A reception or breakout corner has to seat people comfortably without taking over the floor. A tub chair does that well: its curved back wraps into the arms, so it feels like a lounge chair in a more compact footprint. Add an ottoman or two and the same corner can seat more people when it gets busy.
This guide covers tub chair shapes and bases, seat heights, upholstery and colours, ottomans as extra seating, coffee tables and cleaning, with seven pieces from our ottomans and tub chairs range.
What makes a tub chair different
A tub chair has a rounded back that curves forward into the arms, a little like a barrel cut in half. The shape feels enclosed and relaxed while keeping people fairly upright, which suits waiting rooms, client lounges and breakout areas. Several tub chairs fit around a coffee table without the bulk of a sofa.
Where a space needs longer seating runs, our guide to choosing office sofas covers one-, two- and three-seat lounges.
Tub chair shapes and bases
The base changes how a tub chair looks, how it sits on the floor and how easily it moves.
The Vista Tub Chair ($430) has a fully upholstered shell seat on a sturdy powdercoated steel sled frame. It measures 620mm wide, 560mm deep and 785mm high, with a 450mm seat height. The shell comes in Sunday fabric in Charcoal, Kelly Green or Niagara, and the base in Black, Moss or Sky. It carries a 140kg weight rating and a 10-year warranty.
The Opal Tub Chair ($491) has a rounded shape on a black powdercoat steel frame with adjustable feet. It measures 690mm wide, 660mm deep and 750mm high, and its 410mm seat sits lower than the Vista's. It has a weight rating of up to 120kg and a 10-year warranty.
For a warmer timber look, the Tulip Wooden Leg Tub Chair - Charcoal ($848) puts charcoal fabric upholstery on a wooden leg base. It measures 680mm wide, 620mm deep and 800mm high, with a seat 500mm wide. It also comes in Blue, custom colours are made to order, and it has a three-year warranty.
For home offices and shared workspaces, the Pixel Tub Chair On 5 Star Base ($308) sets a tub seat with ribbed stitching on a five-star base with a gas lift. The seat height adjusts from 470mm to 515mm. It comes in Charcoal 457 or Olive fabric with a black or white base, and has a 120kg weight rating and a five-year warranty.
Seat heights, upholstery and colours
Seat height decides what a tub chair pairs with. A low seat, like the Opal's 410mm, suits a coffee table and a relaxed conversation. The Vista's 450mm seat is closer to dining-chair height, so it suits a waiting area where people sit upright or fill in forms. The Pixel's adjustable seat suits shared workspaces where different people use the same chair.
Upholstery is the other big choice. PU wipes clean and suits busy front-of-house spaces, while fabric feels softer and opens up more colours. The Space Executive Tub ($450) is a larger reception tub chair in cleanable black PU, with flared arm rests and stitching detail on the back. Its seat is 480mm wide, 470mm deep and 480mm high, and it has a three-year warranty.
Colour sets the tone. Black PU and charcoal fabric suit a formal reception, while Kelly Green or Niagara on the Vista, or Olive on the Pixel, give a softer, more relaxed look.
Ottomans as extra seating
Ottomans add seats without adding visual bulk, and people can perch on them from any side. They can also be moved across when a meeting needs a few more places.
The Kali Rectangle Ottoman ($317) measures 900mm wide, 450mm deep and 450mm high, with 150mm radius corners. Use it as an extra seat, a footrest or a centrepiece in a lounge. Adjustable levelling feet keep it steady, it comes in Charcoal 457 or Stone 102 fabric, and it has a five-year warranty.
Modular shapes take the idea further. The Puzzle Ottoman ($495) is covered in easy clean vinyl and measures 820mm wide, 580mm deep and 450mm high. Use several together to create different layouts, from a reading corner to a breakout cluster. It comes in Blue, Green, Yellow or Red, so colour can mark out different zones.
The table compares all seven pieces by base, size and upholstery.
| Piece | Base | Size (W x D x H) | Seat height | Upholstery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Tub Chair | Powdercoated steel sled | 620 x 560 x 785mm | 450mm | Sunday fabric: Charcoal, Kelly Green or Niagara |
| Opal Tub Chair | Black steel frame, adjustable feet | 690 x 660 x 750mm | 410mm | Moulded, upholstered foam |
| Tulip Wooden Leg - Charcoal | Wooden legs | 680 x 620 x 800mm | Not listed | Charcoal fabric, or Blue |
| Pixel Tub Chair On 5 Star Base | Five-star base, gas lift | 620 x 620 x 780 to 825mm | 470 to 515mm | Charcoal 457 or Olive fabric |
| Space Executive Tub | Not listed | Seat 480 x 470mm | 480mm | Cleanable black PU |
| Kali Rectangle Ottoman | Adjustable levelling feet | 900 x 450 x 450mm | Top at 450mm | Charcoal 457 or Stone 102 fabric |
| Puzzle Ottoman | Not listed | 820 x 580 x 450mm | Top at 450mm | Easy clean vinyl in four colours |
Coffee tables, layout and cleaning
A coffee table anchors a group of tub chairs and ottomans. Choose one at or just below seat height so cups are easy to reach, and leave a clear path so people do not step over feet. Two tub chairs facing a small table make a client corner, while chairs and ottomans around a larger table suit a team catch-up.
Cleaning depends on the cover:
- PU and vinyl. Wipe with a damp cloth. The Space Executive is listed as cleanable PU and the Puzzle as easy clean vinyl.
- Fabric. Vacuum regularly and blot spills quickly rather than rubbing them in.
- Frames and feet. Check levelling feet and glides now and then so chairs and ottomans sit steady.
Tub chairs in Australian receptions and breakout areas
Reception is often the first part of an office a client sees, so the chairs there need to stay smart for years.
- Certification. The Vista is AFRDI Certified. AFRDI, the Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute, is an independent body that tests and certifies furniture for Australia and New Zealand.
- Warm weather. Fabric breathes better than PU or vinyl on a hot day, which is worth weighing for a sunny, north-facing reception.
- Delivery cities. Each product page has a Delivery line naming its metro cities. The Tulip goes to metro Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, while the Vista, Opal and Kali also reach Adelaide.
- Arrival. Deliveries go to the ground-floor entrance, and goods arrive flat-packed unless the product page says assembled.
Tub chairs and ottomans — frequently asked questions
What is a tub chair?
A tub chair is a compact armchair with a rounded back that curves into the arms. It suits reception areas, client lounges and breakout spaces where a full sofa would take too much room.
What seat height should a tub chair have?
It depends on what sits beside it. A low seat like the Opal's 410mm suits a coffee table, the Vista's 450mm suits a waiting area, and the Pixel adjusts from 470mm to 515mm for shared workspaces.
Can an ottoman be used as extra seating?
Yes. The Kali Rectangle Ottoman works as an extra seat, a footrest or a centrepiece, and several Puzzle Ottomans combine into different layouts for groups.
Is PU or fabric better for a reception tub chair?
PU is quicker to wipe clean, which suits busy front-of-house spaces. Fabric feels softer, offers more colours and breathes better in warm weather.
Shop the range
Every piece in this guide is listed below in the order it appears. Single armchairs are in our armchairs and single lounges range, and sofas in our office lounges range.
- Vista Tub Chair ($430): a sled-base tub chair for reception and breakout areas, with AFRDI certification
- Opal Tub Chair ($491): a low, rounded tub chair on steel legs for coffee-table groups
- Tulip Wooden Leg Tub Chair - Charcoal ($848): a charcoal fabric tub chair on timber legs for warmer lounges
- Pixel Tub Chair On 5 Star Base ($308): a height-adjustable tub chair for home offices and shared workspaces
- Space Executive Tub ($450): a larger tub chair in cleanable black PU for busy receptions
- Kali Rectangle Ottoman ($317): a 900mm fabric ottoman for extra seats or a lounge centrepiece
- Puzzle Ottoman ($495): an easy clean vinyl ottoman that combines into different group layouts
Metro delivery is a flat $75 per order, and prices include GST.
