In a perfect world, dining chairs are sculptures that you sit on. They are both beautiful and functional; kid-and-guest friendly; as welcome an addition as it is a necessary one. Here, we’ve broken down a few key elements in selecting the perfect set of dining chairs for your space.

What’s your type?
Furniture exudes personality. The curve of an arm, the kind of leg on a couch, the depth of a cushion — all of these factors weigh in to the way a chair feels. And we’re not just talking comfort level. Before you can accurately decide on what kind of dining chairs you want, think about your home’s general vibe. Cool, calm, and collected? Funky and energetic? Such feelings will help to determine things like the color and construction of your chair. A chill space pairs well with rounded corners and flowy construction; vibey and eclectic does well with sharp angles and uncommon details.

Dining chair basics
Regardless of how you plan to mix/match/otherwise choose your dining chairs, a few foundational elements will make the whole design look and feel cohesive. Seat height is crucial to the longevity of your picks. Imagine your guests gathered round the table and ready to enjoy a delicious meal… but with every person at a different height. Like a mushroom patch. To avoid this, try to keep about 10 inches of space between the top of the dining chairs and the bottom of the table. Best case scenario: you have about three feet of space between the diner and the nearest wall.

Double duty
Your dining chairs will likely act as additional seating all over your house. Unexpected Uncle shows up to Thanksgiving? Every friend who RSVP’d to movie night actually attends? Your dining chairs are coming to the rescue. As such, they’ve got to play some pretty serious double duty. When you’re choosing your dining chairs, keep an eye to the overarching style of your home and try to echo it in the shape of your chosen dining chair set. You’ll be happy you took the time when you’re hauling two extra chairs into the living room on Superbowl Sunday.

Mis-matchy dining chairs
Mismatched chairs are a great way of adding drama or spark. If you’re looking to have a few different styles of chairs around your table, there are some factors that will keep your selections looking eclectic but put-together.

Legs first. The shape of the chair legs will go a long way in creating cohesion. In general, the thinner the leg, the more airy and contemporary the chair style. A heavy, thick leg typically imbues a space with a more traditional feel.

While color is personal and specific to space, color consistency helps to create visual cohesion. If you plan to go with mismatched chairs, a controlled palette will keep the mismatched chairs subtle. Want something more “medium-subtle?” Stick to a single shape and vary the colors, or to one bold color, going crazy with shape. For utter maximalism, just pick any chair at all — but make sure that the seat is 10-inches from the bottom of the table. Sacrificing function for style seems like a great idea until your BFF’s new boyfriend can’t pull his seat up to the table.

When everyone’s clinking glasses and ready to tuck into dinner, your dining chair selection probably won’t be top of mind. It’s simply another thoughtful element of your home. Of course, your home is a sum of its parts, and the effort put into making the space reflect your family doesn’t go unnoticed. It envelopes your people and offers a sense of place that is deeply connected to your values. So, cheers.

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