Tiffany and Chiavari are, in most cases, two names for the same chair: a lightweight frame with a slatted or ladder-style back, usually seen at weddings, galas and dinners. The useful comparison is not between the names. It is between the specific chairs in a quotation: the material, the finish, the cushion, the dimensions and the condition. This guide shows you how to compare those, and how to plan quantities, layouts and delivery for an event in Singapore.
The Chiavari chair takes its name from Chiavari, a town on the Ligurian coast of Italy. Its design is credited to the cabinetmaker Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi, who developed the light chair in the early 1800s, commonly dated to 1807. It is also called the Chiavarina. The original chairs were wooden.
“Tiffany” is a later trade term. Its exact origin is less clear, and different suppliers use it differently. In the events trade, many use “Tiffany chair” as a casual synonym for the Chiavari design. Others use it for a particular finish or a resin version. That is where the confusion comes from.
So a planner who sees “Tiffany chair” at one price and “Chiavari chair” at another should not assume the Tiffany is the premium option or the Chiavari the budget one. The label alone tells you very little. What matters is what is physically delivered to your venue.
Two chairs sold under either name can be very different. These are the points that change how the chair looks, feels and performs on the day.
Traditional versions are made of wood, often beech or similar hardwood. Modern event versions are commonly made of resin or polycarbonate, and some use metal or aluminium. Each behaves differently:
Ask for the material in writing. “Wood” and “resin” at the same quoted price are not equivalent products.
Common finishes include white, black, gold, silver and natural wood tones. Finish affects how the chair photographs, how it sits against linen and florals, and how visible wear will be. A chair in a glossy gold finish under bright ballroom lighting looks very different from the same chair under warm, low-level light.
Check whether the finish is consistent across your whole order. When you need 300 chairs, small tonal differences between batches can show when rows are lined up.
Most slatted chairs are comfortable only with a seat pad, and the pad is part of the look. Ask:
A chair’s seat height, seat width and overall footprint decide how many fit at a table and how much aisle you keep. Ask for dimensions rather than assuming. A slimmer chair can allow tighter spacing at round tables, but spacing must still leave guests room to sit and rise comfortably.
People often ask whether Chiavari chairs can be stacked. Many modern versions can, and this saves truck space and handling time. Wooden or heavily detailed versions may not stack as neatly or safely. Ask the supplier directly, because it affects both transport and how you stage chairs before and after the event.
The condition of rental stock matters more than the name. Ask about scratches, loose joints and cushion wear, and ask how the supplier checks chairs between events.
A ghost chair is a different design, not another name for the Tiffany. It is a one-piece, transparent chair with a flowing, curved back, usually made of clear polycarbonate or acrylic. People often compare it with the Tiffany because both are popular for weddings and gala dinners.
The visual effect is different:
| Feature | Tiffany / Chiavari style | Clear ghost style |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Classic, structured, slatted back | Minimal, transparent, modern |
| Best with | Traditional, ballroom, garden, formal themes | Contemporary, floral-heavy or colourful decor |
| Visual weight | Defined frame, often with a cushion | Nearly disappears against decor |
| Typical use | Weddings, banquets, ceremonies | Brand events, launches, modern weddings |
| Seat padding | Usually needs a cushion | Often used with or without a pad |
If your styling is already rich, such as an elaborate floral centrepiece, layered linen or dramatic lighting, a clear chair can let the decor lead. If you want a defined, formal presence in the room, a Tiffany-style chair gives that.
A banquet chair is a broad category, not a specific design. It usually means a padded, stackable chair used in hotel ballrooms and function rooms, often with an upholstered seat and back and a steel or aluminium frame.
The trade-offs are practical:
For a conference or long seminar, comfort and fast reset often win. For a wedding or a styled gala, many planners prefer a decorative chair. Some events mix the two: decorative chairs at the main tables and simpler chairs elsewhere.
If you are planning a conference, see our conference furniture rental and the conferences collection.
The event format should drive the decision more than the name of the chair.
Weddings and solemnisations. Slatted chairs are a familiar sight, in ballrooms, garden venues and hotel function rooms. Our guide to types of chairs for weddings in Singapore covers the options in more detail. For a ceremony, think about the aisle: chairs set in rows need a clear centre aisle and enough width for the couple, the party and any guests who need extra space.
Gala dinners. Guests sit for hours, so comfort and seat height against the table matter. Check that the chair fits under the table edge and that the table size allows for the chair width. See our gala dinners collection for setup ideas.
Private dining. Smaller groups allow more design freedom. Our private dining furniture rental guide discusses how seating, tables and room size work together.
Networking events. Fixed seating is rarely the main need. Lounge pieces, stools and cocktail tables usually do more for conversation. See networking events and the bar tables and counters category.
Corporate functions and brand events. A clean, modern chair often suits the brand better than an ornamental one. Our corporate event furniture rental page covers typical setups.
A beautiful chair can still be the wrong choice if the numbers do not fit the room. In Singapore, layout is also a safety matter.
SCDF’s fire safety conditions for indoor events, updated on 19 February 2026, set out requirements for covered indoor event setups, including clear passageways of at least 1.2 metres between booth rows and unobstructed escape routes. Your venue may set stricter rules. Always confirm against the current SCDF document and your venue’s own requirements, and make sure your layout is the one that has been approved.
In practice, this means:
For venue-specific limits such as lift sizes, loading bays and floor loading, see our venue constraints and event furniture guide. Our event furniture checklist is a useful companion when you are counting quantities.
When two quotes arrive for “Tiffany chairs” and “Chiavari chairs”, line them up on the same criteria. A simple comparison sheet works well.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the frame material? | Wood, resin and metal differ in look, weight and wear |
| What colour and finish? | Affects your styling and how wear shows |
| Is the cushion included? | A common hidden extra |
| What are the dimensions? | Decides seating density and aisle width |
| Do the chairs stack? | Affects truck space and handling time |
| What condition is the stock in? | Visible damage shows in photos |
| Is delivery, setup and collection included or itemised? | Logistics can change the total |
| What is the access and timing plan? | Late or after-hours access changes cost |
A short, itemised quote is easier to compare than a bundled one. If a supplier cannot give you dimensions or material, treat that as information too. For wider supplier criteria, read our guide on how to choose a reliable event furniture rental partner in Singapore.
Chair selection and logistics are two different decisions. Some venues expect you to arrange your own furniture and logistics, and many include setup and teardown inside your booking time. Public venues often count loading in and out within the hire period. So a cheap chair with a hard delivery window can cost more than a slightly pricier chair with a flexible one.
Our published delivery, setup and teardown fees are one-off, per truck, per trip. During office hours, a standard 14ft truck is S$60 for orders up to S$999.99, and from S$65 for orders of S$1,000 and above. A heavy 24ft truck for orders of S$1,000 and above starts from S$130.
Timing changes the fee:
| Timing | Standard (14ft), orders up to S$999.99 | Standard (14ft), S$1,000 and above | Heavy (24ft), S$1,000 and above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office hours | S$60 | from S$65 | from S$130 |
| After office hours | S$120 | from S$130 | from S$260 |
| Night shift hours | S$180 | from S$195 | from S$390 |
Two more items can affect the total. A stairs surcharge of 50% applies where relevant, and a same-venue turnover fee starts from 20%. The full schedule is on our delivery and setup fees page. Our guide on why event logistics can make or break your corporate event explains how access windows affect the schedule.
A practical tip: if your event is in a venue with strict load-in hours, ask early whether the work can happen during office hours. Moving a delivery from night shift to office hours can change the logistics line noticeably, but only if the venue allows it.
Use this short process:
If you are also deciding where to source, our article where can I rent tables and chairs for events in Singapore sets out the options by type.
We supply event furniture for corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, weddings, galas and brand activations across Singapore, with delivery, setup and collection included in the service. You can browse our chairs rental range and meeting and dining tables, then request a quotation through our platform. Tell us your guest count, venue and timing, and we can help you match chairs and tables to the layout. For a wider view, start at Events Partner.
In most cases, yes. Both names usually refer to the classic Chiavari design from Italy, and “Tiffany” is a later trade term. Some suppliers use “Tiffany” for a particular finish or a resin version, so always check the material, finish and dimensions in the quotation.
Many modern versions can, particularly lighter resin ones, which helps with transport and storage. Some wooden or more ornate versions do not stack well. Ask your supplier before you plan the truck load and the setup schedule.
A Tiffany chair has a slatted frame and usually a seat cushion, with a classic, formal look. A ghost chair is a transparent, one-piece design, usually clear polycarbonate or acrylic, with a modern look. The right choice depends on your decor and how much you want the chair to stand out.
Prices vary by material, finish, cushion, quantity and event duration, so a single figure would mislead you. Compare itemised quotes on the same specification, and add delivery, setup and teardown, which depend on truck size, timing and access. Our delivery fee schedule is published on our website, and chair pricing is given in a quotation.
It depends on the event. A padded banquet chair suits long conferences and fast resets, while a Tiffany-style chair suits weddings and styled dinners where appearance matters. Many events use both, with decorative chairs at the main tables.
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