Two wooden chairs with woven seats are placed side by side. One chair is light wood, the other dark, both featuring curved backrests and minimalist, modern design.
Home > Blog > Tips & Guides > Can You Mix Dining Chairs? A Designer’s Guide to Creating a Cohesive Dining Space
|

Can You Mix Dining Chairs? A Designer’s Guide to Creating a Cohesive Dining Space

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Matching dining chairs have long been the traditional choice, but they’re no longer the only option. More homeowners are choosing to mix dining chairs to create spaces that feel individual and thoughtfully designed.

When done well, mixing dining chairs can make a dining room feel more relaxed and architectural without looking mismatched. The key isn’t making every chair identical, it’s finding the right balance between contrast and cohesion.

Whether you’re furnishing a new home or updating an existing dining room, here’s how to mix dining chairs with confidence:

Why Mix Dining Chairs?

A dining room shouldn’t feel like a showroom. It should feel lived in and reflective of your personal style.

Mixing dining chairs introduces visual interest while helping create a space that feels curated over time rather than purchased as a complete set. Interior designers often combine different chair styles, materials and textures to add depth without overwhelming the room. It’s also a practical approach. If you already own dining chairs you love, adding complementary pieces can refresh your dining space without replacing everything.

Not sure what your personal interior style is?

We found this Interior Style Quiz by Cristina Cleveland to help you figure it out. It’s a great starting point for understanding the styles, materials and design details you’re naturally drawn to before choosing pieces for your space.

Start With Your Dining Table

Your dining table should always lead the design. Because it’s the largest piece in the room, every chair should complement its proportions, materials and overall aesthetic. A warm timber dining table naturally pairs with upholstered or timber chairs, while a contemporary stone or metal table often benefits from softer materials that add warmth and texture.

For example, the LOULAN Round Dining Table works beautifully with curved timber dining chairs, while the architectural lines of the SHUGE Dining Table pair effortlessly with upholstered seating or minimalist timber designs.

  • A modern dining area with a round wooden table, two chairs, a glass bottle, glasses, and a coffee maker on a shelf in a bright, minimalist room.
  • A modern, minimalist table with a thin white tabletop and metal legs stands on a dark tiled floor near a window with white curtains. A closed book is placed at the centre of the table.

Choose One Element to Keep Consistent

The easiest way to successfully mix dining chairs is by giving every chair something in common.

This might be a shared timber finish, similar upholstery, matching proportions or a consistent colour palette. Having one unifying feature allows different chair designs to feel intentional rather than random.

For example, combining the metal legs and natural timber of the GENTLEMAN Dining Chair with the ASTOR Dining Chair creates a cohesive look, as both feature clean architectural lines and a balanced mix of timber and metal. Likewise, the woven detail of the REED Rattan Dining Chair pairs naturally with solid timber pieces thanks to its warm, natural material palette.

  • A minimalist wooden chair with a curved backrest and metal legs stands on a light tiled floor against a textured white wall and pillar.
  • A close-up of a modern chair with a tufted, cushioned leather seat, chrome legs, and a wooden backrest featuring a woven rattan design. Light filters through a curtain in the background.
  • A minimalist chair with thin metal legs, a grey upholstered seat, and a light wooden oval backrest, set against a plain, light background.

Mix Materials Instead of Styles

One of the easiest ways to mix dining chairs is by varying materials rather than dramatically different silhouettes. Timber, fabric, leather, rattan and metal all bring different qualities to a dining room. Combining these materials creates subtle contrast while maintaining a cohesive overall look.

For example, upholstered dining chairs can soften a contemporary dining table, while timber chairs add warmth to stone or metal finishes. The result feels balanced, inviting and timeless rather than overly coordinated.

Use Feature Chairs at the Ends

If you’re new to mixing dining chairs, start with the simplest approach. Keep matching chairs along each side of the table, then introduce larger statement chairs at either end. This creates a natural focal point while maintaining symmetry throughout the rest of the dining setting.

This styling technique works particularly well with armchairs or upholstered dining chairs, giving the heads of the table greater visual presence without dominating the space.

  • A woman in a black outfit sits sideways on a black chair at a grey desk, with her face out of frame and feet resting on the floor. A light-coloured vase is on the desk. The background is minimal and white.

Prioritise Comfort

Different dining chairs can look beautiful together, but they should offer a similar sitting experience. Pay attention to seat height, back height and overall proportions. Guests shouldn’t notice a significant difference in comfort depending on where they sit.

Comfort is one of the reasons designers often mix chairs from complementary collections rather than combining pieces with dramatically different dimensions.

  • A modern chair with a black backrest, black armrests, chrome legs, and a brown cushioned seat. Dimensions shown: 820mm height, 520mm depth, 500mm width, 470mm seat height, 670mm armrest height.
  • Side view of a modern chair with a dark backrest, light cushioned seat, and chrome legs. Dimensions are labelled: height 785mm, width 520mm, seat height 460mm, and depth 540mm.
  • A wooden chair with black cushioned seat and backrest. The chair measures 795mm high, 540mm wide, 590mm deep, with a seat height of 445mm and armrest height of 665mm. Blue dimension lines are shown.

Think About the Whole Room

Your dining chairs don’t exist in isolation. Consider how they’ll relate to the other elements in your space. Repeating colours, finishes or materials throughout the room helps create a more cohesive interior.

  • Flooring: Look for timber tones or finishes that complement your chairs.
  • Lighting: Echo black, brass or timber chair details through pendant lights or lamps.
  • Cabinetry: Consider how chair colours work alongside kitchen or built-in cabinetry.
  • Window frames: Black chairs can connect beautifully with black-framed windows or doors.
  • Nearby furniture: Repeat timber, metal or upholstery tones in coffee tables, shelving or sideboards.
  • Soft furnishings: Rugs, cushions and curtains can subtly pick up colours from your dining chairs.

You don’t need everything to match, a few repeated elements are enough to make the room feel considered and connected.

  • A minimalist room with a round table, two modern chairs, a glass of water, a floor lamp with a paper shade, and a sleek cupboard against a plain white wall.
  • A round wooden table with a white and metal base stands on a black tiled floor, accompanied by two minimalist chairs with metal legs and different seat and backrest designs, against a light grey wall.

Mixing Dining Chairs With benssur Collections

At benssur, our dining chair collections are designed with versatility in mind. Clean lines, balanced proportions and timeless materials make it easy to combine different styles while maintaining a cohesive look. Some combinations that work particularly well include:

The ASTOR and QUOKKA pair beautifully through their shared dark timber finishes, while their contrasting silhouettes add visual interest. The ASTOR’s clean, architectural lines balance the QUOKKA’s softer, sculptural curves, creating a cohesive yet considered dining setting.

  • A modern black chair with a rounded backrest sits on a dark tiled floor. A white folded towel and a black geometric handbag are placed on the seat against a textured grey concrete wall.
  • A modern black chair with a cylindrical backrest and slim, angled legs sits on a concrete floor next to a table with a thin wooden top and metal legs.

The FAABORG and CROWN pair naturally through their warm timber tones and curved detailing. The FAABORG works beautifully as a statement end piece, with its woven rattan back adding texture and contrast while still complementing the CROWN’s refined Walnut timber form.

  • A wooden accent chair with curved cane backrest and dark frame sits in a bright, sunlit room with white walls, carpeted floor, and sheer curtains near a window.
  • A modern wooden chair with a curved backrest and armrests, positioned on a plain white background. The design is minimalist, featuring smooth, clean lines and a natural wood finish.

The FEN and WALK SLOWLY pair beautifully through their dark timber finishes and curved backrests. The WALK SLOWLY’s chrome frame introduces a contemporary contrast, while the shared black detailing keeps the overall look cohesive and balanced.

  • A simple black wooden chair with a curved backrest and four straight legs, set against a plain white background.
  • A modern chair with a black wooden backrest, grey cushioned seat, and sleek metal legs, placed on a grey concrete floor against a plain white wall.

A classic pairing, the ASTOR and GENTLEMAN share slim metal frames and warm timber detailing, creating a natural sense of cohesion. Their distinct silhouettes add just enough variation while maintaining a clean, refined look.

  • A minimalist chair with thin metal legs, a round grey cushioned seat, and a light wooden curved backrest, set against a plain white wall and grey concrete floor.
  • Minimalist wooden chair with a curved backrest, slender metal legs, and a flat wooden seat, shown at an angle against a white background.

Because every collection shares a focus on proportion, materiality and timeless design, it’s easy to create a dining setting that feels intentional rather than overly matched.

Final Thoughts

So, can you mix dining chairs?

Absolutely.

In fact, mixing dining chairs is one of the easiest ways to create a dining room with more personality and visual interest. By keeping proportions consistent, choosing complementary materials and allowing your dining table to guide the overall design, you can achieve a look that feels balanced, timeless and uniquely your own.

Whether you prefer timber, upholstered or rattan dining chairs, thoughtful combinations often create a more inviting dining space than a perfectly matching suite ever could.

Explore Our Full Collection Of Dining Chairs

  • SaleA modern chair with a black backrest, grey cushioned seat, and chrome metal legs, photographed against a plain white background.A modern chair with a black wooden backrest, grey cushioned seat, and metal legs, placed on a dark tiled floor next to a bed. A closed book and a magazine lie on the chair’s seat.
    On Sale

    WALK SLOWLY Dining Chair

    Original price was: $459.00.Current price is: $390.00.
  • A wooden chair with a black frame, curved legs, and a woven rattan seat and backrest, set against a plain light grey background.A wooden chair with a black frame, featuring a woven rattan seat and backrest, is placed on a light-coloured floor against a plain white background.

    VIENNA Bentwood Dining Chair (Set of 2)

    $699.00
  • A wooden chair with a curved cane backrest and a black cushioned seat, featuring four straight legs and a modern, minimalist design.A wooden accent chair with curved cane backrest and dark frame sits in a bright, sunlit room with white walls, carpeted floor, and sheer curtains near a window.

    VALE Dining Chair

    $599.00
  • SaleA modern chair with a black frame, angled legs, a cylindrical white backrest, and a matching white seat cushion, set against a plain light grey background.A modern chair with black wooden arms and legs, white cushioned seat and backrest. Two closed notebooks are stacked on the seat. Sheer white curtains and light wooden flooring are in the background.
    On Sale

    THE QUOKKA Chair

    From $764.00
  • SaleA modern wooden chair with a curved backrest, open sides, and a black cushioned seat, photographed against a plain white background.A person in black clothing stands next to a wooden chair with a black seat, placing one hand on the chair’s backrest and another on the seat, against a white wall background with stones on the ground.
    On Sale

    SALO Dining Chair

    Original price was: $399.00.Current price is: $299.00.
  • A wooden chair with a woven seat, angled armrests, and a minimalist, Scandinavian design, shown against a plain white background.A wooden armchair with a natural finish and a woven seat is positioned on a light, textured floor against a plain white background.

    RUNE Dining Chair

    $579.00

Read More From Us

A minimalist table with a thin, light-coloured tabletop and metal legs stands on a dark tiled floor next to a window with light curtains. A closed book or magazine lies on the table.

Metal Furniture: Why It’s Becoming a Favourite in Modern Australian Homes

A wooden chair with a woven seat is positioned next to a round wooden table. On the table, there is a white mug and a white plate. White curtains hang in the background.

What Is Warm Minimalism: The Interior Style Everyone Is Talking About

A blurred woman stands near a round dining table with a laptop, plates of food, and a cup. The room has wooden furniture, a paper lantern, and natural light streaming through sheer curtains.

How to Buy Furniture Online Without Regret

A person’s hand uses large black scissors to cut white fabric on a flat surface, whilst their other hand smooths the material. A white rectangular object sits nearby.

What Is Bespoke Furniture? A Complete Guide

A person in black clothing stands next to a wooden chair with a black seat, placing one hand on the chair’s backrest and another on the seat, against a white wall background with stones on the ground.

What Makes a Dining Chair Comfortable?

Close-up of a modern black wooden chair with a curved seat and backrest, photographed against a plain white background.

Microfiber Leather vs Genuine Leather: Which Is Better for Dining Chairs?