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Gastronomy Chairs 2026: The Ultimate Buying Guide for Restaurants, Cafés & Bars (with ASKT Best Practices)

  • Writer: Media ASKT
    Media ASKT
  • 1 day ago
  • 5 min read

Good chairs are not mere accessories — they define comfort, dwell time, revenue, and repeat visits.This guide shows you step-by-step how to choose functional, comfortable, and durable gastronomy chairs that suit your concept.Where appropriate, we refer to the key points from the SumUp guideline (June 2024) and expand them with procurement-relevant details — from fire safety to fabric performance, application areas, purchasing checklists, and sustainable packaging.

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1) The Three Pillars: Functionality, Design, Comfort

FunctionalityRestaurant chairs are moved, cleaned, and used far more intensively than home chairs. Look for:

  • Weight & Accessibility: Chairs must be easy to move — both for guests and staff. Tip: Use gliders to reduce floor noise.

  • Hygiene: Removable cushions or covers make cleaning easier; always follow hygiene regulations.

  • Safety: Chairs should be flame-retardant; outdoor models weather-resistant.

  • Flexibility: Stackable models save space (especially for event areas). Adjustable tables prevent wobbling.

Design & ComfortYour furniture conveys your brand identity — rustic, modern, or industrial.Comfort directly influences dwell time and upselling: comfortable seating encourages guests to stay longer and order more, while limited comfort in fast-casual concepts promotes turnover. Ergonomics (backrest shape, seat angle), upholstery density, and table-to-chair height alignment are key; always test seating with people of varying body types.

Quality & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)Higher initial investments pay off through longer lifespan, easier maintenance, fewer replacements, and ultimately, better sustainability and cost efficiency.


2) Chair Types & Materials — What Fits Which Concept

Wooden Chairs

Timeless, warm, and solid (often beech). Check stain type or varnish and whether it’s solid wood.


Sustainability: Look for FSC or Blue Angel certification; refurbished chairs can be both eco-friendly and cost-efficient. For unupholstered types, consider removable cushions or slipcovers.


Upholstered Chairs

Premium look and comfort. The fabric choice is crucial — abrasion resistance, cleanability, and water repellency. Note that reupholstering can be expensive — plan life cycle and availability of spare covers.


Metal Chairs

Durable, often stackable, ideal for urban and modern designs. Check weld quality and wall thickness; sturdy models can be heavier.


Outdoor Chairs

For outdoor use, consider UV resistance, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. Aluminum or stainless-steel frames paired with wooden seats and removable cushions perform well. Smaller models maximize table capacity and prevent crowding.

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3) Industry Matching: Which Chairs Suit Which Business Type

  • Bars / Pubs / Breweries: Darker tones, robust wooden or upholstered chairs; easy-clean surfaces are vital due to frequent spills. Bar stools must match counter height; backrests and armrests depend on comfort level.

  • Cafés: Wide variety — Scandinavian, metal, folding, or Viennese café styles. Compact designs optimize smaller spaces. For coworking cafés, armchairs may be worthwhile (but choose stain-resistant fabrics).

  • Restaurants (Casual to Fine Dining): Wood and upholstery dominate. The higher the dining level, the more durable comfort is required — especially for long meals. Highchairs for families should be light and mobile.


4) Technical Orientation: Dimensions, Comfort & Durability

  • Height alignment: Seat height ~ 45–48 cm, table height ~ 72–76 cm. Armrests should fit under the tabletop for easy sliding.

  • Seat width/depth: Aim for 42–46 cm width, 40–45 cm depth for comfortable dining; cafés can go smaller to save space.

  • Acoustics & floor protection: Gliders (felt or plastic) prevent scraping and noise — essential on stone, wood, or polished concrete.

  • Fabric specifications: Check abrasion cycles (Martindale), stain protection, removability, and repairability (can the seat be replaced?).

(These numbers complement SumUp’s practical advice on ergonomics, adjustability, and gliders — essential for real-world restaurant operation.)

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5) Comparison Table: Material & Application Recommendations

Material / Construction

Advantages

Risks & Countermeasures

Typical Use

Fabric / Finish Note

Solid Wood

Warm, elegant, repairable

Heavy, stain-sensitive → seal or wax, use cushions

Fine dining, bistro, café

Optional upholstered pad with removable cover

Metal Frame + Seat Shell

Stable, often stackable

Cold/hard feel → add pad; watch weight

Urban, canteen, event

Check weld seams & wall thickness

Fully Upholstered

Maximum comfort, premium appearance

Reupholstering costly → spare covers/modular seat

Fine dining, lounge

Fabric quality (Martindale, stain resistance)

Outdoor (Alu/SS + Wood)

Weather-resistant, lightweight

UV/moisture → powder coating, oil/wax

Terrace, garden

Smaller size = more seating

6) Procurement & Logistics: How to Plan Like a Professional

Quantities & Mix: Stackable series simplify event peaks; modular systems reduce variant risk.


Maintenance & Spare Parts: Check for long-term availability of replacement covers, shells, and gliders.


Compliance: Always ask for flame-retardant certificates, hygiene and material safety documents, and social compliance (BSCI).


Lifecycle Costs: Focus on TCO — longer durability, easy cleaning, lower downtime → reduced total costs.

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7) Why ASKT? — Proven Advantages for B2B Buyers

Documented Quality Assurance

ASKT has invested in 12 professional testing machines (including color fastness, static load, and impact tests) and employs a dedicated quality control team — ensuring consistent, verifiable reliability.


Certified Processes & Responsibility

ISO 9001 certified for process safety; BSCI-audited with worker training and PPE; all adhesives are eco-friendly and formaldehyde-free.


Fabric Expertise for the Hospitality Sector

Fabrics undergo abrasion, colorfastness, and breathability tests; all are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, water- & stain-resistant, skin-friendly, and partly made from recycled PET bottles.


Sustainable Packaging = Real Cost Savings

ASKT’s Zero-Plastic Packaging Program replaces plastic with honeycomb paper & paper tape, saving customers up to 15% packaging costs annually while improving logistics efficiency by 30% and ensuring EU-compliance.


KINEXA™: The Modular System for Smarter Inventory

With 2 seat shells × 6 finishes × 5 frames = 30 combinations, ASKT’s Quick-Connect System enables fast assembly, simplified pricing, and optimized MOQs — ideal for container loading, uniform price lists, and upselling.


European Market Reputation

ASKT is active across key EU markets; CEO Sunbin Qi was featured on the cover of möbelmarkt magazine (Feb 2025) — underlining the company’s innovation and manufacturing excellence.


8) Practical Pre-Order Checklist (In-House & Supplier)

  1. Concept & Target Group: Define dwell time, comfort level, and look & feel.

  2. Dimensions & Ergonomics: Seat/table height, armrest clearance, test seating with multiple users.

  3. Use & Maintenance: Indoor vs outdoor, cleaning frequency, removable covers, gliders.

  4. Safety & Standards: Flame retardancy, hygiene compliance, BSCI/ISO certificates.

  5. Durability & TCO: Fabric performance, spare parts, repairability, warranties.

  6. Sustainability & Costs: Plastic-free packaging, recycling content, certifications, tax implications.

  7. Logistics & Range: Stackability, KINEXA™ modular system, MOQ fulfillment, spare part strategy.

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9) Example Specification: “Café All-Round” Set (Guideline Values)

  • Chair: Metal frame, stackable; wooden seat shell or fabric pad (removable).

  • Dimensions: Seat height ~46 cm; width 44 cm; depth 42 cm; armless (tables ~74 cm).

  • Gliders: Felt on wood/stone floors.

  • Fabric: OEKO-TEX® 100, stain-resistant, replaceable covers available.

  • Outdoor Option: Aluminum frame + wooden seat, UV-stable powder coating.(Compatible with KINEXA™ for collection breadth without overstocking.)


Conclusion

Those who align functionality, ergonomics, and brand expression systematically don’t just buy chairs — they buy profitable guest hours.With ASKT, you gain verified quality, certified production, eco-efficient packaging, and a modular KINEXA™ system that simplifies assortment management and increases profit potential.

📣 Call to Action

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