Effect on Users of the Seating Element Types in Cafés / Restaurants

Abstract

In this study, the impact of different seating unit types on subjects’ perceptional evaluation of café/restaurant environments has been examined. The scopes for assessment were being ergonomic, privacy and perceptual preferences. The data for this research were obtained from students’ ratings of digital pictures for two hypothetical cafés/restaurants. These spaces were prepared exactly the same. The only differences were that one space was furnished with chairs and the other was furnished with booths. Each dining environment was tested by using bipolar scales. Results indicated that cafés/restaurants furnished with booths were considered to be more ergonomic, private, comfortable and less crowded than the cafés/restaurants furnished with chairs. Furthermore, gender differences in evaluation were also examined. Due to the gender differences, findings showed that female subjects perceived cafés/restaurants furnished with booths more positively than male subjects. Additionally, their preferences for seating locations in cafés/restaurants were also different.