Recently, there has been a big trend towards mismatched dining tables and dining chairs. Yet many people are still asking the question: Do Dining Chairs Need To Match The Table? Well, we'll explore the answer below, discussing both views and the pros and cons of each. We’ll also take a look at what spaces matching dining tables and dining chairs work, and where mismatched options are better placed. Lastly, you’ll also find information on how to successfully create both types of dining room decor and the rules you should follow to do so. Just keep reading to find out more.
Do dining chairs need to match the table? - Yes!
Interior decor experts who agree with the question of ‘do dining chairs need to match the table’ have several compelling reasons.
Cohesion and simplicity
With minimal effort, you can create a look that creates an inviting space for family and guests. A space which is also cohesive and shows off your design style. All in one go.
Choosing matching dining chairs and dining tables creates a sense of visual calm. This is because matching sets are expertly designed to work together in a space. They will distribute form and weight evenly and ensure that they work as an ensemble. What this means is it's pretty hard to get it wrong when you choose a set that has been specially crafted to be used together.
Last of all, an excellent reason to choose a matching dining chair and table set is that it makes any future furniture shopping a breeze. This is because when you have a set that matches, finding other items that fit with this aesthetic will be much clearer. You’ll also be able to skip all of the indecision and worry that comes with ordering new pieces for a more eclectic dining table and chair set-up, then worrying the whole time whether they will work, or whether you will have to go through the hassle of returning them.
Expert tip: Always look for tables and chairs from the same collection, like this walnut Japandi style set. Then, the materials and proportions are already engineered to work together.
Proportion and comfort
Matching dining table and dining chair sets tend to be much more comfortable. This is because you won't need to search for multiple chairs that fit the size of your table. Instead, as long as one chair in a matching set fits the rules below, you will know that the rest do too.
Factor | Rule | Reason |
Height | 17-19 inch seat heights | Standard tables are 28-30 inches, so these heights promote comfort. |
Spacing | 10-12 inch legroom clearance | Promotes comfort and allows for movement |
Larger spaces | 24-inch plus wide chairs | Provides better balance for long rectangular tables. |
Smaller spaces | 18-20 inch slimmer chairs | Better fit around smaller tables - especially round ones. |
Shape | Geometry should match - squares with squares, circles with circles, etc | This creates more visual balance and flow. |
Materials and harmony
Dining room chairs and tables with the same finish help to unify the space. You can achieve this look by picking one element, such as the shape, finish, or color and making sure that your tables and chairs all share this. Investing in table and chair sets that have been professionally designed to be together is even more effective.
Expert tip: When mixing materials, limit yourself to a single dominant finish like these naturally finished sets. This will help ensure visual harmony. But add some texture and variety.
Ordered space and psychology
Stress, or the lack of it that matching dining room sets create, is another impactful reason to choose this option. Indeed, psychologically matching sets suggest a more ordered space. One that feels safe in which to sit and enjoy.
Value over time
Last of all, the benefit of choosing tables and chairs that match is that they tend to retain their value over time. This is because, unlike non-matching sets which are on-trend at the moment, matching ones never really go out of fashion. They are also much easier to sell secondhand and reclaim some of the initial cost if you do want to make a change.
Where matching dining tables and chairs work best
Formal dining rooms
One of the spaces in which matching your dining table to your chairs works best is in a space that has a more formal feel. Recently, there has been a move back to a more formal approach to dining in the interior design world. That means furniture that matches this vibe, like tables that match the chairs, is more in demand. The main reason for this is that more formal rooms require a sense of the essence of unity and cohesion that matching dining sets provide. They also reflect the specific intent of the space, which is to gather together and enjoy each other's company while also enjoying a meal. In this way, matching dining sets can elevate the dining experience, making them perfect for a formal dining area.
Traditional and period style homes
Another great choice for matching dining sets is traditional and period-style homes. Matching dining table and chairs work in this kind of space, by reflecting the heritage setting around them. Matching dining sets also offer the opportunity to match some of the other decor features with the fabric on the chairs. This creates a more cohesive, opulent vibe that oozes sophistication.
Minimalist and contemporary interiors
Matching dining tables and chairs can also work especially well in contemporary interiors. One reason for this is that the sleekness of a matched set will pair perfectly with the clean lines of a more modern home. Another reason that minimalist homes often have matching dining tables and chairs is that they tend to stay much more timeless. This means they are likely to better complement the rest of the furniture, and minimize the risk of having to buy a new set as soon as the current trend is over.
Smaller spaces
A dining table with chairs that match also works well in a smaller space. This is because the harmony that a matching set creates helps to make a space feel larger and avoid a cluttered vibe.
Expert tip: Choose slimline chairs for compact or round tables. These will prevent overcrowding of the space.
Factors to consider when choosing matching dining tables and chairs
Even though matching your table and chairs does simplify the process, it's still important to know what to look for. That is why our experts have come up with this easy-to-read table on the factors you can consider when making a purchase.
Factor | Reason | Explanation |
Size | Balance | Equalize proportions in your space to avoid the feeling of overcrowding. |
Materials | Coordination | Coordinated materials and finishes help to create visual harmony. |
Colors | Complimentary colors | Create cohesion by finding tones and colors that work together. |
Style | Consistency | Assemble an intentional look with consistent visuals |
Comfort | Functionality | No one will use chairs and tables that look great but are uncomfortable. |
Expert tip: Always test for visual balance when buying a table and chairs. Ensure neither one is overpowering.
Do dining chairs need to match the table? - No!
Design shift
Style grazing, as TLC Interiors calls it, is bang on trend right now. This means that matchy-matchy style is less popular. Instead, the cousins, not twins, approach, where you take a bit from one style and a little is in. Of course, a non-matching or eclectic approach is the perfect fit here.
Personal expression
Another reason to choose non-matching dining room chairs and tables is that it can be a great way to add personality to a space and show your own style. This is because different chairs each contribute something different, all while adding texture and interest at the same time.
Practical benefits
There are some significant practical benefits to choosing mismatched dining tables and chairs. One of these is that if an item gets damaged, aged, or worn out, it's much easier to replace, especially once a long time has passed. This is because instead of having to search high and low for a perfectly matching item, you can find one that complements the vibe.
For the same reason, mismatched tables and chairs are also a much more eco-friendly and budget-friendly option. This is because you can thrift them individually from secondhand sites or thrift stores. Both of these things prevent items from ending up in the landfill and make purchases cheaper for you.
Mixed-matched chairs can also help shake up the traditional dynamic around the dining room table, allowing guests to choose the one they find the most comfortable, or the most representative of their mood or personality.
Visual excitement
One of the most compelling reasons to choose mismatched chairs and tables in the dining room is for the visual excitement. An eclectic look instantly smashes any visual monotony. This makes your living space interesting and dynamic. For some, this is an essential consideration when making the choice of whether to opt for matching or not.
Where non-matching chairs and tables work best
Open plan spaces
Non-matching dining tables and chairs work particularly well in certain spaces. The first of these are open-plan kitchen and dining spaces. The reason for this is that open-plan spaces lack physical boundaries. This means anything you place within them needs to be much more visually impactful in order to work.
Mismatched chairs and tables also help to make an open-plan space feel more relaxed. In this way, you can avoid the millennial greige trend and stop your home from looking like a showroom.
Eclectic style interiors
Another type of room in which mismatched tables and chairs work well is an eclectic space. Indeed, mismatching is the very essence of the eclectic look, and a great visual reference for this is Monica’s apartment in the hit 90s TV show Friends. There she matched all kinds of styles and colors of chairs successfully around a wooden round table. Although you can see that she stuck to a wooden material, and a more aged farmhouse look to ensure cohesion.
Rustic interiors
Mismatched tables and chairs are also ideal for rustic interiors as they provide a much more relaxed vibe than matching items. This provides a warm, lived-in look that works perfectly as a family space, all anchored around a robust farmhouse-style table.
Mid-century and loft spaces
You may think that mid-century interiors demand sets of matching tables and chairs, but that isn't always the case. Instead, you can use mismatched chairs and tables successfully to create a real Hygge vibe. To do this, just remember to match materials and colors such as light woods to retain visual coherence.
Factors to consider when choosing an unmatched dining table and dining chairs
Factor | Reason | Explanation |
Contrast | Complementary designs | The key here is using complementary designs to create contrast in an intentional way. |
Materials | Variety | A variety of finishes and textures can work together to create depth and interest. |
Colors | Contrast | It is best to keep tones cohesive even when mixing colors. For example, choosing all bright, all pastel, or all natural finishes. |
Shape | Combine | The way to mix different-shaped tables and chairs successfully is to find silhouettes that work together. Often, silhouettes from the same or similar time periods can work well. |
Proportions | Balance | Even with a non-matching table and chairs, you will still need to consider how to balance the proportions of the different items. This will stop pieces from looking awkward or not being functional. |
Picture credits: @her___interior_life_adventure
Do Dining Chairs Need To Match The Table? FAQs
1. Can you use different styles of chairs around a dining table?
Sometimes yes! It depends on the kind of space you have and the look and feel that you are going for. For example, mismatched dining tables and chairs work well in open-plan spaces, and where homeowners want to create a sense of interest.
2. What is the perfect height difference between a dining table and a dining chair?
The best height difference between a dining table and the chairs that surround it is around 10-12 inches (254-305 mm). By ensuring this is correct, you will ensure comfort and can use just about any style of chair you like.
3. Are sets of matching dining tables and dining chairs going out of style?
Absolutely not. Matching dining table and dining chair sets are a wise design choice and a good investment for the future. Matching a dining table to the dining chairs surrounding it works particularly well in certain spaces. These include period properties and smaller spaces. Matching dining table and dining chairs also convey a simplicity and elegance that mismatched dining tables and dining chairs cannot.