Short answer
Black, a clearly different oak, or a light, warm neutral; the only choice to avoid is a wood that almost, but not quite, matches the table.
Oak has a warm, yellow-brown undertone. Black frames sharpen it, a darker oak frames it, and ivory, sand or greige fabrics pick up its warmth.
A wood that nearly matches, such as a slightly redder oak or a stained beech, puts two similar tones side by side and makes both look slightly wrong. Match exactly, or contrast clearly.
Every oak finish has one chair for contrast and one for a calm match; the chart below sets them out for our Oak, Dark Oak and Black Oak tables.
Our oak chairs and tables are made from the same A-grade FSC-certified oak, in the same three finishes, so an exact match is always possible.
| Table finish | For contrast | For a calm match |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | Sella or Isabell in Jade Black; Karin in Dark Oak | Karin or Erik in Oak |
| Dark Oak | Isabell or Bella in Ivory; Karin in Oak | Karin or Erik in Dark Oak |
| Black Oak | Karin or Erik in Oak; Bella in Sand | Karin or Erik in Black Oak with Black bouclé |
Yes, when the wood and the finish are identical; oak chairs and an oak table from the same maker, in the same finish, read as one calm whole.
That is the classic Scandinavian dining room: one wood throughout, with the chairs' shape and the table's grain doing the work.
Our Karin and Erik are made in the same factory as our Ann table, from the same oak and in the same three finishes, so they match it exactly. Our guide to mixing and matching dining chairs covers the alternatives.
Yes: black steel chairs are the strongest and most modern contrast to oak, and they let the grain of the table take centre stage.
A slim black frame reads as a line drawing against the wood, so the chairs frame the table instead of competing with it.
Our Sella, Bella and Isabell have black powder-coated steel frames. In Jade Black the contrast is graphic; with an Ivory or Sand seat on the black frame it becomes softer, which suits a light Oak table in a bright room.
Bella Dining ChairBlack steel · free-standing legs · from £399View Bella
Warm neutrals: ivory and greige bouclé and sand or latte vegan leather all pick up the warm undertone of oak.
Cool greys and pure whites can make oak look yellow beside them. Warm neutrals bring out its honey tone instead.
Karin and Erik come with a bouclé seat in Ivory or Greige, Bella and Isabell in Sand vegan leather, and Sella in Latte. Our guide to the best fabric for dining chairs compares how each fabric wears, and fabric samples let you hold them against your own table.
They do not need the same shape, but the lines should agree: a solid, square table suits chairs with a straight frame, and a round table suits softer curves.
A heavy table with spindly chairs looks unfinished; a delicate table with bulky chairs looks crowded.
Our Ann is a solid oak table with a strong, architectural form, and Karin and Erik answer it with straight rails and a curved back. Our round Luna suits the slim, softer outline of Bella and Isabell. Browse our dining tables to see the full range of shapes.
Karin Dining ChairFrom £469Oak · matches Ann exactly
Erik Dining ChairFrom £499Oak · armrests
Isabell Dining ChairFrom £399Black steel · contrast
Bella Dining ChairFrom £399Sand vegan leather · warm
