The side chair does most of the work in a coffee shop. It gets dragged across tile at 7 a.m., stacked or flipped onto tables at closing, and sprayed with sanitizer between every guest. The chairs in this collection combine molded veneer or solid wood backs with upholstered or hardwood seats, on either solid-wood or powder-coated steel legs.
What to check before you choose
- Seat height: 17.5-18.5 in (44-47 cm) pairs with a 29-30 in (74-76 cm) table, leaving 10-12 in (25-30 cm) between seat and tabletop.
- Width: under 19 in (48 cm) lets you seat two guests at a 24 in (61 cm) two-top without bumping knees.
- Legs: steel legs are thinner and survive kicks; wood legs feel warmer but want a quality glide and a sealed finish.
- Seat: an upholstered pad in vinyl or a contract fabric is comfortable for 45-minute stays; a wood seat is the fastest to clean.
| Chair type | Typical width | Best for | Cleaning effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veneer back, steel legs | 17-19 in (43-48 cm) | High-turnover counters, two-tops | Very low |
| Veneer back, wood legs | 18-20 in (46-51 cm) | Neighborhood cafes, bakery-cafes | Low |
| Bentwood back, drum seat | 18-20 in (46-51 cm) | Statement corners, brand color | Low to medium |
| Upholstered seat pad | any | Longer stays, laptop seating | Medium (choose vinyl) |
All chairs are made to order: we can change seat fabric or vinyl, stain, metal color and, within reason, seat height for a counter or bar version. Glides are specified for your floor (felt for wood, nylon or PTFE for tile and concrete). Ask for a sample chair before you commit to a full run.