Design For Dignity
Retail Guidelines

Guidance on premises

Seating

Several people's hands reaching over a blue bar chart

Seating in stores should reflect a variety of user capabilities and take account of a rapidly ageing population who are working until later in life. The range of seating should match the heights of customer interaction desks, but also consider the need for customers who might need to sit whilst waiting or require additional time for conversations in a quieter part of the store.

Design focus

Additional considerations for more dignified access
  • Ensure that there is a variety of styles which maximise the range of customers that can be seated.
  • Lower seating has arms that allow customers to assist themselves in and out of the chair.
  • Alternatives to stool seating, as these require stability and balance to use.
  • Clear space between the legs of the chair.
  • Chairs should have good contrast to the background to make them easier to see.
  • Expected placement of seating allows clearance around the chair and away from paths of travel.
  • Chair height is appropriate to the desk and the expected reach.

AS1428.2 covers “Street Furniture”, some of which is useful in guiding seat design for waiting areas. A summary of some relevant sections is provided below:

  • Seats should be a minimum of 500mm away from the path of travel.
  • Objects should have a contrasting colour and luminance to their background.
  • Seats should be 400mm to 450mm high (or 520mm high when used by people who are elderly).
  • There should be a clear space between the legs of the seat and out to 150mm in front.
  • Armrests at a height between 220mm and 300mm above seat.