Extending Dining Table & Chairs: Choosing the Right Set

An extending dining table gives you flexibility: a comfortable place for everyday meals, with extra room when guests arrive. Choosing the right chairs alongside it helps you make the most of both arrangements.

The best set works for your room, your usual seating needs and the occasions when you need more places. Here’s what to consider when choosing an extending dining table and chairs together.

Start with the table’s everyday size

It’s easy to focus on how many people a table can seat when fully extended. But its closed size is just as important—that’s the arrangement you’ll probably use most often.

Think about how many people sit down together each day and how much room you need around them. Allow space to pull chairs out comfortably and move past seated diners, especially near doors, sideboards or busy walkways.

Then check the extended dimensions. Your room needs to accommodate the longer table and the additional chairs.

Explore our extending dining tables to compare shapes, sizes and finishes.

Check how the chairs fit around the table

A table’s stated seating capacity is a useful starting point, but the chairs you choose affect how spacious the finished set feels.

Wider chairs and designs with arms can need more room than compact, armless styles. Table legs and bases also influence where chairs can sit, so look beyond the overall tabletop dimensions.

Before choosing your set, check:

• Chair width: will everyone have enough room beside them?

• Seat height: is there comfortable legroom beneath the tabletop and any supporting frame?

• Arm height: can armchairs tuck underneath if you need them to?

• Leg placement: can you position the chairs comfortably with the table both closed and extended?

If you’re comparing combinations, ask about the specific table and chair pairing rather than relying on seating numbers alone. We offer made-to-order furniture, so your table can be customised to suit your space and seating needs. If you have particular requirements, get in touch and we can talk through the options with you.

Choose chairs for the way you use your dining space

Dining chairs often serve more than one purpose. They might be used for quick breakfasts, long dinners, homework or an afternoon at the table.

Consider what matters most in your home. Upholstered seats may appeal if you enjoy lingering over meals, while the shape and support of the backrest can be just as important.

Our new dining chairs give you more ways to put together your dining space.

PARIS WOOD with KALMA: a natural match for prime oak

The PARIS WOOD dining chair combines white upholstery with oak wood, making it a natural match for our prime oak furniture. The shared material brings continuity to the table and chairs, while the upholstery adds a soft contrast.

It pairs beautifully with the KALMA collection, particularly the round dining table, creating a cohesive combination that puts the warmth and character of oak at the centre of your dining space.

Explore the KALMA round dining table and PARIS WOOD chair set.

Three chair styles to complete your dining set

Our new dining chairs offer different ways to bring texture, comfort and personality to an extending dining table. Here are three combinations to consider.

BAOBAB with MILAN: soft lines and rich texture

The BAOBAB dining chair combines dark-stained beech wood with mottled green herringbone upholstery. Its rounded silhouette complements the MILAN round extending table’s softly sculpted oak legs and smooth, pebble-like edges. Together, they create a flowing look, ideal if you prefer gentle curves throughout your dining space.

Explore the MILAN extending dining table and BAOBAB chair set.

NEW YORK with OAKWELL: retro character and natural oak

NEW YORK brings a relaxed retro feel through its natural ash frame, woven wicker back and cushioned brown seat. Paired with the OAKWELL round extending table, these textures complement the character oak’s grain and knots, while the table’s straight edge and tapered legs give the combination a clean outline.

Explore the OAKWELL extending dining table and NEW YORK chair set.

PARIS with KANTAR: sleek and versatile

With a padded seat, gently curved upholstered back and slim black steel legs, the PARIS dining chair brings a lighter visual profile to the dining space. The brown fabric adds warmth alongside oak, while the simple shape makes it easy to combine with different table designs.

We suggest pairing PARIS with a KANTAR extending table for a coordinated everyday dining arrangement, or using it alongside a KANTAR table and bench set to mix upholstered seating with the natural texture of wood.

Browse our dining chairs to compare the available designs.

Bring the table and chairs together visually

Your table and chairs don’t need identical finishes to look good together. A shared colour, material or design detail can help connect the pieces.

For example, a chair’s wood tone might complement the tabletop, or its upholstery could echo colours elsewhere in the room. Curved chairs can soften the look of an angular table, while simpler designs can keep the attention on a distinctive base.

Also consider visual weight. A substantial table paired with generous upholstered chairs creates a different effect from the same table with slimmer seating. Choose a combination that feels proportionate to your room.

Plan for the extra chairs

An extending table works best when you have a practical plan for the additional seating. You might keep all the chairs around the closed table, provided they fit comfortably, or bring extra seats over when you extend it.

Consider complementing your dining set with stackable stools that are easy to store, or versatile chairs that can be used elsewhere in the home. A chair at a bedroom dressing table, beside a desk or in a quiet reading corner can join the dining table when guests arrive.

Check that any additional seats are a suitable height and fit comfortably around the fully extended table. A mix of seating can make larger gatherings feel relaxed and welcoming, while keeping your everyday dining space open and practical.

Compare the available dining set offers

Buying a table and chairs as a set lets you consider the complete combination together. When comparing offers, check the exact table size, chair model, quantity and finish included.

If a package offers a saving, compare it with the price of buying those same pieces separately. A useful offer is one that gives you the combination and number of chairs you actually need.

Explore our dining sets to see the available combinations and offers.

Choose a set that works every day

Start with the table size that suits your usual routine, then check the space and seating you’ll need when it’s extended. From there, choose chairs that fit comfortably, suit your home and work with the way you use your dining area.

Explore our extending dining tables, discover the new dining chairs, or browse our dining set offers to find your combination.

Frequently asked questions

How many chairs should I buy with an extending dining table?

Start with the number you use every day, then consider how often you need additional seats. Check the table’s recommended capacity in both positions and the dimensions of your chosen chairs before deciding.

Can dining chairs with arms work with an extending table?

They can, but check their width and arm height against the table’s clearance and leg positions. A chair may fit beside the table without being able to tuck underneath it and looks best at the head of both ends of the table.

Do dining chairs have to match the table?

No. Coordinating colours, materials or shapes can create a cohesive set without every finish being identical.

Is buying a dining table and chairs as a set better value?

Yes. We offer dining tables paired with sets of 2, 4 or 6 chairs at a reduced cost compared with buying the pieces separately. Choose the combination that suits your space and seating needs.