Choosing restaurant barstools for your establishment is no simple task. There is a wide array of factors to consider and not all of them will align. You may end up having to choose a certain route to go down with the understanding there are drawbacks. In short, there is no perfect one size fits all situation for your choice of restaurant barstools.
#1 – Restaurant Barstool Height
The first thing you should do is confirm the height of the necessary barstools before shopping. Measure the countertop that the restaurant barstools will be seated against and make sure the heights you look at are appropriate. The goal is to pick a height of barstool that allows diners and guests of all heights to sit comfortably.
As a golden rule, if your counter or tables are at a height of 41-43 inches, the restaurant barstools you should be looking for are between 29-32 inches high.
#2 – Spacing between seats
It might be enticing to get as many bars stools as possible into your establishment but remember that comfort and space between seats is crucial for guest satisfaction.
Maximizing the space with as many barstools as possible without detracting from each diners comfort is the main thing to consider when thinking of the allowable space between seats.
When barstools are too close together, it becomes difficult for seated patrons to leave or enter their seats in a manner that doesn’t disturb other guests.
Depending on the width of the barstools you choose, spacing them out properly will benefit the dining experience greatly.
A general rule to follow is that roughly 25 inches should be left between barstools so that there is no crowding. However, depending on the stools you choose and the width they come in, that number is allowed to shift up or down a few inches.
The main thing is that you don’t want guests to be inadvertently elbowing each other, which detracts from the pleasant nature of the dining experience.
#3 – Structural features and maintenance
Restaurant barstools should be sturdy as well as fairly resistant to wear and tear. Choosing the right restaurant barstools will mean that you don’t have to replace them often and that they also require a simple level of maintenance that can easily be done by any number of restaurant staff.
At this point in the decision-making process, you’ll have to choose a style of restaurant barstool. That means selecting between metal, wood, with or without cushions, with or without back supports, and a variety of shapes colours and patterns.
Additionally, you should consider if the restaurant barstools you would like to use in your establishment could have arm rests or be able to swivel.
As the restaurant barstool becomes more complicated, with multiple parts, some of which are moving, it becomes more complicated to maintain them and will take more time and effort on your behalf to keep them functioning at a level where customers can be happy to sit in them all the time.
With all this in mind, you should do your research about the specific barstools you look at while shopping, and make sure they fall within your predetermined guidelines as far height, width, and features you would like them to have.
