What is custom chair manufacturing?
Catalogue models work for many venues, but a café chain, hotel restaurant or architect-led project often needs furniture that reflects the space exactly. Custom chair manufacturing means adapting an existing model’s frame colour, upholstery or certain dimensions to the project, or developing a chair specifically for it. This lets you match the interior designer’s palette, the flooring and table materials and even the brand’s corporate identity. Planned well, bespoke chairs give a venue a distinctive look while keeping wholesale costs reasonable.
What can be customised?
| Element | Options | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Frame colour | RAL powder coat, matt / gloss / textured | Approve on a sample in daylight |
| Upholstery fabric | Velvet, faux leather, outdoor fabric | Abrasion resistance and cleaning |
| Seat height | Dining, counter or bar height | 27–30 cm below the tabletop |
| Seat / back | Upholstered, wire, wood-look | Comfort vs stackability |
| Glides | Plastic, felt, adjustable | Suitability for the floor type |
Choosing colour, fabric and seat height
On metal frames, colour is usually applied with electrostatic powder coating and specified by RAL code. Screen colours rarely match real paint, so approve the shade on a colour card or coated sample. Matt, satin and textured finishes look different and show marks differently; textured finishes are often more forgiving in high-traffic areas.
For fabrics, durability matters as much as looks. Restaurants and cafés benefit from stain-resistant, wipe-clean fabrics, while terraces need outdoor-rated materials. Seat height follows table height: 44–47 cm for 72–76 cm dining tables, 63–66 cm for counter tables and 75–80 cm at a bar are common starting points. Ask the manufacturer which models allow dimensional changes.
Brand consistency across multiple sites
For multi-site operators, repeating exactly the same shade and fabric on every order is vital for brand perception. Keep the approved RAL code, fabric code and dimensions in a written specification sheet. Choosing chairs, bar stools and table bases in the same colour family also keeps interiors consistent. When a new location opens, that sheet makes reordering fast and error-free.
The process: brief, sample, approval, production
- Brief: share the venue type, estimated quantity, colour palette, fabric preferences, table heights and indoor or outdoor use.
- Sample: a sample in the chosen colour and fabric is prepared, or colour cards and fabric swatches are sent.
- Approval: colour, fabric, dimensions and quantity are confirmed in writing; lead time and payment terms are agreed with the manufacturer.
- Production and shipping: the series is produced to the approved specification and shipped in protective packaging.
Recording every change in writing prevents surprises in series production. Lead times and minimum quantities vary by project, so ask about them at the quotation stage.
Project chairs made in Istanbul
ASF Sandalye is a manufacturer with its own facility in Sancaktepe, Istanbul, offering 100+ models of chairs, armchairs, bar stools, lounge chairs and table bases, with custom powder-coat colours and fabrics for projects and shipping across Turkey and abroad. Explore our chairs, add favourites to your quote list and request a quote for your project.
Common questions
Can a chair frame be powder coated in any RAL colour?
Metal frames can be powder coated in many colours. Ask the manufacturer which RAL codes are available and whether a coated sample can be provided before approval.
Do I need a sample for a custom chair order?
Yes. Shade, fabric texture and comfort can only be judged properly on a physical sample, so approval should be based on one before series production.
How long does custom chair manufacturing take?
It depends on the model, quantity, fabric supply and the manufacturer’s workload. Ask for a confirmed lead time in writing when you request a quote.