How to Mix & Match Seating in an Open Floor Plan

Most modern homes feature open floor plans with large kitchens that connect to the surrounding rooms — dining room, family room and foyer. The openness reflects the way we live today, making it easy to gather and mingle with friends and family in a casual manner without feeling separated from one another. However, creating a cohesive look and feel throughout the space can be tricky. Fortunately, there are many ways to achieve coordinated style, and one of those is through seating. Here are our favorite ways to mix and match barstools or counter stools and dining room chairs.

Same Design + Different Fabric

We love the tailored, sophisticated style of the Gentry Seating — definitely a look worth repeating in the adjoining spaces. The shared design elements of the barstool and chair — the silhouette, finish, tufted detail and nail head trim — create a common tie while the coordinating fabric in a similar hue keeps it from being an exact match. However, if you prefer a perfectly matched look, go ahead and use the same fabric on both chairs.

Different Design + Similar Style

Use your various seating to create a cohesive design aesthetic in an open floor plan. For example, if you have a lot of neutral hues, at least one farmhouse-style pendant and a mix of wood, concrete and metal surfaces in your home, you probably love the industrial design style. While our Allen Stool and Constance Chair have different design details and even different finishes, they share that same industrial design influence that helps unify the spaces — which is why they make a perfect pair.

Same Finish + Different Design

One of the easiest ways to create a harmonious flow between rooms is to match wood tones. The contrasting designs of these two chairs — one features slim, contoured legs while the other has thick, straight legs — are brought together through the same relaxed Weathered Oak finish. It’s almost as if they were made for each other.

Similar Material + Different Design

Here, the binding element is the woven texture of each piece. One of the best ways to warm up a space is through interesting texture, so why not spread the love throughout your home? The same warm color and texture unites the barstool and chair to create a casual yet chic vibe that effortlessly flows from one space to the next.

Not sure whether you need a bar stool or counter stool for your space? We’ll help you decide with our How To Choose Stools Guide. Or find more decorating ideas by browsing our Pinterest Boards.