When going out to eat with your friends at a local diner, you’ll often be offered the choice between a table or a booth. This fun seating arrangement is comfortable and a little bit more private than a regular table, making you feel like you’re in an intimate setting even if you’re surrounded by other diners.

Booths, although they’ve come a long way since the term was first coined, also have a long history behind them. It comes from the Old Norse word “búð,” which loosely translates to “dwelling.” Over time, “búð” turned into “booth,” a term used to refer to various types of small, temporary shelters. By the 19th century, the term “booth” evolved to mean a comfortable seating space in restaurants and diners.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what you need to know about restaurant booths and why they’re a great way to scale up your dining establishment. Plus, we’ll go over things like the materials they’re made of and how to get a great deal on them.

 

Why Booths Matter in Restaurants?

Before we get into the nitty gritty of restaurant booths, let’s take a second to talk about why they’re such a good pick for businesses.

Firstly, booths offer enhanced comfort and privacy, which can significantly elevate the dining experience. Plus, the padded nature of booths, along with their fixed back support, make them a more comfortable choice than freestanding chairs.

Secondly, they can maximize seating capacity. By providing a well-planned booth layout, a restaurant can seat a larger number of guests than it could with tables and chairs alone.

Both these factors mean that adding a few booths to your business can actually enhance the dining experience for your guests and increase profits. You’ll get customers who are more satisfied and thus more likely to return, and you can also reduce wait times by ensuring you have enough seating for everyone who comes in your doors.

 

Construction and Material of Restaurant Booths

Booths aren’t just made out of one material. In fact, they’re often made in a few different styles: 

1. Wood
2. Laminate
3. Upholstery
4. Leather
5. Vinyl
6. Metal or Stainless steel

Let’s take a closer look at each of these materials and what makes them unique.

Wood

Wooden booths are a classic, radiating a warm, timeless ambiance that fits elegantly in fine dining restaurants or rustic settings. For instance, common examples are mahogany, oak, and cherry wood booths seen in upscale steakhouses or cozy country diners.

An example of a wood booth option would be the FOH-CBCK70. To add comfort, it has built-in cushions that provide back support and make it a little more welcoming, too.

Laminate

Laminate booths lend a sleek, modern vibe perfect for fast-casual settings or contemporary styled restaurants. They are available in a vast variety of colors and patterns, with options that can flawlessly mimic the appeal of natural materials like wood or stone.

An example of a laminate booth might be the FH-SB112, which has a sleek wooden look and comfortable PU Leather cushioning.

Upholstered

Upholstered booths primarily nestle guests in comfort while infusing style and luxury. The upholstery can range from plush velvets in upscale establishments to easy-to-clean vinyl in diners or family-friendly restaurants.

Leather

Leather, while luxurious and comfortable, requires regular maintenance and may not stand up well to spills or sharp objects. However, it offers a sleek and refined look and can enhance the atmosphere of your restaurant.

An example of a leather booth might be the FOH-CBCK65, which has a gorgeous curved shape and deep, brown leather covering.

Vinyl

Vinyl, especially high-quality, commercial-grade types, offers durability and stain resistance, quickly cleaned with a simple wipe, making it an outstanding choice for restaurants that see high traffic.

The FOH-CBCK66 is an example of a bright, vinyl-covered booth seat.

 

Styling and Customization of Booths

Now that you know a bit about what kinds of materials booth seats are made out of, let’s talk about all the ways that you can style them. The aesthetics and overall feel of your restaurant can be massively influenced by the styles and customization of your restaurant booths.

From sleek and modern to classic and rustic, there are countless booth styles to choose from. Some of the most popular styles include: 

• Channel-style booths, which have grooves running down the back for that classic diner look
• Button-tufted booths for bringing in the timeless old-world charm
• Plain back booths that perfectly work for minimalistic design concepts.

Besides the style, you’ll also want to think about the colors you use. When selecting the color of your restaurant booths, think about how you want your customers to feel.

For instance, red often stimulates appetite and tends to make diners eat quickly, which might be right for a fast-food setting. On the other hand, blue is soothing and can keep customers lingering longer — a wise choice for fine dining.

From selecting the fabric, color, and pattern to choosing the specific dimensions and layout, everything can be tailored to your specific needs. Remember, it’s the little details like these that can make a big impact on your customers’ dining experience. It’s all about creating an environment that resonates with your customers while staying true to your restaurant’s brand message.

 

Sizing and Space for Restaurant Booths

Besides the color and style of booths, you’ve also got to think about their size.  Choosing the right size and type of booth for your restaurant depends greatly on your available space.

It’s vital to strike a balance between maximizing your seating capacity and ensuring the utmost comfort for patrons.

Standard Size of a Restaurant Booth

Standard booth sizes are typically fixed to fit a standard table width of 30 inches, making a booth’s width approximately 48 inches.

However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Some booths, especially custom-made ones, can vary in size depending on your specific requirements.

As you choose a booth size, think about things such as what size groups typically eat in your establishment, as well as the profile of your average customer. That way, you can ensure there’s enough room in the booths for your typical client.

Minimum Space Requirement for a Restaurant Booth

The spacing between booths, as well as between booths and tables, is incredibly crucial to consider. Customers should be able to move in and out comfortably, while wait staff should be able to serve without any hindrance.

I recommend adhering to a minimum of 18 to 20 inches between the edge of the table and the start of the booth. This allows for comfortable seating and movement for both guests and staff.

What are the Best Restaurant Booths for Small Spaces?

Some models of booths are specifically designed to fit in smaller spaces. For instance, double booths or wall bench booths are an excellent way to save space as they use common walls or partitions.

Half-circle booths, on the other hand, are best suited for corners and can accommodate larger groups without consuming too much floor area. The versatility of these models makes them a favorite among smaller dining spaces.

 

Cost Analysis of Restaurant Booths

One major consideration when choosing restaurant booths is, of course, the cost.

The price of restaurant booths varies greatly depending on the style, material, and customization options involved. A standard, single, wooden, quick-ship booth starts at around $200, but a large, custom-designed, upholstered booth can cost up to around $2000 or more.

In addition, there can be costs associated with shipping and installation as well, which need to be accounted for when planning your budget. Keeping these costs in mind can help you choose styles that fit your restaurant without breaking the bank. 

Building Your Own Booths vs. Buying Premade Booths

The decision to build your own booth versus buying a premade one depends on different factors.

If you have a person skilled in furniture making on your team, or if you are targeting a very niche aesthetic that is not readily available in the market, then building your own booths might be a feasible and cost-effective option.

On the other hand, buying ready-made restaurant booths has its advantages as well, despite potentially being more expensive. Premade booths are often built to commercial standards, ensuring durability and longevity. Moreover, they come in a vast array of styles, colors, and materials, giving you the flexibility to choose what suits your restaurant best.

In the end, the best decision is one that beautifully balances your budget constraints, your restaurant’s aesthetic, and the comfort of your customers.

 

Enhance Your Restaurant With Customized Booths

Choosing the right restaurant booths involves a mixture of practical considerations and aesthetic preferences. The design, material, size, and layout of your restaurant booths can significantly affect your guests’ dining experience and affect your bottom line.

The good news is that booths are highly customizable. It’s more than choosing a color scheme or fabric. Consider booths with features like attached side tables, charging ports for phones, or even your logo incorporated in the design to give your restaurant its own unique touch.

If you’re ready to get started adding booths to your own restaurant, we can help. Browse our restaurant booth styles and get inspired about which might work best for your establishment. Or, get in touch with us and we’ll help you put together a custom quote for exactly the furniture you want. Either way, we’ve got you covered for finding the right booths for your business.