How to Fit Everyone Around the Christmas Table (Without Losing Your Mind)

12th Nov 2025

Posted by Alice Ewens on 12th Nov 2025

53% of our customers said their biggest Christmas hosting worry is not having enough seating.

We ran a poll on our Instagram stories to find out what’s really worrying you about the upcoming Christmas hosting season. Seating came out as the top concern for more than half of you, but you’re also concerned about making it all look nice. And I get it. Hosting is hard enough without the pressure of creating a Pinterest-perfect dining room. So I’ve put together some practical, stylish and sanity-saving tips to help you get ahead of the game.

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The Real Christmas Hosting Dilemma

Hosting Christmas is a labour of love. From planning the menu to buying and wrapping all the gifts (midnight Sellotape hunting is not my idea of fun), and making sure everyone has a seat at the table, it’s often all down to the frazzled parents, unsung heroes carrying the emotional weight of making the day magical.

Social media and glossy Christmas adverts can make us feel like we’re falling short if our homes don’t look like a winter wonderland. But real Christmas is messy, joyful, and full of mismatched chairs and last-minute solutions. And that’s okay. You’re not alone, and there are simple, realistic and achievable ways to make your space work beautifully without breaking the bank.

family christmas dinner table

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How to Style Mismatched Dining Chairs Like A Pro

Mismatched chairs? Don’t panic! It’s actually a design trend that we saw all the big style gurus hyping up at the beginning of the year. Mixing styles can create a curated, intentional look that feels warm and lived-in. Here’s how to make it work:

Stick to a colour palette. Unify different chairs with similar tones or complementary colours.
Add textiles. Seat cushions, throws or chair covers in a matching colour can tie everything together.
Mix materials thoughtfully. Blend wood, metal, and fabric for texture and interest.
Balance modern and traditional. Pair sleek contemporary dining chairs with vintage finds for a layered look.

We're mixing materials and designs with style here, with our Pesaro black velvet dining chairs, Layla cream fabric swivel dining chair and Lynton wood dining chair around our Lynton walnut wood dining table for a Christmas set up full of character and charm.

How to Know Which Dining Chairs Go With Your Table

Thinking about upgrading your dining room but overwhelmed by choice? Here’s my simple guide to help you pick.

Glass tables pair well with velvet or faux leather dining chairs for a luxe feel. You can also match chair leg with table materials (so, silver chair legs will go well with a glass table that has silver legs, for example).

Wood tables look great with fabric or wooden chairs in earthy tones for a cosy vibe, or in black for a chic industrial look. Pale (or painted) wood looks really chic with cream and gold chairs.

High gloss or marble effect tables can be a dramatic centrepiece for your room so go bold with chrome or metal-legged chairs, or perhaps a pop of green velvet? Look to your room’s décor to decide whether neutral or bold colours will work best.

light modern living room and dining space, round wood & white dining table with tall back cream velvet chairs with gold legs, christmas tree behind

Our customer @thedohafamilyhome pairs our Milan cream velvet & gold dining chairs with a painted round wooden dining table for a chic chateaux-inspired Christmas set up in an open-plan living-room-diner space.

Pick Your Chair Materials – A Quick Reference Guide: Velvet adds glamour, faux leather is easy to clean, linen-look fabrics brings texture and wood chairs will always look timeless and rustic.

Still unsure? Browse our curated dining sets or do it yourself by combining any of our dining tables with any of our dining chair options to find your perfect pairing.

Space-Saving Christmas Furniture Ideas That Actually Work

Short on space but big on guests? Swivel chairs are easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Extendable dining tables transform your space when you need it most. Stackable chairs like our Coltons store away easily when not in use. Round tables are also a great idea for smaller spaces and open-plan shared kitchen-diner or living-room-diner spaces – check out our range of compact 100cm round dining tables. Dining benches are another great way to squeeze in extra guests and are perfect for kids.

Victorian Edwardian inspired dining room with wooden table, 4 wood dining chairs and wooden dining bench

Our customer Rosie S shared this review photo of our Lynton walnut wood dining table with matching 2 seat dining bench and 4 wood dining chairs, to create this beautiful Edwardian / Victorian inspired dining room. This is going to look stunning with a simple leafy table runner and candles at Christmas!

Metal stackable bar stools are ideal for kitchen islands or breakfast bars. Plus, guests can keep you company, sipping Bucks Fizz while you cook (although, if I’m honest, anyone else in my kitchen while I cook is the last thing I want). On that note, consider indoor-outdoor seating. Choose versatile chairs like our Iko, that can move outside come spring. Why buy seating just for Christmas when you can have furniture that moves to wherever you need it most?

Our customer @at_home_with_becks32a making the most of all her available space, hosting Christmas dinner in her conservatory and using her outdoor garden dining set alongside a cosy sofa.

Affordable Extra Seating for Christmas, Delivered Tomorrow

Need extra chairs fast? We’ve got you covered. Our range of affordable dining chairs includes stylish options for every taste and budget. Plus:

Free next day delivery – perfect for last-minute planners or early birds.
Free returns – no stress if you change your mind.
Interest-free finance options – spread the cost with ease.

Let's Celebrate the Real Christmas

Christmas isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. Whether your chairs match or not, whether your table is pristine or piled high with crackers and gravy boats, what matters most is the people around it. So, embrace the chaos, the charm, and the mismatched magic.