Hmmm... are the legs hollow? Can you perhaps get some cool "feet" for them? Or perhaps paint the legs and make nice tailored slip covers? Here's a really "out there" suggestion... you can perhaps weave something on the 4 bars in the center of the back to make it a softer back? T-shirt yarn? Or Rope?

I wonder if it wouldn't be relatively simple to pry up the seat and pull over some fun fabric of your choosing. Also, rustoleum makes some great spray paints for metals that need almost no prep. So a new color and fabric? Can't think of anything to really do about the shape...

I would paint the legs and the base of the table (not the top) black to match the chairs. You could also recover the seats with any fabric depending on the look youre going for. Zebra stripes, orange, dark yellow, etc. This way it will look like a complete set until you can afford something better.

I would go simple. Buy fabric and cover the seats. You'll need the fabric, scissors, a screw driver to remove the seats and a staple gun. If you want more 'cush' to the seats, get some batting or flannel fabric in white or cream.
For the 4 chairs, I think 2-1/2 yards will do the trick but do measure. Honestly, that will make a huge impact w/minimal effort and cost. And If you get inspired, you can make valances or place mats to match. Good Luck in which ever way you go.

I'm with Lynell on this one - those seats look really easy to pry off. A few yards of great fabric and a staple gun will take care of the seat. And a bold spray paint color like Rustoleum's Sun Yellow, or Cool Plum would really brighten up the black metal. Cheap and easy!

Another vote for spray paint + new fabric on the seats. Otherwise I would list them on Craigslist and start fresh.

i am a re-use artist and designer, and while i think that these chairs could be improved with paint and new fabric and padding on the seat, i think that they will still look awkward. unless you are on a extremely tight budget, i think you will be happier selling them or giving them away and buying something else. there are lots of appealing, inexpensive options out there if you are willing to buy used furniture.

Another vote for paint and reupholster.

This is the simplest reupholstery job there is. And, if they chairs are not comfortable, you can add more foam padding underneath the new upholstery material.

As for chair colors - find a print you like for the seats (or from something else in the room) and pick a color. You could go for a dark rich brown to tone with the table or go wild with chrome yellow, lipstick red, or neon pink, orange or turquoise, or whatever tickles your fancy.

Here are some inspiring posts:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/lively-colorful-129097
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/colorful-floral-1-136279

I agree with the majority, I would pull out the seats and reupholster. I would also add extra foam if possible, the seats look thin. I wouldn't paint the iron, I think it's nice, industrial; but it's up to you. Please don't touch that table, it looks beautiful!

Craig's List. There are lots of cheap yet nice dining chairs out there.

Another vote for paint and reupholster! Canary yellow or robin's egg blue if they can coordinate with the rest of the space. But if you want to skip the painting, a nice graphic black and white fabric for the seat could be nice. Maybe check the shower curtain section... some great patterns and durable fabrics there. Good luck!

As well as changing the seats you could add a padded back to match or complement the seat. It can be a loose cushion tied or velcroed into place over the thinner back rails or even a properly upholstered thin wood piece screwed into place. Or a one piece seat and back cushion could be made to dress up the chairs until you make a more permanent decision. The cover could slip over the entire chair back to make more black disappear. Your chairs could have their own wardrobe, changing with mood or season.

They could be really cute chairs. I wouldn't just get rid of them either. Either spice them up with new fabric or make/get a full slip cover to jazz them up a bit.

Seems like a bit of work for a set of chairs that appear to be of any quality... If you decide to paint them you'll need to sand and prime or else the spray paint will chip and scratch very easily. Sure, you can recover the seats for a different look. The table looks nice! I suggest looking around at thrift stores, flea markets or better yet, Craigslist! You can get nice chairs for cheap. Sell the chairs on CL and put the money toward something thats more you.

If it was up to me I'd spray paint the frames a flat gunmetal gray, and then use a charcoal wool menswear fabric for the seat. I'd make a table runner using the same fabric to tie the set together.

I would also sand and spray paint the metal- gunmetal or pewter- and reupholster the seats in whatever fabric you like. I don't think the chairs are too bad.

I would spray-paint the top 2/3 of the backs shiny deep turquoise, leaving the bottom 1/3 above the seat black, like you dipped the top half in paint. Then re-cover the seats with a coordinating turquoise print, something lush either in pattern or texture. Or, as Sharpmama pointed out, yellow would be nice (I'd go for more of a mustard). Or just slip-cover them.

It just simply do this.get the cover seat change it a soft and fabric and add some foam and make sure the legs of the chair are solid.

I don't think the chairs will EVER go with that table because of the rounded back of the chairs and the square lines of the table. That said, if you get new ones on craigslist, maybe you can sell these on craigslist as well to offset the cost?

If you DO keep them, I would think about stenciling the seats. Find some sort of fabric/leather paint at Michaels or online, SEAL them afterwards so the paint doesn't rub off on your bum, and consider stenciling each one differently. You'd have to pick your stencils carefully - I'd either go with something very small and cute in the center of each seat or something oversized like a big design from victorian wallpaper. Of course, if you spraypaint the chair frames you can go in different directions with this.

I also really love the idea of weaving the back. If you do that, you could weave around the outer frame up to the point where it starts to curve - that would square off the back and help the shape match the table better maybe?