high-style pieces tailored to a lower budget.
Yes, the same store you frequent for air filters and spray paint also happens to sell some pretty great furniture. You can typically find your fair share of decor including rugs and mirrors in store, but for larger furniture pieces like dining tables and chairs, you gotta head online.
Expect to find: A good amount of pretty basic offerings, but do a little digging, and you’ll find some solid choices.
Target has so much furniture online! Way more than what’s in stores. Shop the brand’s in-house lines — such as Hearth & Hand with Magnolia (the Chip and Joanna Gaines line!), Project 62, and Threshold — or compare prices for national brands that you might find elsewhere, too.
Expect to find: A range of traditional, farmhouse, and modern. Target also has lots of options for small spaces.
Believe or not, Macy’s isn’t solely reserved for special occasion shopping (or watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade). The department store offers a wide range of products suitable for day-to-day browsing as well, including hundreds of affordable dining room pieces. With regular sales and promotions, it’s a smart choice for sprucing up your space on a budget.
Expect to find: Styles that range from modern and minimalist to classic and traditional, as well as plenty of outdoor dining selections if you want to get ahead of the season.
No matter your style — modern, classic, you name it — Ashley has you covered. Its pieces are built to last for prices we can get on board with. The brand has regular sales, so you can snag trendy dining sets without blowing your budget. It’s the go-to for creating a chic dining space that’s all about comfort and style.
Expect to find: Stylish and budget-friendly furniture with durable designs that are long-lasting.
If you don’t already have Bed Bath & Beyond bookmarked as a go-to online home decor resource, you’re missing out. Prices tend to change pretty regularly (very much dependent on supply and demand), so it’s either a game of “hurry up and buy” or “wait out a better price.” They’re also a retailer that sells the same stock you’ll find on other sites (Target, Wayfair, Amazon, AllModern), but often for at least a few bucks less.
Expect to find: Everything from modern to transitional at prices that are hard to beat.
