Part of Level's commercial chairs collection, our bentwood dining chairs are produced using the steam-bending technique first developed by Michael Thonet in the 1830s. Solid beech timber is heated with steam until pliable and shaped into the curved forms that define the bentwood style — creating a chair that is lightweight, structurally sound and visually refined. Level's bentwood chair range is available with a plain timber seat, cane seat or upholstered seat pad, with and without arms, and in natural beech, black stained and walnut finishes.
When specifiers reference Thonet chairs in Australia, Level stocks the genuine article. TON is produced in Bystřice pod Hostýném in the Czech Republic — the exact factory Michael Thonet opened in 1861. It operated under the Thonet name for nearly a century before being renamed TON in 1953 following nationalisation. The name changed. The factory, the location and the steam-bending technique did not. Many suppliers describe their chairs as bentwood — meaning they resemble the style — but are not produced by the steam-bending technique. For projects where design provenance matters, this distinction is significant. Browse the full TON range on Level's TON brand page.
Many of Level's bentwood dining chair collections are part of the same TON product family as our bentwood bar stools and bentwood armchairs, allowing a consistent aesthetic across dining, bar counter and occasional seating within the same venue. The TON 811 range — available with timber seat, cane seat or upholstered pad — is among the most specified bentwood collections for hospitality fit-outs in Australia. Browse our bentwood stools and armchairs pages for matching ranges, or contact our trade team to confirm direct pairings.
Level's trade team is available to assist with bentwood chair selection, sampling, finish confirmation and project coordination. We can confirm stock availability and lead times across the TON range and support your project from initial quote through to delivery. For bespoke bentwood chair specifications — including custom upholstery or finishes — our made-to-order service can be discussed directly with the team.
FAQs
A bentwood chair is produced using the steam-bending technique developed by Michael Thonet in the 1830s. Solid beech timber is heated with steam until pliable, then shaped into the curved forms that define the bentwood style. This process creates a chair that is lightweight, structurally sound and visually refined. The technique allowed Thonet to produce chairs of consistent quality at scale — Chair No. 14, produced from 1859, became the most widely manufactured chair in history and remains in continuous production today. Level's bentwood chair range includes genuine TON collections made in Thonet's original Czech factory.
TON and Thonet are the same factory. Michael Thonet opened the Bystřice pod Hostýném factory in the Czech Republic in 1861, and it operated under the Thonet name for nearly a century. After nationalisation, the factory was renamed TON in 1953 — Továrny ohýbaného nábytku, meaning Factories of Bent Furniture. The location, the workforce and the steam-bending technique remained unchanged. When specifiers reference Thonet chairs in Australia, TON is the authentic source — the original factory still producing bentwood furniture by the same method Thonet established over 160 years ago.
Level's bentwood chair collections from TON are genuine — produced in Thonet's original factory in the Czech Republic using the same steam-bending process developed in the 1830s. Many chairs described as bentwood in the Australian market are reproductions of the bentwood silhouette, produced from metal, laminate or moulded timber rather than steam-bent solid beech. For commercial projects where design integrity and provenance matter, the difference between genuine TON bentwood and a replica is both a quality and a specification question.
Level's TON bentwood dining chairs are available with three seat options across most collections — a plain timber seat, a cane seat and an upholstered seat pad in vegan leather or fabric. Cane seat options are among the most specified for cafes and restaurants, where the open weave of the cane complements the bentwood frame and provides a practical, long-lasting seat surface suited to commercial use. Upholstered options suit venues where guests are seated for extended periods. Custom upholstery is available through our COM and COL programme on selected collections.
Yes. Most of Level's TON bentwood chair collections are available in both a side chair version and a bentwood armchair version. Dining armchairs are commonly specified for end-of-table positions or for reception and lounge areas where a dining chair profile with additional comfort is required. The armchair and side chair versions within each collection share the same frame and finish options, making it straightforward to mix both within a single fit-out.
Yes. Many of Level's bentwood chair collections are part of the same TON product family as our bentwood bar stools, making it straightforward to align dining and bar counter seating within the same venue. The TON 811 range is among the most specified for this purpose — the dining chair, armchair and bar stool all belong to the same collection. Browse our bentwood stools page for the full matching bar stool range, or contact our trade team to confirm which collections offer a direct pairing.
Level's bentwood chairs are available in natural beech, black stained and walnut finishes across most TON collections. Natural beech is the most traditional bentwood finish and suits relaxed cafe and hospitality environments. Black stained bentwood chairs are among the most frequently specified commercial finishes and work across a broader range of interior palettes. Walnut finish is available on selected TON collections for projects requiring a richer, darker timber tone. Finish samples are available through our trade team before ordering.
Selected TON bentwood chair collections are stocked at Level's Melbourne warehouse and available for fast dispatch across Australia. In-stock availability is clearly indicated on each product page. For collections requiring specific finishes or upholstery, or for larger volume orders, lead times range from four to twenty-two weeks. Our trade team can confirm current availability and provide a delivery timeline suited to your project schedule.
Yes. Level is a wholesale partner for professionals across the building and design industry. We work with architects, interior designers, builders, developers and project managers on projects of every scale from boutique retail fitouts to large commercial and multi-site developments. Opening a trade account gives you access to wholesale pricing, detailed specifications, and dedicated project support.
Apply For a Trade AccountAbsolutely. Many of our ranges can be tailored in size, finish, and upholstery to meet your design requirements. Whether you’re furnishing a café, office, public space, hotel or retail fit-out, our team collaborates with you to deliver customised solutions that align with your project’s vision and budget.
Yes. Level delivers commercial furniture across Australia from our Melbourne warehouse. We support metro, regional and remote locations, with logistics designed for both single-site projects and multi-location rollouts. Delivery can be scheduled to fit seamlessly with your construction or fit out timeline.
View Delivery InformationOur lead times vary by collection, ranging from in stock items available for immediate dispatch to custom-indent orders up to a 22 week timeframe. We maintain a significant stock holding of our most popular ranges to support projects with tight deadlines. Our team can provide stock availability and accurate lead times for your specific project needs.
2/232 Centre Dandenong Road
Cheltenham VIC 3192
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