Meet&CoHIGH POINT — Consumers are becoming more willing to create their own dining-room combinations instead of buying matching furniture suites, prompting case goods suppliers to place greater emphasis on flexible product assortments.
At Coaster Fine Furniture, that trend is putting dining chairs at the center of the casual dining assortment. Chair shapes, comfort and the ability to pair seating with different tables and finishes are giving shoppers a way to update their dining spaces without replacing every piece of furniture.
Source: https://www.furnituretoday.com/
“In casual dining, it’s about the chairs,” said Crystal Nguyen, vice president of merchandise and strategic product planning at Coaster Fine Furniture. “Chair shapes, complex designs and comfort are the statement makers that anchor the room.”
The shift is influencing both Coaster’s product development and its approach to offering consumers more choice. Nguyen said the company also continues to serve shoppers across different price points, from those looking for more elevated features to customers who prioritize affordability.
Confidence to mix and match
Replacing an old dining chair does not always mean finding an identical replacement. Nguyen said consumers are increasingly using new chairs as a way to change the overall look of their dining rooms.
That trend led Coaster to introduce its Mix & Match dining collection, which includes three wood finishes, 15 tables, 18 chairs and 12 stools that can be combined according to shoppers’ individual tastes and needs.
Among the combinations gaining traction are round and oval tables paired with curved chair silhouettes. Nguyen said these shapes have been particularly popular with Coaster shoppers.
Warm and natural wood finishes are also playing a role in the assortment, including warm browns, natural oak, walnut and neutral beige. Visible wood grain, weathered finishes and textured surfaces remain part of the mix, while black and charcoal accents can add contrast.
Value Remains Important Across Price Points
As consumers remain cautious with discretionary spending, Nguyen said retailers and suppliers need to give shoppers clear value through design, function, construction quality or accessible pricing.
“In either case, if we make the customer feel they got a great value, then we have a win,” she added.
Flexibility is also becoming more relevant as dining rooms serve both everyday meals and larger gatherings. Nguyen pointed to extension tables as one way to accommodate different uses within the same space.
Additional functional features can provide more options for consumers. Examples include tables with equalizing metal cable glides, upholstered chairs with swivel or caster functions, and counter-height stools designed to coordinate with dining chair styles.
