Upholstered dining chairs around a modern dining table in a Hong Kong apartment

Dining chairs do more work than almost any other seat in the home. They are used every day, for quick breakfasts and long dinners, and they take more wear than a sofa. Choosing well means thinking about height, comfort, material and how many people you really seat.

This guide walks through how to choose dining chairs for a Hong Kong apartment, and when it is worth having them made to order.

Start with the table

The table decides most of the chair choice. A standard dining table is about 72 to 76cm high, and the chair seat should sit about 25 to 30cm below the tabletop. That usually means a seat height of 43 to 48cm. Too low and diners feel small at the table, too high and legs knock against the underside.

If you are still choosing the table, our dining table buying guide covers sizes, shapes and materials, and our custom dining tables can be made to suit your room.

Count the space per person

As a guide, allow about 60cm of table width for each person so elbows have room. Wider chairs, or chairs with arms, need more. In a compact Hong Kong dining area, armless chairs tuck fully under the table and leave more walking space.

  • Armless chairs save space and slide in easily, which suits smaller rooms.
  • Chairs with arms are comfortable for long meals, so they are often used at the ends of a table.
  • Benches work along one side of a table and can seat an extra person when needed.

Wood, metal or upholstered?

The material changes how a chair looks, feels and ages.

  • Wood is warm, sturdy and easy to wipe clean. A padded seat adds comfort for longer meals.
  • Metal gives a slim, contemporary profile and keeps a small room feeling light.
  • Upholstered seats are the most comfortable and bring colour and texture to the room. Choose a tight weave or leather if you have children, and expect to clean it more often.

Humidity matters here too. Fabric needs to dry well after spills, and leather benefits from regular conditioning. Our furniture care guide for Hong Kong humidity has practical tips.

Think about comfort over a long dinner

A chair that feels fine for two minutes can feel hard after an hour. Look for a seat with some padding, a back that supports the lower spine, and a slight recline in the backrest. If you often work at the dining table, comfort matters even more.

Mixing styles without it looking messy

You do not need a matching set. A few approaches that work well:

  • Use one style of chair on the sides and a different, more comfortable one at the ends.
  • Keep the chair colours close to each other, and vary only the shape.
  • Repeat a material from the table, such as wood tone or a metal finish, in the chairs.

When to order custom dining chairs

Made to order dining chairs are worth considering when you want a specific fabric or leather, a seat height that suits the table you already own, or a full set that matches a custom table. You can choose the colour, finish and size, and we guide you on what will be comfortable and practical for the way you use the room.

Browse our dining chairs, including the Lamberi range, or contact us to talk through a custom set.

Frequently asked questions

What height should dining chairs be?
A seat height of about 43 to 48cm suits a standard table that is 72 to 76cm high, leaving roughly 25 to 30cm between the seat and the underside of the tabletop.

How much space does each dining chair need?
Allow about 60cm of table width per person. Chairs with arms need more room, and armless chairs tuck under the table to save space.

Are upholstered dining chairs practical?
Yes, if you choose a tight weave or leather and clean spills quickly. They are the most comfortable option for long meals, though they need more care than wood.

Can I order dining chairs to match a custom table?
Yes. Many of our dining chairs can be made to order in your choice of fabric or leather, finish and size, so the set matches the table.

Ready to choose? Browse our dining chairs or start a custom enquiry.