Table to Pair With:
A table with an entirely different style from your shabby chic dining chairs will ruin the look, so look to your chairs as inspiration for your table. If your chairs feature a white or cream frame, a whitewashed round dining table will fit in perfectly. This combination is suited to a farmhouse or cottagecore décor scheme. If your chosen dining chairs feature a mid-brown hue, a darker table would look equally as nice as a contrasting lighter one. In general, shabby chic dining chairs look best with round or square tables, as these shapes fit the cozy vibe better than rectangular tables. However, a rectangular table could work if you find one that's sanded down to fit the shabby aesthetic.
Style and Design:
A common component of shabby chic dining chairs is tufting. Per Nicole Hollis, tufting is often seen in Queen Anne-style chairs and traditional chairs. This is because button tufting (as opposed to a tufting pattern like diamond) gives a chair more of an antique vibe. Antique and shabby chic are close together concepts in the design world, though you can find chairs with a contemporary shabby chic look, too. Additionally, most shabby chic dining chairs will feature either a cream or off-white finish. Typically associated with French country style, this color scheme will match anything from a warm neutral to a mysterious, jewel-toned aesthetic. Occasionally, shabby chic chairs will be two-toned for a more interesting look, with the frame featuring a different color than the cushioning.
Material:
Oak and cherry wood are two of the most solid and dependable hardwoods to look out for. Whilst softwood like pine can be good, it isn't the most durable material for dining chairs and will chip quite easily. Cherry wood will also lend character to a space due to its naturally richer tone, though it could look out of place in a French country setting. Oak is a great choice as it's neutral in color, meaning you can make it appear as shabby as needed. Courtney McLeod states to try and avoid manufactured wood for shabby chic chairs, as the purposeful distressing process can cause damage to your chair even before it arrives. Nevertheless, a manufactured and solid wood combination is an excellent alternative option -- it will bring the cost down but still offer some of the same durability.
Size and Width:
The size and width of your chosen dining chairs are dependent on the size of your table. You may love the look of wide set armchair style chairs, but they will look out of place set around a smaller table. For medium-sized dining rooms and tables, we advise choosing shabby chic dining chairs no wider than 18 inches. This does not count with height, as taller chairs are actually often narrower in width and therefore more suited to narrow spaces. The exception is chairs intended for the end of a table (commonly seen with oval and rectangular tables). These chairs can be wider in the style of a traditional armchair, as there is more space at either end of a table than there is with chairs placed side by side.