Mix It Up: Mismatching Dining Chairs Around the World
From Melbourne to Brooklyn, Sydney to Tel Aviv, people are finding expression with mismatched chairs and tables
Gone are the days of having to match everything – mercifully. And dining chairs and tables are no exception. In fact, this is one area where a bit of mix-and-matching can really pay off. It might start as a short-term option while waiting to get a full set of dining chairs or it might be a deliberate choice, but one thing’s for certain: mixing and matching is an increasingly popular dining solution and can look fantastic. Here are a few ideas for mixing it up from around the globe.
Hong Kong mix
Mixing and matching might seem like the easy choice but it’s not always – it is often easier to go and buy a set of matching chairs. Finding a number of chairs – be it four, six or eight – that don’t match but work together, takes a little bit more time.
The effort can pay off though because you can achieve a look that’s totally individual. And sometimes it will be more economical, depending on what you buy, and whether it’s new or secondhand. It also provides flexibility – you can keep mixing it up, changing things around – whereas it’s harder to change out a full set of chairs regularly.
Mixing and matching might seem like the easy choice but it’s not always – it is often easier to go and buy a set of matching chairs. Finding a number of chairs – be it four, six or eight – that don’t match but work together, takes a little bit more time.
The effort can pay off though because you can achieve a look that’s totally individual. And sometimes it will be more economical, depending on what you buy, and whether it’s new or secondhand. It also provides flexibility – you can keep mixing it up, changing things around – whereas it’s harder to change out a full set of chairs regularly.
Dining glamour in LA
You can take the idea as far as you like or simply stick with two styles of chair. Not every chair has to be different; another way to mix and match is to have a few chairs that are all the same with a pair that are different.
You can take the idea as far as you like or simply stick with two styles of chair. Not every chair has to be different; another way to mix and match is to have a few chairs that are all the same with a pair that are different.
Cool and colourful in Dublin
This classic collection of Mid-century chairs are all colourful and different, but are tied together by their era.
This classic collection of Mid-century chairs are all colourful and different, but are tied together by their era.
Eclectic in New York
A Brazilian industrial design student in New York brought his taste for eclectic, modernist furnishing to his Brooklyn apartment. “It’s nice to have a bit of contrast, as there are so many different pieces out there,” he said. “When I have friends over, they get the chance to decide which chair to sit in.”
A Brazilian industrial design student in New York brought his taste for eclectic, modernist furnishing to his Brooklyn apartment. “It’s nice to have a bit of contrast, as there are so many different pieces out there,” he said. “When I have friends over, they get the chance to decide which chair to sit in.”
Evolving in Tel Aviv
While in some cases you might have a carefully curated selection, in others it can be an unlikely gathering of pieces collected pragmatically. In this Tel Aviv apartment, the dining table was a gift from the owner’s friend. The owner, a furniture maker with a passion for flea market finds, restored some chairs for a harmonious – but interesting – finish.
While in some cases you might have a carefully curated selection, in others it can be an unlikely gathering of pieces collected pragmatically. In this Tel Aviv apartment, the dining table was a gift from the owner’s friend. The owner, a furniture maker with a passion for flea market finds, restored some chairs for a harmonious – but interesting – finish.
On the bench in Calgary
This is a setting that works well because the bench gives a less cluttered look than all chairs in a small dining area. Finding a colour palette that works is a way to pull it off, too – in this case, the orange, chartreuse and grey are perfect together.
This is a setting that works well because the bench gives a less cluttered look than all chairs in a small dining area. Finding a colour palette that works is a way to pull it off, too – in this case, the orange, chartreuse and grey are perfect together.
San Francisco mix-up
Another Mid-century mash-up in this apartment – a mix of red, black and white work well against the pale timber. The owner has a thing for chairs, and it shows.
Another Mid-century mash-up in this apartment – a mix of red, black and white work well against the pale timber. The owner has a thing for chairs, and it shows.
Sydney classic
A classic look is to opt for chairs with arms on the ends of the table, combined with armless chairs along the sides.
A classic look is to opt for chairs with arms on the ends of the table, combined with armless chairs along the sides.
Mid-century Modern in Canberra
The owner of this Mid-century style home, an avid collector, made wonderful use of her late artist mother’s oversized dining table. A surprising array of chairs is gathered around and it all fits in beautifully with the surrounding aesthetic.
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The owner of this Mid-century style home, an avid collector, made wonderful use of her late artist mother’s oversized dining table. A surprising array of chairs is gathered around and it all fits in beautifully with the surrounding aesthetic.
See more of this home
Cosy corner in Denver
This works well from a functional perspective as well as aesthetically. The corner sofa and the antique style chairs are in harmony with the rest of the decor.
This works well from a functional perspective as well as aesthetically. The corner sofa and the antique style chairs are in harmony with the rest of the decor.
Industrial chic London
The theme tying this eclectic grouping of chairs together is the industrial style of both the chairs and the trestle table – all perfect against the industrial background of exposed brickwork and a beautiful contrast to the pottery collection on the white shelves.
The theme tying this eclectic grouping of chairs together is the industrial style of both the chairs and the trestle table – all perfect against the industrial background of exposed brickwork and a beautiful contrast to the pottery collection on the white shelves.
Seated in Seattle
A quite lovely grouping of the same new chairs around a chunky table, all in different colours. It’s a striking but simple way to do the mix-and-match look, without the trickiness of putting different styles together.
A quite lovely grouping of the same new chairs around a chunky table, all in different colours. It’s a striking but simple way to do the mix-and-match look, without the trickiness of putting different styles together.
Shabby chic in New York
The chairs and table are unified by their shabby chic aesthetic in this Brooklyn townhouse.
TELL US
Do you like the look of mixed chairs or do you prefer to match yours? Please share your thoughts – or post photos – in the Comments section.
MORE
12 Casual Dining Options for Your Home
Master the Art of Mix-and-Match Dining Chairs
Cool Kitchens That Rock the Mix-and-Match Trend
Dutch Houzz: Mix-and-Match Family Home Delivers a Cool but Cosy Vibe
The chairs and table are unified by their shabby chic aesthetic in this Brooklyn townhouse.
TELL US
Do you like the look of mixed chairs or do you prefer to match yours? Please share your thoughts – or post photos – in the Comments section.
MORE
12 Casual Dining Options for Your Home
Master the Art of Mix-and-Match Dining Chairs
Cool Kitchens That Rock the Mix-and-Match Trend
Dutch Houzz: Mix-and-Match Family Home Delivers a Cool but Cosy Vibe
The owner of this home has collected pieces passed on from family members. “The kitchen table is a vintage cast-iron patio table that my father gave me,” she says. “It holds great sentimental value.”
Around it she gathered a stunning collection of original Featherston chairs. Who would have thought that such different styles could work together? Yet they do.
See more of this home