Mixing and matching dining chairs

10 years ago

We just bought a beautiful handmade shaker style walnut dining table. It will seat 8 easily, 10 in a pinch. I'll post a picture when it gets delivered tomorrow.

Now we need new chairs. I'd like to mix and match with antique chairs. I've looked at tons of online pics. Sometimes it looks great and sometimes it looks like a flea market. What are the tricks to making the look cohesive?

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Comments (10)

Holly- Kay
10 years ago
Dee, I have an antique table that is small. I am currently using two pairs of antique chairs with it. I think it looks fine but I purchased four matching chairs to be delivered soon as my antique chairs keep needing reglued.
User
10 years ago
I agree deee? mixing and matching chairs can go either way, neat or tacky. I like how Holly-Kay did them in pairs. That works very well, so maybe try and find sets of two of each style you chose. Another thing I've noticed that helps mix and matched chairs work is if the backs are similar in height. Again what Holly-Kay did. Ofcourse with her beautiful table, who would notice if the chairs were ugly.
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User
10 years ago
I agree deee mixing and matching chairs can go either way, neat or tacky. I like how Holly-Kay did them in pairs. That works very well, so maybe try and find sets of two of each style you chose. Another thing I've noticed that helps mix and matched chairs work is if the backs are similar in height. Again what Holly-Kay did. Ofcourse with her beautiful table, who would notice if the chairs were ugly.
juddgirl2
10 years ago
I like mixed chairs if they're painted in just one or two colors, so there's not too much variance, and if they're the same height. Another idea is to use different chairs for the head and foot of the table but matching side chairs.
User
10 years ago
Oh yes, I like mixed chairs when it's the ends that are different from the side chairs, as in upholstered, but only if they really work with the table and one can actually pull themselves up to the table and eat comfortably.
Sueb20
10 years ago
Also watch the seat height -- it can vary by a couple of inches and you want the seats to all be the same height.

If I were going to mix up a lot of antique chairs, I'd be sure the seats were the same height, backs were close to the same height, and I'd paint them all the same color.
anele_gw
10 years ago
This is one way to unify-- paint and fabric:
joaniepoanie
10 years ago
If you get the Sunday paper with Parade magazine, the cover story was about Mindy Kaling...she took 12 of the same chairs but used 3 or 4 different fabrics...looks very interesting..in a good way.
User
10 years ago
Those are cute Anele.
crl_
10 years ago
I like either chairs all the same and differentiated by different paint and/or fabric or the chairs all different and unified by the same paint and/or fabric.