5 Tips for Mixing and Matching Dining Chairs to Create an Eclectic Space

Mixing and matching chairs is a classic understated design choice. However, getting the look yourself might pose a challenge. That's because the trick is combining differently designed chairs that complement each other without clashing.

We reached out to expert designers to gather their tips on how to mix and match dining chairs in ways that make sense visually, while not overwhelming a space. Read on for their advice for combining a range of dining chair styles.

Blend Different Wood Finishes

Mixing and matching different chair frames or styles works if you can also use the same material, like wood, finished in different stains or paints.

Shawn Zaripov, a furniture expert at Superior Seating, says he prefers to go for items that are cohesive but aren't too matchy. To achieve this, he will often opt for X-back chairs because they bring warmth to a room with their neat lines and comforting presence. He will then pair them with a simple side chair in the same wood finish to achieve a continued look.

“The idea is to mix shapes and details but stay in the same color family, so the space feels like it’s been put together thoughtfully, without looking too planned out," Zaripov says. Many of his wood dining chairs are often finished or painted a separate color to offer a touch of variety to the scene.

Mix Wood and Steel for a Rustic Meets Modern Look

Another easy way to mix and match chairs is to avoid using too much color and instead highlight simple yet refined materials. Artem Kropovinsky, an interior design expert and founder of Arsight, combines chairs made from warm oak and others made from sleek stainless steel. Mixing the two materials creates an unexpectedly charming space.

“This combination of materials taps into two worlds: the rustic allure of oak and the refined, modern sheen of stainless steel," he says. "The two materials produce a stimulating visual and tactile experience.”

Pair Acrylic and Wood for a Contemporary Design

Amanda Chando, principal designer and owner of Details and Design in Annapolis, Maryland also uses pared-down materials when mixing and matching dining room chairs.

She focuses on blending chairs in a rich dark wood material and a low-back vintage style with armchairs made from blush acrylic. These latter chairs are listed as a Sun Orange color, but they are a blush tone in-person, offering a neutral palette that easily complements the wood chairs. Thus, neither chair provides too bold of a color that would clash when combined.

Combine Styles but Different Patterns for Harmonious Juxtaposition

At the same time. you can easily blend different patterns if the style or frame of the dining room chairs already match. Wendy Conklin, a chair stylist at Chair Whimsy, created dining chairs using the same frames for a common thread that ties all the chairs together.

Conklin who had some chairs designed for herself in Italy mixed French with Victorian which were both antique-inspired. However, the trick was choosing flower patterns similar in size so as not to create too jarring of an effect on viewers.

“You want to make sure the florals are the same scale if you’re using a bunch of different florals," she says. "You need to have a common color between all of them—we did that with the color pink.”

Use the Same Frames but Simple Colors for a Relaxing Atmosphere

While you can look for bold patterns to create an invigorating and dynamic dining space, using chairs with the same frames but simple color schemes can foster a calming atmosphere perfect for nights in.

Gillian Gillies, the founder and principal designer at Gillian Gillies Interiors, prefers when her furniture doesn’t all match color-wise but keeps it simple with softer shades.

“It still has to be cohesive and should feel purposeful, but I feel like dining rooms are more approachable when the pieces are a little mismatched,” Gillies says. This will make you want to use the dining space more since it's more authentic, she says.