Stools for your Commercial space

Whether you are furnishing a corporate space, a restaurant, or a retail store – selecting the correct bar seating for your space is particularly important. Stools offer a point of brief relaxation as your customer dashes in to grab their morning coffee, or prolonged seating by offering your corporate team flexible working spaces at high bars and benches around the office.  In this post-pandemic world that we are slowly navigating, one thing I think we have all come to know and appreciate is the value of flexibility – which stools and high bar seating offer to wide-ranging commercial spaces. Stools can elevate any commercial space by offering variety and flexibility to move around a space as the users sees fit. Traditional seating, although in no way redundant, must be rethought, and bringing stools into a commercial space is an easy and affordable way to do this. Stool seating offers the potential for a quick and casual encounter, or prolonged engagement for say a meeting or meal. Selecting the correct stool involves considering several factors including, height, materials, design and intended use. All this information together will ensure you select the most appropriate stool for your commercial space.

Let’s begin with height; generally, there are three available height categories: Low, Kitchen and Bar.

Low Stools

Low stools are often used around coffee tables, low tables and can be used with dining tables. They create a laidback, casual feel and expand seating options in environments such as cafes and offices. They are typically the same height as a dining chair, so they make for a perfect stool around a variety of tables. Low stools are typically stackable, offering a great alternative for extra seating that can be packed away when not in use. At a seat height of approximately 45cm, low stools offer a minimalist seating option for areas where space is at a premium. Why not be creative with your low stool – and use as an interesting plant or lamp stand! Replica Furniture has a great collection of low stools in varied designs to compliment that aesthetics of your café, restaurant, or office. Consider the timeless design of the Replica Xavier Pauchard Low Stool with or without the Wood Top, or the more refined look of the Replica Déjà vu Low Stool in either Black or White with a sleek Wood Top. Offering a range of materials and colours, there is sure to be a design within the Replica Furniture Low Stool collection that will compliment and broaden the seating options in your commercial space.

Kitchen Stools

Typically, the difference between a Kitchen Bench height and a Bar height is what provides end users the most cause for confusion. The height of your bench or table will guide the stool height that is appropriate for your space. A kitchen counter height will typically be 90cm high, meaning a stool with a seat height of approximately 60-70cm will allow for a 20-30cm clearance for legs to sit between the seat and top of the bench or table. Considering this clearance is important for functionality ensuring the person using the stool is not ‘wedged’ too tightly under the tabletop or sitting so low that it makes work or eating difficult and unenjoyable. Because of the popularity of the kitchen height stool (65cm), the range of designs and material constructs available is often varied and comprehensive. At Replica Furniture we offer a large collection of stools with a seat height of 65cm that are suitable for a bench height of around 90cm. Consider how your stools will compliment the look of your space with their construct and design. Select from a large range of stools from Replica Furniture that incorporate Timber, Steel, Upholstery, Cord, or Plastic. Understand the aesthetic you have or are creating and how a stool design will embolden your space. Our Scandinavian Stool is a simple and sturdy design that is perfect for a high traffic commercial space. With its clean lines and elegant curves, this stool is a wonderful option for both hospitality and corporate spaces. Consider alternatively the Keline Upholstered Counter Stool for a seating option that provides maximum comfort with its generous backrest and high-density foam seat. Outdoor suitable stools are also a product range we can assist with here at Replica Furniture. A design such as our Air Bar Stool by Siesta constructed with a weather resisted polypropylene, is perfect for an outdoor dining space in your restaurant or café, or a trendy indoor look for your office seating.

High Bar Stool

A high bar or table of 100cm or more requires a stool that has a seat height of approximately 75cm to ensure adequate space for the user’s legs between the seat and tabletop. When considering high bar stools, it is essential that thought is given to the use of the stool and the location of use. For example, a high bar stool that is intended to be seated at a restaurant bar, or outside high table will likely be sat in for extended periods and therefore comfort should be thought of. If you are looking to create a versatile work zone in the office that incorporates high tables and stools, comfort as well as practicality is most likely your goal.  Our Robusta Metal Bar Stool with its slim line design and robust construct is built to last and would be suitable in many different commercial environments. If cohesion in your office or hospitality space is of importance than a design such as our Replica Bend Bar Stool or our Peterson Bar Stool by Dane Craft may be perfect for your space as a matching dining chair is available. Again, it is also important to consider the material construct of your stools. In today’s climate cleanliness and hygiene is of high importance, therefore a design like our Replica Hee Welling Sled Base Bar Stool made of Steel and Polypropylene, is easy to wipe down and clean between users.

The design of your stool is also something that should be considered. Think about the overall styling of your space and work with complimenting and adding to the look and feel of the space you are adding the stools to. Your décor may be inspired by casual airiness of Scandinavian styling, the enduring styling of the Mid-century, or a Modern or Contemporary edge may be more in line with the styling of your space. At Replica Furniture we have a broad and varied selection of stools that are sure to inspire and enhance the aesthetics of your space bringing a versatile seating option for your staff or patrons. Our Finland Kitchen Stool is a recent addition to the Replica Furniture stool range, which has meshed farmhouse charm with Scandinavian coolness. Another enduring mid-century design is our Replica Wishbone Counter Stool. Available in a variety of colour combinations, the beauty of the handwoven cord seat and solid timber frame is an enduring design for obvious reasons. If simplicity with a solid construct is what you’re looking for than our Replica Form Bar Stool by Normann Copenhagen could be the perfect option; a design that is an understated well-made stool, and blends well with many looks or aesthetics.

Further to the height and general design of the stool, there are other elements that should be considered when purchasing stools for your commercial space. Firstly – to back rest or not to backrest? Typically, it is comfort that is being considered when deciding on whether your preference is to have a backrest. For example, if your restaurant offers high bar dining than it would likely be better to opt for a stool with a back rest to ensure your diner can relax and enjoy the experience. Conversely, if you have for example limited space in your office/team kitchen than a backless stool that can be easily tucked under a bench or bar table would be the most obvious choice. Finally, the intended use of the stool and the construct materials used must be considered. Some materials will be better suited to certain settings. Consider how regularly the furniture will require cleaning, how frequently they will be used, what environment they will be used in and will this impact their wear. For example, is a fabric seat appropriate or is a fully timber construct more suitable? Is your space on the water, and will the salt air influence the material of choice, ensuring longevity of your stools? All this information together will form an educated guide on the most appropriate stool for your space.

High bar seating offers any commercial space a versatile option to dining, working etc etc! If you are local to Brisbane, be sure to pop into our Kedron showroom to discuss with our design team the best stool for your space and take advantage of our loan service to try before you buy! Our entire stool collection is included in our trade program, so take advantage of the 15% discount off RRP, with all goods held in our Australian warehouse in commercial quantities ready for shipment. Visit our website today to view our full stool collection and be sure to explore the Product Info tab for each item to learn more about the specifics of each design.