If you’ve eaten out, chances are that you see the booths in those restaurants are usually occupied first. Let’s explore the booth dimensions, why they are preferred, and what they are made of.
Dimensions of a Booth
Deuce single
A deuce is a booth seat that fits just one diner on it. If you are dining as part of a couple, you would have one diner facing the other. ‘Single’ and ‘double’ refers to whether or not there is another booth seating joined to the back.
A single booth will have a flat back against the wall, while a double booth will have another seat and table joined behind it. A double is essentially the mirror image of a single. The measurements for a deuce single are 30″ in length, 42″ in height, and 24″ in depth.
Deuce double
A deuce double seats two people sitting back to back. It measures 30″ in length, 42″ in height, and 49″ in depth.
Single
A single will seat two people next to each other, with their back rests on a wall. It measures 48″ in length, 42″ in height, and 24″ in depth.
Double
A double booth will seat four people, with two on each side. The measurements are 48″ in length, 42″ in height, and 24″ in depth.
Advantages of Booths in Restaurants
Comfort
Booths are undeniably more comfortable than most types of chairs you will encounter at a restaurant. Booths have tall backs for extra support and are usually heavily padded both underneath the seat and at the back of the seat so you can feel fully cushioned and comfortable.
The fact that booths are more comfortable means that people tend to spend more time at a restaurant than if they were uncomfortable on chairs, which means they will order more courses or more drinks, which translates to more profit for the owner.
Space-saving
Although many people think that booths take up more space than tables and chairs because they are so bulky, this actually isn’t the case. The fact that booths are fitted to the spot and have tall backs means that booths can be organized back-to-back in a way that you couldn’t organize tables and chairs.
If you set tables this close together, you would find that people keep banging their chairs into each other when they are getting in and out of the table.
People would also not enjoy feeling like they were dining so close to other guests; however, the tall backs of booths mean you can do this, and the diners feel fully separated.
Privacy
One of the reasons patrons love booths so much is because of the level of privacy they offer. Booths tend to have tall backs, which not only provide good back support but also block many other guests at the restaurant from being able to see you.
This can help to make for a really personal feel in a booth, which works well if you are on a date and don’t want to be interrupted or feel like you are being watched, and it can also work well for celebration meals like birthdays and anniversaries because a booth helps to make you feel like you have a private party away from other guests.
The tall backs on booths not only block eyelines, but they also help to block sound, so you can enjoy a quieter meal or feel less self-conscious if your children are being rowdy.
Child-friendly
Booths are always popular among families with children because they eliminate so many of the problems you can face when trying to get young children to behave in a restaurant. Since booths are stuck to the spot and cannot be moved, unlike chairs, children cannot shuffle their chair around or tip it backward so that it is balanced on two legs.
In a booth, children also tend to be less distracted since they will have a limited view of other parts of the restaurant. You can get booths in vinyl covering, which means that any spills from children can be easily wiped up and will not stain.
Popularity
All of the advantages of booths result in this type of seating being very popular. They create an atmosphere and physical comfort that most people prefer, and so when choosing where to dine, most people are going to opt for a restaurant with booth seating over a restaurant with just tables and chairs.
If you want to encourage guests to return to your restaurant, then providing a preferable style of dining is going to help.
Parts of a Booth
If you are new to the restaurant business, or new to booths, then you should familiarize yourself with the different parts of a booth, so you clearly understand what is being referred to when you order a booth.
Head roll
The head roll is a length of upholstered padding which can be secured to the top part of the booth, above the backrest. This will provide extra comfort for diners.
End cap
The end cap is the part of the frame which is fixed onto the side of the booth, preventing the inner workings of the frame from being visible. As standard, the end cap will be upholstered, but you can opt to have this finished in laminate or hardwood for a different look.
Top cap
This is the uppermost part of the frame, which is fixed above the head roll. It finishes the look of the booth to give it a smart and classic style. When you are taking measurements for a booth, the top cap is included in the total height measurement.
Welt cord
The welt cord is a heavy-duty cord that is stitched around the end of the padded seat on a booth. It makes the padding and upholstery more durable, preventing rips and tears at the most vulnerable part of the booth where people slide in and out.
Crumb strip
A crumb strip is a solid part of the frame which usually measures between 1 and 2 inches. It is fixed in between the seat padding and the back padding, creating an easy way to clean stray crumbs and dust.
