Proportions that Please: A Practical Guide to Common Furniture Pairings

Posted on 30 May 2025

When it comes to making vintage and antique furniture styles feel cohesive, the key isn’t always matching styles; it’s matching proportions. A room can feel “off” if a bedside table is too low or when dining chairs don’t tuck comfortably under the table. Fortunately, a few simple guidelines can help you pair pieces like a professional and bring timeless harmony into your home or office.

We’ve compiled some handy tips for balancing heights, depths, and scale to help you bring your spaces to life.

Bedside Table

Bedside Table Height: 24-28 inches

Your nightstand should be level with or slightly above your mattress for easy access. If your bedside table is too low, it can limit your reach or make retrieving things awkward; if it’s too tall, it can feel bulky or unbalanced.

Dining Table + Chairs

Dining Table Height: 28-32 inches
Chair Seat Height: 18-22 inches

While dining room tables vary in height, the majority fall between 28 and 32 inches. To provide ample legroom and comfort while dining, select chairs that leave 10–12 inches of space between the top of the chair and the underside of the table.

Stools

Counter Stool: Seat height of 24–26 inches
Bar Stool: Seat height of 28–30 inches

Height is everything when selecting a stool for your home. A great-looking seat can still feel awkward if it’s mismatched to the height of your counter or bar. For standard kitchen counters and islands, which are typically 36 inches high, opt for counter stools that stand 24–26 inches tall. For taller surfaces, sometimes referred to as bar or pub height (40–42 inches), go for stools in the 28–30 inch range. Either way, you want to leave 9–12 inches between the seat and the underside of the surface to keep things comfortable and easy on the knees.

Sofa + Coffee Table

Sofa Seat Height: 17-19 inches
Coffee Table Height: 14-18 inches (1–2 inches lower than the sofa seat)

When selecting a table to pair with your sofa, look for one that sits at or just below the seat height of your couch. You should also look for a table that is roughly ⅔ the length of your sofa for balance.

Console Tables

Console Table Height: 30–36 inches
Console Table Depth: 12–15 inches

If you’re hunting for a console table to position behind your sofa, choose one that is equal to or just below the back of the sofa. You also want to select a table that is narrow to ensure it doesn’t intrude into walkways.

Desk + Chair

Desk Height: 28–30 inches
Chair Seat Height: 18–20 inches

For a comfortable and balanced workspace, opt for a chair that slides easily under your desk, while still providing ample legroom and with room for armrests, if needed or desired.

Bathroom Mirrors

Mirror Width: 70–80% of the vanity for balance
Mirror Length: At least 1/2 of the length of the person using it
Height Above Sink/Vanity: 5–10 inches

When it comes to bathroom mirrors, style is just the beginning. Proportions matter. For a balanced look, aim for mirror that’s about 70–80% the width of your vanity. It should be tall enough to reflect at least half of the height of the person using it, and hung 5–10 inches above the sink to allow space for faucets and visual breathing room. When you get those dimensions right, your mirror doesn’t just reflect your morning albutions; it elevates your whole bathroom.

Wall Art

Ideal hanging height: 57–60 inches from the floor
Ideal height over furniture: 6–8 inches above sofas, headboards, or consoles

This might be the most contested advice, but a general rule of thumb when placing artwork is to place the center of the art around 57–60 inches from the floor, which makes it more or less eye level for most people. This “rule” applies to both single pieces and groupings of art, such as a gallery wall. However, additional factors can come into play, such as the height of your ceilings, the height of your household, furniture placement, and, of course, personal preference.

Whether you’re furnishing a new space or refreshing a favorite room, keeping proportions in mind can make all the difference. Thoughtful pairings help vintage and antique pieces feel functional, comfortable, and stylish.

Ready to find the perfect piece? Stop by GoodWood to explore our latest collections and let our team help you bring balance and beauty to your home.