Should Dining Chairs Be Lighter or Darker Than the Table?

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

The choice between lighter and darker furniture can be a difficult one, especially when you’re decorating a dining room. Whether you frequently eat at your dining room table or not, you want to select furniture that best fits your space.

Dining chairs can be either lighter or darker than the table. Traditionally, dining chairs are the same color or darker than the table. However, modern trends have included chairs in various colors, materials, and styles, with little regard for the color of the table.

In this article, I’ll guide you on how to pick the right color for your dining chairs. I’ll also discuss key elements to consider when choosing dining chairs. Let’s get started.

How To Pick the Right Color for Your Dining Chairs

If you use your dining room for eating, you’ll probably want it to be warm, cozy, and welcoming. It should be the perfect place for your family to gather after a long day and enjoy each other’s company. The colors you choose within the room are key in creating this setting.

When picking the color of your dining chairs, consider the overall look and feel of your dining room, not just the table.

Choosing the best color for your dining chairs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ color. It’s all about your personal taste and translating that into a look that enhances your home.

When To Choose Light-Colored Dining Chairs

Brightly-colored chairs help balance a dark, cozy room. If your dining room is more open and airy, you can enhance this vibe by using lighter-colored chairs.

Basic white chairs or muted colors: It may seem ultra-conservative, but white, beige, or tan chairs are classic. However, they’re far from basic and can stand out against a table with a metal finish or darker wood tones. They also give glass-top dining tables a fresh, modern look.
Pastel-colored chairs: Do you want to give your dining room a lighter, more playful feel? Consider dining chairs in pastels or bright yellows and pinks. These colors will help you achieve a more summery vibe.
Navy and white chairs: These are classic beach house colors that can also work in a home with a similar style. Both colors can give your dining room an airy yet crisp feel.

When To Choose Dark-Colored Dining Chairs

Dark-colored dining chairs offer a timeless look that can easily add sophistication to any room. Here are several color options you can choose from:

Stately wood chairs: You can choose either a raw or varnished look for your dining chairs. Varnished chairs add an attractive finish, as the color will vary based on the type of wood. Wood finishes also usually have natural, interesting patterns.
Bold-colored chairs: These include colors such as royal blue or royal purple. Either a metal or wood trim can enhance bolder colors. There’s also a reason they call them royal. They can create a stately feel for your dining room.
Dark-colored chairs: Darker-colored chairs are great against a sleek, white marble or high-gloss table. These include colors such as navy or moss green. You can also pair these with a dark wooden dining table to create a more formal setting.
Black chairs: Although this may sound extreme, black dining chairs can modernize your room. It pairs well with either light or darker woods, metal, or even an all-black table.

There are many other options, but you’ll need to choose the one that complements the style of your home. If you’re adventurous, try mixing and matching your chairs.

Key Elements to Consider When Choosing Dining Chairs

When styling your dining space, you must select furniture that is functional, comfortable to use, and reflects a combination of quality materials and design. You’ll succeed in creating this perfect balance if you get the following factors right:

Style: The chair style you choose should suit the theme of your home and, by extension, your dining room. Is your home modern, contemporary, or rustic? Take this into account and ensure your chairs seamlessly blend with your home’s style.
Material/covering: When considering style, the material you choose for your chairs is also important. Decide which material would best enhance your chair. If you’re going for a wood finish, choose a wood color that will work well with your table. Prefer a fabric covering? Cotton blends are soft and durable, while suedes and velvets provide a more formal look.
Height: The height, width, and overall size of your chairs are also important. Getting into them and sitting at your dining room table should be easy. Most importantly, the chair’s size shouldn’t make eating uncomfortable or awkward.
Comfort: All the elements above will contribute to how comfortable your chairs are. How your chairs look is essential. But how you feel while sitting in them should take precedence as well.
Finish: The finish goes hand-in-hand with the material you choose. Both should complement each other. All-wood chairs are still a popular choice as they tend to be more durable. However, you may choose to pair this with cloth coverings. Other finishes include plastic or synthetic, along with a variety of metals.
Price: It may be last on the list, but it’s also crucial, considering you’ll need at least four chairs, if not six or eight. It all depends on the size of your table. You’ll want an affordable price point. The style, materials, and finishes you choose will determine the cost of each chair.

Decide on the factors above carefully. Doing so will ensure you love your chairs and have some extra in your budget to add the ‘final touches’ to the space.

Conclusion

What’s one of the great things about having your own space? You can decorate it to suit your personality and lifestyle. This is true whether you rent or own your home. There’s also no ‘hard and fast’ rule you must adhere to.

However, form and function are always key, and your dining room chairs aren’t an exception. They can be lighter or darker than your dining table. Most importantly, they should be comfortable and enhance your dining area.