Matching dining room sets are great. But if you want something more original and unexpected, you can mix and match your dining room chairs! You could buy brand-new chairs, use some you already own, or find second-hand ones at flea markets or garage sales.
But you can’t just place any random chairs you like around your dining table, as your dining room could look like a mess. There is a method to mixing and matching furniture, and it also requires creativity and an eye for detail.
Learn how to mix and match dining room chairs, and start having fun!
1. Get the same chairs in different colours
One of the simplest ways to mix and match dining room chairs is to get chairs of the same model but in different colours. You can easily pull this off if dining room sets are available in various colours.
Look at your dining room decor to help you select the colours of your chairs. Your dining room chairs could complement your current colour scheme if it contains more than one colour. Visit a furniture store to find a wide selection of chairs, from traditional types to unique pieces.
But if you are bold, you could get a few chairs in an accent colour that stands out from the rest of your dining room decor.
2. Stick to one colour and have fun with shapes
You can do that if you prefer mixing and matching chairs of different shapes. You can go as wild as you want with your shapes, sizes, and styles. But do make sure your electric chairs all have the same colour.
In mixing and matching, you must keep at least one element consistent. The result will look messy if your different chairs have nothing in common.
So vary your shapes, but stick to one colour. This is one way to successfully mix and match dining room chairs.
3. Choose shapes that complement each other
Is it possible to get chairs of different shapes and different colours? It is, but you should try to find chairs with shapes that complement each other.
For example, if you get antique dining room chairs with an oval back, you could mix and match them with modern chairs with a rectangular back. Just ensure they all have a similar height, which will help keep the look consistent.
Alternatively, you could choose chairs that don’t have much in common but have features that match your dining room table’s style, colour and material.
4. Mix heavy chairs with light ones
You could place two heavy, bulky armchairs at each end of a rectangular dining room table. Then, on each side, you could place light chairs with thin legs. Alternatively, your armchairs could be tall and have ornate legs, while your side chairs could be short and bulky.
When you mix and match chairs of different sizes and weights, you must ensure they create a cohesive look. However, they have to be different enough so that people instantly know they don’t come from the same set and that this was intentional.
5. Create contrast with materials
You can pick chairs made from different materials to create an interesting contrast. If your dining room table is made from wood, you could pick a few chairs with a wooden frame. Then you could mix and match them with chairs with a metal frame but similar upholstery tones.
You could also display chairs that come from the same dining room set but in materials that contrast with the materials of your dining room table. This way, your chairs will differ from your table but have consistency with one another.
6. Pay attention to the height
Ideally, all your chairs should have a similar height. But if you want to clearly distinguish between your head and side chairs, make sure the head chairs are taller.
If your side chairs are much taller than the chairs you place at both ends of your dining room table, the result will look slightly off. It’s best to aim for the opposite or to keep all chairs at the same height to create more consistency.
7. Swap a few chairs for a bench
Who says you need to have chairs all around your dining room table? You could have chairs only on one side and then have them face a nice upholstered bench.
Better yet, you could forget about the head chairs and have one bench on each side of your table. Or how about a bench on one side and a comfy sofa on the other? Bring consistency with your choice of colours or materials, and enjoy your unique dining room set.
