Bench in the Fitting Area: Providing Space for Companions Without Chairs
In boutiques and fashion stores, customers frequently bring their partners or friends who are not trying anything on themselves. These companions often stand uncertainly in the space, lean against walls, or leave the store again because there is no comfortable waiting option. A single chair appears too formal in this context and also takes up floor space that could be used for presentation. The solution lies in a well-considered seating option that offers space for several people without dominating the sales floor.
Why a Bench Instead of Individual Chairs
A bench integrates into the space as a continuous line and appears less furnished than a group of individual chairs. It invites several companions to stay at the same time, without each seat having to be arranged individually. Furthermore, a bench can be flexibly positioned along a wall, under a window, or as a room divider between the sales and fitting area. The clear form creates order and gives the space structure, while chairs often appear randomly grouped.
Upholstery and Cover for Extended Sitting
Companions sometimes wait twenty minutes or longer while several garments are being tried on. An upholstered seat makes this waiting pleasant and signals that companions are welcome. Covers in subdued colours or velvet fit into upscale boutiques, robust woven fabric is suitable for higher traffic. It is important that the cover matches the rest of the furnishings and does not stand out as a foreign element.
Height and Depth for Comfortable Rising
The seat height should be chosen so that even older companions can rise again without difficulty. A medium height, neither too low nor too high, facilitates sitting down and rising. The seat depth may be sufficient for comfortable leaning back, but should not be so generous that smaller persons find no support. A bench without a backrest can be space-saving, but a low backrest increases comfort during longer waiting times.
Placement Within View of the Cabins
The bench should be positioned so that companions have the cabin area in view without sitting directly in front of it. A position offset to the side or opposite the cabins enables eye contact and brief queries without the waiting person being in the way. At the same time, this creates a small waiting area that separates the fitting area from the rest of the sales floor without isolating it.
Design as Part of the Store Concept
The selection of Benches ranges from classic upholstered benches with turned legs to modern variants with clear lines. The bench should reflect the style of the boutique without appearing too staged. In a classically furnished store, a bench with fabric cover and wooden legs fits harmoniously, in a modern concept a simple form with metal frame may be more suitable. What matters is that the bench is perceived as a natural part of the furnishings and not as a subsequently placed piece of furniture.
Additional Use Outside Peak Hours
Outside main business hours, the bench can also serve as a surface for folded goods or as a presentation area for accessories. It thus offers dual use and justifies the space requirement even when there are no companions in the store. A bench with stable construction withstands this changing use and remains a functional element in the sales floor for years to come.
Related items: baroque mirrors, Showcases, Chairs. The complete range: Baroque furniture.
All Barockgrosshandel news at a glance
Related categories: baroque mirrors, Showcases, Chairs. The full range: Baroque Furniture.
Read more: Square dining table for four: when the shape calms the room, Console and Display Cabinet Side by Side: Combining Closed and Open Storage, Baroque in Period Buildings: Stucco, Floorboards and Heavy Furniture, Bench instead of row of chairs: when the bench is the better choice, Reordering without colour variation: what to consider