The truth is: suspended seating makes sense on a multitude of levels. Though the plight of the chair seems very straight forward, the reality is its job description is ever-changing. Chairs often get shuffled around and used for things they were never designed to do. At one point or another, who hasn’t substituted a chair for a stepladder or even a door stop? And we all have that family member or guest who does their imitation of a circus performer’s balancing act using your furniture. You know the one I’m talking about…they sit normally for about five minutes before rocking back, forcing the chair to bear the brunt of their weight – at a precarious angle, no less - on its two back legs. Is it any wonder our chairs wobble? Never mind what all this shuffling can do to the surface of our floors.

With all of this in mind, it is no surprise to find consumers want seating that is not simply attractive, but durable and practical as well.

One thing people tend to think when they first see suspended seating is that they attach to the countertop and likewise the existing countertop would not be strong enough. The fact is, Uni-dine Snack Bar Seats require no modification to your cabinet or countertop. The unit is actually freestanding and mounts directly to the floor. These seating systems have a cantilever frame that can often be concealed behind a finish panel and underneath a footrest. This feature, coupled with the heavy duty steel components used to construct the units, make the seats extremely stable with the ability to accommodate up to 500 pounds.

Now that we’ve covered function, let’s talk about form. At the risk of sounding like an old infomercial offering to tack on a set of Ginsu knives, I find it nearly impossible not to say, “And that’s not all…” Truly, there is more. Simply put, this form of seating is gorgeous. Regardless of what else you’ve got going on in your kitchen, suspended seating virtually screams, “Custom!” From traditional, like an Arrowback design in cherry wood to a very contemporary metal back with a pine seat and everything in between, the selection is amazing. Colors, textures, patterns and materials abound for this seating option.

Also, where other forms of seating can tend to unintentionally hide your kitchen’s island, suspended seating draws the eye to the area, enhancing the look of beautiful cabinetry and countertops. And somehow, it seems to beckon people to sit down. What a great way to encourage family and friends to visit while meals are being prepared. So, if you’ve been planning to make some changes in your kitchen (or maybe the inspiration has struck you now) this is definitely one fabulous customization that will make your guests sit up and pay attention.