For years, the dining room was sold as a set: one table, six identical chairs, job done. Today, the most interesting dining rooms feel collected rather than bought in one go. Mixing chairs gives a room personality and lets you choose pieces you truly love. It just takes a little planning so it looks deliberate rather than accidental.

1. Start with the head of the table

The easiest way to begin mixing is to choose one style for the sides of the table and a different, more substantial chair for each end. Armchairs work particularly well at the head, adding a sense of occasion.

The Lotus Chair (pictured above) is a beautiful side chair, and its partner, the Lotus Arm Chair, is ideal for the ends. Same family, different presence.

2. Keep one thing consistent

Just like grouping decor, mixed chairs need a common thread. Choose one of these and stick to it:

• Same material, different shapes: all timber chairs, but in different silhouettes.
• Same shape, different finishes: one chair design in two or three colours.
• Same colour, different styles: a tonal mix of chairs all in natural or all in black.

The Zuzu Chair is a great example of the second approach. It comes in natural and black, and alternating the two around a table gives a crisp, graphic rhythm.

3. Match the seat heights

However different the chairs look, the seat heights should be within a couple of centimetres of each other, usually between 45 and 48cm. You want about 30cm between the seat and the underside of the tabletop so everyone sits comfortably.

4. Mind the spacing

Allow around 60cm of table edge per person, and more for chairs with arms. Leave at least 90cm between the table edge and the nearest wall or furniture so people can pull out their chairs and walk behind seated guests.

5. Try a bench on one side

In a family home, a bench along one side of the table is practical and relaxed. It seats more children, tucks away completely when not in use and breaks up the row of chairs. Pair it with more structured chairs on the other side for balance.

6. Great chairs to mix

A few that play well together or on their own:

• Acacia Chair: a clean, versatile shape that works with most tables.
• Okavango Chair: natural character for a relaxed, earthy dining room.
• Moyo Chair: simple and sturdy, a great everyday side chair.

7. Dress the table for summer

Once the chairs are in place, keep the table styling light and seasonal. Linen napkins, a runner in a natural tone and a few low stems down the centre are all you need. Add candlelight for evening meals with the Tapered Dinner Candle Holder Collection, and bring craft to the table with hand-carved Moyo Salad Servers.

The short version

• Start by putting different, more substantial chairs at each end of the table.
• Keep one element consistent: material, shape or colour.
• Seat heights should be within a couple of centimetres of each other.
• Allow 60cm per person and 90cm behind each chair.
• A bench on one side is practical and relaxed.
• Style the table low and seasonal, with candles for evenings.

Browse our chair collection, or chat to one of our designers on WhatsApp for help putting together a mix that suits your table.