How to Choose Dining Chairs for Comfort and Style

Thanksgiving is coming up and many of you are probably planning your table, figuring out who sits where, and whether you have enough seating available. Lucky for me, my daughter is hosting this year because I gave my dining set to her and my newer, smaller table hasn’t arrived yet. Not only that, but I haven’t even chosen chairs. So I’m sharing how to choose dining chairs in the hopes it will motivate me to finally make a decision. (This post contains affiliate links – see my privacy policy.)

 

Don’t be afraid to use a mismatched dining set. A wooden table often looks more interesting with painted chairs, as opposed to wood. Black bentwood chairs look great with a honey-stained wood table.

 

Here’s another example of black dining chairs with a wood table. I’m leaning toward this mix of black and wood for my “new” dining space.

 

And don’t be afraid to use two colors of the same chair ’round the dining table. Windsor chairs like these are always a favorite of mine.

 

If you’re a daring decorator, consider using all different chair types in your dining room. This approach works when all the chairs are stained wood. To create this look, search for chairs at flea markets and second-hand stores. Furniture is usually cheaper this way, too.

 

Plastic molded chairs cozy up to a small table in a modern dining space with a dark blue wall. Note how the wood table has white legs, while the chairs are just the opposite – wood legs with white seats.

 

Be bold and go blue! Any color chair looks great with a wooden table. Cross-back chairs are especially popular today. You can find them in a variety of colors at a variety of price points.

 

Think about the décor in your dining room when choosing dining chairs. If you don’t want to repaint the walls or buy new buffets or artwork, take your room’s style into consideration.

 

My daughter had chairs similar to these (except they were black) in the dining room of her former house. I blogged about her dining room a couple years ago. She used this style of side chair paired with faux leather end chairs.

 

So – I’m leaning toward the black Shay dining chair from Pottery Barn. It’s a modern spin on the classic Windsor chair. I already have some black accents in the sitting room, which will soon be the dining room again. I think black chairs will look great.

 

I also like the Cline bistro chair from Pottery Barn. I keep going back and forth between the Cline and Shay chairs. Do you like one better than the other? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Slipcovered chairs (also from Pottery Barn) are a nice option. You can throw the covers in the wash if food is spilled on them.

 

And then there’s these cuties from Anthropologie. Unfortunately, the sage-colored chairs are on back order until April, so these are out.

 

So many options from which to choose! But when you consider the existing style of your room, along with color options and comfort (not to mention your budget), the job of choosing dining chairs is a little easier.

Looking for chairs? Click on the images below for sources on where to buy.