Should dining chairs be lighter or darker than the dining table?

In previous decades, it was popular to buy a full dining set—where the table, chairs and display cabinet would all match. But now, more people are looking to mix their dining room furniture to add a more dynamic energy to their space. 

Often, when people are designing their dining room in this way, the same question comes up: Should the dining chairs be lighter or darker than the dining table? And, as with all things interior design, it depends. 

Here are 6 things to consider before you buy your dining table and chairs.

The mood you want to create

Is your dining room more ‘candlelit dinner party’ or ‘Sunday morning breakfast’? Before you choose the colour of your dining table and chairs, think about how you want this room to feel. 

If you prefer something dark and moody, then a darker table with lighter chairs could be right for you. If you’re leaning towards fresh and airy, a lighter table would enhance that mood. But just remember, you can always change up the vibe with a light or dark table cloth. 

The size of your dining room

A dining table is a big piece of furniture. It’s going to be the focal point of your room. 

If you have a small dining room, a dark dining table can swallow a lot of the light in that space. If you have a large dining room, however, the colour of your dining table won’t have as much of an impact on the light. 

The other furniture in your room

“You don’t want all the furniture to match, but you don’t want it to be completely different either” says our Head of Interior Design, Kelly Collins, “there has to be a thread that runs throughout.” 

When choosing your dining table and chairs, look at the other furniture you have in your space. 

If you have a dark wood sideboard, a dark dining table could be too close in tone. But you can tie it all together with a lighter dining table and darker chairs. With an open plan living area, you can use the colour of your TV unit, or side tables, or even sofa legs to influence the balance of tones in your dining space. 

The materials you use

Wood isn’t the only option for dining tables and dining chairs. Mixing materials like stone, fabric and rattan can elevate your dining space (and give you more to play with). 

If you choose to mix materials, note that different materials reflect light in different ways. If you had a dark wood table with a matte finish, the light would sink in. Where, if you had a dining table with a black marble top, the light would bounce. For chairs, matte velvet would absorb light, where something like a rattan chair with chrome legs would reflect it. 

When considering which is darker—the table or the chairs—colour isn’t the only defining factor. It’s important to also consider how the material reflects light. 

How you mix your chairs

There are no rules that say all your dining chairs must match. Some people alternate chairs around their table—one light, one dark. Or one with arms, one without. You can do the same. 

If that feels like too much, you can also ‘top and tail’ your dining table with accent chairs (a trend we’re seeing a lot lately). So, while the majority of your chairs could contrast with your table, you could add accent chairs at each end which complement its tone. E.g. Two rust orange chairs would accentuate the warmth in a walnut table. 

How you use your space

Dining tables are one of life’s most frequent settings. And how you live in the space should determine which table and chairs you choose. 

For example, if you have young children, you may choose to avoid the off-white boucle dining chairs. A darker colour or wipeable material could be a better option.

If you hate having to constantly wipe things down, a glass-top dining table that’s prone to finger prints, or a dark wood that shows up dust is only going to irritate you over time. 

Interior design is as much about practicality as it is about aesthetics. Before you choose the colour of your table and chairs, think about what’s going to make life easier and more enjoyable.

There are no definitive answers when it comes to interior design. It totally depends on the space you have. But hopefully, these points will help you steer towards the right dining room combination for you. 

Looking for more interior design tips? Browse through our guides.