How to match your table and chairs?

Should your dining table and chairs match?

Wondering whether your dining table and chairs should match? The answer is simple: they don't necessarily have to. Dining tables are often sold with matching chairs as a set, but this is mainly for convenience when decorating. There's nothing stopping you from choosing chairs in a different style that better reflect your taste.

Your dining table and chairs don't have to match exactly, but they should still feel coordinated. The key is to find a common thread between them: a shared material, such as wooden legs, a cohesive colour palette or a similar design language. It's this subtle connection that makes the difference between a considered dining space and a random mix of furniture.

The golden rule: start with the table

To successfully pair dining chairs with a table, always start with the table. It's the centrepiece of the dining room, defining both the style and proportions of the space. Explore our collection of designer dining tables to find the piece that will anchor your dining area. Once the table is chosen, the chairs can be selected to complement it.

Avoid choosing a table and chairs in exactly the same material and colour. When every element matches perfectly, the textures can blend together and make the dining room feel visually heavy. For a more modern interior, the dining area should feel as open and airy as possible. Let either the table or the chairs take centre stage, while the other plays a supporting role.

Which chairs go with a light wood dining table?

A light wood dining table, whether oak, ash or birch, creates a warm and bright foundation. Two approaches work particularly well when choosing chairs:

Fabric or velvet chairs in neutral tones: beige, grey dining chairs or cream. Fabric softens the look of the wood and creates an elegant contrast of textures.

Black metal chairs: black powder-coated steel legs paired with a light fabric seat. The contrast between light wood and black metal is a classic of contemporary design.

Dark wood chairs: walnut or stained oak creates an elegant contrast between different wood tones. Stay within the same tonal family, pairing warm tones with warm tones, to avoid an unbalanced look.

As a general rule, it's best to stay within the same colour temperature in one room. You can mix different colours, but avoid combining very warm wood tones with noticeably cool ones. With a walnut dining table, dark velvet dining chairs in green, midnight blue or burgundy create a particularly refined look.

Which chairs go with a black dining table?

A black dining table can work with chairs in almost any colour. The real question is which other colours are already present in your interior. The easiest way to create a cohesive result is to start with a defined colour palette. Choose two main colours and one accent colour.

Around a black dining table, some of the most successful combinations include black dining chairs in velvet for a sophisticated tonal look, where the velvet texture adds depth, beige or cream bouclé chairs for a softer contrast, or green dining chairs in emerald velvet for a bold pop of colour. Black works with virtually every shade, making it one of the most versatile foundations for a dining space.

Which chairs go with a ceramic or travertine table?

Tables made from natural stone or mineral materials, such as a travertine dining table, marble or ceramic, are statement pieces with a strong visual presence. The chairs should play a supporting role to avoid making the overall look feel too heavy.

Travertine, with its beige and golden tones, pairs naturally with fabric chairs in warm neutrals, light wood chairs or sage green velvet. Black or anthracite ceramic works best with lighter chairs, such as cream bouclé, grey fabric or beige velvet, to create contrast and make the dining area feel more open. In both cases, avoid stone or other heavy mineral chairs, which can make the overall look feel too dense.

For another contemporary option, place a bench on one side of the table and chairs on the other. This mix of seating styles feels modern and visually lightens the space. Explore our blue dining chairs to add a pop of colour around a travertine table.

Mix & match: embrace mismatched chairs

Dining tables and chairs don't need to come from the same collection. A carefully coordinated mix can create a highly stylish dining room even when nothing matches exactly. You can combine different tables, chairs, wood finishes and other furniture such as sideboards.

The most successful mix & match combinations follow one simple rule: vary just one element. Choose the same chair design in different colours, or different chair styles in the same colour. Another option is to keep all the chairs identical except for the two at the ends of the table, which can act as accent pieces. This creates personality without introducing visual chaos.

By following these simple guidelines, coordinating your furniture and working with a palette of no more than three colours, you'll be well on your way to creating a balanced dining room. Mismatched chairs work particularly well around a round dining table, as the circular shape naturally brings different styles together.