I recently wrote in our Best Waiting Room Chairs for a Small Office post that rising rent costs have consumers looking for alternatives ways to save. Cutting costs on your furniture by searching out cheap waiting room chairs is a popular option. Unfortunately, like most things, you really do get what you pay for, especially with office furniture. The reception area is the first thing your customers see when entering your business. It’s important to portray the right image for your brand. With that said, there are still some quality options to update your waiting room, even if you’re on a tight budget.
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5 Best Cheap Waiting Room Chairs For 2019
- Boss Chairs B9503
- BTOD BEYOND-SD-2052A
- Eurotech EUR-9011
- BTOD BT-353
- Office Star WD387
- Things To Consider
- Final Thoughts
1. Boss Chairs B9503 – $79.80
The Boss Contemporary style stack chair is a basic four post leg waiting room chair. The Boss B9503 is constructed of durable steel with a powder-coated finish that helps maintain its appearance for years of use. It is able to be stacked up to four high, which is nice if you have the need to provide flexible seating options. It’s also available in four standard fabric colors and one black vinyl option. All boss seating products come with an 18-month warranty on the foam and upholstery. The frames come with a six-year warranty.
B9503 Specifications
Overall: 23.5″W x 23″D x 30.5″H
Seat: 18″W x 18″D
Seat Height: 18″H
Arm Height: 25.5″H
Boss B9503 Features:
- Deluxe contemporary style.
- Powder-coated steel frames.
- Molded arm caps.
- Stackable for space-saving storage space.
- Waterfall seat reduces stress on legs.
- Stacks 4 high.
- Ready to Assemble
2. BTOD BEYOND-SD-2052A – $106.99
The BTOD contemporary black fabric chair is our best value for a wood-framed guest chair. It is currently available in three wood finishes with standard black upholstery. All SD-2052A chairs come with the CA117 fire retardant foam. It includes a standard two-year warranty that covers the frames, foam and upholstery. This product will not be a good fit for healthcare facilities that require upholstery that is antibacterial and easily cleaned.
BTOD SD-2052A Specifications
Overall Size: 21”W x 23”D x 32.75”H
Seat Size: 18”W x 19”D x 18.5”H
Back Size: 19”W x 15”H
Weight: 14 lbs.
Chair rated for 250 lbs.
BTOD Black Fabric Wood Guest Chair Features
- Executive Guest Chair
- Contemporary Design
- Black Fabric Upholstery
- Open Back Design
- Waterfall Seat Reduces Leg Strain
- Curved Arms
- Solid Hardwood Frame Available In Walnut, Mahogany or Beech
- Floor Glides
- CA117 Fire Retardant Foam
3. Eurotech EUR-9011 – $145.00
The Eurotech Dakota stacking guest chair is a good option if you need a chair with a strong warranty. Available with a five-year warranty on the foam and upholstery, lifetime on the frame, this is the strongest warranty on our list of budget waiting room chairs. The Dakota by Eurotech is also stackable up to four high for added flexibility as your seating capacity changes. Choose from four standard fabric upholstery options and the option to customize with Eurotechs Fabrix program (additional cost). This chair also comes with a strong powder-coated steel frame.
Dakota Stacker Specifications:
Overall: 25.75″W x 20″D x 32″H
Seat: 19.5″W x 18″D x 2″ Thick
Back: 18.5″W x 13.5″H x 2″ Thick
Weight: 30 lbs.
Shipped Ready to Assemble
Rated for 250 lbs.
EUR-9011 Features:
- Heavy Duty Steel Frame
- Stacks To Save Space
- Padded Seat and Back
- Armrests for added support
4. BTOD BT-353 – $151.99
The BTOD BT-353 is a good option if you’re looking for something that is closer to a fully upholstered chair without the added cost. This model comes with a fully upholstered back and armrest, with exposed solid mahogany wood finish legs. The BTOD BT-353 is available in three vinyl colors made from LeatherSoft, a leather/polyurethane blend for added softness and durability. With a contemporary style and box stitching on the seat and back, this is our nicest looking option available under $140.
BEYOND-BT-353 Specifications
Overall Size: 26.5”W x 23”D x 35.25”H
Seat Size: 18.25”W x 19”D x 19.75”H
Back Size: 23”W x 17.25”H
Weight: 32.9 lbs.
Chair rated for 250 lbs.
BTOD Executive Leather Side Chair Features
- Contemporary Design
- Box Stitching on Seat and Back
- High Leg Style
- Mahogany Finished Wood Legs
- Non-Marring Plastic Floor Glides
- Black LeatherSoft Upholstery
- LeatherSoft is leather and polyurethane for added Softness and Durability
- CA117 Fire Retardant Foam
5. Office Star WD387 – $189.99
The OfficeStar WD series has been a strong seller for BTOD.com over the past seven years. The base price at $172.99 is borderline for consideration into this post; however, it is our least expensive wood frame chair with healthcare grade upholstery options. The WD series is available in four different wood finishes and 45 upholstery options, including seven antimicrobial types of vinyl. It also has the option to gang chairs together to create a more uniform look throughout the waiting area. The WD series comes with a three-year warranty on the foam and upholstery, 15 years on the frame, and a 250 lbs weight capacity.
WD387 Specifications
Seat Size: 21”W x 18”D x 4”T
Back Size: 20”W x 17.5”H x 3”T
Max Overall: Size: 35.5”H x 23”D x 25.5”W
Arms max Inside: 20.5″
Arms to Floor Min: 26.75”
Seat Height: 18″
Weight: 27 lbs.
Shipped Ready to Assemble
Rated for 250 lbs.
OS-WD387 Features
- Thick Padded Seat and Back
- Built-In Lumbar Support
- Cherry Wood Base and Arms
- 45 Upholstery Options
- 7 Anti-Bacterial Vinyl Options
Things To Consider
When customers search out cheap waiting room chairs, they still expect good quality, with a lower price point. Like many investments, you want to make sure that they will last long enough to provide a good return.
Warranty
Make sure to look for a product that has a warranty. It probably sounds crazy, but if you’ve read our post about the “Worst Office Seating Warranties,” some of the cheapest furniture available comes without a warranty. Waiting chairs that have a minimum of 18-24 month warranty on the foam and fabric will be a good place to start.
Durability Rating
Check the upholstery durability rating, known as the double rub count. This is a test that simulates the typical usage of a customer sitting down and getting up for a chair. While heavy duty is rated at 15,000+, I typically recommend a benchmark of at least 30,000 for most commercial spaces. The average annual double rubs is around 3,000, but your average will be dependent on the amount of traffic your waiting area sees daily.
Frame Material Type
Lastly, consider what type of frame you would like for the chair’s construction. All of the options that I will be listing below are constructed of wood or metal. From a durability standpoint, the metal frames will always reign supreme; however, they may not provide the look you need for your space.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of your budget, finding a good waiting room chair for your lobby is important for all organizations. The waiting area is typically the first place you are able to make an impression on new customers. If you are in a healthcare facility and require vinyl that includes anti-microbial components, the cheapest options in my list may not be a good fit. If you like solid hardwood frames, the BTOD SD-2052A is a good option, with three wood finish options available. Unfortunately,the standard black fabric may not provide enough options for all spaces. If durability is the main concern, metal frames with a powder coated finish will be the best bet. No matter what seating you select, make sure you consider the warranty and upholstery durability. This will go a long way to get the return you expect on your investment.
