Colour wheel in interiors: how to choose contrasting chairs for a table
When choosing furniture, we often instinctively reach for monochrome solutions: a dark table with dark chairs, a light one with light chairs. This is safe, but sometimes dull. If you want to make the dining area the main accent of the home, it’s worth getting the table and chairs to work together using the Itten color wheel. Let’s look at how to do this professionally and without the risk of spoiling the interior.
Complementary colour rule: striking contrast
Complementary colors are those located directly opposite each other on the color wheel (for example, blue and orange, purple and yellow). This technique creates maximum contrast. To avoid overloading the space, use a calm shade of the table as your base. If you've chosen solid wooden tables in a natural warm tone, chairs in deep blue or emerald will become the "wow effect" that makes the interior distinctive.
Analog harmony: calm and coziness
If contrasts seem too bold, use adjacent colors on the color wheel. For example, if the tabletop is in sandy tones, the chairs can be chosen in terracotta or soft mustard shades. This creates a “related” palette that the eye perceives as natural and very cozy. Take a look at our full catalog to see how different fabric textures pair with tabletop finishes in this color range.
Playing with nuance: the 60/30/10 rule
The colour wheel includes not only pure colours but all their shades, from pastel to muted. The 60/30/10 rule helps balance colours:
- 60% — dominant color (walls or large furniture).
- 30% — additional color (for example, your dining table).
- 10% — accent colour (this could be your chairs).
How to avoid overdoing it with bright colors?
If you have found the perfect table but are unsure about colour combinations, here is a tip: use a neutral achromatic base. White, grey and black tables will “handle” almost any experiment with chair colours. You can boldly try bright velvet models or unusual shapes, as the neutral base of the table will keep the balance. And remember: if you don’t want to choose on your own, ready-made solutions are always available. Explore our ready-made sets (table + chairs), where designers have already worked out all the nuances of material and shade compatibility for you.
The main rule is to trust your own feelings. The interior should please you first of all, while colour principles are just a tool that helps turn a set of furniture into a harmonious story.