Things Designers Know: Restaurant Chair Height, Table and Chair Distance & More
To create a comfortable and functional restaurant, details like the standard restaurant chair height and the distance between the seat and bar should never be overlooked.
Restaurant Furniture 101
To create a comfortable and functional restaurant, details like the standard restaurant chair height and the distance between the seat and bar should never be overlooked. These basic (yet vital) seating and table questions are answered below. Consider this your ultimate guide to restaurant furniture and sizing.
What is the standard restaurant chair height?
A restaurant chair seat height should be 18” for proper use with dining height tables. The overall height of the chair will depend on the style and design.
How much space do you need for a restaurant chair?
A good rule of thumb is to allow 24 inches (or two feet) for every person at the table for quick serve, fast casual, or casual dining restaurants. Fine dining restaurants for more room per diner. For those spaces, we recommend at least 30” for each person.
How wide should a restaurant chair be?
Commercial dining chairs should always be a minimum 16” wide. Most of our chairs are 16-18” wide for maximum comfort, support, and strength.
How much space between your chair and the table?
For optimal leg room, allow 10-12 inches between the seat of your chair and your underside tabletop.
Tip: For armchairs, be sure to leave to leave at least six inches between the armrest and the underside of the table.
How tall is a restaurant barstool?
A proper restaurant barstool seat height should be 30” high.
How tall is a counter stool?
A restaurant counter stool seat is generally 24” high.
How much space do you need for each barstool?
Similar to chairs, allow 24 inches for every person at your table.
How much space between the chair and the bar?
Generally, we suggest leaving 10-12 inches of space between the seat and underside of the bar top or bar height table. This also goes for counter stools and counter height tables.
What is the standard height of a dining table?
The standard height of dining table and restaurant table is 30” high.
How tall are restaurant tables?
That depends. You can specify a dining height (30”), counter height (36”), or bar (or pub) height (42”). This very important to know when specifying new barstools or counter stools.
How high should a bar or pub table be?
A bar or pub table should be 42” high to work with standard barstools.
How many chairs or barstools can fit at a standard 24x24 restaurant table?
We recommend only seating two people at a 24x24 restaurant table (think 24”=1 person). Below, you’ll find more popular tables sizes and the recommended amount of guests per table.
Tip: Trying to maximize seating? Consider a pedestal table. The singular column frees up precious leg room.
General Furniture Guidelines
When choosing restaurant chairs, barstools, and seating, look for the following seat heights:
- Chair Seat Height: 17″ – 18″
- Counter Seat Height: 23” - 24”
- Bar Stool Seat Height: 29″ – 30″
- Dining Table Height: 29″ – 30″
- Counter Table Height: 36″
- Bar or Pub Table Height: 42”
There you have it. Follow these simple measurement and size guides and your well on your way to a comfortable and functional restaurant.
