The strongest extendable dining tables with matching chairs have three things in common. The chairs are scaled to the table, with a seat height that leaves comfortable knee room beneath the top. There are enough chairs for the closed table, plus a sensible plan for the extended size. And the chair material complements the table rather than simply copying it: fabric or velvet with glass and marble effect, upholstered seats with wood, and leather with high gloss.
Our modern extending dining table sets UK sale are put together with these points in mind. Here is how to judge a set for your own home.
Buying a table and chairs separately gives you endless choice, but it also brings risk. Chair seats can sit too high for the table apron. Arms may not slide under the top. A chair that looks right online may feel oversized next to a slim table. A set removes those uncertainties, because the pieces have been designed or selected to work together.
A set also gives a dining room a sense of order. Repeated shapes around the table create a calm rhythm, which is particularly welcome in open plan spaces where the dining area is always on show.
If you would like to see every option in one place, our main modern dining room furniture UK section includes tables, chairs and sets across all materials.
A matching set does not have to be made from a single material. There are three broad approaches, and each creates a different mood.
Table and chairs share the same wood or finish. This is the most traditional look and suits classic oak and walnut dining rooms.
The chairs share one element with the table, such as leg colour or wood tone, but add a contrasting material on the seat or back. A walnut table with walnut legged fabric chairs is a good example. This is the most versatile approach.
The chairs contrast clearly with the table, such as velvet chairs around a marble effect top. The set still feels matched because the chairs are identical to each other and the proportions are right.
Dining tables are usually around 75cm high. Dining chairs typically have a seat height of around 45cm to 48cm. That leaves roughly 27cm to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the table, which is comfortable for most people.
Look at the apron, the frame beneath the table top. A deep apron reduces knee space. On extending tables, the mechanism can sit beneath the top too, so a well matched set accounts for this when choosing chair height.
If the chairs have arms, check the arm height against the underside of the table. Arms that clear the apron let the chairs slide in when not in use, which saves a surprising amount of floor.
This is where extendable sets differ from fixed tables. A table that seats four closed and six extended is often sold with four or six chairs. Which you choose depends on how often you extend it and where the extra chairs would live.
If you decide later that you would like more seats, our modern dining chairs UK collection makes it straightforward to find matching or complementary designs.
Wooden extending tables suit both wooden chairs and upholstered chairs with wooden legs. Fabric seats in grey, oatmeal or green bring softness and comfort. All wood chairs are hard wearing and easy to wipe clean, which suits family kitchens. Our wooden extending dining table sets UK sale include both styles.
Glass tables look striking with upholstered chairs that add texture. Velvet in deep tones creates a dramatic, evening feel. Faux leather in black, white or grey suits a crisp, contemporary room. Chrome or black metal chair legs that echo the table base tie the set together.
High gloss tables pair well with faux leather or smooth fabric chairs in a coordinating colour. White gloss with grey chairs is calm and modern. Black gloss with cream or taupe chairs feels more luxurious.
Marble effect tops have their own pattern, so plain chairs balance them. Velvet and boucle chairs in muted shades bring softness, and brushed gold or black legs complement the veining.
Upholstery affects comfort, maintenance and how the set looks over time.
Families with young children often choose wipe clean finishes, while adult households can enjoy the softness of velvet or fabric with less concern.
Many dining rooms use a pair of armchairs, often called carvers, at each end of the table. They add a sense of occasion and give the head of the table a little more comfort. In a matching set, carvers share the design of the side chairs but add arms.
On an extendable table, carvers work best when the ends of the table are free of legs, such as on a pedestal or inset leg design. Check that the extended table still leaves room for carvers at each end.
A matching set looks most at home when its finishes appear elsewhere in the room. A sideboard in the same wood tone, a mirror with the same metal finish as the chair legs, or cushions in the chair fabric all extend the coordinated look. Our guide to dining chairs and sideboards in UK dining rooms explores how to build that connection.
A set that looks balanced in a large showroom can feel crowded in a typical UK dining room. Before choosing, measure the space and allow around 90cm between the table edge and the walls where chairs will be used. Then picture the chairs pulled out, not tucked in, because that is how the room will look during a meal.
Chair width matters as much as table size. Wide, deeply upholstered chairs are very comfortable, but each one takes up more of the table edge. On a table that seats six when extended, bulky chairs may only allow four or five in practice. Slimmer chairs keep the seating figure honest and leave more elbow room.
Back height affects the room too. Tall backs create a formal, enclosed feel and work well in a dedicated dining room with generous floor space. Lower backs keep sightlines open across a kitchen diner or open plan room, so the dining area does not block the view from the sofa or the kitchen.
Visual weight also plays a part. A solid wooden table with solid wooden chairs can feel heavy in a small room. Introducing an open back chair, slim metal legs or a lighter upholstery colour keeps the set coordinated while letting the room breathe.
Finally, think about the floor. Chairs with slim legs are easier to slide on rugs and carpet, while sled bases glide well on hard floors. Felt pads protect wooden and tiled floors from scratches as chairs are moved in and out many times a day.
When the table is closed, any chairs beyond those it seats need a home. Two chairs either side of a sideboard look deliberate. A chair in a bedroom or hallway can be used as an occasional seat. Some households keep one at a home office desk. Choosing chairs that look good on their own makes this easier.
When you are ready to compare designs, explore our full collection of dining sets and chairs at Furniture in Fashion. We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Not necessarily. Many of the most attractive sets coordinate rather than match, sharing a leg finish or wood tone while using a contrasting seat material.
Choose enough chairs for the closed table at minimum. If you extend often, buy chairs for the extended size and plan where to keep the extras.
Around 45cm to 48cm suits a table of about 75cm, leaving comfortable knee room for most people.
Faux leather and treated fabrics are the easiest to wipe clean. Darker or patterned fabrics also disguise everyday marks.
Dining nooks are one of the most charming ways to fit a place to eat…
High gloss extendable dining tables bring light, flexibility and easy care to a home, but…
Measuring properly is the single most useful thing you can do before choosing an extendable…
Drop leaf tables have been part of British homes for centuries, and they remain one…
Solid oak and high gloss represent two very different ideas of what a dining table…
An extendable dining set pairs an extending table with matching chairs, so the height, scale…
This website uses cookies.