The Windsor chair has a truly distinctive design, both in relation to what went before it, and almost every chair ever since. It features a thick, single-piece wooden base that’s often shaped like a saddle, splayed legs that are morticed from below, and a back rest that’s formed of spindles.
Some but not all Windsor chairs have arm rests that also sit on spindles. Unlike the majority of other chairs, the legs and back rest aren’t directly connected to each other in any way, making the Windsor closer to a stool with a back rest than a more traditional chair.
The backs of Windsor chairs can come in different stylistic variations, like wheel backs which feature a circular splat and radiating spindles or with pointed arches in the gothic taste, but the enduring popularity of this chair isn't just in its looks - the supportive spindles and the contoured top make it very comfortable.
Despite its cohesive design, the Windsor is often constructed from multiple different types of wood, with elm popular for the base itself thanks to its decorative grain, strength and resistance to splitting. The legs, back rest and arms are often made from other woods, including ash, beech, cherry and walnut, with the final form often stained and polished.
Along with a range of woods, Windsor chairs also come in different variations - some feature ornately shaped splats that form the centre of the back rest, while others rely on spindles alone. Back rests vary in height and style, from low-back chairs to gothic, while arm rests and legs also feature different forms depending on manufacturer. Top bows for the back rest are often steamed to shape.
Created for a Life Outdoors
The Windsor chair has its origins in the early 18th century, during a period where gardens were becoming increasingly popular as entertainment spaces for the gentry and aristocracy. Naturally, more traditional furniture of the time wasn’t suited to use outdoors, being large, heavy and awkward to move.
1746 - Sir Roger and Lady Bradshaigh Edward Haytley, the occupied chair presumably of the windsor variety © Wikimedia Commons
As a simple, compact and lightweight alternative, the Windsor chair was the ideal solution. Contemporary paintings suggest that early Windsor chairs were painted green, helping to blend in with the environment while also adding water proofing.
According to the Regional Furniture Society, early Windsor chairs were initially known as Forest chairs, possibly because they were made first in the Forest of Windsor. Although there was often a distinction between painted Forest chairs and the 18th-century stained and polished alternatives created purely for use indoors, both are now typically referred to as Windsor chairs.
Popularity Throughout the Ages
The Windsor chair's popularity grew steadily throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, adapting to the needs of each era while retaining its iconic design. Although it may have started life as an outdoor chair, the Windsor soon made its way indoors, becoming a favorite among households of all classes.
By the mid-18th century, its lightweight construction and affordability helped to drive widespread appeal, particularly in England and colonial America, where furniture makers began creating local variations. The introduction of steam-bending techniques for shaping wood spindles and backs further refined the design, adding elegance to its functionality.
A windsor in an unusual setting: this is how Republicans left the typesetting machines at the Cork Examiner newspaper offices before Free State or National Army troops arrived in Cork city © Wikimedia Commons
In the 19th century, the Windsor chair evolved with industrial advancements. Factories began producing components in bulk, making the chairs even more accessible to a broader audience. The American Windsor, in particular, saw unique adaptations, such as the fan-back and comb-back styles, which showcased regional craftsmanship and tastes.
Meanwhile, in England, the high-back Windsor with intricate gothic or wheel-back designs became fashionable in country homes. Despite these variations, the essential structure and craftsmanship of the Windsor chair remained intact, with emphasis remaining on durability and aesthetic simplicity.
Did you know?
This iconic chair probably gets its name from Windsor, England, which became a trading centre between producers and dealers.
Hardwoods like elm, yew, oak or ash can be used, but the choice usually depended on regional availability.
To make a Windsor chair, you would typically need around 10-15 board feet of hardwood.
As the Industrial Revolution advanced, the Windsor chair transitioned from a symbol of rural craftsmanship to a product of mass production - leading to its enduring popularity. The chair's versatility ensured its continued presence in homes, inns and public spaces, and most people in the UK will have experienced the Windsor chair in one form or another.
Today, the Windsor chair is rightfully celebrated as a timeless classic, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, with its 18th and 19th-century roots serving as a testament to its enduring design and cultural impact.
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