Choosing restaurant furniture isn't simply about finding chairs and tables that look good. Furniture in a busy hospitality environment needs to withstand constant use, regular cleaning and daily movement while remaining comfortable and presentable.
Whether you're opening a new restaurant or planning a refurbishment, here are the key things to consider.
Commercial vs Domestic Furniture
Domestic furniture may look attractive and can sometimes be cheaper, but restaurants place much greater demands on furniture than the average home.
Commercial restaurant furniture is designed with frequent use in mind. Depending on the product, this can include stronger frames, more robust joints, durable finishes and upholstery suitable for hospitality environments.
Don't judge furniture purely by its purchase price.
A £60 chair that needs replacing quickly can prove more expensive than an £85 chair that performs reliably for years.
The important consideration is value over the lifetime of the furniture.
Start With Your Restaurant Layout
Before choosing individual products, establish how many covers your space can comfortably accommodate.
Consider:
- Customer and staff walkways
- Space between occupied chairs
- Accessible seating
- Entrances and exits
- Different table configurations
- Larger groups
- High-traffic areas
Smaller tables can provide useful flexibility. For example, two square tables can operate independently and then be positioned together for larger groups.
Trying to squeeze in an additional table at the expense of customer comfort isn't always worthwhile.
Choosing Commercial Restaurant Chairs
Restaurant chairs experience constant movement and repeated use, so construction matters.
Comfort
Customers could remain seated for several hours. Seat depth, back support, upholstery and overall proportions should therefore be considered alongside appearance.
Durability
Look for chairs intended for commercial environments rather than relying entirely on appearance or price.
Busy restaurants can put a chair through considerably more use in a few months than it might experience in years in a domestic dining room.
Cleaning
Spills are inevitable.
Faux leather and other wipe-clean materials can be useful in busy restaurants, cafés and pubs. Upholstered chairs offer considerably more design choice but the fabric should be appropriate for its intended environment.
Style
Furniture forms a major part of your restaurant interior.
Chair upholstery, frame colour and wood finish should complement the wider design rather than being selected independently.
Stock or Made-to-Order Restaurant Chairs?
Both have advantages.
Stock chairs are particularly useful when price and availability are important. They're ideal for refurbishments with short lead times and businesses looking for straightforward commercial furniture at competitive prices.
Made-to-order chairs provide considerably greater design flexibility.
Depending on the chair, options can include different fabrics, faux leathers, wood stains, piping and contrasting upholstery.
Herts & Essex Furniture's Signature Collection is designed for hospitality projects where seating needs to complement a specific interior scheme.
The right choice comes down to budget, design and lead time.
Choosing Restaurant Table Sizes
Table dimensions have a direct impact on both customer comfort and restaurant capacity.
Popular sizes include:
600 × 600mm – compact two-person dining.
700 × 700mm – a versatile restaurant and café table size.
800 × 800mm – provides additional dining space where room allows.
1200 × 700mm – commonly used for four-person dining.
Larger rectangular, round and oval tables can accommodate bigger groups.
Consider the style of service too. A coffee shop serving drinks and light food has different requirements from a restaurant serving multiple plates, side dishes, wine bottles and glassware.
Choosing Restaurant Table Tops
Restaurant table tops need to withstand constant cleaning, spills and regular use.
Consider:
- Scratch resistance
- Moisture resistance
- Ease of cleaning
- Edge durability
- Heat resistance
- Weight
- Replacement cost
Commercial laminate table tops can provide an excellent combination of durability, appearance and price.
Modern finishes include wood effects, concrete, marble and stone-inspired designs, making it possible to create a premium appearance without necessarily using expensive natural materials.
Don't Ignore the Table Base
A beautiful table top on an inadequate base can create an unstable table.
The correct base depends on the dimensions and weight of the top.
Small square tables may only require a single pedestal base, while larger rectangular tops can require twin bases.
Check the manufacturer's recommended maximum table-top dimensions and weight for each base. A base that is too small for its top may leave the table feeling unsteady, especially when customers lean on the edge.
Also consider the space beneath the table. The position of the base affects legroom and how easily chairs can be pulled in. Adjustable feet can help keep tables level on uneven floors.
Plan for Everyday Use
Before placing an order, think about how the furniture will work during a normal service, not just how it looks in an empty room. Can staff move tables when the layout changes? Are surfaces straightforward to clean? Will you be able to replace a damaged top or add matching chairs later?
If you're furnishing a whole venue, it's worth checking samples and confirming dimensions, finishes and lead times before making your final choice. That extra planning can help you create a dining space that looks right, works for your team and remains comfortable for your customers.
Choosing Furniture for Your Venue
The best restaurant furniture balances appearance, comfort, durability and budget. Start with your layout, choose chairs and table sizes that suit your style of service, then make sure the tops and bases work together.
Herts & Essex Furniture can help you explore seating and table options for restaurants, cafés, pubs and other hospitality venues, whether you need readily available furniture or a more tailored finish.