Born and raised on the south coast of Hastings, England, Hilton always gravitated towards architecture, design, and painting. These influences are evident in each piece Matthew Hilton furniture produced out of his London-based studio, known for creating rigorously functional products from a range of exceptional materials such as solid hardwood, cast iron, and brass. A typical Matthew Hilton design is fluid and adaptable; seamlessly combining functionality and style.

Upon graduation from Portsmouth College of Art, Matthew Hilton enrolled in Kingston Polytechnic where he excelled in their furniture and design program. He graduated from Kingston in 1979 and went on to work as an Industrial Engineer and model maker for Capa until 1984. Moment when he set up his own design studio/workshop.

Throughout his career, Matthew Hilton has been recognized for his contributions to British design and in 2012 he received an honorary doctorate from Kingston University. Hilton’s was also honored as Royal Designer for Industry by the British Royal Society of Arts in 2005. In 2006, Hilton was awarded the annual Elle Decoration Design Award for Best in Furniture for his Cross Extension Table.

Matthew Hilton doesn't believe in design movements, and he really doesn't like the concept of design as a fashion. Rather, he thinks the design process is part of the evolution of any object through history. Designing with the end user in mind, and whether that means a household of ten or one, he takes pleasure in finding the fluid, easily adaptable solution to fit today's domestic spaces.

Now regarded as one of Britain’s most esteemed industrial designers, Matthew Hilton’s furniture is displayed in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Geffrye Museum and the Manchester City Art Gallery.