How to Find the Most Comfortable Bar Stools for Your Restaurant?

Offering a wide variety of seating options, having a mix of restaurant bar stools, sofas, dining chairs, etc., gives your restaurant an enticing look. More importantly, having comfortable seats allows your customers to spend more time, which helps you generate more revenue and profits. As an additional benefit, comfortable bar stools can also get you favorable reviews and word-of-mouth publicity.

How To Choose the Most Comfortable Bar Stools for Your Customers?

But bar stools come in different styles, materials, and construction. Plus, there are several parameters to consider. So, how do you find the best bar stool for your restaurant? Read on to learn about selecting the perfect, comfortable bar stool for the utmost satisfaction of your guests:

1. Choose Padded Seats for More Comfort

When it comes to comfortable bar stools, padded seats are the single most important feature. Unlike wooden or metallic seats, padded seats offer a cushiony surface for the comfort of your guests.

Even if the bar stool you choose does not have a padded seat, you can add it separately. Having a cushion gives you the advantage of removing them while cleaning. As they are convenient to wash, your bar stools remain hygienic. However, they often are slippery and not as sturdy as the inbuilt padded seats. 

2. Go For Deep Seats

Comfortable counter stools having deeper seats tend to be more comfortable, especially for taller guests with longer legs. Deep seats ensure your guests can sit comfortably and longer without pressuring their thighs.

However, shorter or smaller people would rather prefer a shallow seat as they can touch the footrest easily without hanging their feet. Since any restaurant caters to people of all heights, it makes sense to have a mix of deep and shallow seats for everyone’s comfort.

3. Bar Stool Width Plays an Important Role

The width of the bar stool is another parameter that can alter the experience for your guests. Just like deep seats, wider bar stools offer greater comfort for larger guests. Even for your regular-sized guests, wider bar stools provide a more relaxed seating option.

However, wider seats take up more space in your dining room and might be pricier than the regular bar stools. So, if space is not your concern and you don’t mind paying a few bucks more, wider bar stools can be a sensible addition to your dining room.

4. Bar Stools with Backs for Utmost Comfort

Ask any guest whether he would prefer a backless bar stool or a bar stool with a back, he is most likely to select the second option. Bar stools with sturdy backs provide extra support and facilitate better posture.

Comfortable bar stools with backs come in two styles – flat backs and curved backs. Since a rounded back reduces strain on the lower back muscles, they offer better support and are preferable to flat backs. However, every customer has a unique body structure and comfort preference. So, curved backs won’t appeal to everyone in the same way. 

5. Padded Backs Are Comfier:

Bar stools having upholstered or padded backs, as opposed to metal or wooden backs, offer an additional layer of comfort. Additionally, since your guests’ backs don’t come in direct contact with cold metal, padded backs have a warmer and cozier feeling.

More importantly, bar stools with padded backs are the epitome of luxury and help create an upscale look. With their warm look and luxurious touch, bar stools with padded backs are the perfect way of telling your customers how much you care for their comfort.

6. Bar Stools with Arms offer Complete Support:

Finally, bar stools with arms provide your diners with the ultimate support and comfort. By allowing a resting place for the arms of your guests, you encourage them to sit for an extended duration and splurge.

However, comfortable bar stools with arms tend to be wider than the regular versions, and you would require more area to fit in your dining room. Before deciding to buy them, ensure you have ample space to fit them comfortably. Even if you don’t have space or don’t want to splurge on bar stools with arms, you can pair armless bar stools with counters for comfortable seating.

7. Choose the Right Height for Convenience:

The seating height is another crucial design criterion when selecting a bar stool. Bar stools are usually available in three standard seating heights – bar height, counter, and some short backless versions, like the round metal with vinyl seat you may see in a diner. Also, some bar stools come with extra-tall options.

So, which one should you select? Well, it all depends on your countertop or table height. Ideally, the seating height should be around 10 to 12 inches below the countertop surface.

Summing it up:

Bar stools can be a welcome change in any restaurant. They are an affordable seating option and offer flexibility for your changing needs. They appeal to your solo diners and help create a relaxing ambiance in your dining room. With comfortable bar stools, you help alleviate the dining experience and give your restaurant an edge over competitors. This article discusses some tips on how to find the most comfortable bar stools for your restaurant guests. Hopefully, by keeping these points in your mind and with a bit of research, you will choose the best bar stool that fits your budget, offers comfort, and builds a brand image for your restaurant.