Most homes traditionally feature coordinated décor styles; this article discusses whether your dining room table should match the chairs. We look at different styles of interior decoration that give you room to play around with styles and designs that don’t stick to traditional decorating.
A dining room table and chairs don’t have to match; they don’t even have to match each other if they fit comfortably under your dining table. However, mismatched chairs must be the same height so diners do not look down or up at each other during dinner for the design to work.
Unfortunately, combining different chairs doesn’t always provide a cohesive design. It is an art to make the aesthetics of a mismatched dinner table work and fit together. The all-in-one dining room set days are gone. Let’s determine how to achieve the best results for the mismatched chair design look.
Table of Contents
How to Make Mismatched Chairs at the Dining Table Work
There are several reasons why a dining table and chairs do not have to match. However, it is not as simple as just throwing together different chairs. There is an order to make the mismatched design work.
There is no wrong or right way to choose your dining chairs. It all depends on your taste and style. A big deciding factor in choosing your dining table chairs is the style you are trying to create in your dining room.
Do you need a casual, relaxed, or formal dining room? Mismatched dining table chairs are the best way to showcase your personality and create a custom designer look in your home.
It is important to get the correct balance; there is a difference between a mix of stylish contrasting chairs to a dining table that looks like a bunch of random chairs has just been placed around it.
Some people like to make statements in their interior home design. Mismatched chairs at the dining room table are one design idea that makes a statement, like striking a shabby-chic style, focusing on a bold color palette, or drawing attention to detail.
If you like the look of mismatched chairs around a dining table, this design idea is for you. However, some examples can look fabulous, while others can look messy.
There are three ways to mix and match dining chairs: matching chairs, matching side chairs, different end chairs, and a combination of mismatched chairs where no two chairs look the same.
If you don’t know why some chairs work while others don’t, don’t worry, we look at designers’ tips on mismatched styling chairs to help you create your own artfully mismatched dining table setup.
Choose Chairs With The Same Design Style
The two main techniques used in interior decorating are matching and coordinating. Your dining table and chairs do not have to match but should coordinate. They should share some similarities and styles when combining multiple dining chair styles for the best results. When trying to make mismatched chairs fit and look disconnected, the problem could be that the chairs are too different in style and design.
Don’t be scared to mix styles and eras. As long as the shapes and styles complement each other, anything goes. Whether choosing French, Victorian, contemporary, country, or industrial, matching the same style of chairs in different mixes is the perfect way to successfully create a mismatched chair design for your dining room table.
Wooden Table & Upholstered Chairs Mismatched
Mixing a wooden table with mismatched upholstered chairs is perfect for creating a classic look for mismatched dining chairs and tables. The natural hues and tones of the wood table let your chairs stand out. Different textiles and fabric designs on the chairs create texture and unique features.
Bench On One Side of The Table
Some designers have recommended using a bench around a dining table as a great way to introduce the mismatched chair look.
To create uniformity, consider using the same style of chairs opposite the bench and contrasting chairs at the head and end of the table. Using a bench as part of the mismatched dining table design creates a unique look for your dining room.
Choose Chairs With Some Similarity
When we say it should have a visual harmony, we want the dining chairs to look mismatched rather than an accumulation deliberately. An ideal way to achieve this is to have similarities among the chairs. Choose similarities like texture, color, and material to tie the mismatched chairs together.
Mix up the fabric, but also mix up the color. Color is important, and matching the chairs to the dining table becomes vital. For example, when each chair is walnut or black, use the color variation to tie the chairs together.
This idea goes for the fabric too. Different style chairs with the same fabric can create the same effect. The key to a great blend is in the chosen fabric’s graphic lines and rectangular shapes to create matching styles that differ but still blend.
There are several options to consider for color and mismatched chairs. Choose a mix of light and understated tones to match, or you could choose bright, bold contrasting colors for a dramatic look.
Another option is to keep the colors consistent on the chairs. Using different-styled chairs with the same fabric and color palette is also good for creating a mismatched design.
Using chairs with interesting features is a great way to introduce mixed silhouettes and fabric while creating a well-blended mismatched look.
Using mismatched chairs around your dining table is a perfect way to create a custom interior design that makes a dramatic statement.
Keep An Eye on The Height
If your mismatched dining chairs are not coming together, their heights might be why they are not meshing. Try to be consistent and keep the height of the chairs on the same level so they don’t look zig zagged.
Also, consider the seat heights when choosing a mismatched dining chair. Different seat heights can make a difference when guests are seated at different heights. If the chairs are the same height and your guests are seated at the same level, you are free to mix and match any style of dining chair you want.
Choose Pairs
To give the mismatched design a sense of purpose, it’s a great idea to use a pair of chairs with the same design. Mismatched dining chairs should not be fighting with each other but should have a conversation and blend. Choose chairs that speak the same visual language with a refined style to pull off such a combination.
Choosing pairs allows you to pair different elements together and create a symmetrical pleasing look. By placing a different pair of chairs opposite each other around the table, you create a mixed but effortless look.
Create Asymmetrical Look
By matching the two chairs at the end of your dining table, you can create a mismatched look while it still looks composed, eye-pleasing, and symmetrical.
Matching the two chairs at the end of the table is the best way to provide a symmetrical look to the mismatched dining chairs.
With more space at the end of the table, most designers like to use chairs with armrests or chairs with a higher back to create a truly dramatic statement. Consider using chairs without arms around the rest of the table to maximize the effect.
The upholstered end chairs and lighter side chairs add a more traditional look to the dining room table and lighten the room. If upholstered chairs surround a table, it will look heavy and bulky, but pairing upholstered end chairs with lighter side chairs creates a balanced look.
Match The Chairs To The Room Decor
To create a unified look, try to match the chairs with the rest of the room decor through color, pattern, style, fabric, and unique designs. Another fun way to match your chairs to your dining room décor is to accessorize them with seat cushions in matching fabric and designs.
When you have difficulty finding mismatched chairs to create the look you want, try finding identical chairs in different colors.
Using the same design for the chairs but in two or three different colors creates a unique mismatched effect. You can use this interior design technique in any way, and the effect is always dramatic and unique.
Typically, contrasting colors are perfect for sharpening up a dining room. Contrasting colors work great with a classic design for that mismatched dining chair look.
Your table and chairs should not be made from the same material for a mismatched, coordinated dining room. To achieve a coordinated mismatched design, avoid using chairs and a table made from the same material, like a metal dining table with metal chairs and an oak table with oak chairs.
It is easy to find elements in common between your chairs and everything in your dining room decor so that, in the end, everything will tie in together.
Flooring Color
The color of your flooring is another consideration when matching dining chairs and a table. A big mistake is often made when the table and chairs match the flooring color. If this is already an issue in your dining room, a rug or carpet is a soft way to break up the monotony of color.
Adding softness beneath your dining table reduces the heavy feeling of all those hard textures.
What Color Chairs Matches a Black Table?
Black tables match any color of chairs, but consider the room décor before choosing a specific color. The easiest way to match your black table with chairs is to pick two main colors and one accent color.
You should select another primary color when black is already part of your palette. The results are less overwhelming if you closely pair an accent with the main color, like a dining table.
When the black table is the primary color, you will have great results using another dominant color on your chairs. The more unique the table, the more it will contrast with everything else in the room, and the more the table will stand out.
If the chairs, buffet, and drapes are all white, and the table is black, the table is bound to be the center of attention.
Mixing Different Color Wooden Chairs
Wood tones are available in 3 tones, neutral, cool, and warm. It is ok to mix different colors in your wooden chairs but make sure you can still see the tone of the wood. Typically, it is better to stick to the same wood tone in a room when decorating. Even though you can mix and match colors, you should not mix cool wood tones with warm tones.
Warm wood tones are pink, orange, and red. Mahogany, Hickory, and Cherry are warm-toned woods.
The cool wood is blue, purple, and green, typically from the Maple, Ash, Pine, and Poplar trees. Most neutral wood tones are beige, like Walnut and Birchwood.
Conclusion
One of the most frequently asked questions online is whether dining room tables and chairs must match, and the answer is not. When choosing dining chairs for your home, there are several different design choices, like matching chairs, mixing chairs with a bench, or completely mismatching where no two chairs look alike.
Your dining room chairs don’t need to match your table for your dining room to blend. The secret to mixing and matching dining table chairs is to group the chairs by style, height, and color.
Using mismatched dining chairs perfectly adds drama and color to your dining room and home. Mismatched chairs can make a statement, add personality and interest to your dining room and provide a designer look without the effort or a big price tag. A stylish, coordinated dining room can create unity and flow, even when nothing matches.