Creative and Stylish Ways to Mix and Match Dining Room Chairs

How do you make your dining room pop? By mixing and matching dining room chairs! If your initial thought is “Woah, that sounds tacky,” fear not. This design technique offers an easy way to freshen up your space and add a bold, electric flair without going too far. If you lean more into minimalist or classic designs, you can still mix and match in a way that works well with your personality and space.

The key is combining different materials and colors. We’ve curated creative ways to mix and match dining room chairs while maintaining balance and style.

brown wooden table and chairs — Photo by Spacejoy

Start with Your Foundation

Before thinking about dining chairs consider your foundation – the dining table. Depending on the shape of the table, you can decide what chairs work best. For instance, a rectangular table may offer more flexibility with large upholstered chairs while a round table works best with traditional chairs.

Elegant modern dining room featuring artistic decor, velvet chairs, and a unique chandelier. — Photo by Zak Chapman

Work with Different Chair Styles

The key to a well-balanced dining set is to blend different styles thoughtfully. Check out these ideas to get you started:

Wingback Chairs & Side Chairs: Wingback chairs work well with rectangular table shapes. Since they’re typically larger chairs, we recommend placing them at the ends of your dining table and contrasting them with simpler side chairs.

Brown dining table with blue wing backed chairs — Photo by Front Gate

Armchairs & Armless Chairs: For round tables, consider positioning armchairs alongside armless side chairs to create a formal yet inviting dining space.

White dining room table with white armed chairs and four brown armless chairs — Photo by Emily Henderson

Bench Seating & Traditional Chairs: Benches are fun and functional, effortlessly blending with a mix of chair styles to offer ample seating.

Stylish dining room featuring modern wood furniture, large windows, and artistic decor. — Photo by Curtis Adams

Classic & Contemporary Mix: Vintage chairs pair well with modern chairs to create visual interest and elevate design.

Dining table with wood top, grey vintage chairs and modern metal chairs — Photo by One Kings Lane

Upholstered & Non-Upholstered Chairs: Mixing upholstered fabric chairs with wood or metal chairs can add comfort to your space without skimping on style. This mix works well to amplify boho and eclectic styles.

Brown wood dining table with blue upholstered chairs and brown non-upholstered chairs — Photo by Maria Killiam

Bar Stools & Standard Chairs: Mix bar stools with standard-height chairs for a contemporary look. This works especially well if your dining table is counter-height.

Dining table with bar stools, a bench, and upholstered chairs — Photo by Casual Dining

Use a Cohesive Color Palette

Effortlessly blend your mixed and matched dining room chairs by sticking to a consistent color palette like neutral shades or bold patterns.

Monochromatic: Try pairing different chairs in varying shades of the same color or splitting them up, where half of your chairs are one color, and the other half feature a different color.

Brown dining table in living room with three black chairs and three brown chairs — Photo by Modish Living

Complementary Colors: Go bold without overdoing it by choosing chairs in colors that complement each other. This is a great way to mix and match while maintaining balance in the space.

Stylish open-plan living room and kitchen with modern furnishings and lighting. — Photo by Vecislavas Popa

Neutral Tones with a Pop of Color: Mix white, beige, and gray chairs with one or two colorful accent chairs to add flair to a simple dining room.

Stylish dining area with modern furniture and fresh greenery creating a cozy ambiance. — Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn

Patterned & Solid Combinations: A mix of patterned fabric chairs with solid-colored chairs offers a fun and eclectic touch.

blue and brown wooden table and chairs — Photo by Kenya Placido

Try Different Materials & Finishes

Mix and matching dining room chairs don’t stop at color. A mix of materials and finishes can add depth to your dining area.

Wood & Metal: If you love industrial or farmhouse designs, natural wood-toned chairs mix well with sleek metal chairs to achieve this feel.

Wood bench with metal chairs — Photo by Grain and Frame

Rattan & Upholstery: If your goal is to amplify the warmth and coziness of your dining area, mix rattan chairs with upholstered seating.

Rattan dining seats at white dining table with brown upholstered chair — Photo by Mix and Match Design

Leather & Caning: Looking to mix sophistication with relaxation? Try chairs with caning or wicker chairs.

Cream colored dining table with brown wicker chair and brown upholstered chairs — Photo by Joss & Main

Glossy & Matte Finishes: Pair glossy painted chairs and matte-stained wood chairs for a modern touch.

Brown dining table with white chairs — Photo by Architectural Digest

Reclaimed & New Materials: Reclaimed wood chairs are cost-effective and rustic, offering a sustainable and artistic vibe.

Brown table with brown and black chairs — Photo by Something Lovely

Balance Heights and Proportions

Balance is key! You can maintain a sense of balance by using different chairs that are similar in height. While they don’t need to match exactly, chairs similar in height can make dining more comfortable. If you’re using a bench, ensure its seat height aligns with the other chairs for a seamless appearance.

Blue and red mix and match dining chairs at brown dining table — Photo by Decoholic

Style with a Statement Piece

Maybe you’re a little hesitant about going all-out with mixing and matching. That’s ok! Start small with one statement chair style and complement it with other options. Consider placing bold, upholstered chairs at the ends of your table while keeping simpler chairs along the sides. This approach makes it easier to mix things up if you’re on the fence about style or color.

Stylish indoor dining room featuring modern decor with chandelier and artistic elements. — Photo by Zak Chapman

Add Comfort with Cushions

Mixing different chairs doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. Chair cushions and pads can unify mismatched chairs and add extra seating support. Consider using matching or similar chair cushions to tie together a variety of chair colors or use different patterned cushions to further embrace a mix-and-match style.

Brown dining room table with cushions on chairs — Photo by GWS Masonry & Home Improvement

Consider the Layout of Your Dining Space

The size of your dining area can determine how adventurous you can be with your chairs. In small spaces, a little contrast can go a long way — consider mixing just two styles instead of multiple. In larger dining rooms, you have more flexibility to work with various chair designs without making the space feel cluttered.

Elegant dining room featuring modern furniture and large windows for natural light. — Photo by Vecislavas Popa

Be Mindful of Ends & Sides

Make use of the head of the table. This prime location is great for featuring statement chairs like high-backed armchairs, wingback chairs, or bold accent color chairs. The side of the table can feature simpler dining chairs to keep the space open and balanced.

Styles for Special Occasions

Mix up chairs and mix up your theme. From special occasions to seasonal decor, this is where you’ll let your creativity shine.

Holiday Themes: Use red and green chairs for Christmas (or colors that match your tree and decor), or elegant gold and silver chairs for New Year’s Eve.

Glass dining table with wicker chairs and blue upholstered chair — Photo by Jennifer Perkins

Seasonal Variations: Lighter, woven chairs are great for summer, and plush, upholstered chairs for winter. Pillows are also an easy way to change your dining decor without swapping out furniture.

black and white dining table and chairs — Photo by Spacejoy

Let Your Personality Shine

Ultimately, your dining room reflects your style. Whether you prefer an eclectic mix of bold statement chairs or a sophisticated blend of neutral tones, your dining space should feel uniquely yours. Experiment with different styles, test out various colors and enjoy the process of creating a dining area that feels both comfortable and stylish.

empty dining table and chair — Photo by Mitchell Henderson on Unsplash

Mixing and matching dining chairs combines creativity, balance, and personal preference. Whether you’re hosting guests or enjoying a quiet dinner at home, a thoughtfully mixed dining set is all you need. So go ahead and break the rules!