Over the last few years, kitchens and dining rooms have gotten a lot more casual. Large, open kitchens aren’t just for cooking anymore; they’re a gathering spot for the whole family and a convenient hub for entertaining. And often dining rooms are no longer necessarily their own separate space, but are instead part of a multipurpose greatroom. That means there’s a lot more room to get creative with your dining set, particularly your choice of dining chairs.
Keep It Coordinated
The most traditional option is to have a full set of identical chairs placed evenly around your dining table. This works for a few chairs or many, and tables that are big, small, round, square, or rectangular. Whether the chairs are high backed, upholstered, formal dining chairs or simpler, more casual wood seats, having perfectly matched chairs lends the dining set a rigid, traditional look and a nice sense of balance that won’t draw attention to itself.
Elevate Either End
![Upgrading to upholstered chairs at either end of the table can make an otherwise humble dining set feel elegant (by de[luxe] design studio)](https://homethang.com/blogimages//2014/10/Upgrading-to-upholstered-chairs-at-either-end-of-the-table-can-make-an-otherwise-humble-dining-set-feel-elegant-by-deluxe-design-studio.jpg)
From there, though, you can easily dress a basic table up or down simply by changing out the dining chairs. For example, if you have a dining room set with basic wooden chairs and a rectangular dining table, swapping out the two chairs at either narrow end of the table with matching upholstered chairs can give the whole setup a much more formal, sophisticated appearance. Setting up only two upholstered chairs is a simple way to elevate a more casual dining set. In a pinch, you can even cover an existing chair with a tailored slipcover for that slightly more regal appearance.
Or Sideline Some Side Chairs
Another option that’s been gaining popularity lately is to replace the chairs on one side of a dining table with a bench. Reminiscent of the banquettes that are also coming back in vogue, this setup offers more flexibility in terms of maximum seating capacity while creating a look that’s more relaxed and casual than a conventional dining set. The benches themselves can range from very basic (like the rustic wood benches you might find paired with a picnic table) to fairly ornate (either in terms of woodwork or upholstery). The design you choose – and the chairs you pair it with – will have a major impact on the overall appearance of the dining room. But even very decorative benches tend to have a more relaxed, homier appearance than a traditional set of chairs.
Mix and Match!
For a much more casual look, you can shirk the idea of a dining “set” entirely, and opt instead to mix and match your chairs; different sizes, different styles, different colors, whatever! This is an especially good option if you’re fond of vintage finds or flea market salvages that come packed with personality; turn of the century and mid century modern mass produced chairs might not match, but they pair well stylistically for a fun, eclectic look that’s very casual. Mixing and matching upholstered chairs can work, too, particularly if you want to mellow out a formal dining room.
Unified By Color
Afraid that your dining set will dissolve into chaos if you just pick your chairs out willy-nilly? A great way to give non-matching chairs a sense of unity is to pick ones that are the same color or paint them to match. This works especially well with wire and molded plastic mid century modern chairs. They look great in just about any color, and you can find them in a rainbow of matching shades. That way, you’ll get the eclectic feel of having different style chairs, but without making the space too busy. Ditto for upholstered chairs: mix up the backs, legs, and arms, but keep the upholstery consistent.
Unified By Style
If you want a more playful look, you can buy lots of the same dining chairs in different colors. For wood, plastic, or metal chairs, that can mean making a bright, mix-and-match rainbow of colors arranged any way you want for a look that’s eye catching, but is at least consistent enough in terms of design not to be distracting. With upholstered chairs, you can get even more wild, mixing and matching fabric patterns as well as colors. For a look that’s a bit more subdued, stick with chairs that are in different shades of the same color. You still get a bright, varied look, but one that’s more ombre than rainbow; a bit less busy and more unified.
Your imagination is the limit when it comes to personalizing your dining set. So don’t be afraid to mix, match, and have a little fun with it!
