Faux leather dining chairs usually have a seat height of around 45 to 48 cm, a seat width between 42 and 50 cm, and an overall depth of roughly 50 to 60 cm. That’s enough to sit comfortably at a standard 75 cm high table. They come in several main styles: sleek modern shapes, buttoned or quilted backs, cantilever frames and relaxed tub designs. Finishes range from smooth matt to soft sheen, and from subtle texture to distressed, vintage effects. The right choice depends on your table, your room and how the chairs will be used day to day.
Below, we explain each of these areas in more detail, so you can choose with confidence and avoid the common mistakes people make when furnishing a dining space.
Faux leather is a general term for materials designed to look and feel like leather without using animal hide. Most are made by coating a fabric backing with a polyurethane or PVC surface, which is then embossed with a grain. The quality varies a great deal. Better versions are softer, more flexible and less prone to cracking, while cheaper versions can feel stiff or plasticky.
For dining chairs, faux leather has clear advantages. Spills wipe away easily, it doesn’t hold crumbs the way fabric can, and it keeps a neat, tailored look. That makes it a practical choice for families, busy kitchen diners and anyone who entertains often.
Size is where most dining chair mistakes happen. A chair can look right online but feel wrong once it’s in the room. Here are the measurements that matter.
Seat height is measured from the floor to the top of the seat. For most dining tables, which stand at about 75 cm, a seat height of 45 to 48 cm works well. It leaves roughly 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the underside of the table: enough space for your legs without feeling too low.
If your table has a deep apron or frame under the top, measure from the floor to the bottom of that apron rather than the tabletop itself. It’s the apron that decides whether you have enough knee room.
Seat widths generally fall between 42 and 50 cm. Narrower seats are easier to fit around smaller tables, while wider seats feel more generous. Seat depth usually sits between 40 and 50 cm. Deeper seats feel more like lounge chairs, which can be lovely for long dinners but may not suit everyone.
Allow around 60 cm of table width per person for comfortable dining. If your chairs are particularly wide or have arms, give each a little more. Behind each chair, aim for roughly 75 to 90 cm of clearance so people can pull out their chair and sit down without squeezing against a wall.
Armchairs add comfort and presence, but they need extra space. Check that the arms will slide under the tabletop when the chair is pushed in. If not, the chairs will always sit further out and take up more floor space than you expect.
Once you know which sizes will work, the next step is choosing a style that suits your home.
These chairs have clean lines, simple seat and back shapes, and slim legs in metal or wood. They work in contemporary homes and suit glass, high gloss and stone effect tables. Neutral tones like grey, black and cream keep the look calm.
Horizontal quilting, diamond stitching or buttoning on the back adds detail and a touch of glamour. These styles are often paired with chrome or brushed metal legs. They look particularly smart in more formal dining rooms.
Tub chairs wrap around the sitter slightly, which feels supportive and cosy. They soften the lines of a rectangular table and work well in round or oval settings, where the curves echo each other.
Cantilever frames have no back legs. The seat is supported by a continuous bent frame, which gives a gentle spring when you sit. The style has strong modernist roots and looks light and airy, which helps in smaller rooms.
Distressed or aged finishes in tan, cognac and brown bring a relaxed, lived in feel. Paired with black metal frames and rustic wood tables, they suit loft style spaces and kitchens with exposed brick or concrete surfaces.
If you’re drawn to the look of real hide as well, our range of modern leather dining chairs UK includes both genuine and faux leather styles, which helps when you want to compare feel and finish.
The finish of faux leather affects how it looks, how it ages and how easy it is to care for.
A smooth matt finish looks understated and contemporary. It shows fewer reflections and suits calmer, more minimal rooms. It’s a reliable choice if you want chairs that blend in rather than stand out.
A gentle sheen catches the light and adds a sense of richness, especially in darker colours like black, navy or burgundy. It can make chairs look a little more formal.
An embossed grain mimics the natural pattern of hide and gives more depth. Textured finishes are also good at disguising small marks and everyday wear.
These finishes are designed to look aged, with variations in colour and tone across the surface. They give chairs character and pair well with reclaimed or oiled wood.
Colour choice is personal, but some shades are easier to live with than others. Grey and charcoal are flexible and suit most schemes. Black gives a crisp, graphic outline. Cream and ivory look fresh and bright but need more regular wiping. Tan and cognac bring warmth and work well with wood tones, while deeper shades like olive or navy suit a more characterful room.
Think about light levels too. Many UK dining rooms get limited natural light for part of the year. Warmer shades can help a north facing room feel more welcoming, while cooler greys suit bright, south facing spaces.
The easiest way to get a cohesive look is to choose chairs and table together. Our dining table and chairs sets UK take the guesswork out of matching heights, proportions and finishes.
If you already have a table, bring its measurements when you shop. Note the height, the depth of any apron, the leg positions and the overall length. Chairs need to fit between table legs without clashing, especially on rectangular tables with legs set at the corners.
For homes where the table needs to work harder, perhaps for occasional larger gatherings, one of our modern extending dining tables UK pairs well with faux leather chairs, which are easy to wipe after a busy meal.
Faux leather works well in other areas of the home too. If you have a kitchen island or breakfast bar, matching the finish of your dining chairs with stools helps the space feel connected. Our leather bar stools UK range includes styles that sit comfortably alongside faux leather dining seating.
Regular care keeps faux leather looking good for longer. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap, then dry it gently. Avoid solvents, bleach and abrasive cleaners, as they can break down the surface coating. Keep chairs away from direct heat, such as radiators or strong afternoon sun through a window. Heat can dry the material and lead to cracking over time.
Watch for sharp objects too. Keys in back pockets, pet claws and rough denim seams can all mark the surface. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping chairs in good condition.
We offer a wide selection of contemporary dining furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes and a choice of faux leather colours and finishes to suit different rooms.
Good quality faux leather copes well with daily use, particularly in homes with children. It resists spills and is easy to clean. Lower grade materials may crack or peel sooner, so look for a soft, flexible surface with a well bonded backing.
It can feel warmer than fabric in hot weather because it’s less breathable. In most UK homes this is rarely an issue for mealtimes, and many modern faux leathers are designed to feel softer and more comfortable against the skin.
Measure from the floor to the underside of your table, including any apron. Subtract the chair’s seat height. A gap of about 25 to 30 cm usually gives comfortable leg room. If the chair has arms, make sure they clear the apron as well.
Yes. A popular approach is to use faux leather chairs along the sides of the table and upholstered fabric chairs at each end. Keep one element consistent, such as colour or leg finish, so the arrangement feels intentional.
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