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Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
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THE INTERIOR DESIGN REFERENCE + SPECIFICATION BOOK
Text
RESTAURANT ENVIRONMENTS
Restaurant types range from utilitarian fast-food purveyors to full-service restaurants with
elaborate themes. Restaurant design encompasses a great number of issues regarding
adjacencies, kitchen layouts, lighting, acoustics, and so forth. The interior designer must be
familiar with each, especially with the dimensional criteria for seating layouts.
Before planning the seating layout, the designer must understand the restaurant concept. The
concept should dene the type of dining experience offered, the intended clientele, the hours
of operation, and the menu. If the restaurateur’s idea is to put the workings of the chef on
display, for example, then the seating should be arranged so that the kitchen is visible from
every table. Equally, the spacing between tables can have a substantial impact on the charac-
ter of a restaurant. Tables closely packed will result in a loud and lively space, since patrons
need to compete with their neighbors to be heard. Conversely, tables spaced far apart tend to
separate diners into quieter pockets of conversation.
Types of Seating
Restaurant seating falls into three general categories: loose chairs, built-in seating (for
example, banquettes), and bar seating. Seat height is typically 17 to 18 inches (432 to 57 mil-
limeters) at a table or low counter. Bar seating typically ranges from 30 to 34 inches (762 to 864
millimeters) in height. All seats should be a minimum of 16 square inches (406 square millime-
ters). For the full-service dining experience, consider the use of padded seats and armchairs
for ease of getting in and out of the seat.
Tables and Counters
In the restaurant trade, tables are known as tops. The most common sizes are two tops
(seating two people) and four tops (seating four people). Beyond these sizes, tables are
typically combined or expanded. Some tables have ip-up corners, which convert a square
table seating four to a round table seating six people. Table height is typically 30 inches (762
millimeters). A square table with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 millimeters) across
can accommodate four people. A square table with a minimum dimension of 24 inches (610
millimeters) across is acceptable for two; however, 30 inches (762 millimeters) is preferable.
Smaller tables are acceptable when only drink service is provided. Counters range in height
from 28 to 36 inches (711 to 914 millimeters); however, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) requires that 60 linear inches (1 524 millimeters) of a counter be no more than 34 inches
(864 millimeters) high to accommodate patrons in wheelchairs.
Working Counter
Standing Counter
These sections describe ideal vertical dimensions. Please note that all vertical dimensions
are subject to local building code and accessibility regulations.
30"–34"
MINIMUM TABLE DIMENSIONS
Shape Seats W L
Square
Square
Round
Round
Round
Rectangular
Rectangular
Rectangular
Job:02-30056 Title: RP-Interior Design Reference and Specification
#175 Dtp:216 Page:108
(RAY)
092-111_30056.indd 108 3/4/13 7:33 PM