How to Mix and Match Dining Room Chairs

While it’s typical for people to pair their dining room table with matching chairs, there’s no design rule that says your dining chairs need to mirror or even resemble their table counterpart. In fact, an eclectic mix of dining seating can elevate the look of your dining room—as long as you choose your chairs carefully.

Picking a proper set of mix-and-matched chairs can be intimidating, but with advice from the experts, you can make your home look like a page from a magazine.

If you’re wondering how to mix and match dining room chairs, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing our seven tips for creating an intentional, well-designed dining space.

Tip 1 – Combine Different Materials

One of the easiest ways to create a cohesive look with your dining chairs is to vary the materials. For example, instead of picking an all-steel dining set, try alternating between steel and wooden dining chairs. The interplay between the natural wood and the industrial stainless steel makes for an eye-catching display.

Other possible material pairings include:

• Wood and acrylic
• Rattan and upholstered fabric
• Plastic and wood

Tip 2 – Balance the Weight and Shape

A common pitfall for first-time designers is to choose dining room chairs that are too similar in size and weight. While it’s tempting to closely match your chairs, you’ll get the best results by creating contrast.

So, if you’ve settled on thin-legged chairs for the center of the table, like our rustic Windsor dining chair, round out your seating with some chunky, wide-legged seats at the ends. By contrasting weight and shape, you create a sense of balance, ensuring your chairs don’t feel like they’re competing with one another.

Tip 3 – Create Contrast with Colors and Fabrics

Of course, there’s more than one way to create contrast. Choosing chairs in two complementary colors—such as blue and orange—can turn your dining room into a vibrant, welcoming space.

If you want a daring, dramatic look, go for the boldest hues of both colors. For a more understated style, opt for paler shades of your contrasting colors.¹

You can take a similar approach by choosing different materials in the same color. For example, some chairs could sport shiny gray leather, while others could be clad in gray cotton. This textural contrast is more subtle than a two-color solution, but it’s just as effective.

Tip 4 – Embrace Symmetry

Whether you go bold and bright or clean and simple, symmetry is your best friend. You can create a symmetrical look by taking one of two approaches:

• Alternating chairs – When you alternate two sets of mismatched dining chairs, you keep the visual contrast clear—your guests will never see matching chairs side by side.
• Differentiating between the sides and the end – If the head chair and end chair of your table feature one dining chair style, the rest of the table should showcase your other chairs.

Tip 5 – Consider Your Space Layout

The size and style of your living space should also guide your chair choices.

In a smaller, closed-off dining room, you’ll want to be careful about how many different tones and textures you use. Too many materials or styles can make the space feel cluttered, so stick to one material or color here.

In an open-concept home, you’ll have to consider the entire space. Think about all the varied shapes and finishes you can see—in your kitchen, dining room, and living room—and search for seating choices that complement these features.

Tip 6 – Mix Chair Styles Based on Table Shape

Remember that your dining room chairs don’t exist on their own. They’ll always be close to your dining table, so you’ll want to take the table shape into account and consider seating for round dining tables vs square or rectangular tables.

This is one area where contrast is less welcome. Although there are exceptions, round or oval tables look best with curved chairs, while rectangle or square dining room tables pair better with angular chairs (though rounded options can also work). If you're still settling on a table shape for your space, read up on the different dining table styles, from round vs rectangle dining tables and beyond.

Tip 7 – Incorporate a Bench for Flexibility

Lastly, keep in mind that a dining room chair doesn’t have to be a chair at all. Wooden benches, like our timeless farmhouse bench, can add an extra level of visual interest to your dining room, contrasting sharply with the singular chairs.

If you do plan to add a bench or banquette, we suggest sticking to one style of chair for consistency’s sake.

Best of all, benches are practical—they can help you squeeze more guests into your space during holiday dinners and celebrations, and they often slide beneath the table for easy storage.

Style Your Dining Room with James & James

With some care and creativity, you can put together a striking set of complementary dining chairs. This design choice transforms your dining room into a lively, interesting space that every guest will love.

No matter what mix-and-match style you prefer, you deserve top-quality dining room tables and chairs—like the ones from James & James. Our handcrafted wood furniture is available in several stunning finishes, so you’re sure to find the look you’re searching for.

Shop our collection of solid wood dining tables, from organic modern dining tables to vintage dining table styles, and create a cohesive look with our extensive collection of wood dining chairs and benches today.

Sources:

1. Homes & Gardens. What is a complementary color scheme? Designers explain how to create beautiful spaces with bold pairings. https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/what-is-a-complementary-color-scheme