DIY Eclectic: How to Mix it Up With Matching Chairs

There's been a lot of talk about mismatched dining chairs around here, and it seems many of us agree that the challenge is actually putting the mismatched set together and making it work. But what if you already have a set of matching chairs, and you want to use what you've got to create that mismatched look? Here are a few ways you could tackle the project, in case you're just itching to get more eclectic...

If your chairs have drop-in seats, consider a DIY reupholstery job with mismatched (but complementary) fabrics. You can always have a pro do a fancier tufted version (like the stools in the second photo) if you want something more formal.

Painting your matching chairs different colors is another idea. It might seem like a big commitment, but of course you can always re-paint them to match if you hate the result.

Or, if you've got some matching chairs and a few beloved singletons, and if the rest of your room is really, really simple, you could paint the chairs different colors and throw in the mis-matches. Hey, it works in the fifth photo, don't you think?

Has anyone out there experienced matching chair fatigue and done a DIY makeover? How did it turn out?

(Images: Metropolitan Home; British Vogue/Nest Decorating; Small Space Style; Absolutely Not Martha; Apartment Therapy/Livingetc)

Comments (6)

If I was going to mismatch my chairs, this is how I would do it.

posted by Brandyjane on August 20th 2009 at 9:09am
view Brandyjane's profile

That table in the first pic with the big casters. I really need one, it's EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Please help, where is it from?

posted by bitdot on August 20th 2009 at 11:35am
view bitdot's profile

Agreed Brandyjane -

Same chair, different fabric/color -
or same fabric/color/scale, different chair is the way to go.

Random hodgepodge is visually tiresome for me.

posted by bepsf on August 20th 2009 at 11:56am
view bepsf's profile

I have a pretty traditional mission style dining set that I modernized by re-upholstering the seats in different patterned fabrics within the same color scheme. It made a pretty basic dining set much more interesting and warm. I love mixing it up!

posted by resalikescolors on August 20th 2009 at 2:03pm
view resalikescolors's profile

Love the table too. Guess it could be DIYable.Tabletop, plumbing parts, and large industrial lockable casters.

It is great, I want it too!

posted by Lilli K. on August 20th 2009 at 2:25pm
view Lilli K.'s profile

LilliK--

The table base isn't plumbing parts - It's scaffolding parts.

posted by bepsf on August 20th 2009 at 3:51pm
view bepsf's profile