Booths along the walls, chairs at the tables, or both. This question comes up when planning every new dining room, and the answer has less to do with the interior's style and more to do with how traffic flows in the venue.
Boxes and chairs in one table
The differences come down to four things, and each of them tilts the scales in a different direction.
| What are we comparing | Lodge | Chairs |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied space | less, because the guy is sliding along the counter | more, because the chair needs to be moved back |
| System flexibility | The piece of furniture remains permanently against the wall. | you deliver and move in a minute |
| Deadline | 3 to 6 weeks for custom-made | 7 to 14 business days |
| Where it works | walls, corners, narrow passages | a room that frequently changes its layout |
Booth, restaurant sofa, and venue couch are the same piece of furniture, so the comparison applies to all three names.
When the lodge wins: walls, corners and narrow passages
The booth wins everywhere every centimeter of the aisle counts. It does not require space to pull out a chair when getting up, because the guest slides in and out along the tabletop.
It accommodates more seating in the same space than a set of chairs around a table. At the same time, it takes up 50 to 70 cm of depth, depending on the model, and you subtract this figure from the room's width when planning.
When chairs are better: a room that frequently changes layout
Chairs win where the room layout changes every week. It is easy to add a place for a larger group, move a table, or rearrange the room for a group reservation.
In the catalog we have, among other things chair Mila to the restaurant, chair Cherry with armrests, chair Chi, chair Coral for the garden, chair Monti i chair 121. Once installed against the wall, the booth stays in that spot permanently.
How long do you have to wait for both
We manufacture chairs and tables within 7 to 14 business days, regardless of the color, and custom-made booths within 3 to 6 weeks from the receipt of payment. If the opening date has already been set, this difference can be more important than the room layout itself.
One exception is worth knowing: the 121 chair takes 3 to 6 weeks, just like booths, rather than the lead time of other chairs. If you are aiming for this model for a near opening, let us know right away.
Mixed solution: booth by the wall, chairs on the aisle side
The most common solution in restaurants combines both pieces of furniture at a single table: a booth along the wall, and chairs on the other side of the tabletop. It combines space-saving by the wall with the flexibility of chairs on the aisle side.
With this layout, a table for four people takes up 1.2 to 1.5 linear meters of the booth. A room with five such tables along one wall is roughly 6 to 7.2 meters.
How it turned out at the bakery-cafe Kaffel in Gliwice
In practice, both often turn out to be true. And bakery-cafe Kaffel in Gliwice We combined the box seating with chairs, matching the colors to the historic interior.
What to say during a pricing presentation
Provide the length of the wall and the number of seats you are aiming for. We will tell you over the phone whether a booth, chairs, or both work out better: +48 535 080 040.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can fit more guests in the same space?
Booth. The guest slides in along the table, so there is no need to reserve space for pulling out a chair.
How long is the wait for chairs and how long for booths?
Chairs and tables 7 to 14 business days, custom booths 3 to 6 weeks. The exception is the 121 chair, which we make in 3 to 6 weeks.
Can booths and chairs be combined at a single table?
Yes, and that's the most common layout in restaurants: a booth along the wall, chairs on the aisle side.
How many meters of booth seating are needed for a four-person table?
From 1.2 to 1.5 running meters, if guests are sitting on one side.
Mariusz Wolski · owner of KAIZEN sp. z o.o. · in the furniture industry since 2005