Expand Your Beloved Dining Set

Do you have a set of four dining chairs you absolutely love, but find yourself needing more seating at your table? Don’t worry—you don’t have to trade in your cherished set for a larger matching one. There are clever ways to work with what you have and still create a cohesive, stylish look.

I’ll be honest—mixing mismatched chairs around a dining table can easily go wrong. Too often, it ends up looking chaotic or haphazard. The times I’ve seen it executed beautifully involved a minimalist aesthetic—think a sleek, simple table paired with iconic, high-end modernist chairs. But that route can get pricey fast. So, let’s focus on practical solutions that build on your existing set of four without breaking the bank or sacrificing style.

Starting with Your Set of Four

Imagine your four chairs are classic Danish teak—gorgeous, but not so common that you can easily find exact matches. Here’s how to expand based on your needs:

• For a Total of 6 Chairs: This is the simplest fix. Find two complementary teak chairs to add to your set. Look for ones with or without arms (chairs with arms are called captain’s chairs) and place them at the ends of the table. Captain’s chairs can give your setup a polished, intentional vibe.
• For a Total of 8 Chairs: For a Total of 8 Chairs You’ll want to track down a set of four complementary chairs. This keeps things balanced and avoids a patchwork look.
• For a Total of 10 Chairs: Aim for a set of six to pair with your original four. Don’t settle for a set of four plus a separate set of two. In my opinion, that feels too cluttered and disjointed. Hold out for that perfect set of six to maintain harmony.

Bonus Scenarios

What if you stumble across a set of eight when you need ten? If it includes captain’s chairs, consider using them elsewhere in your home—like as accent chairs in a living room or bedroom.

Similarly, if you find a set of six with two captain’s chairs but want more daily table space, pull the armed chairs out and place them in the dining room corners or flanking a buffet server or bar cart. It’s a chic, functional workaround.

Pro Tips for a Streamlined Look

• Match the Back Height: When mixing sets, slight design differences are fine, but aim for chairs with similar back heights and wood tones. This keeps the look cohesive, so your eye isn’t bouncing between mismatched heights. Teak and walnut can sometimes mix if the tones align.
• Check Measurements: If you want chairs to slide under the table, measure arm height and table clearance. A half-inch gap can be fixed with felt pads under the table; for a larger gap (like an inch), screw-in furniture levelers can lift the table slightly.
• Protect the Chairs: Always use felt pads or glides, especially on carpet. This prevents strain on joints and dowels when pulling chairs out, preserving the wood glue (which dries and shrinks over time) and making movement smoother.
• Reupholster for Unity: One of the easiest ways to tie mixed sets together is reupholstering. Go bold or funky with fabric—this is your chance to have fun! If you tire of it, it’s simple to swap out later. Plus, you only see a hint of the fabric when chairs are pushed in.
• Don’t Push Chairs In Fully: When staging or photographing, I often angle one or two chairs outward for a lived-in, inviting feel. Leaving a bit of the seat and backrest visible highlights their craftsmanship. Refinishing chairs is grueling—show off that artistry.

Try Before You Buy

At MiMO, we’re all about making this easy. If you’re local, bring a chair in to coordinate with our stock, or take one of ours home to test with your table and set. You’ll know in two seconds if it works. We offer a 7-day return policy (excluding custom or pre-orders), so you can shop with confidence.

Expanding your dining set doesn’t mean starting over. With a little creativity and these tips, you can keep the chairs you love and build a table that’s as functional as it is beautiful.