Whether you’re having the family over for the holidays or hosting formal dinner parties, having a gorgeous dining room is a must. By thoughtfully considering each element in the room, you can create a chic dining room you’ll love using.
The perfect dining room starts with a beautiful foundation. In this stunning dining room featured in April’s CityBook, we designed a custom cream and cobalt rug. The organic pattern pulls the color down from the ceiling wallpaper and softens the crisp white. A framed vintage Hermes scarf from the client’s collection is a beautiful way to tie the room together and activate the color palette. The gold and crystal pendant light was the perfect statement light fixture. It has visual weight, but there’s an effortlessness to it. We selected a glass top for the custom dining table to allow guests to take in the rug when they’re seated. I love that the polished, architectural base adds interest without drawing attention away from the rest of the design. And that leads us to the most used and arguably the most important piece in a dining room: the chairs. These chic white and gold chairs were the perfect match for the glass top dining table in our client’s dining room. They tie in the chandelier and set of heirloom mirrors together beautifully. The result is sophisticated and elegant. 
Choosing the Right Chairs for Your Dining Table
The right chairs for your dining table depend on the size of your dining room and the shape of your table. Your guests should have enough space to be comfortably seated at the table without bumping elbows. Armless side chairs work well with any shape dining table. Host chairs and chairs with arms should be paired with larger rectangular or oval dining tables. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite dining room tables and dining chairs.
Round Dining Tables
There’s something elegant about a round dining table. Since everyone can see one another, it’s easier for your guests to chat. A round dining table creates a more intimate dining experience and is great for smaller spaces, condos or apartments. The one thing about round dining tables is that they don’t accommodate large groups of people well. If you need to seat larger groups, I recommend a round table with an extension leaf. That way you can comfortably seat your extra guests when you need to.
I love the combination of the classic oak tabletop with a modern style brass base. The delicate details on this mid century-inspired table give it a sophisticated and elegant feel. It’s a subtle combination that definitely makes a statement.
The dark Primavera veneer on this maple table definitely caught my eye. It adds a richness to this traditional shaped table. The chrome plated feet give it an edginess that takes the simple design up a notch. It’s what I like to call new traditional. The spiral-like design on the top is beautiful. And I love that it’s expandable – how convenient is that?! It’s luxurious, functional, and turned out to be the perfect table for my dining room.
Chairs for Round Dining Tables
I love a more structural chair paired with a round table. The tension of straight and curved lines is one of the defining characteristics of our Classically Current interior designs. The gracefulness of the curved table next to the crisp straight lines of the chair create the perfect balance of masculine and feminine styles. A round dining table means there won’t be as much space between the chairs. The best chairs for round tables are narrow arm chairs or side chair styles. This allows you to seat more guests, more comfortably at the table. Let the larger (and grand) host chairs be for a longer rectangular or oval shaped table.
The style of your table and chairs should complement each other. Using opposing shapes bring balance and visual interest to the room. I love these structural Vik Dining chairs from Ligne Roset. They’re gorgeous! The rounded legs give the chair character and add structural detail. The neutral color palette is classic. I love that you can use this chair with any interior design style.
A more structured chair can be quite bold. If you’re going for a more delicate, feminine design, a side chair with a rounded back is a must. The sleek design of this Bernhardt metal side chair is sweet, but not too overpowering. It’s the perfect match for a bold dining table. The polished finish adds just the right touch of glamour! It’s a beautiful, modern interpretation of the classic French dining chair.
Rectangle Dining Tables
Because most dining rooms are rectangular, this classic table shape is one of the most popular dining table styles. It’s great for large dining rooms and for our clients who need seating for larger groups. One thing to keep in mind about rectangular tables is making sure it’s wide enough. The table should be wide enough to fit place settings on each side and have room in the center for the food. I love this Peregine dining table from Holly Hunt. This mid-century modern table has a clean, streamlined design. It’s a great piece to give a formal dining room a more contemporary feel. The raised table top and brass hardware are beautiful. The details are unexpected but oh-so gorgeous. 
If you choose a traditional rectangular shape for your dining table, you don’t have to stick to wood. You can do something bold and modern. This lucite table from ModShop is elegant and I love the contemporary design. The gold detail on the criss cross frame brings in a touch of glam – so chic!
Chairs for Rectangular Dining Tables
When it comes to selecting chairs for your rectangular dining table, don’t be afraid to select something that’s not as formal. Something industrial or mid-century is cool to mix into a dining room and makes a unique statement. I love these Holly Hunt arm chairs as host chairs! The brass plating and sleek mid-century lines gives these chairs an industrial vibe. The crisp lines of the chair are a beautiful way to mirror the lines of a rectangular dining table.
If you’re using a table and host chairs with lots of hardware detail, the side chairs should be simple and clean. I love the cutout detail and the textural element the velvet adds to these ModShop side dining chairs. The whole combination is formal, but approachable for your guests.
You can’t go wrong with the classic white and gold pairing. These white crocodile and gold Marcelle dining chairs are the perfect way to add a bit of glam to your dining room. I love the clean line of sight the minimalist style frame creates. And the metallic gold and luxe crocodile combination is fabulous!
Chairs for Oval Dining Tables
The beautiful thing about oval dining tables is that there are no sharp corners. Visually, this makes the table take up less space and the curved edge creates a more gentle flow in the room. With the elongated shape, you don’t have to worry about if you have enough room to squeeze people in. It’s easy to pull up a chair on the end for last minute guests. Oval tables are great for entertaining and conversation because there isn’t a head of the table.
This Serena & Lily oval dining table is a welcoming spot to gather with family and friends for a casual dinner. The gentle curved tabletop offsets the crisp, angular base and the bright white finish gives it a fresh touch.
These Pagoda side chairs in blueberry are the perfect match for this clean oval table. It’s a casual pairing reminiscent of Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. Just make sure to pair the oval table with an oval-shaped rug!
The Perfect Chairs for Your Dining Table
A dining room should be a sophisticated space that provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating special occasions and hosting guests. Though the dining room is a more formal space that doesn’t mean it has to be a stuffy or stiff feeling. Mix straight lines with curved lines. Pair a traditional table with industrial or modern chairs. Use a colorful chair or one with subtle details. The important thing is to make it a space that blends luxury, sophistication, and comfort.
