How to Add Character to a Dining Room – Mixing Dining Chairs
To create a more collected, designer look try mixing dining chairs! This adds character and contrast to the space.
I know some people love to have a dining set. I have friends (and some clients) who don’t even want to mix woods in a room! But I’m quite the opposite. I love the creativity that a mix of woods, paint colors or styles affords you. And one of the most fun ways to achieve that mix is by mixing dining chairs. It adds character and interest that you simply can’t get with a matching set!
I’ve gotten quite a few questions over the years from readers asking about whether or not they should mix their dining chairs, or how they should mix them. There are a few ways to do it if you’re not using a matching dining set. You can use matching side chairs with different end chairs, use an eclectic mix where no two chairs are the same, or even add a bench to one or both sides. All of them add interest, it’s just a matter of taste, and which style you prefer.
Another benefit to mixing dining chairs is that it feels a little more laid back and inviting – it’s not quite so serious! And by layering different styles, your room will actually have a longer shelf life!
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite spaces with a mix of dining chairs….
French leather chairs mixed with slipcovered end chairs. Design by Brooke Giannetti.
Another example of slipcovered end chairs by Lisa Luby Ryan.
One of my all-time favorite breakfast rooms by Ashley Goforth.
Design by Ohara Davies-Gaetano via House Beautiful.
Love the wicker chairs mixed with the primitive bench! Via Decor de Provence.
And a banquette is the ultimate mix of dining chairs! Design by Nannette Lewis via New England Home.
The mix of chairs loosens up this traditional dining room. By Ashley Goforth Design.
You can also use the end chairs to introduce different fabrics, or a pop of color. Via Horchow.
Wicker chairs on the side work beautifully with slipcovered chairs on either end. Pineapple Design Group via Home Bunch.
And this one is just the opposite! They’ve used the slipcovered chairs on the sides, with the wicker coming in at either end. Love this mix via Blackband Home & Design.
Design by Joanna Gaines via HGTV.
As I’m sure most of you know, in my own dining room I have a mix of dining chairs. After years of having an old, hand-me-down matching set from my parents, I finally lucked upon the Swedish side chairs at an antique store. But it was several years of just those before I added my slipcovered Parsons chairs to the ends.
For me, having just the end chairs be different feels like the perfect blend. And I love the coziness that the fabric chairs add!
Here are some ideas below if you want to get a similar look!
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*please note some affiliate links have been added for your convenience*
Sheila
xo
Thank you for this article. Can you go a little more into mixing fabrics on didn’t room chairs? Is it okay to use one fabric on the end chairs and another on the side tables? The end chairs being a strip pattern with the sides In a solid?
It’s definitely fine to mix fabrics as well as style! I would just make sure one of the fabrics is a solid so as to keep them from clashing or looking too busy. What you suggested – with a stripe on one and a solid on another- is perfect!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sheila
Thank you Shelia and I apologize for all of the autocorrect errors on my question!
No worries! And it was my pleasure!
Hi Sheila,
Can you please tell me what the name of your chandelier in your dining room is? Your dining room is just 😍 lovely. Also, your dining chairs, please?
Thank you,
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie! Thank you for such a lovely compliment!
My chandelier is below:
https://rstyle.me/+ZGIBT6vGBPcXTdMHngN_Gg
And my chairs are antiques, but I have linked some that give a similar look in the Shop my Home: Dining Room portion of the blog (link below).
https://maisondecinq.com/shop-my-home/dining-room/
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Hi! Do you happen to know where the French dining chairs with the letter, ‘P’ on the back are from?
Hi Austin I’m sorry but I don’t! You could try contacting the designer but it’s possible they were custom.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sheila
My favorite is the casual table with the bench. It seems very livable! (P.S. I am really enjoying your emails and posts. Thank you!)
Really wonderful ideas! the How to Decorate Podcast recently had a Ballards Design consultant on who did a great job of talking about design for dining rooms – Dining Room Basics. https://www.ballarddesigns.com/howtodecorate/2020/06/podcast-dining-room-basics/
Never actually thought of doing something like this before. I’m inclined to really try them out now. Great idea!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that – thank you! I’m so glad you found inspiration and I hope you’ll stop by again!
Sheila
Sheila this was a great post with great examples. I love mixing chairs. It definitely creates interest!
Thanks so much Cindy! And yes – me too! A favorite decorating idea for sure 🙂
Sheila
xo
This is such a great concept! I especially love Tara Shaw’s lovely dining room, and your beautiful chair choices! I have 3 varieties of chairs around my table, and I wish I could say I meant it that way! 😉 Thanks for the great inspiration!
Well it sounds like you’re off to a great start then! 😉
So glad you found it inspiring Barbara, and thanks for stopping by!
Sheila
xo
Love the idea of adding interest to the room by mixing dining chairs! You don’t have to do much, except for picking gorgeous chairs that represent your personality, yet you get a transformed dining area. Your selection of chairs in this blog post is incredible, I didn’t know where first to look and I think I might have spent more than an hour just staring into them. Thank you so much for sharing this!
My favorite is the galvanized bench with the rustic table! Since I have a rustic reclaimed wood table,it is an inspiration!
It looks so good doesn’t it?! Hope you get to do it!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Sheila