The Spruce / Bailey Mariner
Don’t pass on a stunningdining tablejust because it doesn’t come with chairs.
Scale
For comfort, the respective scales of your dining table and chairs must be compatible.
That means the distance between the seat and tabletop could be anywhere from 8 to 14 inches.
The Spruce / Bailey Mariner
ensure not to just measure from the table’s top to the seat.
Note whether the chair seat is hard or upholstered.
Upholstered seats tend to compress when you sit.
If the padding is thick, the compression may be substantial.
Add the difference between the two to your ideal table-to-seat distance.
If the chair seats touch, diners feel cramped and uncomfortably close.
The same is true for round tables; leave at least two inches of space between each chair.
see to it the backs of your chairs are taller than the top of the table.
Taller is better, but a height difference of two inches is the absolute minimum.
The chairs look squatty otherwise.
The styles must be compatible too.
Choosing tables and chairs with a common element usually ensures that they’ll look good together.
It can even be a single design element, such as the furniture legs or feet.
Style Exceptions
As with most decorating rules, there are exceptions.
Try using different color chairs but all in the same shape and style for an interesting look.
For a cohesive look, chairs should be the same color or darker than the dining table.
