Waiting room chairs have to withstand a considerable amount of wear and tear. Whether they’re located in reception areas, GP surgeries, veterinarian practices, or any other public-facing location, it’s important you choose chairs of the correct design and manufacture. Keep reading and the Rosehill team will highlight the very best waiting room chairs that meet these standards.
What are waiting room chairs?
Waiting room chairs are chairs which have been designed for the express purpose of being used in communal waiting rooms.
Because public waiting rooms are high traffic environments, usually accommodating tens – or even hundreds – of people each and every day, waiting room chairs are designed and manufactured to ‘contract furniture’ standards.
This means that they are designed to be far more robust and harder wearing than the types of furniture you’ll find in your home.
Contract-quality waiting room chairs will not only have robust frames, but will feature hard-wearing plastic seats and backs or be upholstered in contract-quality fabrics.
Waiting room chairs typically have context-appropriate features too. For example, they may include linking tabs, allowing them to be connected together to prevent the ‘scatter effect’.
Many waiting room chairs take the form of benches and beams, as these allow you to create set seating plans and reduce the disruption and unwanted movement of your seating arrangements.
Features to look for in waiting rooms chairs
As we mentioned above, waiting room chairs often have particular characteristics and features that make them suitable for use in public-facing waiting rooms.
We’ve detailed these features to look for when selecting waiting room chairs below.
Consider the needs of your users
This is arguably the most important point when it comes to buying waiting room chairs. Before you start picking out chairs, beams or benches, ask yourself, “who will be using our waiting room?”
For example, if you’re selecting seating for a GP surgery, then you’ll want seats which are ergonomically comfortable, which offer appropriate posture support, and which can be cleaned as part of an infection control regime. You may need seats with different heights too, and some with arms.
To take another example, if you’re buying seats for a waiting room in a vets, then you’ll want seats which can be easily cleaned should pets find their way onto the chairs, e.g. with plastic seats and backs or upholstered in vinyl or a treated fabric.
Available space
Once you’ve given some thought to the types of people who’ll be using the seats in your waiting room, the next thing to do is look at the available space.
The best way to do this is to measure out the space in your waiting room, and then draw up a floor plan. Ideally, you’ll be able to create a scaled floor plan, as this will give you a better idea of how your chosen seating will fit. (If you’re not sure how to do this, there are apps that can help).
When you’ve figured out the available space, you’ll be able to decide what seating configuration is best. As we mentioned earlier, there are a number of options open to you, including individual seats and benches and beams.
Number of users
As we pointed out earlier, waiting rooms tend to be high traffic areas, meaning they are used by numerous people each day.
Whilst you don’t have to be exact, it can be helpful to work out approximately how many people will be using your waiting room.
This not only has an impact on the number of waiting room chairs you buy – you’ll need to accommodate a certain number of people at any one time – but will also influence what type of seats you buy.
Why? Well, think about it this way. If your waiting room will be used by many people every day – then you’ll find that individual chairs won’t necessarily be suitable. This is because – unless they are linked – they’ll end up scattered around the room by the end of the day.
In this instance, beams or benches are more suitable, as they maintain your seating arrangements even if used by a large volume of people throughout the day.
Likewise, if you’re setting up a waiting room for a small or medium-sized business – which is only going to see light traffic throughout the day – then comfy, individual chairs may be more suitable.
Another consideration for office receptions and waiting areas is whether you need to add a power and data unit to the chairs. This allows people to plug in a laptop or phone and work while they’re waiting.
The key point to remember is that it’s about context and volume of use.
Floor
Don’t forget to think about the floor on which your seating will be placed. Not only do you want to check if it’s level, but you’ll want to check what material the floor is made of.
Should you find that the floor of your waiting room is not particularly level, then you should buy waiting room chairs that have adjustable feet – which will allow you to ‘level out’ your seating.
If the floor of your waiting room is one that may be susceptible to scratching, then choose waiting room chairs that have rubberised or plastic feet or pads.
Fixed or freestanding?
One of the final points to consider is whether you want your waiting room chairs to be fixed or freestanding.
The distinction between the two is simple – fixed waiting room chairs are bolted in place and can’t be moved. Freestanding waiting room beams can be moved by two people.
Which option is best for you will depend on the nature of your waiting room.
For the majority of contexts, we would recommend free standing benches and beams. These are typically fairly heavy and will help maintain your seating layout – whilst still being movable if you want to change the layout of your waiting room.
Where we would recommend fixed benches and beams is in higher risk environments. For example, A&E departments, custody suites, and high secure psychiatric hospitals. These are contexts in which fixed benches and beams will be the safer option.
For more buying guides and information to help you select furniture for your public building, explore Rosehill’s comprehensive resource hub.
The best waiting room chairs for sale
Now that we’ve looked at the key characteristics and features to look for in waiting room chairs, let’s take a look at the very best waiting room chairs that are available to buy right now.
Mia Beam Seating
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Mia Beam Seating at a glance:
Available in two, three, or four and five-seater options.
Can switch out one chair for a table, for added versatility.
Optional arms at each end for added comfort and support.
Huge range of vinyl and fabric options, in multiple colours.
Five-year guarantee.
If you’re looking for the classic type of beam seating for your waiting room, then choose the Mia Beam Seating, which is manufactured in the UK.
Available with a choice of a breathable, perforated plastic back, or padded seats and backs in a range of fire retardant materials, the Mia Beam Seating is suitable for a wide range of contexts.
Whether you select the plastic (polypropylene) or upholstered seat and back, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of colours, including; black, white, grey, blue, red, green, and sand – making it simple to buy chairs that’ll perfectly complement the decor of your waiting room.
The beam system on which the Mia Beam Seats are based is highly versatile, with the option of replacing one seat with a table (in either a black or light oak finish). It’s also possible to specify tip-up seats instead of fixed ones.
The Mia Beam Seats are available in different sizes, so you can pick from two, three, and four-seater versions.
With a tubular steel frame, the Mia Beam Seats are strong and long-lasting and will provide years of reliable, unfaltering service (which is why these waiting room chairs come with a five-year guarantee).
For added versatility, the Mia Beam Seats are available with either freestanding or fixed-to-floor frames, so it’s easy to pick the option that’ll work best for your waiting room.
To provide added comfort, you can select the Mia Beam Seats with added arms at each end of the beam.
Related – we are able to supply matching Mia Stacking Chairs which complement the Mia Beam Seats and are great for use in consultations rooms and meeting rooms
Kind Beam Seating
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Kind Beam Seating at a glance:
Available in two, three, and four-seater options.
Luxury styling and finish for high-end waiting rooms.
Wide range of fabrics and vinyls in multiple colours available.
Different frame finishes available.
Optional arms at each end of the beam.
Five-year guarantee.
If you’re looking for waiting room chairs that have more of a modern, contemporary feel, then buy the Kind Beam Seating.
Featuring sleek, angular lines and ergonomically-designed seats and backs, the Kind Beam Seating not only looks great, but feels great to use too.
The Kind Beam Seating is very much the luxury option, so if you want to create a sumptuous, comfortable and plush waiting room – this is the beam seating for you.
Take a close look at the Kind Beam Seating, and you’ll find that the padded seats and backs have a black high-quality plastic outer shell and under shroud that provides a firm, long-lasting foundation for each seat and back.
When it comes to the padding on the seats and backs, this can be upholstered in a wide range of fire-retardant fabrics or vinyls. These include premium, treated fabrics which have antimicrobial, waterproof, and other desirable properties.
The stylish tubular frame of the Kind Beam Seating has a black or silver finish as standard, however it’s possible to upgrade to a chrome finish if you want to achieve a truly premium look.
The Kind Beam Seating also comes with adjustable feet – which makes it easy to adjust the seating to remain stable on uneven floors.
For added comfort and seating support, it’s possible to add sleek arms to each end of the beam. To add even more flexibility, you can also choose to replace one of the chairs on the Kind Beam Seating with a table (in a black or light oak finish).
The Kind Beam Seating is suitable for a variety of different sized waiting rooms, being available in two, three, and four seat options.
Atrium Bench Seating
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Atrium Bench Seating at a glance:
Luxury bench seating with Italian design.
Modular, with a range of seating options available.
Variety of integrated table options.
Optional arms available.
Five-year guarantee.
An interesting alternative to beam seating is bench seating. As opposed to individual seats, bench seating provides a wider space for people to sit and relax. The Atrium Bench Seating is a fantastic example of this type of waiting room seating.
A modular product, the Atrium Bench Seating is available in single or double seat units. Each unit can also be linked together (be sure to select the ‘linking connectors’ option when ordering), preventing the Atrium Bench Seating from being scattered.
One of the stand-out features of the Atrium Bench Seating is the matching tables, which can be added seamlessly to the benches in a number of ways – including as a corner unit, end unit or straight section.
The Atrium Bench Seating features a robust, yet stylish aluminium frame as standard. This frame incorporates an additional support frame that curves out from underneath the seat pad to support the back pads, in what is a truly inspired piece of Italian design.
The Atrium Bench Seating certainly doesn’t sacrifice comfort for style, though! Ergonomically designed, the shaped back and padded seat of the Atrium Bench Seating is comfortable for those who may be seated for extended periods of time.
It’s possible to add further support to the Atrium Bench Seating by specifying arms at the end of each bench.
It’s also easy to match the Atrium Bench Seating to the rest of your waiting room’s decor. That’s because this bench seating is available in a large range of fabrics and colours.
Ikon Beam Seating
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Ikon Beam Seating at a glance:
Stylish angular frame and unique back shape.
Wide range of upholstery, padding, and polypropylene choices.
Integrated table options available.
Five-year guarantee.
If you want waiting room chairs that’ll stand out and add a touch of modern flare to your waiting room, then buy the Ikon Beam Seating.
The Ikon Beam Seating features a unique back shape and stylish, angular, clean-cut lines, making it an iconic choice.
Available with either plastic backs and seats, a padded seat and plastic back, or a fully upholstered seat and back, the Ikon Beam Seating can be specified to suit any context or application. To add extra support, it’s possible to add sleek arms at the end of each beam.
For added versatility, it’s also possible to swap out one of the seats on the Ikon Beam Seating for a table (available in a black or light oak finish).
When it comes to the upholstered versions of the Ikon Beam Seating, a wide variety of luxury and hard-wearing vinyls (including healthcare vinyls) and treated fabrics are available.
It’s also easy to select Ikon Beam Seating in colours that’ll perfectly complement your waiting room. For example, the frame of the Ikon is available in black, silver, or chrome. Should you select the polypropylene seat and back, the available colours are black, white, red, blue, grey, and sand. Choose the upholstered versions and there is an even larger spectrum of colours to pick from.
Executive Beam Seating
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Executive Beam Seating at a glance:
Premium Italian design.
Ergonomically designed for comfort.
Beautiful chrome frame and aluminium polished arms.
Five-year guarantee.
Are you setting up a waiting room in a high-end executive-level context? Then select the Executive Beam Seating, which is renowned for its premium Italian styling.
As the name suggests, the Executive Beam Seating range is designed for the most luxurious and prestigious of settings – think hotel waiting areas, executive lounges at airports etc.
The Executive Beam Seating range is suitably sumptuous, combining a stylish chromed frame with ergonomically-shaped seats that are upholstered in a hard-wearing, yet high-end vinyl (other options are available on request). Aluminium polished arms and feet add the finishing touches.
These touches of luxury don’t come at the expense of comfort. As standard, the Executive Beam Seating features meshed backs and seats, which make sitting for long durations no problem at all.
The Executive Beam Seating can be upgraded with either linear (ribbed) backs and seats, or rhomboidal (diagonal) seats and backs to add even further comfort.
Available in two, three, and four-seater variants, there will be Executive Beam Seating that’s ideal for your space, no matter what its size and dimensions.
The Executive Beam Seating range has been designed with a set of matching high and medium back task chairs and cantilever meeting chairs, which can also be purchased separately.
Where to buy the best waiting room chairs
If you’re looking to buy waiting room chairs, then look no further than Rosehill.
We have over 35 years experience helping building managers, facilities managers, caretakers, office managers and many others to select the very best value furniture for their waiting rooms and wider building environment.
Not only do we have a range of waiting room chairs that covers every price point, we also offer excellent bulk buy discounts.
Should you have any questions before you want to make a purchase, then Rosehill’s expert, friendly team will be happy to help. You can reach us on 0161 485 1717 or by emailing: sales@rosehill.co.uk.
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