Restaurants can be distinguished in many ways, including their food, location, price range, and theme. However, the type of restaurant furniture can make the most significant difference in the overall atmosphere. The look and comfort of the chairs directly impact the customer experience. Restaurant owners should choose chairs that are both durable and stylish, as well as affordable.
Table of Contents
Comfort
It’s important to find chairs that are comfortable for diners. However, the right amount of comfort depends on how long your guests plan to stay in your restaurant. For example, fast casual restaurants generally have a quick turnover, so their seating needs to be comfortable enough for 45 minutes or less.
However, guests will likely stay for over an hour at a fine dining establishment. Therefore, the furniture must be more upholstered to encourage guests to linger.
The next thing to consider is the durability level of your chairs. It would be best if you chose commercial-grade chairs that will stand up to the heavy use that restaurants see. Typically, this means selecting seats made of sturdy wood or metal.
You must also consider the fabric in which your restaurant chairs are upholstered. Look for upholstery that is easy to clean and stain-resistant, as well as a color that coordinates with your decor theme.
Durability
You don’t see plastic chairs in a five-star restaurant, nor would you want them in your neighborhood coffee shop. The style level of your venue is one factor in the selection process, but so is the durability of your furniture. It would be best to have seating that can withstand the wear and tear of many diners daily.
It’s also worth looking for items that are commercially rated. For example, metal restaurant chairs tend to be stronger than wood ones, and they can typically hold more weight. Their construction often includes rivets and welding, which adds to their resilience. In the past, metal dining chairs were limited to basic designs.
However, modern production techniques allow for various finish options that suit nearly any decor theme. For example, a restaurateur may order chairs with bright and light wood seats or black gloss frames with dark wood seats. This allows them to create a unique aesthetic while still staying within budget.
Style
The design of restaurant chairs is essential as it contributes to the overall atmosphere of your restaurant. You want to ensure that the chairs you choose are comfortable for guests and stylish enough to complement your decor theme. It would be best if you also considered how durable the chairs are.
Restaurant furniture is exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so it’s essential to find commercially-rated pieces built to last. Another factor to consider when choosing restaurant furniture is its size. You want to ensure the chairs you choose are the right size for your table layouts.
Otherwise, you may have to leave a space between chairs, making it hard for diners to move around the room. In addition, you should also consider how long you would like your diners to stay in your restaurant.
For example, if you own a fast casual or quick service restaurant, opt for chairs that are comfortable enough for 45 minutes or less so that you can turn over tables more quickly.
Budget
Restaurant owners have many different considerations when buying furniture for their establishment. They should consider the initial and lifecycle costs of their seating choices. This will help them avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse.
It’s also important to consider the style of the restaurant when selecting chairs. The right type of chair will enhance the overall look of the space.
For example, you would want something other than plastic chairs in a high-end restaurant and wood seats at a family dinner. The furniture should also reflect the target audience and concept of the business.
Restaurants should also ensure there is adequate spacing between tables to prevent guests from banging into one another or having to squeeze past chairs. This is especially important if the establishment has a busy dining room.
The restaurant chairs should also be easy to move for cleaning purposes and when rearranging the composition of the tables for larger groups.
