mixing dining room pieces?

Anyone mix different designs of table/chairs and side board?

Right now we have a basic 4 seat glass table; I'm having a hard time looking for a 6-8 person table set that i like with upholstered chairs without spending a fortune!

I'm found a side board i love for an amazing price. It sort of goes with my glass table; but the goal is to match it to a new table down the line (hopefully).

I'm just afraid I'm setting myself up for disaster down the line if i find a table i love and it doesn't match the side board exactly.

Does it even matter? I really need a place to store my wedding china; glasses; table linens; and our liquor! So i'm eager to buy the sideboard even before i get the table.

Re: mixing dining room pieces?

I think it depends on your style and the look you are going for.

I don't think your table has to be part of the same "set" as your sideboard or other dining room furniture. In fact, many designers say to avoid being too "matchy/matchy" -- it's good to throw in some unusual pieces (vintage, painted, etc.) to add visual interest. I think that can really work, especially if you like a more eclectic look, which can be a little more casual.

But if you want a really traditional, formal look, you may want to major pieces to look cohesive. Again, I don't think they need to be part of the same set, but if you have a dark wood sideboard that is fairly simple, then you would want to get a dark wood table without a lot of adornment.

Just fyi - In terms of affordability, have you looked into floor samples? When I moved into my house, I got a really great formal dining room set (table, 6 upholstered chairs, china cabinet/hutch, and sideboard) at a store on Rte 110 in Farmingdale (can't remember the name). It was a very expensive set made by Broyihill, but I got it for like 1/3 of the price because it was the floor sample. But it was almost in perfect condition (no noticeable scratches or nicks or anything). It was a great deal!

Message edited 7/6/2011 10:09:40 PM.

Re: mixing dining room pieces?

Our dining table is restoration hardware and the chairs are from crate and barrel

we dont have a buffet or sideboard

I really don't like matching sets, everything is unique and different, even my couches are different fabrics, and styles, and i have all kinds of metals as well silver, gold, and oil rubbed bronze

Message edited 7/6/2011 10:20:13 PM.