Mixing and matching furniture is a popular interior design concept. While some people prefer to stick to the same theme all through, you can come up with some pretty interesting designs if you’re open to mixing things up.
An eclectic-style dining room created by pairing dining chairs with different themes or styles is a bold but interesting decor choice. Mixing different dining chairs will also make it easier to decorate, especially since there are so many dining chair options these days. If you’re considering this design direction for your dining room, here are some tips you’ll find helpful:
Start with the Dining Table
Even if your goal from the onset is to use mismatched dining chairs, the different designs you choose must still align with the style of your dining table. Hence, picking a dining table is a crucial first step for setting up your dining room with mismatched chairs.
Pick a Headchair
This is a common recommendation for mixing and matching dining chairs. The head chair is the main chair for your table, while the other chair you’re pairing it with is there to support (a side piece, if you’d like to call it that).
Typically, the head chair should be closer to the style of the dining table and might be a little grander but in style and size. This is then matched with slightly smaller side chairs to complete your mismatched aesthetics.
Find a Unifying Element
While mismatching dining chairs might seem like an invitation to experiment and go crazy, you still want to maintain a cohesive feel in your dining space. This can be achieved by making sure all your chairs share a few similar traits even though they’re different styles. They may have the same frame design, similar curves, wood finish, leg, or color. For instance, you may choose dining chairs in multiple colors but with the same design. Conversely, the chair may have the same color or fabric type but different designs. Sharing a central element introduces some variety while still maintaining a harmonious look.
Keep the Height Uniform
In creating mismatched aesthetics, try to keep your chairs around the same height. The whole setup will look messy if one seat is lower or higher than the other.
Since chair height is also crucial to the comfort of your guests, you want all the chairs at an ideal height relative to the table, which means maintaining the same height for all the chairs.
Photo: 1825 Interiors
Arrangement Matters
The visual appeal of your mismatched dining chair setup also depends on how you choose to arrange them. While there are no hard and fast rules for this, placing matching chairs on opposite sides of the table or directly across each other creates a symmetrical look that further enhances the overall aesthetics.
Match Chairs in Pairs
Instead of randomly mismatching dining chairs, consider mixing them up with pairs having similar designs. Having two chairs with the same color or style creates a visual link while still showcasing some variety.
