Most homes will have a dining area which is often the heart of the home where beautiful moments unfold over shared meals, and dining tables and chairs sit at the centre of this; if you are fortunate enough to have a dining table 6 seater, it is important to pick chairs that will accentuate the space to change it from being broken to being considered. The most interesting spaces often mix and match carefully to be able to balance the various components to create a more cohesive and enhanced dining space.
Before choosing dining chairs, observe your dining table 6 seater's style – modern, rustic, traditional, or mid-century modern – as this provides the foundation for selecting complementary chairs that share a similar visual language, even without being identical.
Get the size and scale correct between your dining table 6 seater and dining chairs. A chair that is too big can dwarf the table, a chair that is too small can look silly. For a standard 72" x 36-42" six-seater table, a chair that is approximately 17-20" wide should be good; you will want to allow 24-26" for each person. You will want to have at least a comfortable 10-12" from the standard 30" tabletop height to the optimum 18-20" chair seat height.
Materials send strong visual messages and can either unite or divide your dining set aesthetically. You have several approaches when matching materials:
Remember that even when using different materials, repeating elements helps maintain cohesion. If your dining table 6 seater has metal accents, choose chairs with similar metal finishes to create subtle connections.
Colour is a powerful tool for creating visual connections between your dining table 6 seater and chairs. Here are strategies for using colour effectively:
Monochromatic approach: Using varying shades of the same colour creates subtle depth while maintaining harmony. This works especially well with natural wood tones.
Complementary colours: Chairs in a colour that complements your table can create dynamic tension without clashing. For example, navy blue upholstered chairs might beautifully offset a warm wooden table.
Neutral foundation with accents: If your dining table 6 seater is a neutral colour, chairs in bolder hues can serve as attractive focal points.
Don't forget that upholstered chairs offer opportunities to introduce texture and pattern in addition to colour. A patterned fabric incorporating one of your table's colours can create a sophisticated connection.
The shapes and silhouettes of your dining furniture communicate volumes about your style. While your dining table 6 seater likely has a rectangular shape, chairs come in countless silhouette variations.
For visual harmony, echo elements of your table's design in your chair selection. If your table has curved edges, chairs with similar curves will create dialogue between the pieces. Similarly, chairs with comparable geometry will feel appropriate if your table features straight, angular lines.
Mixed seating arrangements - purposefully using different chair styles - can add personality to your dining space. Consider matching chairs for the sides of your dining table 6 seater, and distinctive head chairs for each end.
While visual appeal is important, prioritise comfort in your selection of dining chairs to encourage lingering during meals; whenever feasible, test chairs, considering seat depth, back support, and armrest height. For a frequently used dining table 6 seater, opt for chairs that promote good posture and remain comfortable for extended periods, as even the most stylish chairs will be neglected if they lack comfort.
Of course, looks are important, but comfort is crucial when choosing dining chairs; the more your guests can slouch while they eat, the less time sensitive they will feel. Whenever you can try chairs out, consider seat depth, back support, armrest height, etc. For a very frequently used dining table 6 seater, I would recommend chairs that encourage good posture and comfort for longer seatings, because even the best chairs will quickly become unusable if uncomfortable.